A pristine, sparkling pool isn’t just a refreshing spot for beating the heat; it’s also a big part of your home’s visual and aesthetic appeal—and the surface finish is where you can truly set your pool apart in the pool design process. With a variety of style options available, including different types of pool finishes such as plaster, aggregate, and tiles, your choice of pool finish can transform a mundane dip into a luxurious experience.
In this post, we will explore different pool finishes and pool finish options that not only offer durability but add a little something extra to your backyard space. From standard plaster aesthetics to iridescent sparkles, these finishes will undoubtedly elevate your pool’s visual appeal, as you can see in our gallery of custom pool installations and remodels.
Common pool finishes include plaster, aggregate finishes, and tiles, each affecting longevity, texture, and water color. The choice of pool finish impacts comfort, longevity, maintenance, and aesthetic appeal, creating variations in water color and texture.
What Is a Pool Finish and What Is Its Purpose?
A pool’s finish is its interior surface, applied to the pool shell—the structural base of the pool—to provide both protection and visual appeal. This surface can include concrete, pool plaster (a traditional material used for finishing the pool shell), or aggregates that go on top of your pool’s concrete shell. In addition to aesthetics, it is vital for waterproofing, ensuring foot comfort, adding durability, and, most importantly, contributing to the overall look of the pool. The different colors and materials used in pool finishes can completely alter the look of your pool and the color of the water.
The pool finish you choose is a long-term investment. High-quality finishes with proper maintenance can last well over 10 years, making it crucial not only for visual appeal but also for the pool’s health and your investment.
Common Pool Finish Materials
Now, without further ado, let’s take a deep dive into the pool finishes that will transform your pool’s look.
Pool builders, like our custom pool builders committed to excellence, play a crucial role in applying these finishes to the pool shell, ensuring a durable, waterproof, and visually appealing surface.
In recent years, more pool buyers are opting for durable finish options like quartz aggregates or pebble finishes, often as part of a new custom pool and spa project, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences toward long-lasting materials.
Vinyl liners are another option—cost-effective and easy to install, but they typically need replacement every 10 to 15 years, which is an important consideration when you understand what to expect during the swimming pool installation process.
Traditional Plaster
Plaster finishes have been a staple in the pool industry for decades, widely regarded as an affordable option for pool owners. Composed of a mixture of white cement, marble dust, and water—in addition to any desired color pigment—standard white plaster and marcite are common types of pool plaster finishes, known for their smooth finish and classic appearance. Marcite, the traditional white plaster finish, is the most affordable option but typically lasts 8 to 12 years and is more susceptible to staining and etching. The lifespan of marcite can be significantly reduced in areas with hard water due to its susceptibility to staining and erosion. Plaster finishes, particularly traditional white plaster, require more in-depth maintenance to remain functional and attractive compared to aggregate finishes.
Quartz
Quartz finishes are an upgraded version of traditional plaster, often created using a quartz blend for enhanced durability. They incorporate crushed quartz into the mix, making the surface more durable and resistant to stains and chemical damage. Because of this, the added strength of quartz can extend the lifespan of the finish.
Colored quartz aggregate finishes are popular for their wide spectrum of colors, including blues, reds, whites, greys, tans, and teals, which create a decorative speckled pattern that enhances the pool’s visual appeal. Quartz aggregate finishes are also known for their durability, often lasting 10 to 15 years longer than traditional marcite finishes due to their resistance to scratching and staining. Diamond Brite is a popular quartz-aggregate finish that offers a harder surface compared to traditional plaster, helping to resist stains and etching.
Pebble
Pebble finishes offer a more natural, textured look, and are available in a variety of pebble blends for customized appearance and texture. These finishes are made by combining small, smooth stones and pebbles with cement. The result is a highly durable and slip-resistant surface that mimics the look of a riverbed or natural lagoon.
Pebble finishes provide a natural aesthetic that can evoke imagery of a lake bed or mountain stream, enhancing the overall beauty of the pool environment. Stones are a key component in achieving the natural look and durability of pebble finishes. Pebble finishes are considered the most durable option among swimming pool finishes, typically lasting 12 to 14 years and resisting chipping, mottling, and fading. Pebble Tec is a premium exposed-aggregate finish made from polished river pebbles mixed into a cement base, offering a natural look and high durability.
Glass
Glass finishes, made from finely crushed glass beads, create a stunning, shimmering effect as they catch and reflect sunlight. Tile finishes, including those made from glass, ceramic, or porcelain, are another decorative and durable pool finish option. Glass finishes are smooth to the touch and extremely durable. They are resistant to fading and chemical damage, making them a low-maintenance option that can elevate the visual appeal of any pool.
Tiles made from glass, ceramic, or porcelain are highly durable, resistant to staining, and can last over 20 years with proper maintenance, though they have the highest installation costs.
How To Choose a Pool Finish Material
Selecting the right pool finish material involves several considerations to ensure it meets your aesthetic preferences and functional needs, including whether you plan to incorporate custom water features into your overall design. The material and color you choose will influence the hue of your pool water, as lighter finishes tend to create a bright, inviting blue, while darker finishes can give the water a deeper, lagoon-like appearance. Additionally, the depth of your pool plays a significant role in how the water looks and reflects sunlight—deeper areas often appear richer and more vibrant due to the way light interacts with the water at different levels.
The Color of the Water
Different materials and colors can significantly affect the hue of your pool water. Light-colored finishes, such as white or light blue, typically produce a bright, crisp water color. Mineral tints can also be added to these finishes to mimic the natural appearance of an ocean or lake, enhancing the connection between your pool and natural bodies of water. Darker finishes, like deep blue or black, can give the water a more dramatic, lagoon-like appearance, and shades of green and gray add even more variety to your options.
The Texture
The feel of your pool’s surface is another critical factor. A smooth finish, like traditional plaster or glass, offers a more comfortable experience for swimmers. The texture of the pool surface can also influence the overall swim experience, affecting how enjoyable and relaxing it feels to move through the water. On the other hand, options like pebble finishes provide a more textured, natural feel that some people find appealing and slip-resistant.
Sparkle or Matte
If you enjoy a bit of sparkle in your pool, finishes that incorporate quartz or glass can provide that glittering effect. Polished finishes, such as polished marble, are created by troweling a marble-aggregate mix and then diamond-polishing it underwater, resulting in a glossy, glass-like sheen that enhances both the appearance and durability of the pool surface. For a more understated, matte look, traditional plaster or certain pebble finishes might be more suitable.
Durability and Longevity of Pool Finishes
When investing in a swimming pool, the durability and longevity of your pool finish are key considerations for any pool owner, especially when you’re working with a custom pool builder in Southern Utah or the surrounding regions. The right pool finish not only enhances the beauty of your pool but also ensures it stands up to years of use and exposure to the elements. Among the most durable options are quartz aggregate and pebble aggregate finishes. Quartz aggregate, crafted from a mixture of white cement and resilient quartz chips, creates a hard, non-porous surface that resists staining, etching, and everyday wear. This makes it a popular choice for homeowners seeking a pool surface that will maintain its appearance and integrity for decades.
Pebble aggregate finishes, made by blending natural pebbles with cement, offer a textured, slip-resistant surface that mimics the look of riverbeds and natural lagoons. This finish is not only visually appealing but also highly resistant to damage from pool chemicals and constant water exposure. With proper care, pebble surfaces can last for decades, making them a favorite among pool owners who value both natural beauty and long-term durability.
In contrast, traditional white plaster finishes, while classic and affordable, tend to have a shorter lifespan. White plaster, made from white cement and marble dust, may require more frequent replastering as it is more susceptible to staining and surface wear over time. By choosing a durable pool finish like quartz or pebble aggregate and partnering with an experienced Murrieta custom pool contractor, homeowners can enjoy a stunning, low-maintenance pool surface that stands the test of time and continues to add value and enjoyment to their pool for many years.
Maintaining a Pool Finish
Proper maintenance is essential to preserve the beauty and longevity of your pool finish, no matter which material you choose. For pool owners with quartz or pebble aggregate finishes, maintenance is relatively straightforward. These aggregate finishes are designed to be durable and easy to clean—usually requiring only gentle scrubbing with a soft brush and a mild detergent to keep the pool surface looking fresh and inviting. Their resilient nature means they are less prone to staining and scaling, making them a practical choice for busy homeowners.
Traditional white plaster finishes, while offering a classic look, demand a bit more attention. White plaster surfaces may need periodic acid washing to remove stubborn stains and calcium buildup, and regular brushing is important to prevent algae growth and surface discoloration. Regardless of the finish, maintaining proper pool water chemistry is crucial. Balanced water helps prevent damage to the pool surface, reduces the risk of calcium nodules, and keeps the water sparkling bright blue.
Routine inspections are also recommended to catch any issues early, such as cracks or rough patches, so they can be repaired before they worsen. Using the right cleaning equipment and materials will help protect your pool finish and ensure a safe, enjoyable swimming environment, especially when your project was built by a seasoned Riverside custom pool builder. With consistent care and attention, your pool finish—whether it’s plaster, quartz, or pebble—can remain a beautiful and durable surface for decades, providing lasting enjoyment and enhancing the overall appeal of your swimming pool.
Taylor Made Pools—Your Custom Pool Realized
At Taylor Made Pools, our team of experts is dedicated to helping you design and create the perfect pool, tailored to your unique preferences and needs, including the integration of spa features for enhanced relaxation and luxury, as your custom pool builder in Southern Utah. From selecting the ideal pool finish to ensuring impeccable craftsmanship, we are committed to bringing your vision to life.
Ready to take the plunge and realize your dream pool? Contact Taylor Made Pools today for a consultation and let us transform your backyard into the ultimate oasis, and feel confident knowing we safeguard your information under our privacy policy for Taylor Made Pools.