Looking to upgrade your backyard pool with a gorgeous and durable new surface material? Pebble pool finishes are quickly becoming one of the most popular options for both renovations and new pool installations.
Offering unparalleled strength, customization, and sustainable benefits, pebble delivers an earthy, natural stone look that feels wonderful underfoot. With proper care, a pebble pool finish can last up to twice as long as traditional plaster. It hides signs of aging far better too thanks to the beautifully mottled and variegated aggregate surface.
What is a Pebble Pool Finish?
A pebble pool finish refers to the mixture of small stones and cement used to coat the shell of an in-ground swimming pool. Pebble is technically classified as an exposed aggregate finish, meaning some of the stones protrude from the surface to create texture.
This differs from standard plaster pools consisting of a smooth cement mixture spread uniformly across the pool floor and walls. It also varies from fuller aggregate finishes where rock material is exposed more prominently. The combination of both pebbles and cement makes for an optimal balance of visual appeal, performance, and comfort.
Material Composition
Pebble pool finishes comprise a blend of carefully sieved and sized pebbles or irregular aggregate mixed with white cement and pigments for color. Typical pebble size ranges from 1/16″ to 3/8″ in diameter. A polymer modified cement binder helps it cure evenly and adhere strongly to the underlying gunite or concrete pool structure.
The pebbles themselves are often quartz-based aggregates, chosen for hardness and durability, or may incorporate natural stones like granite, travertine, or marble. Glass beads and quartz aggregates can also augment the pebble to introduce shimmering accents and depth.
Installation Method
After final cleaning and prep work on the bare pool shell, the pebble mix is troweled onto the surfaces to a thickness of around 3/8″. A slow-setting bonding agent first helps it adhere tightly. The pool is then filled with water immediately which causes the mix to set fully over the next 24 hours.
The water exposure chemically reacts with the cement to cure and harden it completely while allowing excess material to wash away. This leaves a beautifully textured layer of pebbles partly protruding from the stronger underlying layer of cement below the surface. The end result is an attractive, slip-resistant, and incredibly durable pool coating.
Benefits of Choosing Pebble
What sets modern pebble pool finishes apart from traditional plaster? Here are some of the top advantages this innovative surface material has to offer:
Improved Durability and Strength
The combination of rounded pebble aggregate mixed with strong bonding cement makes for an extremely impact, crack, and chip-resistant surface. The varied texture also helps minimize signs of aging. This allows a pebble finish to withstand heavy usage and environmental factors for well over a decade before needing to be replaced.
Longer Lifespan
While standard plaster finishes last an average of 5 to 10 years before requiring resurfacing, pebble coatings can remain intact for 15-20 years when properly cared for. This increased lifespan ultimately saves money in replacement costs over years of enjoyment.
More Slip-Resistant Surface
The small stones protruding from a pebbled surface create unparalleled traction underfoot, especially when wet. This ultra slip-resistant quality also makes pebble highly appealing for pools frequented by children who are naturally less steady on their feet around water.
Cooler Temperature
The dappled texture with crevices and indentations makes pebble less heat conductive than plaster. This means the surface feels more neutral to the touch rather than getting uncomfortably hot under the blazing midday sunshine. For chillier night swims, however, pebble won’t retain warmth like some materials either.
Wider Range of Colors
From elegant midnight blue to autumnal earth tones, pebble opens up vastly more finish color options that plaster can’t offer. Variations in the source stones and aggregate combinations provide depth and natural appeal. Custom blends also make matching surrounding landscapes a breeze for stunning cohesion.
Lower Maintenance Requirements
The mottled texture and porous nature of pebble mean it effectively hides general wear-and-tear, debris, body oils, suntan lotions, and the beginnings of algae much better than plaster. This translates to fewer hours spent scrubbing and reduced chemical usage over time.
Superior Stain & Etch Resistance
The inherent durability, varied surface, and chemical neutrality of quartz pebbles make staining and etching issues far less likely compared to plaster. Pebble stands up admirably to regular exposure to pool chemicals and UV rays without discoloration or damage too.
Greater Crack & Patchwork Resistance
Harsh freeze-thaw cycles, natural ground settlement, and usual surface impact can cause plaster to crack or chip quite easily. The resilient rounded edges of pebbles flex and move with surface changes and pressures better. Their random placement resists fracture cracks spanning across the finish.
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable
Pebble coatings utilize abundant natural stone materials that require far less energy, water, and chemical resources to source and manufacture than standard cement plaster mixes. This makes pebble an environmentally responsible surface choice that’s still utterly luxurious.
Customization Options
What sets pebble pool finishes apart from other aggregate coatings is the vast range of possibilities for custom-tailoring to your unique backyard vision. Every aesthetic element offers ample room for creative flair.
Dazzling Range of Color Choices
While plaster is fairly limited to various shades of blue, white, and grey only, pebble opens up an extraordinary spectrum of exciting finish colors. Vibrant tones of rich green, cheerful yellow, tranquil tan and inviting red shades are all possible.
For a subtler effect, the natural variations of multi-colored pebble blends beautifully mimic real rock textures with flowing veining in shades of white, grey, tan and black. Accent colors like vibrant turquoise or gold beads can also augment the pebble. The options are truly outstanding compared to one-note plaster.
Custom Size & Shape
The pebbles adorning the surface can be customized to your preferred size and shape for different aesthetic impacts. Smaller rounded pebbles around 1/8″ to 1/4″ make for smoother textures, while larger stone pieces up to 3/8″ dramatically increase surface dimension. Angular shards, shells and irregular natural aggregates offer even more distinction.
Blend with Glass Beads or Quartz
To make the finish even more luminous, lustrous glass beads or shimmering quartz crystals can supplement a percentage of the pebble content. This adds gorgeous crystalline sparkle and light-catching dimension when illuminated by both sunshine and underwater lights. The glass and quartz reflect and refract light beautifully across the surface for added radiance and depth.
Numerous Texture Alternatives
Beyond the standard exposed aggregate method described above, there are other pebble application techniques to produce unique surface textures. One creative approach involves scraping off the top surface layer once set, revealing different underlying pebble dimensions and density. Acid washing before sealing can enhance richness and variation too.
How to Care for a Pebble Pool Surface
While pebble pool finishes demand far less intensive maintenance than plaster, some periodic care is essential for optimizing the lifespan and keeping water crystal clear for swimming. Here are some top tips for protecting your investment:
Regular Skimming & Brushing
Aim to skim debris from the water surface daily using a leaf rake skimmer. Gently brush over the entire pool bottom and 25% of walls weekly to prevent clinging particles settling into the pebbled texture over time. This regular attention paired with chemical balancing helps enormously.
Maintain Proper Water Chemistry
Test and adjust chemical levels weekly to keep pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and sanitizer within recommended parameters. This prevents etching, corrosion, cloudiness and algae takeover. However, don’t overuse harsh chemicals that could damage the pebble over time.
Prompt Attention to Issues
Catching small problems likepersistent stains, cracks or erosion early allows quicker, less invasive remediation before escalating into bigger repair headaches. Annual inspections help spot trouble areas to address.
Consider Sealants
Applying specialty penetrating sealants during initial installation and every 5 years thereafter protects a pebble’s porous surface. Sealants prevent dissolution, staining and adhesion loss. Just be sure to abrade the surface gently beforehand for proper absorption and curing of any reapplied coating.
Invest in Pool Covers
Shielding the pool with tight-fitting solid safety covers in the off season prevents weather and debris damage. It also saves hugely on chemical demand and evaporation loss when not actively being swum in. Covers also retain ambient heat to stretch out the usable season earlier and later into spring and fall months.
How Pebble Pool Costs Compare
Upfront installation prices for pebble pool finishes land somewhere between bare bones plaster and top-tier tile, coping and decking upgrades. However, the increase in lifecycle durability compared to just plaster makes pebble highly cost-effective long-term.
Installation Cost Differences
Basic plaster starts around $4-6 per square foot installed, while premium pebble with accent beads and multiple color blending falls between $8-12 per square foot. The specific aggregate choices, complexity of color blending, permit costs and contractor fees all impact overall price, but upgrades beyond plain plaster typically run 50-100% more upfront.
Long-Term Value Perspective
Yet when weighing expenses across a 10-20 year timeline before resurfacing needs, pebble delivers substantially more value via lower chemical and maintenance demands plus fewer repairs and replacements. This makes even higher initial pebble investments pay for themselves in enhanced longevity and worry-free enjoyment well before a plaster pool would need extensive refurbishment again.
Increased Home Resale Value
Pebble’s attractive appearance and reputation for durability also boost a home’s overall property valuation more than plaster alone. Having a complex tiered poolscape with waterfalls, fountains, hot tubs and a gorgeously contoured pebble swimming pool adds significantly more real estate appraisal appeal and dollar value compared to the market norm. Ultimately pebble helps recapture its initial price premium handsomely.
Choosing the Right Pebble Pool Builder
The quality of prep work, product selection and application technique all enormously impact how a pebble pool finish performs long-term. Working with an experienced and dedicated pebble coating contractor is essential for success. Ensure they check the following boxes before hiring:
Extensive Pebble Pool Portfolio
Evaluate numerous completed pools to assess artistry, consistency and overall visual appeal of their pebble coating quality before and after filling with water. Varied photo examples spanning years represent longevity too.
Strong Industry Certifications
Reputable pebble pool builders earn accreditations from Master Tile Setters, NESPA, and Global Stone to validate expertise. Licensed, bonded and insured status provides further assurance of professionalism and recourse options if issues later arise.
Latest Application Equipment
From calibrated pebble sifters to specialized trowels, many application tools enhance finish uniformity and longevity compared to subpar gear. State-of-the-art mixing machinery also prevents consistency problems across large batch volumes. Using outdated equipment often reflects obsolete techniques.
Responsiveness to Technical Questions
The contractor sales team should readily educate on what differentiates quality pebble installation from subpar outcomes based on material grades, climate adaptations and recommended maintenance. Push for specifics and be wary if unable to detail considerations beyond surface appearance.
Pebble Pool Design Inspiration
Surrounding a lustrous pebble pool finish with creative hardscape and landscape features truly actualizes an outdoor retreat with wow factor. Here are some ideas for complementing the gorgeous swimming pool centerpiece itself:
Mosaic Tile Features
Lining pondless waterfall spillways, hot tub copings and planter back walls with dazzling mosaic glass or porcelain tiles introduces eye-catching directional sparkle plus spectacular illumination at night. Contrasting yet complementary hues enhance the pebble pool tones beautifully.
Stacked Stone Cladding
Drystack stone veneers applied to pool fronts, retaining walls, view fencing, and planter beds provides wonderful natural synergy with pebbled interior finish. Matching the lintels to some aggregate colors maintains cohesion. Massive stone boulders placed nearby strengthen the aesthetic further.
Wood Accent Elements
Incorporating cedar or redwood horizontal ceiling slats, beefy vertical sun shade trellises and privacy screen fencing inserts rich warmth and texture against the cool pebbled water backdrop. Varied horizontal lines also wonderfully contrast the pool’s strong vertical volume.
Plant Palette Coordination
Choose flowering shrubs, grasses, succulents and ground covers featuring prominent complementary colors that align to the pebble and hardscape hues. Blue fescue, yellow lantana, and burgundy croton are exemplary companion plantings. Repeat colors linked through foliage and blooms for a cohesive canvas.
Ambient & Accent Lighting
Strategically angled LED floodlights mounted in surrounding trees and structures bathe the pebbled swimming pool, sheer descents and water features in soft illumination. Fiber-optic in-pool lighting and underwater LED fixtures cast magical refracting by night. Fire features, strands of patio lights and tiki torches extend the glow during starlit evenings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many homeowners have additional queries about pebble pools. Here we address some of the most common:
Do I still need to acid wash a pebble pool?
Yes, periodic acid washing every 2-3 years removes accumulated hard water scaling, chlorine residue and metals that embedding cleaners can’t always reach. This keeps water clarity and pebble finish sparkling between deeper cleanings. Just be sure to neutralize pH afterward.
Can pool chemicals damage my pebble finish?
Strong acids and alkaline liquid chlorine at very high concentrations can etch some aggregates if residue is left clinging rather than promptly diluting. However, with responsible water balancing and testing, chemicals pose minimal risks to quality pebble surfaces.
How often should I drain and refill my pebble pool?
Unless treating persistent algae or repairing cracks, a well-maintained pebble pool may never need complete draining. Partial water replenishment when adding boosters for opening/closing seasons is often sufficient for many years before fuller refilling is beneficial to “reset” mineral and chemical balance.
What about using salt chlorine generators?
Saline chlorination systems are fully compatible with pebble pool finishes when using restrained salt levels around 2500-3000 ppm. The gentle, gradual dispersion of purifying chlorine actually helps protect aggregate coatings compared to harsh shock treatments.
Maintaining proper salt concentration balance is key, however, as excess salt can damage metallic pool parts over time, causing corrosion and potential leaks. Having pebble also limits options for more caustic alternative sanitizers like copper-based algaecides.
Absolutely! Gas or electric pool heat pumps, solar blankets and panels all safely warm pebble pool finishes just like plaster surfaces. The stone composition poses no issues transferring ambient temperature into the water. Just be mindful of chemical adjustments needed when temperatures fluctuate to prevent staining or etching from unbalanced water.
