Hartsell Pool
Renovations
Hartsell Pool Renovations
Hartsell Pool
Renovations
Plaster Finishes
Pool Finish Pros and Cons
Today's
pool
and
spa
owners
have
many
reliable
and
beautiful
swimming
pool
finish
options
available
to
them.
From
the
straightforward
simplicity
of
standard
white
plaster
to
the
rainbow
of
multi-colored
pebble
finishes,
and
a
spectrum
of
options
between, the choices can be exciting - and also somewhat daunting without reliable information.
With
so
many
finish
options
offered
by
today's
quality
pool-finish
specialists,
it's
understandable
that
savvy
customers
should
want
to
explore
the
specific
benefits
and
drawbacks
inherent
in
the
various
surface
products.
Unfortunately,
the
choices
can
be
confusing and the information about these products is at times even somewhat contradictory.
To
help
guide
you
through
the
process
of
choosing
the
best
finish
for
your
home's
pool
or
spa,
we'll
cover
some
of
the
relevant
information you should keep in mind as you discuss your choices with your designer or pool surface contractor.
Perspectives on Finishes
In
general,
pool
and
spa
finishes
belong
in
their
own
special
category,
because
unlike
other
masonry
or
hardscape"
surface
products,
finishes
in
pools
and
spas
are
constantly
submerged
in
water.
This
obvious
fact
means
that
any
pool
finish
will
be
exposed
to varying water chemistry conditions over time, especially if the pool or spa is maintained improperly.
This
constant
exposure
to
pool
and
spa
water,
which
is
treated
with
a
variety
of
powerful
chemicals,
creates
a
dynamic
environment
where
mineral
content
of
the
surface
and
water
are
constantly
interacting.
This
interaction
between
water
and
the
surface
is
unavoidable
and
in
many
cases
will
cause
the
appearance
of
the
surface
to
change,
either
slowly
over
time,
or
in
some
rare
instances,
far
more
rapidly.
In
many
cases
these
phenomenas
are
purely
cosmetic,
in
other
more
extreme
situations,
some
surfaces
will
start
to
deteriorate.
The
decision
you
make
in
the
planning
stages
of
the
pool
or
spa
installation
process
will
have
a
significant
impact on how well your pool or spa maintains its appearance over time.
Classic White
Standard
white
plaster
is
the
tried
and
true
pool
and
spa
surface
finish.
White
plaster
has
been
around
as
long
as
people
have
been
building
swimming
pools
and
it
remains
a
popular
choice
in
spite
of
the
myriad
of
choices
that
have
come
into
the
market
in
recent
years.
Its
simple
combination
of
white
cement,
white
marble
aggregate
and
water
make
for
an
economical
choice
that
will
give you that classic swimming pool look.
Strengths:
When
filled
with
water,
pools
and
spas
surfaced
in
white
plaster
create
a
brilliant,
clean,
light
blue
appearance
that
is
very
smooth
to
the
touch.
A
long-time
favorite
for
many
customers,
it
remains
the
most
affordable
pool
finish
product
on
the
market today. Standard white plaster is a reliable product when installed by a quality contractor and properly maintained.
Concerns:
It's
important
to
know
that
white
plaster
is
susceptible
to
all
water
conditions
especially
from
attacks
of
improperly
maintained
or
fluctuating
chemical
conditions.
Therefore,
it
is
only
reasonable
to
expect
that
during
the
life
of
the
product,
it
will
change
in
appearance.
These
changes
may
be
subtle
or
minor,
perhaps
slight
shading
or
scaling,
or
far
more
dramatic
in
the
form
of
pronounced staining, etching, cracking, or delaminating in extreme cases.
There
are
a
great
many
variables
in
play
when
it
comes
to
determining
the
exact
cause
of
such
changes
in
appearance
and
one
could
spend
a
lifetime
exploring
the
complex
chemical
phenomena
at
the
heart
of
these
concerns.
For
the
purpose
of
selecting
standard
white
plaster
it's
critical
to
be
fully
aware
that
it
is
a
relatively
"soft"
finish
compared
to
other
options
and
one
that
is
more
susceptible to the effects of water chemistry than some newer innovative products.
A Note on Colored Plaster
By
its
nature,
colored
plaster
will
accentuate
all
of
the
characteristics
normally
found
in
white
plaster.
Mottling,
for
example,
can
be
more
pronounced
in
colored
plaster
than
in
white.
Colored
plaster
may
also
exhibit
pigment
stains,
streaks,
unevenness
of
color
and
more
noticeable
checking
and
crazing.
Also,
variations
of
shade
will
exist
between
color
sample
chips
and
mixed
plaster.
Over
time,
the
color
may
fade
completely
or
grow
gradually
lighter
and
will
often
not
be
the
precise
shade
that
was
anticipated.
It's
important to note that none of these conditions are considered a deficiency of the product.
Additives to the Mix
Because
many
customers
want
the
economy
of
standard
plaster
surfaces,
but
would
also
like
to
avoid
some
of
the
problems
listed
above,
material
suppliers
have
developed
highly
innovated
chemical
additives
that
can
be
used
in
the
mixing
and
application
of
plaster.
These
products
alter
the
physical
and
chemical
composition
of
the
plaster
surface
increasing
its
strength
and
durability
-
without sacrificing beauty or the smooth texture!
These
products
contain
chemicals
known
as
"pozzalans"
that
essentially
take
the
weakest
element
in
plaster
(calcium
hydroxide)
and
"lock
it
up"
so
that
it
is
less
susceptible
to
chemical
attacks.
Pozzolans
-
based
products
have
been
proven
to
reduce
etching,
cracking,
mottling
and
other
problems,
as
well.
Another
category
of
admixtures
is
based
on
silicone
chemistry
which
has
been proven to increase the plaster's ability to repel water, thus helping protect it from chemical attack.
Strengths:
The
advantages
to
such
innovative
products
are
obvious.
Without
disrupting
the
natural
beauty
and
smoothness
of
standard
white
or
colored
plaster,
these
admixtures
increase
the
surface's
ability
to
resist
the
effects
of
fluctuating
water
chemistry.
Concerns:
The
primary
concern
with
admixtures
is
that
they
do
increase
the
cost
of
the
pool
or
spa
finish.
And,
it
is
important
to
note
that
while
these
products
have
been
proven
to
help
prevent
surface
problems,
they
are
not
fool-proof
and
in
some
cases
you
may still see changes in the surface's appearance, although most likely to a far lesser degree.
Aggregate Effects -
Colored Ceramic Quartz
Another
highly
innovative
addition
to
the
palette
of
surface
options
has
been
the
use
of
special
colored
ceramic
aggregate
products.
These
aggregates
are
basically
a
very
specialized
form
of
ceramic-coated
sand
that
comes
in
a
variety
of
pre-mixed
plaster
products.
Strengths:
When
combined
with
white
or
colored
plaster,
aggregates
afford
a
broad
range
of
colors,
from
vivid
blues
and
reds,
to
more
subtle
hues
such
as
beige
or
soft
greens
as
well.
It
also
has
the
advantage
of
creating,
a
much
more
durable
surface
than
standard plaster, one that is harder and far more resistant to fluctuating chemical conditions.
Concerns:
Again
surfaces
using
aggregates
are
more
expensive
than
standard
plaster
and
can
also
be
susceptible
to
some
surface
problems, especially in the presence of extreme water chemistry conditions.
Perhaps
the
ultimate
answer
to
all
pool
surface
concerns
comes
in
the
form
of
pebble
surfaces.
Pebble
surfaces
consist
of
small,
smooth
river
pebbles
embedded
throughout
the
product.
Over
the
past
decade,
pebble
surfaces
have
increased
dramatically
in
popularity and come in a broad range of colors and color combinations.
Strengths:
Pebble
surfaces
are
beautiful,
extremely
natural
in
appearance,
come
in
a
wide
range
of
colors
and
they
are
the
most
durable
surface
available.
Because
the
stone
material
that
comprises
river
pebbles
is
“chemically
inert",
it
is
unlikely
to
react
with
swimming pool or spa water and is therefore less impervious to attack or alterations in appearance.
Concerns:
Because
the
surface
is
comprised
of
pebbles,
it
is
slightly
more
textured
than
the
surfaces
described
above.
It
is
also
more costly and under the most extreme chemical conditions, even pebble surfaces can suffer damage.
The Choice is Yours
Any
of
the
products
and
surface
options
listed
here
can
provide
years
of
reliable
performance
and
dazzling
beauty
in
a
well-made
and
well-maintained
pool
or
spa.
The
key
to
enjoying
that
success,
and
avoiding
unexpected
frustration,
is
to
understand
the
strengths and weaknesses of each, and to choose wisely.
Water Chemistry Defined
The
importance
of
balanced
water
chemistry
cannot
be
overstated
in
its
role
in
maintaining
the
appearance
of
quality
pool
and
spa surface products.
Click logo to see Samples
The Exposed Aggregate Revolution
The color of the water in your pool is determined by several factors the most important
being the finish that you choose. Below or examples for the color of the water. Please refer
to the suppliers above for more specific examples
For Blue Water
For Green Water
Blue
White
Black
Grey
Green
Brown
Tan
Hartsell Pool Renovations
Crystal Stone Pebble Finishes