What is the difference between marcite and plaster?
In fact, many people use the term “marcite” and “plaster” interchangeably. Marcite is a mixture composed primarily of white Portland cement, marble dust, and fortifying additives to boost strength and water resistance. Mixed with water, it forms a smooth material that specialty crews use to coat the inside of a pool.
What is marcite pool flooring?
- Answers Marcite was the material used to finish the interior of a concrete swimming pool. It is in simple terms a mixture of crushed marble and white cement mixed with water to form plaster which is then applied to the pool floor and walls with trowels to provide a smooth finish for the interior of the pool .
Can You dye marcite pool plasters?
In fact, some pool builders are reluctant to use dyed plasters because they almost magnify any minor blemishes. Because marcite constantly reacts to chemicals, minerals, and the pH/alkalinity in pool water, this kind of finish is more susceptible to problems if your water chemistry is not properly and consistently balanced.
What kind of plaster is used to plaster a pool?
Marcite / traditional pool plaster Used for decades in hundreds of thousands of pools around the globe, marcite is the material most commonly used for plastering a pool. In fact, many people use the term “marcite” and “plaster” interchangeably.
How long does a Marcite pool finish last?
5 to 10 yearsMarcite will typically last 5 to 10 years, and we generally recommend that you don't use this option unless your budget doesn't allow the other premium finishes. Marcite starts out bright white, but with colorant, it can be any shade of gray and even other colors.
Is gunite and Marcite the same?
While Marcite plaster is the least expensive of the gunite pool surfaces, it does have its disadvantages. The surface can start to show visible chipping or etching after 5 to 7 years. They will also start to stain, and inhibit algae due to its porous surface and is the least durable in the plaster pool family.
Is Marcite the same as Diamond Brite?
Diamond Brite will last longer. How long either finish lasts is highly variable. One rule of thumb is that regular plaster (marcite) will last about 10 years, while quartz finished (like Diamond Brite) will last 15 years. But that is just a rough average.
What is the best plaster for pools?
Standard white plaster is the tried and true pool and spa surface finish. White plaster has been around as long as people have been building swimming pools and it remains a popular choice in spite of the myriad of choices that have come into the market in recent years.
What is the longest lasting pool finish?
TileAdvantages: Tile is the longest-lasting interior finish for a concrete pool. Tile is easier to clean than exposed aggregate. Glass tile is nonporous and especially durable. It's fire, heat, and UV-resistant, as well as frost-proof.
How often do you Marcite a pool?
If you take excellent care of pool plaster, such as marcite plaster can last up to 7-10 years while you'll get an additional five years on the life of your pool is you use quartz aggregate blend for pool plastering.
Is Marcite and plaster the same thing?
Marcite / traditional pool plaster Used for decades in hundreds of thousands of pools around the globe, marcite is the material most commonly used for plastering a pool. In fact, many people use the term “marcite” and “plaster” interchangeably.
What is the smoothest pool finish?
Traditional white plaster (or marcite) gives pools a smooth, classic appearance and remains a popular choice despite the range of pool finishes that have emerged over the years. The most inexpensive pool finish option, it typically lasts five to seven years before any signs of etching or chipping appear.
What is the cheapest pool finish?
Plaster finishesPlaster finishes are the cheapest and easiest to install, but they lack durability. Aggregates can be the most attractive but are slightly more expensive and more time-consuming. Tile finishes are the most expensive and take the longest, but their durability is top-notch.
How long do plaster pools last?
15-20 yearsWhen it comes to durability, both plaster and pool paint are built to hold up against the chemicals in your pool and natural conditions outside of it such as harmful UV rays; however, most pool plaster lasts 15-20 years, while epoxy pool paint – the longest-lasting type of pool paint on the market – needs to be ...
Is pebble better than plaster?
Pool plaster is not as durable as Pebble Tec®. Over time, it discolors, stains, and collects bacteria. This is due to its porous surface material being difficult to fully clean.
How thick should pool plaster be?
about one half an inchApplied at a thickness of about one half an inch, white plaster was the standard in the pool industry.
How long does pool Diamond Brite last?
eight to 12 yearsDiamond Brite lasts eight to 12 years before it fades and gets spotty. We recommend acid washing this finish after about five years to keep it bright. Each style and color has a different price, but a Diamond Brite finish costs about $5,000 to $10,000.
What is Hydrazzo?
Hydrazzo® was the first polished finish in the industry, and has set the premium standard in pool finish innovation. A silky smooth texture, combined with the proven durability of exposed aggregates, are two prime features of this state-of-the-art pool finish.
What color does pool plaster come in?
The most common plaster colors are: light (blue or gray), blue, green, teal/turquoise, and dark (gray/black). Pool plaster color can also play a role in hiding imperfections. Over time, the plaster will begin to show signs of fading and deterioration due to the sun's UV rays and harsh pool chemicals in the water.
What is marcite cement?
Marcite is a mixture composed primarily of white Portland cement, marble dust, and fortifying additives to boost strength and water resistance. Mixed with water, it forms a smooth material that specialty crews use to coat the inside of a pool. They apply it over the concrete surface with hand-held trowel tools to create a smooth, hard exterior.
What color is marcite?
In these cases, quartz or pebble is almost always a smarter choice. Although marcite starts out as white, the wet mix can be dyed in a small range of blues and greys to create a dark-bottom pool, which is popular for lagoon-style designs.
What is the best finish for a pool?
Inspired by the tiny stones you see in some river beds, pebble is the high-end pool finish that ensures the greatest beauty and the highest durability of all three finishes. It produces a truly distinctive result that enhances any pool. Because of its composition, it is virtually impervious to chipping, mottling, staining, or fading.
Why does marcite deteriorate?
Because of its increased vulnerability to visual blemishes and its requirements for stringent water quality, marcite deteriorates faster. Bottom line, it’s the pool finish that will get the job done—but do so with the least durability and the shortest lifespan.
How long does marcite pool water last?
Marcite is also the most affordable option for a new pool or replastering an existing one. With properly maintained pool water, it will last 8 to 12 years. However, in regions with particularly “hard water” (water with high alkalinity and calcium), the pool water wreaks havoc on marcite’s endurance.
What is the interior finish of an inground pool?
The interior finish of your inground swimming pool is comparable to the icing on a cake: Both serve as the finishing touch that covers the entire structure and helps define its overall aesthetic.
What is the purpose of pool finish?
Pool builders apply the finish to the concrete shell of an inground pool’s shell. The material’s purpose is for more than visual appeal ; it’s critical for making a pool interior both smooth and waterproof.
How long does marcite plaster last?
Depending on a variety of local factors and your individual pool-water treatment routine, the typical lifespan of traditional marcite plaster is 7 to 10 years. If the finish includes a quartz aggregate blend, the time table should extend another five years.
What is smooth plaster coating?
Smooth plaster coating throughout the interior prevents water from leaking through into and potentially damaging the concrete (gunite/shotcrete) and other building materials that comprise the pool’s structural shell.
How to prevent plaster problems in pool?
Prevent plaster problems in the first place. Your pool’s plaster is essential. So monitor any changes in the surface because doing so can prevent larger-scale problems down the road. First and foremost, practice a consistent pool care routine. Above all, this means keeping the water properly balanced.
What is plaster in a pool?
Along with its functional purpose, pool plaster serves an aesthetic one. Whether white, colored, or with quartz or pebbles blended into it, plaster makes the pool’s interior visually appealing. It’s among the most visible elements of your pool, and it can affect the appearance of the water color and how the water glistens in the sunlight.
Why is plaster deteriorating?
In some cases, chemical balances may be off when a new pool is filled with water for the first time. In others, chemistry is disrupted when a large amount of water gets added to an existing pool—usually to address loss due to evaporation.
Why plaster finish a pool?
Because it’s what you see every time you look at your swimming pool and because it acts as a protective layer between the pool water and the structural shell, your pool’s interior plaster finish is vital to both the beauty and integrity of your aquatic retreat. Smooth plaster coating throughout the interior prevents water from leaking ...
Is plaster good for a pool?
Plaster in good condition is essential for your pool’s overall longevity and durability. However, even in a well-maintained pool, eventually plaster will age and show signs of degradation. That’s perfectly normal. Depending on a variety of local factors and your individual pool-water treatment routine, the typical lifespan ...
What is the best pool material for gunite?
Pebble Tec is on the higher end of the cost spectrum. Pebble Tec is a mix of large pebbles, stone aggregate, and cement. This is the most durable of the plaster pool types as its surface last from 15 to 20 years +. Pebble Tec is the top choice for gunite pool buyers.
What is a gunite pool?
Gunite pools have been around since the '60s and are the most durable pool finish due to being made from concrete. The pool's structure consists of a steel rebar frame coated with a mix of cement, white sand or marble aggregate, and water. This is applied to the rebar frame and troweled for a smooth looking finish still making it very popular.
What is the pros and cons of gunite pool?
A gunite pool's biggest pro is having the most durable finish of any swimming pool surface. However, the con is the cost with both the initial set up/installation and the resurfacing (when needed, not if needed) is much higher than the other common pool surfaces.
How long does gunite last?
This is the smoothest finish available in gunite pools but is still hard as a rock. Its life expectancy is 15 to 20 years and comes in a wide variety of colors as well.
Can gunite pools be rough?
However, this means you have to be careful of rough play in a gunite pool since these pools won’t have any give and are not soft the touch; a common concern if you have children playing in the pool.
