Concrete Pools
GENERAL OVERVIEW
The timeless appeal of this pool type can be attributed to concrete’s versatility, exceptional strength and the sheer durability of its structure. Both ancient and modern history shows that concrete has been the most common construction method for public and residential swimming pools. Although expensive in terms of cost and maintenance, Concrete pools provide greater creative freedom.
ENDLESS DESIGN POSSIBILITIES
Spray-on concrete (Shotcrete and Gunite) has given birth to a wealth of pool shapes and styling never seen before. Your pool can be sculptured in any shape you desire: you can incorporate a bridge, a bar with stools or a big island, create a lagoon, a multi-level pool-rise or a zero-entry beach. Pool shapes are only limited by your imagination, while pool sizes are only limited by your bank account!
PERMANENT BEAUTY
Not only is a concrete and plaster finish extremely durable, it can also be colour coordinated to complement your home and landscaping. Coloured stone, ceramic tiles and mosaic patterns or images can add a distinctive style to your new poolscape. Concrete pools provide the perfect canvas upon which you can create a truly unique artistic statement.
STATUS SYMBOL
The classic looks and durability of Concrete pools, combined with a traditional perception of prestige, gives added status and real property value. This is music to the ears for property owners, enhancing their level of pride in their home, as well as their equity! And if you ever want to sell your house, potential home buyers will tend to look favorably on a property with a Concrete pool.
PROS
- Unlimited sizes & shapes: Concrete is the ultimate building material for customising the size, shape and depth of your new pool
- Different finishes: The plaster finish of a Concrete pool can be coloured to match your home. For a high-end look try a ceramic tile finish or perhaps a pebble or glass aggregate
- Decorate your pool: Let your inner artist create a pool masterpiece in paint or tiles
- Add unique features: Customised steps and shelves, diving platforms, hot-tub pools, fountains and water jets. Transform you poolscape with beach-like gradient entries, boulder landscapes, rock cliffs, waterfalls or waterslides
- Exceptionally durable: Hard, strong and will last for a very long time!
- Classic looks: Well cared for Concrete pools retain that look of timeless elegance
- Handyman repairs: Minor damage to the surface can be repaired relatively easily
- Suitable for hot and cold climates: Concrete pools perform well in extreme temperatures
- Adding value: Concrete pools generally add value to a property, increasing the owner’s equity and potential resell value
CONS
- Much longer build time: Concrete pools can take 3-6 months to build, depending on the size. That’s a long time for your property and home life to be disrupted. Excavating a pool sized hole in your back lawn is a messy business, so owners should prepare themselves for a long stretch of trench warfare.
- More expensive to build: Concrete pools can be expensive to build. Custom shaped Concrete pools can be VERY expensive to build, especially if they have complex structures or exacting details. If your site isn’t straightforward, then your Concrete pool may need to be designed by a qualified engineer, and your site modified, adding yet more expense.
- More work to maintain: The plaster finish of a Concrete pool is rough and porous, providing plenty of convenient places for algae set up camp. As a result owners (and their families!) will spend more time scrubbing their pool clean. And entrenched algae can be hard work to budge!
- Higher running costs: Concrete pool owners report a significantly greater need for pool chemicals to keep their beautiful pool staying that way. Dealing with algae and bacteria is only one of the issues. Concrete is alkaline-based and therefore continuously increases the pH of pool water. Regular additions of acid chemicals are needed to keep everything in balance. Added to that cost is the likelihood of expensive refurbishments down the track…
- Needs professional care: The plaster or tile finish of a Concrete pool will not last as long as the cement base, unfortunately. After several years the plaster needs a good exfoliation: an acid wash that etches the surface and kills deep seated algae. Loose or broken tiles will need to be replaced. At a more distant point (15-20 years) the entire pool may need to be resurfaced. This is usually a major expense that can easily set you back $20K or more!
- Damage: The heavy, rigid structure of a Concrete pool needs to be founded on solid and stable ground. Geotechnical issues with the pool site could lead to serious problems: a Concrete pool could settle unevenly, damaging landscape paving and leaving your pool on an unsightly tilt; the pool structure itself could even crack, leaving you with an emptied pool and a giant headache! Earthquakes can also cause serious structural damage.
- Not compatible with Salt Chlorinators: Add salt to concrete and you know things are gonna get ugly! Salt attacks and weakens the structure of concrete, causes spalling (surface chipping) and will corrode steel rebar. That’s why salt chlorinators should never be used in a Concrete pool.
- Rougher pool surface: Although the plaster provides a great non-skid finish, it’s not so friendly on skin. Kids may get sore feet swimming in a Concrete pool. Water shoes are one simple solution for those with tender skin.
PROS
- Unlimited sizes & shapes: Concrete is the ultimate building material for customising the size, shape and depth of your new pool
- Different finishes: The plaster finish of a Concrete pool can be coloured to match your home. For a high-end look try a ceramic tile finish or perhaps a pebble or glass aggregate
- Decorate your pool: Let your inner artist create a pool masterpiece in paint or tiles
- Add unique features: Customised steps and shelves, diving platforms, hot-tub pools, fountains and water jets. Transform you poolscape with beach-like gradient entries, boulder landscapes, rock cliffs, waterfalls or waterslides
- Exceptionally durable: Hard, strong and will last for a very long time!
- Classic looks: Well cared for Concrete pools retain that look of timeless elegance
- Handyman repairs: Minor damage to the surface can be repaired relatively easily
- Suitable for hot and cold climates: Concrete pools perform well in extreme temperatures
- Adding value: Concrete pools generally add value to a property, increasing the owner’s equity and potential resell value
CONS
- Much longer build time: Concrete pools can take 3-6 months to build, depending on the size. That’s a long time for your property and home life to be disrupted. Excavating a pool sized hole in your back lawn is a messy business, so owners should prepare themselves for a long stretch of trench warfare.
- More expensive to build: Concrete pools can be expensive to build. Custom shaped Concrete pools can be VERY expensive to build, especially if they have complex structures or exacting details. If your site isn’t straightforward, then your Concrete pool may need to be designed by a qualified engineer, and your site modified, adding yet more expense.
- More work to maintain: The plaster finish of a Concrete pool is rough and porous, providing plenty of convenient places for algae set up camp. As a result owners (and their families!) will spend more time scrubbing their pool clean. And entrenched algae can be hard work to budge!
- Higher running costs: Concrete pool owners report a significantly greater need for pool chemicals to keep their beautiful pool staying that way. Dealing with algae and bacteria is only one of the issues. Concrete is alkaline-based and therefore continuously increases the pH of pool water. Regular additions of acid chemicals are needed to keep everything in balance. Added to that cost is the likelihood of expensive refurbishments down the track…
- Needs professional care: The plaster or tile finish of a Concrete pool will not last as long as the cement base, unfortunately. After several years the plaster needs a good exfoliation: an acid wash that etches the surface and kills deep seated algae. Loose or broken tiles will need to be replaced. At a more distant point (15-20 years) the entire pool may need to be resurfaced. This is usually a major expense that can easily set you back $20K or more!
- Damage: The heavy, rigid structure of a Concrete pool needs to be founded on solid and stable ground. Geotechnical issues with the pool site could lead to serious problems: a Concrete pool could settle unevenly, damaging landscape paving and leaving your pool on an unsightly tilt; the pool structure itself could even crack, leaving you with an emptied pool and a giant headache! Earthquakes can also cause serious structural damage.
- Not compatible with Salt Chlorinators: Add salt to concrete and you know things are gonna get ugly! Salt attacks and weakens the structure of concrete, causes spalling (surface chipping) and will corrode steel rebar. That’s why salt chlorinators should never be used in a Concrete pool.
- Rougher pool surface: Although the plaster provides a great non-skid finish, it’s not so friendly on skin. Kids may get sore feet swimming in a Concrete pool. Water shoes are one simple solution for those with tender skin.
SUMMARY
Unfortunately, the benefits of a Concrete pool come at a high price: large capital expense, greater running costs, plus more effort to maintain. Although modern building methods have closed the affordability gap considerably, Concrete pools remain the most expensive pool type on the market. Those considering this pool type should carefully weight the pros and cons before committing their time and money. You may wish to consider a Fiberglass, Liner or Customised pool which is cheaper and easier to clean. However, as long as a Concrete pool is properly sited and well constructed, it will provide outstanding durability and is the ultimate choice for tailoring shape, adding design features and customising colours. There comes a time in life when you want something truly unique… to create a statement in your landscape that’s both aesthetically pleasing and empirically functional. This is the time for a Concrete pool.
A CONCRETE POOL WILL SUIT YOU IF…
- You have a healthy budget ($60K+)
- You want a customised size, shape or depth
- You want to personally decorate your pool
- You want a diving pool
- Your property has good building access
- Your need a pool that has a self supporting structure
- You can afford the higher running costs
- You have extra time to maintain the pool or can hire this service
- You’re willing to pay for refurbishments or possible repairs in the future
- You want a classic looking pool that will last longer than you will
MORGAN+STONE CONCRETE POOLS
Morgan+Stone will work alongside you to create your dream Concrete pool. We can assist with design, products, landscaping and will provide the critical details you need to make wise choices. We’ve partnered with leading providers of stone, mosaic tiles and electronic pool automation systems to ensure you have the best of the best. If you’re seeking a unique swimming pool for your family then talk to Morgan+Stone for inspirational and trustworthy advice.
Call us today on 0800 732 867 to create your dream swimming pool.
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