Pool Plaster Finishes: Quartz, Pebble, Glass Bead

Modern pool interiors come in four flavors: white plaster (traditional), quartz plaster (durable + sparkly), pebble (aggregate + natural), and glass bead (iridescent + premium). All are troweled onto the gunite shell in a single day.

Classic bright-blue water. Cheapest option. 5–8 year lifespan before scaling and roughness set in. Fine for a starter pool but most Pro Pool Experts customers step up to quartz.

The current best-value finish. White plaster with quartz aggregate mixed in — sparkles slightly, holds up 12+ years, comes in a range of blue and grey tones. Our most-installed finish.

Real river pebble aggregate. Rougher underfoot but the most natural, luxury look and 15–20 year life. Water color depends on the pebble color — from Caribbean turquoise to deep lagoon blue.

Iridescent glass beads mixed into the plaster. Shimmers under sunlight, striking on infinity edges and showpiece pools. Most expensive per square foot. Reserved for premium builds.