If your gunite pool is in need of a remodel, a great way to give it a new and fresh look is with a new pool finish, specifically plaster. With so many features and options available, it’s good to know the type that will best fit the needs of your family, while complementing your home and backyard design.
Pool plaster is one of the oldest and most popular ways to resurface a swimming pool. Generally, a pool plaster can last 8+ years under ideal conditions. The good news is that there are so many options for plaster today that weren’t available in the swimming pools of old! Classic white pool plaster is a mixture of white cement, white marble aggregate and water. When filled with water, the surface creates a pool that is brilliant, clean and has a light blue water color. White plaster is the most economical choice for gunite surfacing. The downside to standard white plaster is the surface is more susceptible to pool deterioration from pool water chemistry.
For a different look to a pool plaster, homeowners are choosing to add colored ceramic coated sand to the plaster mix. From reds to vivid blues, the colored quartz adds both aesthetic and increased life expectancy to the plaster surface. A great option to consider when re-plastering during a pool remodel is QuartzScapes: a premium blend of crushed quartz, white cement and color tints. When you choose QuartzScapes pool finish, your pool will be completely unique: the patterns of texture and color, the specific hue of your chosen color, and the way the color becomes richer over time. All this, in addition to striking beauty and long-lasting durability, are what discriminating pool and hot tub owners consider being some of the real joys of owning a pool.
Another way to make your pool plaster unique is with aggregates. Aggregates offer the look of a myriad of pebbles worked into a concrete surface. Over the last 10 years, pebble surfaces have increased dramatically in popularity and come in a broad range of colors and color combinations. The appearance of the aggregate varies greatly based on the color of the concrete and the types of pebbles used. One of the most popular reasons for this type of pool finish is the slight texture that makes for a slip-proof surface. It is also a relatively low maintenance pool finish, although a sealant may need to be reapplied periodically to help it retain its appearance. StoneScapes give your pool or hot tub the naturally beautiful look of a pebble-bottomed stream. StoneScapes combines artistry with durability, comfort and safety to create a perfect finish for a remodeled pool, BBQ Islands, or other outdoor amenities.
Pool plaster additives are not only for aesthetic purposes – some can alter the physical and chemical composition of the plaster, increasing strength and durability without sacrificing beauty or texture. These additives known as “pozzolans” take the weakest element in plaster and make it less susceptible to chemical attacks. Pozzolan based products have been known to reduce etching, mottling and cracking.
Whether you choose the basic white plaster or decide to make a stunning change with a pebble finish, knowing your options when re-plastering your pool can have a significant impact on how well your pool and hot tub maintains its appearance over time.
