Pool Coating Product Comparison

There are two principals in overall pool operation:

  • Daily Maintenance and Operation
  • Long-term Maintenance and Capital Repair

When you consider resurfacing your pool you should ask yourself two important questions:

  • Is your automatic pool cleaning system wearing out due to the rough surface on your pool?
  • In the long-term, what is the right pool surface for you?

Here are comparisons to help you decide:

  Plaster Fiberglass
Life Expectancy As plaster wears, it becomes abrasive, blisters and delaminates. Aside from health hazards (abrasions, cut feet, etc.), plaster begins to deteriorate and breakdown in 18 months to 3 years. The overall life expectancy is 3-5 years for standard plaster and 7-10 years for upgraded plaster products. Life expectancy is 25+ years. No breakdown or abrasions due to roughness. Surface remains a smooth and safe swimming environment. No adverse effects due to heating.
Staining Staining can begin as early as when the pool is initially filled. Repeated draining and Acid Washing deteriorates plaster and fosters roughing of the surface. Heated pools have a great risk of staining. Excellent resistance to staining due to its non-porous surface. If mineral or metal staining occurs, it is easily removed by applying a metal magnet product to the pool water.
Algae Plaster is porous and an ideal breeding ground for algae. Removal requires special chemicals and/or the draining of your pool. Heated pools have a great potential for algae. Black algae is difficult to stop on plaster surface, due to a deep root system. Because fiberglass is non-porous, it is most difficult for algae to grow on the surface. The root system cannot penetrate the smooth fiberglass finish.
Structural Coating Plaster is NOT a structural coating. Fiberglass resurfacing WILL add integrity to your existing structure and provide a flexible water-proof seal. Fiberglass is a must for cracked and/or leaking Gunite pools and bulged or otherwise structurally damaged Fiberglass pools.
Chemical Usage Plaster is a virtual microscopic mountain range which absorbs a huge percentage of chemicals. The surface interacts with your pool chemicals to obtain the correct pH balance. Over time, plaster will become chemically etched, allowing for a greater opportunity for algae growth and staining. Because the fiberglass surface is non-porous, it will not interact with your pool chemicals. There is not an adverse effect due to heating and fiberglass will not chemically etch when properly maintained.
Warranty Normally a 1, 5 or 10 year Limited Warranty against pool leaking. Pop-offs and delaminating that do not crack open are not considered a failure. Check cracking (crazing) is not considered a failure but a normal occurrence. 25-Year Limited Warranty against chipping, peeling and cracking provided your pool remain structurally sound and proper water chemistry is maintained.
Required Maintenance Balance chemicals, acid treatment, brush sides and bottom of entire pool daily for two weeks. Balance chemicals. SWIM. Chemical balancing with written material and basic instruction provided.