Pool Refinishing: Pebbles Vs. Plaster

Pebble Finishes

• New 21st century concrete swimming pool finishes includes smooth pebble aggregates mixed into traditional smooth pool plaster to provide a variety of looks. Swimming pool pebble finish aggregate consists of Portland cement, water and very small and smooth pebbles. A swimming pool pebble finish is also known as an exposed aggregate finish, and it's meant to increase the surface life of the pool's plaster finish. Pool plaster pebble finishes typically last longer than traditional pool plaster finishes but they're more expensive.

Plaster Finishes

• Traditional cement swimming pool plaster finishes used to just come in white or some sort of aqua blue color only. However, traditional pool plaster finishes in the 21st century come in a variety of colors. All traditional pool plaster finishes, though, typically feature one of two different pool plaster aggregates: white silica sand or white marble dust. A traditional pool plaster finish is normally what's applied by concrete swimming pool builders because it's the most cost effective among all finishes.

Lifespan

• Traditional pool plaster finishes require renovation every 15 to 20 years under normal use. Swimming pool plaster pebble finish aggregates tend to last several years longer than their traditional pool plaster cousins, though. New 21st century pool plaster pebble finish aggregates are also often treated with certain polymer additives and other substances known as pozzolans. Pozzolans in pool plaster pebble finishes work well in extending the lifespan of a concrete swimming pool's pebbled finish.

Considerations

• Swimming pool aggregates like pebble finishes are in addition to or replace more traditional aggregates in a cement pool's plaster finish. Smooth pebbled finishes for concrete swimming pools are swimmer friendly and provide good traction for bare feet. Pebble finishes in concrete swimming pools are also less susceptible to staining from pool chemicals than traditional pool plaster finishes. However, a concrete swimming pool's water chemistry requires more attention than does a vinyl liner or fiberglass pool, regardless of individual finish.