Choosing Your Interior Finish
There are many options when it comes to choosing an interior finish for your remodelled or new swimming pool. The interior finish can elevate the design to a whole new level of style. Discover tips on choosing an interior pool finish and other relevant information in this decision process.
Choosing a Colour
One of the first questions that you should ask yourself when choosing an interior pool finish is what colour water do you want to have? There are two primary watercolour choices, green or blue, but the shade of blue or green will be determined by different factors. The water does look different in full sun than it does under clouds or in the late afternoon or morning hours. If you have trees that shade your pool, then the water does appear darker. The shallow end is going to appear lighter than the deeper water. In order to get blue water, you want a pool finish that has a grey, blue, or white pigment. For green water, you want to pick a darker finish with black, brown, tan, or green pigment. The watercolour and finish should complement the atmosphere. A cool tone is great if you want a seascape environment and for it to sparkle in the sun. A warmer tone can highlight a beach entry or be similar to an inviting natural stream. A darker tone can give you a more dramatic effect.
Types of Finishes
Within the years that Classic Pools & Landscapes have been building pools we have tested and trialled many interior finishes and have chosen the finishes we believe work the best for your pool within our environment.
ecoFinish Aquabright
A new product has now emerged that virtually eliminates all of the traditional plaster and paint coating shortcomings. It is resistant to chipping, peeling and chalking. It cures in seconds - not weeks - and it is extremely durable, outlasting conventional finishes.
Aquabright captures the strength, durability and maintenance ease of old school finishes while maintaining the beauty and architectural colour range. It is stain and crack resistant and will outlast traditional plaster finishes for years to come. Because Aquabright is a non-porous, pH-neutral finish, there is no need for costly harsh chemicals at start-up. There is a large colour pallet to choose from that is UV fade-resistant. It is also environmentally friendly because there is little to no waste and less of an environmental impact. Mining transportation and other wastes associated with plaster and paint finishes are a thing of the past.
Aqualux Finish
An Aqualux pool finish provides many benefits not available with traditional finishes. It’s smooth to touch, it will not crack, chip or flake requires very little maintenance, and can be installed in any size, shape and make of pool, regardless of whether it is a new pool or a renovation.
Aqualux is a flexible surface for your pool. A hard pool shell can’t handle ground movement – so where finishes like tile and fibreglass may crack, Aqualux can flex, and absorb the movement without damage. It can stretch up to 300% before breaking! A great show of strength.
Aqualux is incredibly low maintenance and treated to inhibit algae, bacteria and fungus, No scrubbing is needed – ever! But, the first thing people notice about your pool is the colour. And with a range of vibrant designer colours and patterns, Aqualux gives your pool a depth of colour not available with any other pool finish. Treated to resist UV fade, colours will stay rich and bright, long after other surfaces like cheap pool liners and pool paint have faded away.
This liner can be fitted to any shape. Got a deep end, steps or even bar stools? Every membrane is made to order, to fit your pool perfectly – any size, shape or make of pool. If you are renovating and would like some steps or perhaps a bench added – it’s a perfect time. Once changes are made to the pool structure, the Aqualux membrane resurfaces the entire pool, giving a smooth, perfect finish, making it impossible to tell old from new.
While a normal pool liner has a life expectancy of 5-7 years, an Aqualux protective membrane has a pro-rata warranty of 15 years – and most will last for years beyond this. With the right conditions, it is not unusual for an Aqualux pool finish to last for 15 to 20 years, and even longer.
Tile Finishes
Tile is one of the more durable finishes and gives you a lot of design possibilities. Tiles are typically just applied to the floor, steps, or waterline in order to give a colourful accent, but they can also be used as a finish for the whole pool. The glossy appearance of the tiles can help you make the most of the reflective properties of water. It’s also a more artistic look and can be glamorous. Tile is a more expensive pool finish and takes longer to install than aggregate and plaster. However, it is the longest-lasting surface you can choose for your pool. There isn’t a lot of maintenance and as long as there is proper application, you shouldn’t need to replace tiles. You can get tile pool finishes using porcelain, stone, glass, or ceramic. There are a variety of styles, sizes, colors, and shapes to give you almost endless designs and combinations.
Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Pool Finish
If you are having trouble deciding what finish is right for you then there are some questions you can ask yourself.
If you have already decided on colour then keep in mind how the conditions around the pool can influence how the colour appears and how that will play into what finish you choose.
What texture do you want for the pool finish? Some textures will be smoother, while others will give you the texture of a pebble-bottomed stream.
How durable do you need your pool finish to be?
Do you plan on being in your current house for a long time? Certain finishes will give you more durability than others.