There are many interior  finishes you can select from.

The most popular finish in our area is currently the Quartz Aggregate  type.

Quartz Aggregate= "Natural"

There are some brand names such as Diamond Bright or Florida Gem, that you may have heard some people use to describe such applications in general. Regardless of the brand, the most popular is typically a white base material with flecks or specks  mixed in of either  blue  or brown. The blue fleck would most often be selected to match the waterline tile, while the brown flecks are very neutral.

Color Cement can be used to create a darker more dramatic finish, or to blend in with the other colors in the poolscape.  For instance, a tan color cement may be used to blend with stonework around the pool. The tan also creates a nice appearance for a ” beach entry ” feature.  Another choice  could be a Grey color that creates a beautiful aqua color appearance of the water, or  even a black that creates a deep dark mysterious  blue.

 Different Aggregates

Aggregate is the component of a cement plaster that gives it strength . Essentially,  cement is a paste that glues (or cements) the aggregate together. Sand is also added in some finishes to help hold moisture during the curing or hardening process.

The original  pool finishes contained crushed marble as an aggregate for a bright white look. The coating is called Marcite. Marble is relatively soft and can be effected harshly by water chemistry,  so often staining problems or etching issues  were a problem.

Quartz  ( shown above ) is a mineral in which among other uses is used to produce glass.  It is crushed and refined to create a suitable aggregate for pool finishes.  It is ideal in that it greatly resist damage of pool water chemicals. Also it is an angular shape so it creates a flat smooth feel after it has been properly applied.

Pebble Type or Pearl (shown below )is another aggregate being used.  It gives a pool interior a distinctive appearance.  The mixtures are ussually created by blending several different color tiny pebbles together creating a very vivid matrix that can be somewhat mesmerizing. There are countless color combinations using  various pebble colors and colored cements.

Pebble finishes are offered in two grades or sizes ( diameters ) of pebble –Standard and a Mini Pebble size . The mini pebble feels smoother and is typically more even in exposure.  The Mini  is not quite as vivid as the standard pebble but really creates a beautiful  finish in any pool.

There are yet still some additional specialty additives for  pool finish mixtures to give your finish even more zing. There are several, one  is: Abalone Shell that creates reflective particles that can really make a pool sparkle.

The Latest innovation is a  glass bead finish that create a  stunning 3-Dimensional effect. Available in a range of designer colours. While true, this finish enhances a visual effect for contemporary architectural demands– it also demands a significantly higher installation price.  Some interior finish manufactures are beginning to offer blends with pebble and glass beads.

Blended Finishes - Left : Abalone Shell & Mother of Pearl - Right: Iridescent Glass

To summarize, there are two common options for pool interior finishes. The first being Quartz Aggregate, and the second being Pebble. With either type you can select from several colored cement “backgrounds” and both types offer a several aggregate color blends.  There is surely a color combination that is perfect for your pool!