Ecosmarte Pool

Plaster Pools

These pools are also referred to as plaster, granite, concrete, pebbletech, marble light, marcite, or diamondbrite pools. The dominant form of pool, particularly in the southern US and Europe is a rebar reinforced, plaster or concrete based shell and a top finish. The terms granite, pebbletech, marble light, and diamondbrite apply to the finish. Absent one of these finishes, a ceramic tile or glass pool should be cared for in the same manner. A growing trend to resurface these pools with fiberglass finish has been noticed over the last 12 years.

Plaster Types:

• Grey or White – These are the least expensive, least life and highest maintenance surfaces. Basically, they are portland cement with or without a tint additive. For, longer life stone, glass accents and other durable items have raised the life of the finish and widely expanded the color choice.

• Pebble Tec® (Small stones in plaster) – The developer of the imitated small stone in the plaster has been Pebble Tec®. Offering a multi color, more water resistant finish. These finishes are more stain resistant and cost the builder at least three times more in terms of material and labor and are absolutely reflected in the cost of the pool or replaster work.

Operating Issues:

1. These pools must never allow calcium hardness to fall below 200 ppm.
2. These pools must be brushed weekly in high season or employ a suction vacuum.
3. These pools will stain or bleach, require 7 to 10 year reapplication of the finish, and are the most amicable to attached custom water features.
4. These are the only pools which allow large, free form designs and multiple water features attached with one filtration and purification system.

Because they lend themselves to free form design, plaster pools will always be a dominant force in the swimming pool industry. In northern markets they are significantly more money to construct.