Designing a swimming pool is a multi-stage production that includes planning, excavation, construction and finishing. The step that most involves your input, of course, is the planning stage. You'll have so many choices to make concerning layout, appearance and materials.
When it comes to choosing a material for the interior structure of the swimming pool, one option is gunite. Gunite is a concrete blend composed of cement, sand, and water. Read more to find out about gunite construction and how it can help contractors customize your pool to your specifications.
The first steps in any pool construction are outlining the pool and excavating the ground. Next, the contractors put the necessary piping and wiring in place. Here's where the process diverges for gunite pool construction.
For a gunite pool, contractors construct a framework grid out of steel reinforcing rods, or rebar. They secure these rods with wire, which creates a grid as the foundation of the liner. Once they've created this framework, they mix the gunite and use a sprayer unit to install the material.
After spraying, the contractors trowel the gunite smooth. They must allow it to dry, or cure, before applying a smooth finish. According to the
Landscaping Network, gunite pool construction takes six to twelve weeks
The most popular finish option for a gunite pool is plaster, which is also a mixture of cement and sand, but in this case marble sand. Plaster can be customized with colors and additives, such as quartz.
It's also possible to use a plaster base for an aggregate finish. Aggregate finishes can either be polished or exposed. First contractors apply the stones, usually granite or marble, by hand and then these stones are polished. Exposed aggregate finishes consist of river pebbles or glass beads that contractors hand apply then power wash to expose the aggregates.
Another option is choosing specialized cement such as Pebble Tec, Pebble Sheen and Beadcrete. These blend plaster or cement with additives such as polished pebbles, crushed seashells or glass beads for a shimmering, customized surface.
Hand-applied fiberglass in another finish option for gunite pools, which provides a smooth, durable finish.
Tile is a beautiful, luxurious finish choice. You can choose between ceramic, porcelain, stone or glass tiles. It's possible to have the entire pool surface finished in tile. However, many homeowners opt to have just the waterline, coping and steps finished in tile work as an accent.
One of the biggest benefits of a gunite pool liner is how customizable it is. Because the contractors build the framework by hand, they can construct it into almost any shape. Gunite is ideal for freeform pools, but you can also utilize it for a quatrefoil design, geometric layering or other uniquely-shaped pools.
Gunite construction also allows contractors to more seamlessly incorporate a spa. They can accommodate the shape so it complements the swimming pool. This incorporation allows the two pools to share the filtration and heating systems. It's also possible to use the meeting of the two pools to create a waterfall.
Along those same lines, gunite construction offers you customization options in water features beyond a spa. Contractors can more easily incorporate a waterfall or grotto into your pool design.
The ultimate benefit is that a gunite pool is constructed of steel and concrete, both of which are very strong, durable materials. This results in a liner that's extremely strong and durable.
If you want a customized but durable swimming pool, gunite could be an ideal choice for you. Talk to the experts at
Sequoyah Pools about your options for a gunite swimming pool.
