Pool plaster has been transformed from a uniform finish of pools to alternatives that can lend incredible visual effects. Early on all pools featured white plaster which shows every spot and bit of litter that accumulates on the bottom. It also has just a 5 to 15 year longevity. As pools evolved into much more elaborate systems with water features, new products were developed to make these special effects look better and reduce maintenance.

Traditional Plaster Finish

Sometimes called whitecoat or marcite, basic plaster is the least expensive pool finish and many people prefer the way the smooth surface of plaster feels on their feet. However, plaster is the least durable of pool finishes and will require re-plastering every 8 to 12 years.

Downsides of a plaster pool finish:

• Is porous and requires extra care to keep water chemicals in balance
• May crack, develop hollow spots or chip
• May become rough due to scaling and scrape skin
• Can wear away at high traffic areas (i.e. steps)
• Stains easier than other finishes

It is important to realize that when selecting a plaster color you are actually selecting a water color. Light plasters produce a sparkling, tropical water color, while darker plasters produce a deeper blue, similar to a natural lake.

Pool Finish Options Comparison

	Cost	Longevity	Beauty
MARCITE PLASTER	low	low	moderate
COLORED PLASTER	low	low	moderate
PEBBLE TEC	medium	medium	high
BEADCRETE	medium	medium	high
GLASS TILE	high	high	high

Pebble Tec

At Cipriano Landscape Design of New Jersey, owner Chris Cipriano shares some details on variations and longevity of plaster and plaster alternatives. "Textured, pebble finishes such as Pebble Tec cost more, but they last over twenty years and have a unique, sparkling look. Because the pebbles can be rough in texture if too much aggregate is exposed, we don't recommend this option to active families with young children. For those who insist on a pebble-like finish, I would recommend a glass bead finish like Beadcrete as a better alternative."

On the west coast, Shea of Alderete Pools also installs this plaster alternative. "We do some dark bottom pools with crushed rock added to pebbletech which look natural with rock pool designs."

Beadcrete

The growth of simple modern designs has brought Beadcrete to the market. We are using more Beadcrete," says Alderete. "This is composed of tiny beads of polished round glass bound with polymers for ultra smooth surface compared to natural pebbles. It's the cream of the crop. The beads become irridescent in LED lighting and are up to 400% more reflective than anything else. Beadcrete offers 8 to 10 colors, so we can give our clients the exact look they want."

Glass Tile Pools

Glass tile pools aren't new on the international scene, but they're making a splash in the U.S. luxury pool market today. This pool is entirely lined with small mosaic sized glass tiles instead of plaster. It is durable and resistant to corrosion and lasts longer than any other kind of plaster alternative. One reason it's restricted to the luxury market is cost, which ranges from $75 to $100 or more per square foot of surface.

Designers love mosaic tiles because they are so versatile. In the modern design world, fields of custom color mixes can make the bottom of a pool sparkle in a range of hues. Because of the ability of glass tile to amplify and reflect light into the water, glass pools are unusually bright and clear. For more traditional pools, some contractors are recreating ancient Roman motifs and details like the pools of Caesar. Either way, the beauty of a glass tile pool in full sun is unmatched by any other.

Chris Cipriano is a big fan of tile lined pools which are pricy but incomparable when it comes to longevity and durability. "While glass tile is the most expensive, it lasts fifty years if installed correctly. It is the most aesthetically appealing choice offering a brilliant shimmer of varying colors across the entire surface of the pool. Glass tiles can also produce beautiful mosaic designs that give the pool additional character."