What’s Best For The Interior Of My Pool?
If you’re having a swimming pool built, or you’re going through pool renovations and you’re wondering what material you should use for your pool interiors, you’ve come to the right place!
While there are a tremendous number of different materials that can be used for pool interiors and pool finishes, beadcrete and pebblecrete are two of the most popular. At United Pools & Renovations, our experienced pool builders have experience with both products, so in this article, we’ll give you the basics about each product to help you decide what is best for you, as a pool owner.
What Is Beadcrete?
Beadcrete is a relatively new type of interior finishing product, which was first invented in the 1990s in Sydney. A pool plasterer was looking for an alternative method to coat the concrete shell of a pool, with an easy to clean product that had a smooth finish, compared to pebblecrete.
The result of his experimenting was beadcrete. This pool finishing product is built from tiny, spherical glass beads or spheres, which are locked into an aggregate using special, polymer-modified cement.
Beacrete offers a unique 3-dimensional effect, which appears to shimmer along with the water, and creates a truly spectacular and one-of-a-kind appearance – especially when paired with custom waterline tiles.
The Pros And Cons Of Beadcrete
Interested in learning more about beadcrete? Wondering if you should use it to coat your pool shell? Let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of this finishing product for concrete pools now.
PROS
- Stain-resistant – Beadcrete is built to resist stains. It does not react with the water chemistry of the pool, which prevents the buildup of most limescale, hard water stains, and other such issues.
- Long-lasting and smooth – A Beadcrete finish can easily last 10-20 years or even longer with proper care, making it a great long-term investment for your pool. It’s also less rough on the feet, compared to pebblecrete.
- Low-maintenance – Beadcrete pool finish is easy to clean, with a smooth service and mostly non-porous design. It’s easy to scrub off any stains or imperfections, and keep your pool looking great.
CONS
- High cost – Beadcrete is a premium product, and typically much more expensive than a comparable pebblecrete finish, so it may not be in your budget range.
- Requires highly-skilled installers – Applying beadcrete is definitely not a DIY job. You will need to hire a skilled installation company, like United Pools & Renovations.
- Longer overall installation time – Though the results are worth it, it takes much longer to apply beadcrete, compared to pebblecrete.
What Is Pebblecrete?
Pebblecrete is one of the most common surfaces used to coat concrete pools. As you may have guessed from the name, it consists of a mixture of pebbles and cement, which is applied to the concrete shell using a trowel. Acid or water blasting is used to expose most of the pebbles, resulting in a natural, long-lasting finish.
The Pros And Cons Of Pebblecrete
Wondering if a pebblecrete pool is right for you? Here are a few pros and cons of this pool plastering material:
PRO
- Beautiful, natural finish – If you prefer a more natural-looking, matte finish for your pool, to achieve the water colour you want, pebblecrete is a much better choice, compared to beadcrete.
- Stains are hard to notice – The natural pebble finish, texture and color of the pebblecrete absorbs stains easily, making them difficult to notice.
- More affordable than beadcrete – Pebblecrete is easier to install and costs less than beadcrete, making it better if you’re on a budget.
CON
- Wears out more easily, compared to beadcrete – Pebblecrete is easy to repair, but if you do not repair cracks and other imperfections as they form, water can ingress between the concrete shell and the pebblecrete, causing damage to the finish.
- Rough on the feet – Pebblecrete is more rough on the feet, compared to beadcrete. This means you may feel a bit of irritation after long swim sessions. However, this has the benefit of increasing grip when walking on the interior of the pool shell.
- Requires more water management – Pebblecrete is more vulnerable to damage due to improper pool water chemistry. Scaling and etching are more common, so you must manage your water properly to avoid these issues.
Wondering What’s Right For You? Get In Touch Today!
At United Pools & Renovations, we have experience with both of these common pool finishing materials. Having trouble deciding which one is right for you? Contact us right away, and schedule a consultation with one of our experienced pool resurfacing professionals.