Building a new custom pool is often a dream come true for homeowners living on the Florida Gulf Coast. However, it’s much more of a balancing act than many first-time pool owners realize. Choosing high-quality construction materials that are both pleasing and resilient is essential to creating durable pools that you’ll love for years to come without worrying about premature wear or damage.
Challenges Posed by the Florida Climate When It Comes to Pool Materials
Florida weather puts pool building materials to the test, and the only worthwhile materials are those that pass. Between high humidity, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and the chance for the more-than-occasional afternoon downpour, the wear and tear on your pool interior is real and constant.
UV rays are the main reason you’ll see cracking or fading in pool materials. There aren’t many ways to defend your pool against the sun’s rays. The only hope is using a material that resists UV to keep its color and structure.
Salt air corrosion is an issue uniquely specific to coastal areas. This happens when ocean water evaporates and fills the air with salt, which then travels and lands on everything from your coping to your equipment. Salt crystallization damage is often more than just cosmetic; it can seriously damage pool components, causing you to need expensive repairs.
Even Florida’s soil contributes to pool-building challenges. It’s often sandy and porous or rich in clay, meaning that heavy rain and hurricanes can cause the soil to swell. This puts immense pressure on your pool shell, and you’ll need one that can hold its own against groundwater issues.
Why Gunite Excels Among Pool Building Materials
Is there a swimming pool material that can defend against all of these unique problems stemming from the Florida climate? Yes, it’s called gunite. Many homeowners might be tempted by prefabricated pools or vinyl liners since they’re a fast way to get the pool you’ve been waiting for. Yet in terms of look, customization, and most importantly, structural integrity, nothing holds a candle to concrete pools made from gunite.
A gunite pool shell is extremely strong and able to resist the pressure and movement often found in Florida landscaping. However, its strength doesn’t only come from its flexibility. Gunite creates a solid barrier against anything that could cause structural damage and compromise the pool’s longevity.
On the design front, fiberglass pools are often limited in what you can do with them. But with gunite, you can actually get the pool of your dreams by sculpting it in your vision down to the last detail. You can create any shape imaginable without ever worrying about how well the structure will hold. Gunite is also the ideal choice for those wanting to make water features, since these are often custom and won’t always fit with a vinyl or fiberglass shell, whether physically or aesthetically.
Gunite shells, when properly mixed and installed, are designed to last over fifty years. Many other pool building materials have a shelf life of about a decade before they show signs of aging and may need to be replaced. But if there is ever an issue with your gunite pool, it’s simple to repair. The answer is usually to patch, resurface, and smooth things over so everything’s good as new.
Balancing Design and Durability With Interior Finishes
The shell isn’t the only part of your pool you need to concern yourself with regarding design and durability. The trade-off between form and function is most glaring with interior finish options, because you’ll still need to care more for the finish even if you opt for gunite.
Plaster
Plaster is first on the list of interior finishes because it’s the most common. This is for a reason: it’s classic, it’s economical, and it looks fantastic. The only problem is that it doesn’t work nearly as well in Florida climates. Plaster is more porous, so it’s more likely to stain and degrade faster than other pool building materials. It also generally needs more resurfacing and chemical maintenance, which is something to keep in mind when budgeting for long-term expenses.
Quartz Aggregate
Quartz aggregate is your happy medium. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth, so combining it with sand and other materials reinforces your interior finish. This finish also comes in stunning colors that reflect the light and water beautifully, thanks to the quartz. It has a notably longer lifespan than plaster and offers a major upgrade in durability without as much of a leap in cost.
Pebble Finishes
If minimal maintenance and long-term savings are important to you, you’ll want to seriously consider a pebble finish. Natural stone is virtually stain-proof, and the exposed pebbles are resistant to both etching and fading from UV light. Additionally, this finish is one of the most visually striking options on the market. It can turn a humble backyard swimming pool into something that feels like a natural lagoon. A pebble finish will also last longer than both plaster finishes and quartz aggregate, adding to its value.
Which Pool Materials Are Best for You?
The choice among various pool building materials comes down to what you consider a priority. Plaster is a good choice if you’re looking for something smooth and a pool with that classic white-blue water. As long as you’re okay with the extra attention it needs, it’s still a solid option and tends to be one of the more popular.
However, if you love the look of natural stone and want minimal pool maintenance, pebble finishes are for you. In between is quartz, a perfect blend of the drawbacks and benefits of both plaster and pebble interior finishes.
Your choice of finish comes down to personal taste, yet this isn’t the case with the shell. Gunite is far and above the best option for Florida homeowners, if only for the sheer strength of the material. The design flexibility and customization options make this material enticing for any pool owner.
Invest in Harmonious Pool Design Options with Blue Haven Pools on the Gulf
Your perfect combination of durability and design is closer than you think, and our team is here to help you find it. Contact Blue Haven Pools on the Gulf today to learn more about the pool building materials we offer and schedule a design consultation.