Pool Plaster Finishes Explained

Pool plaster is the finish you see and touch every time you swim. When it’s time to resurface, the choices can be confusing. Plaster, quartz, pebble and a long list of brand names all show up in quotes. This guide explains the main types of pool finishes for in-ground pools in plain terms, so you can talk with your contractor about what fits your pool and your budget.

What Pool Plaster Is

Traditional pool plaster is a cement-based coating troweled over the concrete shell of the pool. It makes the shell watertight and gives the pool its color and feel. White plaster made with cement and crushed marble is often called marcite, and it’s the classic bright white pool finish.

When people say “pool plaster” today, they often mean the whole family of cement-based finishes. That includes plain plaster and finishes with quartz or pebble mixed in.

Standard White Plaster

White plaster gives the water that clean, light blue look many people picture when they think of a pool. It’s the traditional choice and usually the least expensive finish to apply.

The tradeoff is wear. Plain plaster tends to show stains and roughen sooner than aggregate finishes, and it depends on good water chemistry to hold up well.

Colored Plaster

Colored plaster adds pigment to the mix. Darker pigments and shades of blue or gray change the water color from light aqua to deeper tones. Colored plaster can look mottled, which some owners like and others don’t. It may also fade unevenly over time, so look at real pools, not only small samples.

Quartz Finishes

Quartz finishes mix crushed quartz into the plaster. The quartz adds hardness and color, and these finishes are generally more resistant to staining and wear than plain plaster. They still feel fairly smooth underfoot. Quartz sits in the middle between plain plaster and pebble in both look and price.

Pebble Finishes

Pebble finishes use small natural stones set in a cement-based mix. After the finish is applied, the surface is washed to expose the tops of the pebbles. The result is a natural look with more texture underfoot than plaster.

Pebble finishes are known for durability. The texture is a matter of taste. Some people love the feel, and others find it rough on feet.

Pebble Tec® and Pebble Sheen

Pebble Tec® is a well-known brand of pebble finish, and many homeowners ask for it by name. Its product lines include Pebble Sheen, which uses slightly smaller pebbles for a smoother surface than the original Pebble Tec finish. Pebble Tec finishes are applied by authorized installers.

If you want Pebble Tec specifically, Pinnacle can bring in an authorized Pebble Tec installer as a subcontractor, usually at a higher cost. Our Pebble Tec and NPT page explains how that works.

NPT Finishes at Pinnacle

Pinnacle offers NPT pool finishes. NPT makes its own range of finishes, and each line has its own look and texture. We’ll walk you through the NPT options that suit your pool.

How to Choose a Finish

Start with these questions.

• How do you want the water to look? White finishes read light and bright. Darker finishes make the water look deeper.
• How will the pool be used? Young kids who spend all day on the steps may prefer a smoother finish.
• How long do you plan to stay? A more durable finish can make sense if the pool will be yours for many years.
• What’s the budget? Plaster costs the least to apply, and pebble costs more.

Look at finished pools when you can. Samples are small and dry, and color changes a lot under water.

Caring for a New Finish

Every new cement-based finish needs careful start-up. That means close attention to water chemistry and regular brushing in the early weeks while the surface cures. Ask your contractor who handles start-up and what they’ll ask of you.