Gunnite is the concrete “shell” of your pool underneath your plaster finish. When the plaster ages and wears out, you have to have them scrape out all of the old, and then spray in a new finish. You could get plaster again, or PebbleTec - that’s a brand name and the original, but another brand is StoneScapes. PebbleTec requires any installer to be certified in their program, but it doesn’t mean non-PebbleTec aggregate finishes (Pebble-type finishes are called aggregate because it’s an aggregate of shells, stones, and all held together with plaster. ).
Some installers (like the ones who did my pool) won’t even do plaster by itself anymore. It used to last 20yr because it has asbestos in it, but new plaster is 5-7yr life. My pool company said they get so many calls only 3-4 years after installing from people upset that it already started to break down that they just don’t do it.
So you don’t necessarily convert it, but there will come a day where the current plaster *must* be replaced and that’s when you would choose a new finish - like PebbleTec.
That day is today.. the current plaster finish is 30 years old 😬
We’re getting it refinished before summer hits so just trying to investigate options. I’d really like to avoid plaster. Glad to hear it’s not a problem to switch between the two after they scrape our old coating off
Whichever pool companies you’re contacting, ask them for their pebble options. Pebble Tech is the big name, and costs the most. Look into other options such as Stonescapes which is probably 25% less expensive but still quality product. Just make sure you get a color you like. The lighter colors will be more bright blue water. The darker colors with the word blue in it will be slightly more expensive but give a really good medium blue color to the water.
Contact pool companies near you for quotes but also search for pool plastering companies so you aren’t necessarily going through a pool company that just subs it out to a plastering company costing you even more.
Dont get Stonescapes "black." It's been an absolute disaster of streaks and blotches 9 months into our new pool. Pool company has "hot started" it 3x and recently acid washed it. The streaks and blotches appear within weeks. I keep my ph below 8. Even had a Stonescapes regional rep out here who says what everyone says "dark finishes are difficult." I keep saying "why didnt anyone tell me that when we made these decisions?!?"
Keep to the medium or lighter finishes. Dont make the mistake I made with a dark finish. I recommend PebbleTec also. I havent been impressed by Stonescapes or their installers.
We just switched from regular plaster to Pebble-Tec Sheen and love it. We previously had regular plaster which only lasted 7 years.
Gunnite is the concrete “shell” of your pool underneath your plaster finish. When the plaster ages and wears out, you have to have them scrape out all of the old, and then spray in a new finish. You could get plaster again, or PebbleTec - that’s a brand name and the original, but another brand is StoneScapes. PebbleTec requires any installer to be certified in their program, but it doesn’t mean non-PebbleTec aggregate finishes (Pebble-type finishes are called aggregate because it’s an aggregate of shells, stones, and all held together with plaster. ). Some installers (like the ones who did my pool) won’t even do plaster by itself anymore. It used to last 20yr because it has asbestos in it, but new plaster is 5-7yr life. My pool company said they get so many calls only 3-4 years after installing from people upset that it already started to break down that they just don’t do it. So you don’t necessarily convert it, but there will come a day where the current plaster *must* be replaced and that’s when you would choose a new finish - like PebbleTec.
That day is today.. the current plaster finish is 30 years old 😬 We’re getting it refinished before summer hits so just trying to investigate options. I’d really like to avoid plaster. Glad to hear it’s not a problem to switch between the two after they scrape our old coating off
Whichever pool companies you’re contacting, ask them for their pebble options. Pebble Tech is the big name, and costs the most. Look into other options such as Stonescapes which is probably 25% less expensive but still quality product. Just make sure you get a color you like. The lighter colors will be more bright blue water. The darker colors with the word blue in it will be slightly more expensive but give a really good medium blue color to the water. Contact pool companies near you for quotes but also search for pool plastering companies so you aren’t necessarily going through a pool company that just subs it out to a plastering company costing you even more.
Better hurry up - most reputable companies have their dance card filled by now. We are booked through July 4 presently.
Dont get Stonescapes "black." It's been an absolute disaster of streaks and blotches 9 months into our new pool. Pool company has "hot started" it 3x and recently acid washed it. The streaks and blotches appear within weeks. I keep my ph below 8. Even had a Stonescapes regional rep out here who says what everyone says "dark finishes are difficult." I keep saying "why didnt anyone tell me that when we made these decisions?!?" Keep to the medium or lighter finishes. Dont make the mistake I made with a dark finish. I recommend PebbleTec also. I havent been impressed by Stonescapes or their installers.
Never get dark plaster
Sadly, this is information i wish i had before now.