While building a pool, there are many things to consider. One of the biggest items for a homeowner to prioritize when building a pool is selecting a pool interior surface. A swimming pool’s surface is an essential part of the oasis that deserves a high level of attention. Choosing the material for your pool’s surface will impact the appearance and appropriate to what feels right under the feet. Thankfully, there are many options available for pool surface materials.
Plaster Finish
Plaster is a comparatively cheaper alternative with many color options. The color white is the most standard; it doesn’t limit the color of the swimming pool to just one shade. In the long run, plaster requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep. Plaster can discolor due to improper chemical balance and other factors that lead it to need repainting and re-plastering more often. We at Platinum Pools will not use this option as a pool finish due to the higher maintenance and upkeep needed. Our goal is to build a superior quality pool that you will spend time enjoying with minimal upkeep on your part needed.
Pebble Finish
Pebble finishing is becoming a more popular interior surface than regular plaster. It may cost more upfront but has a longer lifespan and is easier to maintain. It does not absorb pool chemicals and is resistant to algae growth. If a homeowner chooses for a tropical designed pool, pebble inlay is the best option. It gives a more natural look that is similar to sand.
The pebble surface has a mix of cement and polished stone pebbles. After the concrete is dry, the mixture goes pneumatically; then, it gets water blasted or hand-wiped to uncover the top layer of the surface.
There is a variety of colors available. Some colors are bright and summery, or fresh and modern. A designer can help come up with the right choice to match the finishing touches that will give elegance to the oasis. The texture also contributes to the color and the feel.
Another advantage of selecting pebble inlay is low maintenance. It is stain-resistant, anti-slip, and non-porous.
All Tile Surface
The advantage of selecting a tile interior surface for your pool is that tiles come in many shapes and colors. They last longer than any material and are also easy to maintain. Tile pool surfaces allow you more room to play with how the pool looks due to how many different tile options are available. An important aspect to keep in mind when selected a tile for your pool’s surface is that the size of the tile will impact its duration. Large glass tiles may crack by thermal shock, and they are less stable in the center of the pool. We recommend that future pool owners do their homework and ask any of our designers what pool tile option would be best for them.
The tiles available are:
- Glass Tile – in recent years, the popularity of glass tiles on swimming pools is on the up. Made from recycled glass materials, it is non-porous and the most durable. Because of its availability in mosaic formats, it has the advantage to cover curved surfaces completely. Glass tiles give an artistic look and feel. It also gives optical quality and vibrant shine and color, giving excitement to an oasis.
- Stone Tile – usually, stone tiles go well with a classical or Mediterranean style swimming pool. Stone tile design gives a natural look, and a textured feel. Some stone tiles can be flagstone, travertine, slate, and semi-polished granite tile that displays a pepper tone look.
- Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles – for decades, these types of tiles have been staples of pool finishing. It has an artisan look with hand-painted designs, and they also go into a mosaic mode. Today, ceramic and porcelain tiles come in a textured version that matches well with a surrounding landscape. Porcelain tiles have a bolder glazed texture, enhancing a swimming pool border. A beautiful and continuous design comes with the right balance of color, texture, scale, and detail.
If you are ready for a new oasis in your backyard, don’t forget that Platinum Pools has the best designers ready to build your dream backyard. Call us at 281.870.1600 or request a free quote on our website.