If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your pool, the interior pool finish can elevate your backyard to an entirely different place. There are three main types of pool finishes, plaster, aggregate, and tile.
Each one comes in a wide variety of materials, colors, and textures, but each one also has its pros and cons. Once you know what is available, you can look at design aesthetics to match your style and budget.
Plaster Pool Finishes
Plaster finishes are very popular. This finish offers a smooth appearance at an affordable price. Typically, it’s a mixture of water, Portland cement, and marble dust or silica sand.
Marble dust has been shown to increase the durability of regular cement, plus it changes the texture for more style. However, plaster is susceptible to cracks and stains. Chipping and etching are quite common after about five to seven years.
Plaster, although not as innovative as the other two finishes, can be dyed or mixed with colored pigments to create a different look.
Using different colors of grey and blue in the finish can make your pool appear deeper and enhance the reflective qualities of the water. Your pool may appear more like a lake or pond with the right pigments.
Aggregate Pool Finishes
These types of finishes are very durable and more chemical-resistant than plaster. Plaster is mixed with tiny pieces of glass beads, quartz, river stones or granite to add luxuriousness to your pool. There are two different types of aggregate:
- Polished aggregate has a flat surface, a smoother texture because the finish is polished flat.
- Exposed aggregate has a bumpy surface because the aggregate is revealed in the finish. It adds traction to the surface of the finish.
Aggregate finishes typically last longer than plaster alone. Quartz can last 7 to 12 years, while pebbles can last 10 to 20 years. You can achieve a one-of-a-kind look with an aggregate finish that will make your pool stand out.
Tile Pool Finishes
With tile finishes, the design capabilities are practically endless. With four different types of tile, glass, ceramic, porcelain and stone, you can create a durable and unique look that is easy to clean and durable.
Glass tile is resistant to fire, heat, UV rays and frost. It catches the sun and looks shiny, making the water sparkle. Porcelain tile is typically the least expensive tiling material and is often used around the edge of a pool.
Combine different types of tile for an artistic look and to create a certain mood in your poolscape. Although tile poll finishes take the longest to install, they are usually the most creative and unique.
When taken care of, tile will generally last a long time. If a tile does need to be replaced, it’s usually isolated. However, tile generally costs more than plaster or aggregate finishes.
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Your pool finish should match your style and aesthetic as well as your budget. Each of these pool finishes can be the right choice for your pool. Learn more about our pools and pool finishes.
