A pool is a lifelong investment, so make sure you have any questions you have answered before beginning your pool project. Choosing the right location for your pool is very important. The size of the paved area outside of the pool will vary based on your preferences. Gunite pools are also prone to more buildup of dirt and algae since the rough walls make it easier for bacteria to settle. This means that you can enjoy your pool for a long period without worrying about maintenance costs. The quality surpassed my expectations and the communication and education was exceptional. The gunite is then smoothed out before it dries. Liners are generally plastic (vinyl). It is imperative to choose a knowledgeable pool contractor so costly mistakes are not made. Gunite pools can be built in almost any conceivable shape. And converting a concrete pool to have all the systems for the main drains is vast, and its highly likely to result in leaks because such invasive adjustments are technically challenging. If youre creative, have challenging terrain or plan to own your pool for a long time, gunite might be for you. Its rare for a gunite pool to leak through its side. We recommend variable-speed pumps, which are more efficient and longer-lasting than older single- or dual-speed pumps. Gunite pools take longer to construct, so youll have to wait longer before you slip into your suit and dive in. Underwater lighting: will one spotlight suffice, or do you want something more decorative? The durability of the structure and surface material in the gunite pool is good. Gunite pools can also be costly to maintain over time. Or fill out the handy web form on this page, and well get in touch with you to schedule a complimentary swimming pool consultation. Gunite pools have been popular in fancy resorts for years and are now making their way into private homes because of their versatility, durability, and endless design opportunities. The pre-mixed concrete is added to a hopper, sent through a hose with high pressure, and dispensed onto the surface. Once the area is excavated and the dirt smoothed, it is time to install the supports and install any plumbing. Cold Spring, call (845) 463-0592, and in Connecticut, call . Westchester, call (914) 271-7996. A gunite pool with standard finishes can easily start out between $10,000 to $15,000 more than the identical size and shape vinyl liner pool. gcse.async = true; If the gunite is very dark or light, discoloration can occur because of water chemistry. Nonetheless, frost can also damage tiles on gunite pools. The two main types of repairs that may need to be done to your gunite pool are replastering and repairing cracks in the shell of the pool. Gunite concrete pools are an excellent, long-lasting, and super-customizable choice for an inground swimming pool. Of all these coatings, paint is the easiest and least expensive, but it also has the shortest lifespan2-3 years for acrylic paint, 7-10 for epoxy, and somewhere in between the two for rubberized latex paint. The replacement cost factors in labor, the liners thickness, and the pools size. Longer Lifespan - Gunite pools last longer than concrete pools with liners. A concrete swimming pool is like the Benz of swimming pools. Other key features will be molded/crafted during this process including steps, pool lighting, spas, and more. gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; The most durable inground pools are fiberglass pools and concrete pools (also known as gunite pools). Furthermore, vinyl liner pools are very prone to damage. Unless you tear or get a hole in the liner, it does rarely need specific maintenance besides routine cleanup of the swimming pool. // Vinyl vs. Gunite: How to Choose the Right Pool for Your Home Even with padding, there is a chance that the rough texture of gunite may cause your liner . These steel bars will reinforce the concrete once it sets. How do Home Property Assessments Relate to Real Estate prices? I have an above ground pool and have some white stains on my liner at the bottom of the pool. The most popular type of material to build a pool is concrete. However, it is worth the investment if you plan to keep your pool for many years. Whereas the liner pool and fiberglass pools are installed in 2-4 weeks. The first thing youll have to do is establish the elevation of the water and set the level. Vinyl liner pools only last up to 15 years (and thats if everything goes smoothly). After the staples are in place, layers of epoxy and bonding agents are used to seal and repair the cracks. If youre selling your home, potential buyers will likely ask you how old your pool liner is. The final step is to attach your pool pump, filter, and cooling/heating systems to your water lines. With a fiberglass pool, the excavation can begin at the same time that fabrication of the shape is taking place. Robotic gunite vacuums drastically reduce the amount of cleaning you have to do. Gunite pools are very durable, typically lasting for decades. Youll have to take great care of them to ensure they last for many years, and sometimes its hard to keep them safe from the elements. The next step is to install any tiles or decorative basin for the pool. Overall, the kind of swimming pool you want should reflect your choices at the time, both emotionally and financially. When comparing a gunite pool vs a liner pool, a vinyl liner pool may take slightly longer to install than fiberglass. Can You Put A Liner Around A Gunite Pool? (Find Out Now!) - Upgraded Home Each is perfect for any swimming pool. The price of new curbing, tiles, and plaster repair in a concrete pool is high. Think about a poured concrete sidewalk that has a space or seam every yard or so. A pebble finish will also get rid of the major downside of gunite pools: the rough surface that scrapes your feet and snags your swimsuit. The workmanship was impressive, and I was continually informed of the stages and progress made. Gunite pools offer longer warranties than vinyl liner pools. Before selling your house, you may consider adding substantial value to your property, and what better way than adding a vinyl liner to your pool to make it more presentable. Gunite Pool Resurfacing: 3 Major Signs You Need One - Neave Group The next step is to install a steel rebar grid for the concrete and sand mixture to go on. Gunite is affected by water chemistry, so it is important to look after the water and your pool. Good things come to those who wait. If you're on a budget but still desperately want a pool, vinyl liner pools are a much more wallet-friendly option than gunite. Unlike pebble tech, you cant layer vinyl with plaster. Aggregate or pebble finishes are probably the most durable of the options out there. One of the main advantages to gunite is that you can stop the application, return the next day, and continue spraying without creating cracks or odd-looking finishes. Easier to Maintain - Gunite pools are easier to maintain than concrete ones. Gunite pools tend to last longer than vinyl liner pools. Gunite pools are incredibly durable and do not require a liner. COPYRIGHT 2022 PREMIER POOLS & SPAS | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PRIVACY POLICY. Your personality and tastes really get to shine when you install a gunite pool because they can be crafted into any size or shape. The most common are plaster, pebble, and tile, with less common alternatives like quartz and glass. When most people talk about concrete pools or cement pools, theyre talking about gunite. This will provide you with the ability to make your backyard oasis unique to you and your backyard. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For residential usage, liner should not be a big problem, although if you are planning a commercial swimming pool, this might get troublesome in the long run. Nonetheless, it is a popular conversion for those looking to upgrade and modernize their homes. While the gunite/concrete pools still need to be re-plastered after a while, their pool surfaces can withstand impact from sharp objects much better than vinyl liner models. Click HERE to watch our new show Passion For Splashin! Gunite pool owners prefer putting . All your downstream ownership costs heating, cleaning, maintenance, pool pump/filter, et al will be driven mostly by the gallons of water in your pool. Because they are pre-fabricated and installed relatively quickly, vinyl liner pools are usually less expensive to build and renovate than in-ground gunite pools with cement finishes. With the addition of a gunite pool to your home, youre not just getting a pool. However, gunite is often the material choice for most custom-designed pools due to concretes ability to be set into almost any shape imaginable. Can You Put A Vinyl Liner In A Concrete Pool? - Swimming Pool Steve 1. Gunite Pools vs Liner Pools: Which One is Better? Because theres less of a chance of something major going wrong and you can expect a longer lifespan, contractors will generally provide a longer guarantee so that if something does go wrong, they can come back and fix it. Depending on the builder you use, these pools can come in any shape, including curly free-form designs, with sundecks, swim-outs, and seats. Theres constant maintenance going on when you have a vinyl liner pool. It is best to work on a clean surface, so any debris or dirt will be removed before repairs begin. Gunite Pools: Everything You Need to Know - Willsha Pools Although, there are distinct differences between them. Often during excavation, new issues must be addressed, such as removing large boulders and soft zones found underground to make room for the pool and/or to shore up the foundation. Your pool will appear strange with it. Additionally, gunite pools are very sturdy and because of the steel framework, retain their shape over a long period of time. A: No. Required fields are marked *. Many pool companies will actually use the term gunite to refer to all concrete swimming pools, but there is a difference. However, be cautious how you go about it because a liner in a concrete pool may signify to potential buyers that something strange is going on with your pool. Gunite is different because the water is not added until the last minute before the concrete is dispensed onto the surface. Summary Charts for pricing and Real Estate Activity for Metrowest Homes, Ideabook for Bookcase and Shelving Storage. Can You Drain Your Pool Into the Sewer for Backwashing? The water pressure keeps the shape of the pool. How can I tell if a basement gets water in my potential home purchase?. They can be installed quickly and are usually made with durable materials. Near the end of your design process, you will need to decide on the features and options for your pool. Some have tile patterns on the bottom, some on the lip of the pool, and some all over. Plaster comes in a variety of colors, so if you simply want to change the look of your pool and repairs are not needed, then replastering may be a good option for you. You really have to weigh which kind of maintenance you prefer: extreme maintenance every decade or so, or regular light maintenance every couple of weeks? The specialized gun allows gunite to be sprayed anywhere, even on vertical surfaces, allowing for maximum coverage and maximum design potential. By far, the biggest advantage of a vinyl liner pool installation is the cost. If your concrete pool is rough and harsh on your feet, then this means that the internal surface needs some renovation. When the grid is in place, the crew sprays a heavy coating of gunite, a mixture of cement and sand, around the rebar. Gunite pools are incredibly durable and do not require a liner. Most liner pools are built in the shape of the liners, so most are rectangles, or more standard shapes. It is kind of an reversed effect of a plastered pool, the cement is more under the pebbles rather than on top as in plaster. But you will instead have a tile and rock photos printed on the vinyl as opposed to the real thing. When the renovation cost is reduced, youll be thankful. On rare occasions, youll also have to replace some of the equipment, which means the costs can get really up there thats why its very important to take care of the pool and perform all of the necessary maintenance tasks. Decking: do you want a standard concrete deck or something more decorative like pavers? A gunite pool, on the other hand, is a type of concrete pool. One aspect we help homeowners with at Premier Pools & Spas of Gulf Coast is deciding on gunite pools vs liner pools. Once the cracks have been repaired, the pool will need to be re-plastered for a uniform look. As mentioned earlier, gunite is a mixture of dry concrete and water. Gunite pools are highly durable when constructed in warm climates, and they can be built in any shape or size. Vinyl liners are easier to maintain than gunite because they dont require as much brushing. Then, a steel rebar system is built on top of the sand to provide a construction frame for your pool. The plaster basin may also crack and peel from frequent use or tree limbs falling during a storm. Youre going to have to shell out thousands to keep the pool in proper shape, whereas if you get a gunite pool, it can theoretically last forever. With a gunite pool, youll have to resurface and retile it. Can You Add Household Bleach To A Pool Instead Of Chlorine? Gunite pools can also have tile, exposed aggregate or even fiberglass finishes. Most fiberglass and vinyl inground pools need their liners changed every few years and are more prone to leak than gunite pools. There are big differences between gunite pools and liner pools. Vinyl liners are less expensive to install. Many people looking to sell their house will also upgrade the pool from vinyl liner to gunite. Westchester, call (914) 271-7996. If you plan to install an inground pool, you only have three options: vinyl liner, fiberglass, and concrete. The other major difference is time. If youre going to be selling your home in the next few years, someone is going to ask about the pool and they may not be so pleased if you say your vinyl liner pool is around 10 years old. If you liked this post, then you might also like: 7 Things Florida Pool Owners Should Know In 2021. While both gunite and fiberglass pool construction require zoning and HOA permissions, excavation permits, fences and fence permits, and security inspections, gunite pools require additional permits to use the gunite. Gunite pools can also have tile, exposed aggregate or even fiberglass finishes. Their design was unique, and they EXCEEDED every promise and every due date. What is a home or property municipal betterment? Before you begin any construction project, you must survey the area where you intend to install the pool. Spread the gunite across the entire rebar, paying attention to the layout of the pool. You can select these with liner as well. They also tend to have a nicer feel on the bottom. Not so fast. If you do need a repair, it's often expensive however. Proper caring of your pool and water can prevent this from taking place. The main reason for converting a gunite pool to a liner would be if theres a leak you cant or dont want to repair, since the vinyl liner will seal it.