The interior finish of an in-ground swimming pool covers the entire structure and is the finishing touch that defines its overall aesthetic. This finish is applied to the concrete shell of the pool as a final step and has more than just visual appeal; it is a critical part of making the interior smooth and waterproof.
Regardless of how much planning and effort go into the design, material selection, and decorative features when building a pool, the interior finish plays a vital role in how attractive the final result will be. Whether building a new pool or resurfacing the interior of an existing pool, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons, cost, durability, and visual appeal of the type of finishing materials available in order to make the best choice for your personal needs and preferences.
There are three primary types of finishing material commonly used for plastering a new pool or for resurfacing the interior of an existing one โ traditional white plaster or marcite; pebble; and colored quartz aggregate. In this article, we look at what white marble plaster or marcite can bring to the table.
Marcite Pool Plaster
Marcite is the traditional and most common type of material used in hundreds of thousands of pools for decades. In fact, is has become so well associated with pool building that many people used the terms โplaster’ and โmarcite’ interchangeably.
What is Marcite?
Marcite is composed of a mixture of primarily white Portland cement and marble dust fortified with additives to boost water resistance and strength. It is the most affordable material for plastering or resurfacing a pool and when properly maintained is durable enough to last for 8 to 12 years. When mixed with water it becomes a smooth paste that specialty crews apply to the concrete shell of the pool with hand-held tools to create a smooth, hard, waterproof and strong finish.
Although the base material is white, it can be colored with dye in a range of blues or grays to achieve a particular effect such as a dark bottomed lagoon-style design. However, one of the drawbacks of dyed plaster is that the deeper the color, the more likely small imperfections such as streaks and fading will be visible. For this reason, many pool builders prefer not to use dyed marble plasters as they tend to magnify any minor blemishes that may be present.
White marble plaster does well when the water is properly maintained, however, in regions where the water is particularly hard (high calcium and alkalinity content) the water in the pool will wreak havoc on its endurance. Because this type of material constantly reacts to the pH, minerals, and chemicals in pool water, it will be more susceptible to problems if the water chemistry is not properly balanced on a consistent basis.
Consequences of Poor Chemical Balance on White Marble Plaster
The importance of how pivotal a role water quality plays in shortening or extending the life of marble plaster cannot be overstated. If the water chemistry is not properly balanced it can cause staining, mottling, erosion, discoloration, and etching on the surface of the plaster. Because of its stringent requirements for water quality control and an increased vulnerability to visual blemishes, white marble plaster tends to deteriorate faster than other pool interior finishes. Basically, it will get the job done but it also has the shortest lifespan and the least durability of the three primary finishing materials.
