Pool Plaster options:
The swimming pool built today is has a huge new opportunity of new pool plaster colors to go with. The prices can get pricey depending on the color you, the consumer goes with or the type. There are a lot of different companies that make the pool plaster dyes for the pool to even companies that bag their own products up, like Diamond Brite. The honest opinion of us at Crystal Pools and Spas is we do not see the benefit of certain products, like Diamond Brite because although they say they have a long warrantee on their pool plaster and their product will hold up better, it does not add up for us and here’s why. As pool plaster in a swimming pool ages it get’s rougher and rougher causing you to have to re-plaster or resurface your pool on average of every 10-12 years. Diamond Brite for instance has aggregate in it that gives the finish yes a stronger but also a up front rougher finish than your traditional pool plaster. Your traditional pool plaster is very smooth, where a finish like Diamond Brite is more on the gritty end. They do have some companies that sell products that have aggregate in it but the difference is your contractor will buff the pool with special diamond pads. The finish comes out extra smooth but the product is very expensive, not only for the material cost but it is very labor intense. For pools with a zero or beach entrance it would be good to go with a product that has pebbles in it to help with the look and slippery factor.
Here’s what Crystal Pools and spas uses for pool plaster color typically
For the money I recommend doing a colored pool plaster like a gray or better yet a brand new color that is out that is FADE resistant. The pool plaster colors out there vary but one company in particular has a nice range of blue colors. They have less expensive blues out there but they have a tendency to fade a bit with chemicals and the sun’s UV’s. That same company sells cobalt colors and the great thing about the cobalt colors is they do not fade much or even at all. The problem with the cobalt blues is they are lighter colored so for instance if you look at their standard Tahoe blue color and want to achieve the same depth of color using the colbalt Tahoe you would have to use 12X the material causing the cost to rise. This same company came out with a new product in 2010, fade resistant colors. On a scale of fading with the regular Tahoe for instance being a 2 and a cobalt Tahoe a 9.5, the fade resistant would be about an 8. For the fade resistant products you need 2X the material than your standard color only driving up the cost a little in the grand scheme of your project. White pool plaster color, what everybody did 20 years ago, has it’s color come from the actual white cement itself therefore it is the cheapest of all products. Most people in today’s swimming pool market wants a custom pool plaster color to make their pool look differently from anybody else. If you need any help with information with colored pool plasters email me at kevin@nolapools.com or if you are in the New Orleans or Baton Rouge area please give Crystal Pools and Spas an opportunity to build you your dream project or renovate your current pool. There are also River Rok and Bead Crete pool plaster options but they get VERY pricey. Thanks!
Hope this helps you choosing your pool plaster option!!
