Which pool surface is best?

Author: Mrs. Bonita Thompson Jr.  |  Last update: Sunday, July 3, 2022

Aggregate swimming pool finishes have been growing in popularity over the last few decades. Today, they have taken the top spot from pool plaster as the most desirable pool finish option.

What is the most durable surface for a pool?

Pebble finishes, combined with modified cement, last 15+ years. This is the most durable cement based pool finish. Polished marble finishes are an upgrade to standard marble finishes since the reactive cream layer is polished off the pool finish.

What is the smoothest pool surface?

Traditional white plaster (or marcite) gives pools a smooth, classic appearance and remains a popular choice despite the range of pool finishes that have emerged over the years. The most inexpensive pool finish option, it typically lasts five to seven years before any signs of etching or chipping appear.

What material is best for a pool?

Fiberglass, vinyl lining, and concrete reign supreme as the three most commonly used and most reliable materials to create an amazing pool experience.

How do you choose a pool finish?

The shallow end is going to appear lighter than the deeper water. In order to get blue water, you want a pool finish that has a gray, blue, or white pigment. For green water, you want to pick a darker finish with black, brown, tan, or green pigment. The water color and finish should complement the atmosphere.

Concrete Pool Surface Options

How long do pool surfaces last?

The reality is, most plaster pool surfaces are designed to last about 10 years. After that, the surface can show common signs of aging that are aesthetically unappealing, uncomfortable for swimmers, and degrading to the value of your pool and overall property.

What color should a pool be?

There are two primary water colors for your swimming pool, blue and green, and the shades of blue or green are determined by numerous factors. The main determiner for water color is the background dye in the finish. If you want green water, the finish should be green, brown or tan.

What is the easiest type of pool to maintain?

A fiberglass pool is not prone to growing algae, which is one of the main reasons why this pool is easier to maintain. Anyone who is looking for a pool that doesn't require a lot of maintenance may want to consider going with a fiberglass pool.

Do fiberglass pools crack?

Fiberglass pools can craze or check crack from imprecise manufacturing or when the surface is not fully supported, like under the steps or areas where the backfill is eroded. Gelcoat can also crack during transport and installation if it gets bumped around too much.

What is the downside of fiberglass pools?

The cons associated with fiberglass pools are primarily related to cost and installation issues. Contrary to popular belief, fiberglass pools aren't cheaper than traditional options like concrete (we'll provide more details in the “Costs” section later on).

Is Pebble Tec better than plaster?

Pebble Tec®

While it is more expensive than plaster, it is the highest quality pool resurfacing material available due to its longevity and ability to hide chemical residue.

Is quartz pool finish rough on feet?

If you look at quartz vs pebble pool finish, the differences are striking. A pebble finish will give you a natural feel, but it will be rough on your feet. Some people don't like that. If you choose a quartz finish, the pool will be smoother.

How often should a pool be replastered?

On Average, Replastering is Every 10 Years

So how often do you need to replaster a pool? The short answer is about every 10 years. However, it's important to consider the factors mentioned above, as they are typical signs that your pool needs to be replastered.

Do gunite pools hurt your feet?

Many swimmers and children find the rough bottom in a gunite pool to be very abrasive and uncomfortable. It is not uncommon to scrape and or irritate your feet if the swimmer is in the pool for long periods of time and sitting on the pools steps or benches will certainly snag a swim suit.

How often should a pool be resurfaced?

It varies depending on the type of pool, with plaster or cement pools needing to be resurfaced every 3-7 years while fiberglass pools can sometimes go as long as 15-30 years.

Is quartz a good pool finish?

Quartz finishes deliver greater strength, beauty, and resilience to any inground pool's interior. For starters, quartz falls on the higher end of the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. That makes it difficult to scratch, and it resists chipping and etching better than marcite.

What is the lifespan of a fiberglass pool?

Most fiberglass pools are known to last 25-30 years, but we take that to the next level. Our manufacturer, Narellan Pools, makes the best fiberglass pools around. Their unique fiberglass formula results in a pool that can last as long as 50 years! Plus, these pools are notoriously easy to maintain.

Is a fiberglass pool worth it?

Fiberglass pools are durable

Both the structure and the surface of a high-quality fiberglass pool can last as long as you want them to, provided you take good care of it. A well-made fiberglass pool can last at least 50 years, with less maintenance required to keep it useful and enjoyable decade after decade.

Can you leave a fiberglass pool empty?

While there are many myths about fiberglass pools, the one thing you should NEVER EVER do is DRAIN your fiberglass pool without professional help. Let me say that again, NEVER drain your fiberglass pool for any reason. In fact, we recommend NEVER letting the water level drop more than 2-3 inches below the skimmer!

Which pool has less maintenance?

A fiberglass pool typically has the highest upfront cost but the lowest maintenance cost. They are quick to install, but because they're built from a mold the shape is not customizable (and they can't be wider than 16 feet). A vinyl pool has the lowest installation cost and can be built to any size and shape.

What kind of pool requires the least maintenance?

Fiberglass pools need the least maintenance, and they cost the least ($3,750 over 10 years).

What is the healthiest pool system?

Mineral Swim is the only system of it's kind combining Australian made ozone water purification technology with 100% natural Dead Sea minerals to make it the safest, healthiest swimming pool about.

Why does water look blue in a pool?

Looking at the structure of water itself, science tells us about the way the water molecules work. When interacting with light, the molecules actually absorb red light waves, whilst reflecting blue light waves. This selective process is known as electromagnetic absorption and is the main reason that water appears blue.

Do darker pools stay warmer?

Why Do Dark Pools Get Hotter? Dark surfaces reflect less light away from the surface, this means that the heat from the sunlight is absorbed rather than “bounced” away. So darker pool liners keep the water warmer.

Why do white pools look blue?

Here is why: Sunlight is white, which is made up of all the colours of the spectrum. The molecules in pool water absorb light from the red end of the spectrum when sunlight falls on the water. By removing the red, the light which ends up being reflected has a slightly blue hue which can vary in richness by water depth.

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