Custom Concrete Pools

Your house is a complete expression of your personality. Every color, every corner, every nook and cranny, all bear your unique touch. But why stop there? Why settle for a cookie-cutter pool that anyone can have? You deserve a pool that speaks to who you are and draws you in every time you glimpse it through the window. You deserve the luxury of a custom concrete pool from White’s Pools.

Get More with Concrete Pools

A concrete pool has numerous advantages for those looking to get more from their outdoor oasis. First and foremost is concrete’s durability. Concrete construction is the reason the Pantheon in Rome or the Roman Baths of Bath, UK still stands. Take advantage of that same level of craftsmanship with a pool that can truly last a lifetime. Gunite pools, a type of concrete pool built by spraying concrete on a rebar skeleton, can last over 100 years.

Concrete also shines in customization. Unlike other pool construction materials, you aren’t limited by the shape of the material. Concrete has no natural form, enabling you to dream up any design you wish for your concrete pool. With concrete, you have the freedom to create a pool that’s the exact size you want, the shape, and with all the features you desire. Create your wishlist and let White’s Pools concrete pool builders make it a reality.

Fiberglass vs. Concrete Pools

People often wonder whether they should opt for a fiberglass pool or choose a concrete pool. There’s advantages and disadvantages to both designs and it really comes down to how much customization you want in your pool design.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools are poured into pre-fabricated molds at your home before being assembled into the finished pool. This means you’re limited to the shapes and sizes that your pool builder carries and has available. The advantage though, is that since these molds are already made, you can have your pool installed in a fraction of the time of a concrete pool.

Working with fiberglass can be tricky, as it’s difficult to assess the quality of the fiberglass at a glance. There are different resins that each builder prefers to work with. The difference in resins can impact the overall lifespan of your pool by a few years and unfortunately, you won’t really know until something goes wrong. However, the gel coatings on fiberglass provide a comfortable feel as you wade and they are highly resistant to dreaded algae growth.

While most fiberglass pools have a lifespan of only 30 years, compared to concrete’s 75-100, they shine when it comes to overall maintenance. Like any pool there’s the routine maintenance of the water within the pool, but the actual fiberglass is untouched by those chemical treatments in the water. The gel coating protects the fiberglass while keeping things smooth to the touch. That means you won’t need to scrub algae nearly as much as with a standard concrete pool, saving you time and money.

Concrete Pools

Concrete pools take the edge over fiberglass when it comes to overall lifespan. Concrete pools are built to last and outlast, with a lifespan of three to four times longer than fiberglass. That durability of the concrete comes from the combination of water, cement, and aggregate. The aggregate can make the concrete even sturdier depending on its composition, with sand, limestone, or gravel being common.

Concrete’s supreme durability is only matched by its surprising flexibility. Concrete is flexible in the sense that it bends to your wishes better than any other pool material. You can select different options for the shape of your pool and the size.

Whether you want a Mediterranean-style pool that conforms to neat geometric shapes, or something freeform that feels like stepping into a natural lagoon, concrete can do it all. All that freedom does come with the additional consideration of time. When you select a custom concrete pool, your concrete builder will have to take the time to design the pool to your specifications. There’s also the time it takes for the concrete to set and cure once it’s been poured and before you can put any water in.

Concrete Pool Upkeep

Maintenance is an important consideration when selecting a concrete pool. You’d be surprised to discover that concrete is porous, despite its enormous strength. That becomes an issue in pool construction because you’ll need to scrub the sides of the pool to make sure algae doesn’t take over the pool.

Scrubbing the sides of the pool will only get you so far. While it may look clean to the eye, the algae can survive in the pores of the concrete and quickly return. To effectively clean the pool, you’ll need to have chemical cleaners on hand to get deep into the concrete and clear out the algae. Unfortunately, those chemicals can wear on the pool’s lining.

Surfacing Concrete Pools

The chemicals used to clean the pool can become an enemy of the concrete’s lining. Because concrete is rough to the touch, pools built from concrete have an additional layer added on to create a more comfortable surface to step on and add a protective layer for the concrete.

Over time, repeated cleanings will damage the lining of the concrete and create the need to resurface the pool. Thankfully, there are many options for concrete pool surfaces, and depending on the surface you select, you won’t have to worry about resurfacing for a decade or more.

Some common options include:

Plaster

The most basic form of concrete pool lining is plaster. It’s the least expensive option available but lasts anywhere from 5-15 years depending on the conditions. Like concrete, it’s susceptible to damage from the chemicals in pool treatments.

Quartz

A step up from plaster is a quartz surface. Quartz comes in various colors, opening up more opportunities for total customization. Quartz reflects a dazzling glow through your pool water, enhancing the ambiance too. As a tougher stone than composite plaster, quartz can last 15 or more years with regular maintenance.

Pebble

Pebble is the option for those who want a natural pool from look to feel to finish. Pebble is both the most durable and most expensive finish for a concrete pool, but it creates an unmistakable experience. When pool owners opt for pebble, they can expect the surface to last for 20 years or more with proper upkeep.

Another great feature of concrete pools is that you can always change the surface down the line. If you originally had plaster, you can switch it out for something like quartz or pebbles when it comes time to resurface your pool.

Creating Your Dream Pool

Concrete opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to creating your dream experience. However, so much freedom can seem daunting at first. When the possibilities seem endless, it can feel like you’ll be stuck choosing between options forever.

Not to worry. With the team at White’s Pools at your side, we’ll work with you to create a pool that matches your expectations and your budget.

Design

We start by looking at where you want to pool to go in to get an idea of the maximum size and depth. Then we’ll draw up the custom layout you selected and get your approval before proceeding.

Excavation

Excavation: Once you approve the custom design, we’ll excavate the selected portion of land. The time this takes varies by project, but it’s typically around one day of work. We can even set aside soil if you wish to use it elsewhere on your property.

Plumbing

We will use state-of-the-art equipment to clean and purify the pool water.

Steel Installation

The next step is to install the steel bars that form a skeleton for your pool, ensuring a stable design and increased durability.

Shell

Once the steel is in place we’ll begin pouring or spraying the concrete to create your pool shell.

Electrical

We’ll also bring out licensed electricians to install the filtration system and any lighting elements you select.

Tiling

Once the shell and electrical components are set, we’ll install the tiles that mark the waterline of the pool based on your specifications.

Coping

As your pool begins to take shape, we’ll install the lip around the edge of your pool using either stone or safety grip brick.

Surfacing

Next is the plaster or pebble surfacing installation, to complete the pool.

Water

Once the surface is installed, we’ll begin adding water to the pool while instructing you on proper care, chemicals, and cleaning.

Enjoy Limitless Potential and Endless Relaxation

The great joy of a custom concrete pool lies in making it exactly what you want. That doesn’t stop at the size and shape of the pool though. With concrete, you can decide what additional features and purposes you want the pool to have.

Lights

Adding lighting to a concrete pool can extend the enjoyment beyond the whims of the sun. Use lights to set a mood, whether that’s for relaxing after a long day or for an upscale soiree.

Waterfalls

Complete the look of a lagoon-style pool, famed for its natural aesthetic, with a gorgeous waterfall. Enjoy the peaceful sounds of falling water and soak up every second in your concrete pool.

Slides

Pools are a great way to unwind and what better way to do that than embracing the joy of a waterslide into your pool? Pair with a waterfall for an unforgettable pool day.

Concrete Plunge Pools

On the other end of the spectrum are plunge pools. These smaller pools of even depth are made for relaxation. Cool off from those hot Atlanta summers with dip in your plunge pool. Connect it to heating features to enjoy it as a hot tub when the cold weather sets in.

The Vital Role of Pool Maintenance

Every pool owner knows the joys of a shimmering, clear pool. But behind that pristine appearance lies the crucial role of regular maintenance. It ensures the pool remains a safe and clean space, free from harmful pathogens and potential equipment malfunctions.

The history of vanishing edge pool design

As you might expect from such a symbol of elegance and exclusivity, one of the first manmade infinity pools is traced back to the Palace of Versailles in France. The Cabinets of Animals fountains, built in the 1600s, depicted scenes of animals in battle with the ingenious use of tiered basins for an infinity illusion. Water from the mouths of the winning animals falls into the upper basin, while the losing animals’ mouths spill into the lower basin. The golden beasts look like they are part of a miraculous natural environment within the carefully manicured gardens of Versailles.

The infinity edge pool construction details at Versailles were likely inspired by not only waterfalls and ocean sunsets but also existing luxury bathing destinations like the terracedhot springs in Pamukkale, Turkey. These springs sit atop snowy mountains, with vanishing edges and panoramic views. Floating into divine nothingness has always been appealing to people seeking deep relaxation and peace.