When planning your investment in a pool, it's essential to know the differences among the three primary types: concrete, vinyl liner, and fiberglass. Each has its distinct benefits, but concrete pools often stand out due to their durability and design flexibility. While cement often gets confused with concrete, it's actually just one component of it. Concrete is a composite material made from water, cement, sand, and a coarse aggregate like stone or gravel. This combination gives concrete its robust qualities, ideal for building lasting pool structures.
A concrete pool shell is typically formed by spraying either gunite or shotcrete. Both methods are effective, though they differ slightly in application. Gunite involves a dry mix combined with water in the sprayer, while shotcrete is a pre-mixed wet material. When properly applied, both methods deliver equivalent quality and durability.
Once the concrete is applied, it undergoes a process known as curing, where it hardens and strengthens over time. This important step isn’t about drying the material; instead, it strengthens the concrete to reach its full potential. For a pool shell, this curing process usually takes around 28 days, ensuring a strong and long-lasting foundation.
The pros and cons boil down to this: concrete has significant advantages in terms of appearance. However, maintaining that appearance takes a lot of time, money, and personal effort.
The primary advantage of concrete is that it’s highly customizable. Concrete pools give you the ability to customize the size, shape, or any other features you may be looking for. It could be in the shape of a car if you want; that would be super expensive but potentially doable. I wouldn’t recommend it, though.
Concrete pools offer impressive durability, similar to fiberglass options. Unlike vinyl liners, you
don't need to worry about sharp objects damaging the pool structure. This makes concrete pools a great choice for pet owners, as dogs' nails won't harm the concrete surface.
It's important to note that while the concrete shell is highly durable, the plaster finish inside the pool requires periodic refinishing. This maintenance should be considered as part of the overall lifetime cost of owning a concrete pool.
Concrete pools also offer an appealing aesthetic. While "pretty" might not be the first word that comes to mind, concrete provides a timeless and classic pool appearance. Unlike liners, you
won't face issues with bubbling or separation. With proper maintenance, you can also minimize staining and algae, keeping your pool looking pristine.
