We offer three major interior finishes when resurfacing
your pool, the choices vary from price texture and color.
Standard Plaster – Exposed Quartz – PebbleTec & PebbleSheen
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.
White Plaster
Resurfacing with
plaster is the most economical, but generally does not last as long as aggregate
or quartz surfaces. 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.
Important 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.
RPM Additive To White Plaster
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. We offer a Pozzolan based
products called RPM that has been proven to reduce
etching, cracking, mottling and other problems, as well.
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.
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.
Exposed Quartz Finishes
QuartzScapes
Create a brilliant and enduring
appearance for your pool and spa with QuartzScapes finishes.
A premium blend of crushed quartz, white cement and color
tints, QuartzScapes merges beauty and strength for an incomparable
finish that will last. One of the world’s strongest minerals, our quartz
crystals are bonded with a ceramic color coating for reliable
beauty – a beauty that will last for years without
fading or abrasion.
http://www.nptgonline.com/nptg_national/quartzscapes_main.html
Diamond Brite: Naturally Beautiful
A
great pool finish is comfortable, durable, easy to maintain
and pleasing to the eye. Diamond Brite from SGM is
all of that and more. Diamond Brite has at it’s
heart beautiful natural quartz, one of purest and hardest
minerals. SGM combines these quartz aggregates with
polymer-modified cement and non-fading Diamond Quartz to
create a spectacular array of colors.
The strength and splendor of diamonds
Diamond Brite
stands up to the harshest pool chemicals and the roughest
weather conditions. The pure clear colors
won’t fade, rust or rub off. Diamond Brite is
comfortable and slip resistant too. SGM has made Diamond
Brite pools easy care. The strength of the natural
quartz resists stains and etching. And unlike plaster
pools, Diamond Brite pools can be drained without being damaged.
Diamond Brite comes in 17 different colors. Each one
reflects the water, sky and surroundings in a unique way.
http://sgm.swimmingpool.com/diamondbrite
PebbleTec & PebbleSheen
The Longest Lasting Most Durable Pool Interior Available
Naturally tumbled pebbles and a specifically formulated cement
are combined with water and additives, then pneumatically
applied to the interior of the pool. Using a unique method,
the mix is then hand troweled and "exposed" with
precise timing to reveal the top layer of pebbles. After
the finish has thoroughly hardened, (normally within 24 hours)
it is cleaned with a solution to enhance the brightness and
luster of the natural pebbles.
Training
To maintain the highest possible level of quality, Pebble
Tec is only available through licensed contractors who have
been carefully selected, trained and authorized by Pebble
Tec. Each craftsman receives extensive field training. Education
continues with regional in-field training.
Not only is Pebble Tec a substantially stronger, longer lasting
material, it blends waterfall and boulders naturally with
the pool's interior. The natural pebble finish creates an
unrefined beauty and produces a spectrum of colors as the
sunlight changes throughout the day -- "natural iridescence."
A perfect choice for the backyard swimming pool is also an
excellent surface for a community pool. Durable (rock hard
finish)... resilient... non-porous (easily cleaned).
Some commercial projects include: The Gaylord Texan, nrh2o
Waterpark & The City Of Hurst
Also ideal for refinishing existing pools... the myriad of
Pebble Tec & PebbleSheen colors allow you to create an
elegant new look for your swimming pool as it changes the
ordinary into the extraordinary.
The Pebbles used are finely screened and naturally tumbled
which means that even though the surface is bumpy, it is
non-abrasive.
What happens when algae grows on the Pebble Tec finish?
Algae will grow on anything, but because the pebbles are
non-porous, the algae will not bond as readily to Pebble
Tec as it does to plaster or quartz surfaces. That means
it can be easily cleaned without damage to the surface.
Does the surface color vary? Because Pebble Tec is a natural
product and hand finished, variations in color and exposure
are to be expected. The variations throughout a Pebble
Tec pool create a distinctly unique.
Benefits:
- Made with extremely durable waterworn pebbles and a matrix of modified portland cement achieve unparalleled strength and density.
- The pebbles are naturally tumbled, creating a fine, smooth surface.
- Algae will not bond as readily to Pebble Tec™ as it does to plaster / marbelite
- Eliminates common plaster or marbelite problems, such
as mottling, staining, discoloration, yellowing and streaking.
Pebble Tec™ does not require frequent acid washings.
- Pebble Tec™ can eliminate the need to drain any
water from your pool in the winter, saving you money,
time and problems with your sagging pool cover.
- 5 year manufactures warranty but you can expect pebbleTec
to last your pools' lifetime.
http://www.pebbletec.com
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