Which Pool Is Right for You
For the sake of this discussion, we will refer to different pools by their interior finishes. Also, we’ll limit our discussion to the most commonly found types here in Central Va.
Plaster or Painted POOLS
Plaster would typically be the finish most commonly found in concrete pools. Some folks paint concrete pools and there are a couple different types of paint. Plaster, marcite, or pebble tec are the most common and best finishes in concrete type pools. There are at least 3 common methods of constructing concrete pools :
Gunite is pneumatic application of a mixture of sand and cement to a pre-determined earthen shell reinforced with steel rebar. After digging a hole to particular, specified dimensions, plumbing for the pool’s circulatory system would be run, and then the steel reinforcement would be tied in. The gunite crew comes in and applies approximately 6” of “gunite” over the earth, pluming, and rebar. After gunite, the tile crew would place the waterline tile and other tile if ordered. The last step is the plaster. The plaster crew would apply ¼” – 3/8” of plaster material over the gunite. After a short dry time, the water is added to the pool. For the next 7-10 days, the plaster will undergo a cure.
Shotcrete is another method of doing a plaster finish pool. Shotcrete pools are made just like gunite except, shotcrete is a process of pneumatically applying transit mixed concrete to the earthen, steel reinforced vessel.
Poured Concrete is not done as much today due to the intensive labor required for the formwork and pouring concrete into the forms from trucks.
The shells may be constructed differently, but the interior finishes would be the same. For the plaster or painted finish to do its job and last as long as possible, the structure needs to be done with attention to detail to prevent cracking or water seepage from outside into the layer between the shell and plaster
Plaster done correctly is a long lasting and beautiful finish. You should expect to get at least 10-12 years out of a good plaster job. Remember though, its critical to exercise careful chemical care of the pool or you will damage the plaster finish rather quickly. Their biggest disadvantages plaster finished/concrete pools is their higher initial cost and higher chemical costs. High chemical costs are due to the porosity of the material which allows bacteria and algae spores to get hidden into those cementitious ”pores” where its difficult for the chemicals to get at them.
For the sake of this discussion, we will refer to different pools by their interior finishes. Also, we’ll limit our discussion to the most commonly found types here in Central Va.
Plaster or Painted POOLS
Plaster would typically be the finish most commonly found in concrete pools. Some folks paint concrete pools and there are a couple different types of paint. Plaster, marcite, or pebble tec are the most common and best finishes in concrete type pools. There are at least 3 common methods of constructing concrete pools :
Gunite is pneumatic application of a mixture of sand and cement to a pre-determined earthen shell reinforced with steel rebar. After digging a hole to particular, specified dimensions, plumbing for the pool’s circulatory system would be run, and then the steel reinforcement would be tied in. The gunite crew comes in and applies approximately 6” of “gunite” over the earth, pluming, and rebar. After gunite, the tile crew would place the waterline tile and other tile if ordered. The last step is the plaster. The plaster crew would apply ¼” – 3/8” of plaster material over the gunite. After a short dry time, the water is added to the pool. For the next 7-10 days, the plaster will undergo a cure.
Shotcrete is another method of doing a plaster finish pool. Shotcrete pools are made just like gunite except, shotcrete is a process of pneumatically applying transit mixed concrete to the earthen, steel reinforced vessel.
Poured Concrete is not done as much today due to the intensive labor required for the formwork and pouring concrete into the forms from trucks.
The shells may be constructed differently, but the interior finishes would be the same. For the plaster or painted finish to do its job and last as long as possible, the structure needs to be done with attention to detail to prevent cracking or water seepage from outside into the layer between the shell and plaster
Plaster done correctly is a long lasting and beautiful finish. You should expect to get at least 10-12 years out of a good plaster job. Remember though, its critical to exercise careful chemical care of the pool or you will damage the plaster finish rather quickly. Their biggest disadvantages plaster finished/concrete pools is their higher initial cost and higher chemical costs. High chemical costs are due to the porosity of the material which allows bacteria and algae spores to get hidden into those cementitious ”pores” where its difficult for the chemicals to get at them.
Gel Coat Finish (Fiberglass Pools)
The gel coat finish is non-porous so it makes for affordable chemical maintenance, compared to plaster pool finishes. We typically think of one piece fiberglass pools when we talk of (gel coat finish)fiberglass pools. There are as many different ways of making the “shells” as there are manufacturers. In basic terms, a fiberglass pool shell is made as a boat hull in reverse. The pool manufacturers have molds that they will first apply a thin layer of gel coat to. Once that is done, they will prep the gel coat for application of the fiberglass structure which is applied over the gelled finish. Blistering is a nasty problem that can occur to a gel coat finish in fiberglass pools if proper measures are NOT taken to prevent it’s occurrence. Water must not be allowed to migrate through the gel coated finish and get to the fiberglass structure. There are different methods of fiberglassing a gel coat finish, but for me, hand rolled fiberglass, done in layers is the most certain way to ensure a long lasting, sound product. Once the fiberglassing is finished, the finished product is pulled from the mold, allowed to cure for a time, and then ready for tile or, installation. The installation of a fiberglass pool allows for no carelessness. So much is made of how easy and quick it is to install a fiberglass pool, most believe that someone only digs a hole and drops the shell in. Care must be taken in the excavation and shaping of the hole and preparation of setting the pool shell. in cases where sand or gravel fill material must be placed under the pool in non-sandy soils a poorly excavated pool can use up a lot of fill material. If the pool is placed in a hole that’s not properly fit to the shell, the pool will not be level and worse, it may not be well supported by the solid base and cracking is very possible. If the process is rushed or done improperly a fiasco most certainly awaits.
Gel coat lined, one piece fiberglass pools are popular for their quick installation time, many different shapes, easy and affordable maintenance. One drawback is their size limitations. A one piece fiberglass pool must be delivered over the road by truck/trailer therefore, size of these pools is usually limited to nothing bigger than 16x42x8’(depth). For some, that’s simply not big enough. The good pools are as costly to put in as gunite and, that’s commonly a shocker for many who think they must be low priced.
The gel coat finish is non-porous so it makes for affordable chemical maintenance, compared to plaster pool finishes. We typically think of one piece fiberglass pools when we talk of (gel coat finish)fiberglass pools. There are as many different ways of making the “shells” as there are manufacturers. In basic terms, a fiberglass pool shell is made as a boat hull in reverse. The pool manufacturers have molds that they will first apply a thin layer of gel coat to. Once that is done, they will prep the gel coat for application of the fiberglass structure which is applied over the gelled finish. Blistering is a nasty problem that can occur to a gel coat finish in fiberglass pools if proper measures are NOT taken to prevent it’s occurrence. Water must not be allowed to migrate through the gel coated finish and get to the fiberglass structure. There are different methods of fiberglassing a gel coat finish, but for me, hand rolled fiberglass, done in layers is the most certain way to ensure a long lasting, sound product. Once the fiberglassing is finished, the finished product is pulled from the mold, allowed to cure for a time, and then ready for tile or, installation. The installation of a fiberglass pool allows for no carelessness. So much is made of how easy and quick it is to install a fiberglass pool, most believe that someone only digs a hole and drops the shell in. Care must be taken in the excavation and shaping of the hole and preparation of setting the pool shell. in cases where sand or gravel fill material must be placed under the pool in non-sandy soils a poorly excavated pool can use up a lot of fill material. If the pool is placed in a hole that’s not properly fit to the shell, the pool will not be level and worse, it may not be well supported by the solid base and cracking is very possible. If the process is rushed or done improperly a fiasco most certainly awaits.
Gel coat lined, one piece fiberglass pools are popular for their quick installation time, many different shapes, easy and affordable maintenance. One drawback is their size limitations. A one piece fiberglass pool must be delivered over the road by truck/trailer therefore, size of these pools is usually limited to nothing bigger than 16x42x8’(depth). For some, that’s simply not big enough. The good pools are as costly to put in as gunite and, that’s commonly a shocker for many who think they must be low priced.
Viinyl Lined Pools
Vinyl liners (like the gel coat finish of a fiberglass pool) are non-porous so their chemical maintenance costs are less than their plaster finished counterparts. Its true that a vinyl liner can be cut or vandalized but, rarely do we see that happening. A vinyl liner’s worst enemies are overchlorination and stretching of the liner. Here is where we see the majority of problems in vinyl lined pools. Folks simply do not install liners correctly or if they do, homeowners abuse them chemically.
Vinyl liner pool structures can be of plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, or steel. There are many different structural methods of making these products into a pool “shell”. My favorite is the steel walled, A-brace structure. Lower cost vinyl lined pools are not strong enough that they can be backfilled without being filled with water at the same time. These cheaper pools are just not strong enough to withstand the force of the weight of the ground against their panels, without water in the pool itself.
I like to backfill and pour the patio (or whatever patio/deck treatment) prior to installing the liner and adding the fill water. We almost always pour some type of concrete patio (broomed, colored, or stamped) and since we also seal the concrete after we finish it, I don't want to risk ruining the liner with oversprayed Sealer. I've also heard of concrete being spilled into a freshly filled pool during the patio pour. I like ourstrong pool structure since the last thing we do is fill the pool. If we have clean fill water (and we always do), the pool is ready for swimming after filling.
A popular misconception about vinyl lined pools is that their limited in shapes and styles. That’s true in some cases, but I always say that “if you can draw it, I can build it”.
Vinyl lined pools are popular for their low initial cost, quick installation time, easy maintenance, and smooth surface and in most cases, the average individual could not tell the difference simply by looking.
Vinyl liners (like the gel coat finish of a fiberglass pool) are non-porous so their chemical maintenance costs are less than their plaster finished counterparts. Its true that a vinyl liner can be cut or vandalized but, rarely do we see that happening. A vinyl liner’s worst enemies are overchlorination and stretching of the liner. Here is where we see the majority of problems in vinyl lined pools. Folks simply do not install liners correctly or if they do, homeowners abuse them chemically.
Vinyl liner pool structures can be of plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, or steel. There are many different structural methods of making these products into a pool “shell”. My favorite is the steel walled, A-brace structure. Lower cost vinyl lined pools are not strong enough that they can be backfilled without being filled with water at the same time. These cheaper pools are just not strong enough to withstand the force of the weight of the ground against their panels, without water in the pool itself.
I like to backfill and pour the patio (or whatever patio/deck treatment) prior to installing the liner and adding the fill water. We almost always pour some type of concrete patio (broomed, colored, or stamped) and since we also seal the concrete after we finish it, I don't want to risk ruining the liner with oversprayed Sealer. I've also heard of concrete being spilled into a freshly filled pool during the patio pour. I like ourstrong pool structure since the last thing we do is fill the pool. If we have clean fill water (and we always do), the pool is ready for swimming after filling.
A popular misconception about vinyl lined pools is that their limited in shapes and styles. That’s true in some cases, but I always say that “if you can draw it, I can build it”.
Vinyl lined pools are popular for their low initial cost, quick installation time, easy maintenance, and smooth surface and in most cases, the average individual could not tell the difference simply by looking.
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