When you are putting in a pool, there are many decisions that must be made.  The shape of the pool, decking, water slides, diving boards, water features, and lighting are just a few in the process.  One of the most influential on the look and feel of your pool is the choice of surface material.  Different pool surfaces feel and look very different.  They also respond differently over time to water and weather.  Taking the time to research potential surface materials thoroughly will help you find the one the best fits your needs, desires, and budget. 

The most common surface material for pools in the United States is plaster.  This marble-based white mixture is the pool surface used in hotel, public, and private pools throughout the country.  Standard pool plaster, also called marcite plaster, is made up of white cement with an additive of crushed marble.  It is very inexpensive and easy to acquire for plastering, and later resurfacing.  However, it is porous.  This porous plaster can crack over time and harbors bacteria.  It can also stain easily.  In order to keep the water safe for swimming, chemicals must be used extensively to maintain balance in the water and remove harmful bacteria. 

Different people deal with these issues in various ways.  A common solution is to mix quartz in the cement mixture instead of marble.  The quartz is a very hard material that resists stains and lasts longer than traditional plaster.  Another solution is to paint the pool with special paints that have epoxy or rubber base.  When painting the surface of a pool, the instructions must be followed carefully to ensure the water resistance of the painted surface. 

As an alternative to marble or quartz plaster and painted plaster, some pool builders use different pool surfaces, such as tile or pebble finishes.  Tile used in swimming pools is typically porcelain or ceramic tiles.  These types of tiles offer a huge variety of colors and designs.  They can also be placed decoratively in a predominantly plaster pool surface as a visual accent or to mark the edges of stairs or benches. 

Pebble finishes are very popular in private pools in the United States.  Smooth pebbles are available in a variety of colors.  A cement mixture that is specially formulated holds the pebbles together and in place.  Pebble surfaces are the most stain-resistant and durable.  They are more expensive initially, but the maintenance costs are much less, as pebble finishes do not have to resurfaced every five years like most normal plasters. 

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