Pebble Tec and NPT
Pebble Tec and NPT Pebble Finishes: How to Choose
If you have been looking at pebble finishes for your pool, you have probably seen the name Pebble Tec® more than any other. It is one of the best-known names in pool finishes. Pinnacle Pool Service can get you a Pebble Tec finish. We also offer pool finishes from NPT.
These are two different products from two different manufacturers, and each one has its own finish lines and colors. When you ask, we will quote both for the same pool so you can weigh them side by side.
What a Pebble Finish Is
A pebble finish is the interior surface of a concrete pool. Small pebbles are mixed into a cement base and troweled onto the pool shell. After it sets, the top layer is washed back so the pebbles show through.
The result has more texture than traditional white plaster. It also comes in a wider range of colors, and the finish color changes how the water looks. Pebble finishes go on during a resurfacing job. The old surface is prepared, the new finish is applied, and the pool is refilled. You can read more about that process on our pool resurfacing page.
Pebble Tec: What It Is and How We Provide It
Pebble Tec is made by Pebble Technology International, and plenty of homeowners ask for it by name. The manufacturer offers several finish lines. One of them is Pebble Sheen, which Pebble Technology International describes as a refined textured finish.
Pebble Tec is applied by authorized installers trained to apply its finishes. If you want it for your pool, you can have it. Pinnacle brings in an authorized Pebble Tec installer as our subcontractor for the finish work, and going this route usually costs more.
You still deal with us from start to finish. We meet with you in person, send you the quote, and stay your contact through the job and start-up.
NPT Pool Finishes: What Pinnacle Offers
Pinnacle offers pool finishes from NPT. NPT groups its finishes into series, from pebble to quartz to finishes with glass beads, and each series comes in its own range of colors.
We will walk you through the NPT options that suit your pool. NPT itself recommends checking a sample of the actual product before purchase, because a photo on a screen can only tell you so much.
Pinnacle manages plaster jobs using specialist plaster subcontractors, which is standard in the pool industry. You call us for everything, and we handle start-up and care of the new finish from start to finish.
Side by Side: What Each Maker Publishes
The first two rows come from each maker’s own website, in their wording where we can. The last row is how Pinnacle provides each finish.
| Pebble Tec | NPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish lines | PebbleTec, PebbleSheen, PebbleBrilliance, PebbleEssence, PebbleFina, PebbleBreeze, PebbleQuartz and PebbleCrystal | StoneScapes, JewelScapes, QuartzScapes, PolishedScapes, ColorScapes and PlasterScapes |
| Textures | Described by the maker as “ranging from natural to refined to ultra-smooth” | Described by the maker as running “from rustic pebble, to silky smooth quartz, or even striking glass beads” |
| How Pinnacle provides it | An authorized Pebble Tec installer, brought in by Pinnacle as a subcontractor, usually at a higher cost | Applied by Pinnacle’s specialist plaster subcontractors, with Pinnacle managing the job |
Sources: the product pages at pebbletec.com and the pool finish pages at nptpool.com. Line names are written the way each maker writes them.
How to Choose
Start with how you use the pool. A pool full of kids all summer may point you toward a different texture than a pool that mostly gets admired from the patio.
Look at real pools. A small sample chip in your hand looks different from a full pool with water in it and sun on it. Ask to see finished pools or full gallery photos in the colors you like.
Ask about the feel underfoot. Pebble finishes vary in texture, and some lines are smoother than others. If comfort on bare feet matters to you, say so early.
Ask what the warranty covers for the finish you are considering.
Weigh the options against your budget. If Pebble Tec is the finish you have your heart set on, we will get it done with an authorized installer. If you want to look at NPT first, we will walk you through its finishes. We are happy to quote both for your pool.
If you are planning more than a new finish, our pool renovation page covers new tile and plaster. Financing is available for renovation projects over $6,000 through our partner Lyon Financial.
Photos From the NPT Gallery
Photos on this page are from NPT’s gallery, used with NPT’s permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pinnacle get me a Pebble Tec finish?
Yes. Pinnacle brings in an authorized Pebble Tec installer as our subcontractor for the finish work. You deal with Pinnacle from the first visit through start-up.
What is the difference between NPT and Pebble Tec?
They are different products made by different manufacturers. Each company has its own finish lines and colors. The table on this page shows what each maker publishes, and we can walk you through both in person.
Can you quote both finishes for my pool?
Yes. Ask for both and we will quote an NPT finish and Pebble Tec for the same pool.
Does Pebble Tec cost more through Pinnacle?
Usually, yes. Pinnacle brings in an authorized Pebble Tec installer for the finish work, and that route typically costs more than our NPT finishes.
How do I pick a color?
Look at full pool photos and finished pools, not just a sample chip. The finish color changes how the water looks, and it reads differently in full sun than in shade.
How do I get a quote?
Call us or send us a message. We talk through the finishes you are considering, then send a written quote by text or email.
Talk to Us About Your Pool Finish
Pinnacle is a family-owned, local pool company serving the Triad and the Triangle. We work on in-ground pools only. If you want Pebble Tec, we can arrange it. If you would like to see NPT, we can show you its finishes. Call us and we'll walk you through both.
Call the Triad at (336) 383-1500 or the Triangle at (984) 500-0454, or contact us online.
Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen are registered trademarks of their respective owner. Pinnacle Pool Service is not a Pebble Tec franchise.