Finishes & Colors

Standard Plaster

My first pool was standard plaster.
Standard plaster is the original type of surface that has been around since water was introduced to swimming pools. Plaster consists of Portland white Cement and white marble sand. Color can be added.

Pros and cons

Standard white plaster.

Pros. Standard white plaster is the least costly surface for a swimming pool. Mixed in a large tumbler, pumped in, hard troweled smooth and can last up to 9 to12 years. This means that you may see areas of the Cement that will chip, flake and discolor. Often this is only aesthetics, it does not affect the function of the pool and is often superficial. In fact, most estimates for resurfacing are for aesthetic purposes. The swimming pool plaster in some cases is over 20 years old looks worn, and extremely discolored due to age, and maintenance. All surfaces age differently. It depends on water conditions out of the tap, the pool’s environment, types of chemicals use, and maintenance. In most cases still functional for swimming.

Smooth surface.
Economical.
Colors can be added.

Cons. Swimming pool plaster has the least lifespan of any pool surface. More so as over the years, the material has been compromised by regulations implemented in manufacturing. Standard swimming pool plaster has many natural inherent traits that can affect curing, balancing, and visual expectations. It’s a far softer material. Standard plaster is easily affected by the water’s chemistry. The look and feel of the surface is often compromised easily with poor care. Initial treatment and balancing is very imperative, and must be done with consideration.

Least lifespan.
Aesthetics are easily compromised by chemistry, and age.
Mottles and can discolor with time.
More difficult to do initial balance.
Needs more attention for care.

Quartz Finishes

A quartz surface can be the same as a plaster surface except there is no marble sand. Instead, the sand is replaced with ceramic coated quartz and mixed with the cement. Products range as follows.

Some quartz products are pre-blended meaning in each sack there is a base quartz (white), ceramic color coated quartz (a percentage), color pigment (optional), and most importantly a polymer. Comprising of 10 sacks per batch of material. Your selection may not entail the addition of colored quartz or a polymer.

Other products may be a component mix meaning they are not pre-blended, the components are not in one sack. The installer may purchase the base quartz from one vender, the colored quartz from another vendor, the cement from another, the color, and so forth. These are then introduced separately and mixed.

Pros. Quartz surfaces have far more longevity than standard plaster. I should know I’ve had 3 swimming pools along the years. Though they did mottle and age the same each quartz surface lasted over 25 years. Only one of them out of those three have been resurfaced recently. There wasn’t anything wrong with the surface. I just wanted a change. It was also discolored. I always suggest a quartz surface to be hard trowel smooth without exposure of the quartz. Take advantage of its superior longevity over anything else. Less costly than the pebble, smooth like traditional plaster, the quartz is the way to go if budget is an issue.

Has superior longevity.
Made with better materials.
Smooth like plaster.
Not as easily temperamental when it comes to water conditions.
Start up balance is generally easier.
Less costly than Pebble surfaces.

Cons. Quartz surfaces do not often look like the small exposed samples you see online. Those samples are made in a small factory with one person or a machine in a conditioned environment. These are in conditions that are far from a large pool with a gunite surface, outside with the weather as a factor. A real quartz surface is troweled by a crew of different finishers, subjects to conditions the substrate it is applied to, and weather. A quartz surface will mottle and have shade variations like plaster. A quartz surface can only be exposed with an acid bath. Note: Not all quartz surfaces are the same. Having troweled for many years. I find it important to work with pre-blended quartz materials. Component mixes do not come with a manufactures warranty that a pre-blended product does. Component mixes can easily be mixed to the discretion of the installer, and subject to flaws in the mixing formula. With no manufacturer there isn’t quality control. You may be subject to warranty issues that are not covered.

Quartz surfaces can still mottle (shade variations).
Need to be acid washed for exposure, and can produce variations in exposure.
Can be somewhat etched during exposure.

Pebble Finishes

A Pebble surface is the same as the two above rather there are small, mini pebbles or regular size pebbles mixed with the Cement. Once troweled the cement is washed off with water misters. The array of pebbles is then exposed. This type of application takes 2 days, special equipment and a crew that knows how to do this application. There is normally a second day of cleaning the surface before filling.

Pros. A pebble surface comes in an array of colored pebbles, a color pack, and cement. Each selection contains a different variety of pebbles for a specific formula. Some formulas can contain glass beads, shards of abalone, and colored quartz as an additive to customize your interior pool surface. For the most part, Pebble surfaces are component mixes. I haven’t often visited homes with these types of surfaces that need replastering. When I have, they are usually over 30 years old and hard to tell initially what age they are because they look pretty good still. Although a Pebble surface can have shade variation. It is only initial. This variation will dissolve in a period of time. The surface will become more uniform and distinctive with age. Pebble surfaces are not subject to most types of discoloration or stains. Pebble surfaces have far more longevity with regards to integrity, and secondly its aesthetics have great longevity as well.

Has more of both aesthetic benefits and longevity over time.
Doesn’t mottle or stain like other surfaces.
Has more color and pattern selections to choose from.
Mini pebble surface can be much smoother that other pebble surfaces.
Easier when doing the initial balance
Emulates swatch samples better that other surfaces.

Cons. Pebble surfaces can cost up to 2/3 the price of standard plaster extra. Certain colors can cost even more. Some people are afraid of Pebble surfaces because they feel that they may be too textured. Depending on the design of Pool, this may be a consideration. I would anticipate that people can be less buoyant in the shallow end of a sports pool than others. They may feel the texture on their feet as nothing is as smooth as quartz and plaster when trowel this way. The depth of pool/size, type of usage, and age of family may be a factor to consider for you. Other than that, I have never experienced this in our pool, nor have I had any type of negative feedback from past clients.

Does have initial shade (subtle) variations.
Is more costly than any other surface.
Can feel textured depending on user.

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Considering a new pool finish or wondering whether it is time to replaster? Explore answers to some of the questions homeowners ask us most often. If you need more information or personalized recommendations, Generation Pool Plastering is ready to help you choose the right solution for your pool.

How do I know when my swimming pool needs to be replastered?

Common warning signs include rough surfaces, discoloration, persistent staining, cracking, flaking, exposed aggregate, and areas where the plaster has worn thin. You may also notice that the pool has become harder to keep clean or is losing water. If you are unsure about its condition, Generation Pool Plastering can inspect the surface and recommend the most appropriate solution.

How long does a pool plastering project take?

The schedule depends on the pool’s size, condition, selected finish, required repairs, and weather. A typical project includes draining the pool, preparing the existing surface, completing repairs, applying the new finish, refilling the pool, and beginning the start-up process. We will explain the anticipated schedule before work begins and keep you informed throughout the project.

Which pool finish should I choose?

Standard plaster offers timeless beauty and excellent value. Quartz finishes provide additional color, visual depth, and durability, while pebble finishes create a distinctive, natural appearance with exceptional long-term performance. Our team will help you compare colors, textures, costs, and maintenance considerations so you can confidently select the best finish for your pool and budget.

Will replastering change the appearance of my entire backyard?

Absolutely. Because the pool is often the visual centerpiece of a backyard, a new finish can dramatically refresh the entire outdoor space. You can preserve the pool’s classic appearance or choose a new color and texture for a complete transformation. Coordinating the plaster with new tile, coping, or other remodeling improvements can create an even more impressive result.

How much does pool replastering cost?

Pricing varies based on the pool’s size, surface condition, preparation requirements, repairs, accessibility, and selected finish. A basic plaster application generally costs less than upgraded quartz or pebble products. Generation Pool Plastering provides a clear, project-specific estimate so you understand your available options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover what is possible for your pool.