South Florida’s year-round summer conditions pair perfectly with a cool, tranquil pool. Whether you want to go for a swim or entertain guests around a stunning water feature, a pool can be a great investment in your property.
And just like your other investments, pools need some attention, especially as they start to age and have signs of normal wear and tear. So if your pool’s finish is starting to fail and is chipped or damaged — or you’re ready for something new — it could be time for it to be resurfaced.
Depending on the original finish type, amount of use, and your level of maintenance, your pool could need resurfacing after about five to 10 years. So whether you’re beyond due or just starting to think about resurfacing, here are some breakdowns of costs, materials, and timelines to consider before resurfacing your pool.
Cost Of Resurfacing A Pool In Florida
Resurfacing your pool will take away the dull, cloudy, and broken look of your current pool finish. You can make the pool match your style and home’s architecture — and you can also find a finish that matches your budget.
But how much each finish costs varies. Here are a few factors that will affect the price to resurface your pool:
- Size of pool and/or spa
- Materials used
- Detailed designs (ex. if the finish is installed in a specific pattern or mosaic)
The larger and more detailed your pool is, the more it will cost. But the biggest determining component in figuring out your resurfacing cost will be the type of finishing material you use.
What Is The Best Finish For My Pool?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach with pool finishes. The one you choose will greatly depend on your preferences, budget, style of home, the color of the home, use of the pool, and other contributing factors.
Here are three of the most popular options:
- Diamond Brite: A blend of colored quartz aggregates and polymer-modified Portland cement
- Glass Tiles: Look the most elegant, depending on the selection
- Pebbles: Aggregate finishes like PebbleTec, PebbleSheen, BeadCrete, and Hydrazzo
Diamond Brite is the standard finish. The standard color options are Cool Blue, Aqua Quartz, and Super Blue. Diamond 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. We recommend staying away from the darker colors.
The most expensive of the three options, glass tiles can give you a stunning, high-end pool finish. You can either use the tiles as accent elements along the waterline or on steps, for example or throughout the entire pool. If you get a full-tile finish, the materials and installation will cost about the same as the entire pool. The typical cost of installing glass tiles is $30 to $50 a square foot. Glass tiles have a great lifespan, helping to offset some of the costs involved. They can get chipped and fall off, however, so they require upkeep and some re-grouting at times.
For a more earthy, textured appearance, consider using a pebble finish like PebbleTec or PebbleSheen. These are better options for a darker finish. Some color options with these include Slate Blue, Seafoam Green, Tropical Breeze, Soft White, and Black Marble.
This option also has a non-slip, stain-resistant surface and shimmers in the sunlight. There are options, like Shimmering Sea, for a distinct sparkle in the finish. It’s similar in price to Diamond Brite.
Remember: The pool finish and color you choose will affect the appearance of your water. For example, a lighter finish like Diamond Brite’s Ivory exposed aggregate will make your water look clear blue. You can accentuate these colors even more with underwater lighting effects if you want to make a bigger statement.
PebbleTec vs. PebbleSheen
Although from the same manufacturer, PebbleTec and PebbleSheen have some distinct differences and looks.
PebbleSheen has slightly smaller pebbles compared to PebbleTec, and it’s actually the company’s top-selling pool finish, according to them. PebbleTec isn’t as smooth, so it’s better if you want a more natural look and feel.
Both finishes can be enhanced with Shimmering Sea, which adds brilliance and elegance to the pebbles. They are both long-lasting and can really make a statement in your pool.
How To Refinish Your Swimming Pool
Resurfacing a pool is more than a one-day project and normally requires several experienced team members. Before any work can get started, all of the water must be drained from the pool.
The pool needs to be cleaned next and make sure any debris or dirt is removed — that includes the main part of the pool, along with pool steps and the coping, if you’re resurfacing the entire feature.
If the concrete shell has any cracks or damage, that’s a good time to prep the pool and have them repaired since it is empty: You want to ensure the pool has a solid structure before moving forward. Any blisters or hollow spots will be removed to ensure a strong bond.
With a clean palette, the crew can start to pour in and scrape the plaster until it’s spread out evenly. Then, it’s time to start adding whichever type of finish or design you chose.
Keep Your Pool Renovated And Elegant
If you’re tired of looking at chipped, damaged or dull finishes, it’s probably time to resurface your pool. Choose a company that provides high-quality materials and work to ensure your pool is in good hands.
Our certified pool team knows what and when pools need renovations and refurbishings — taking the guesswork out of your pool care. We’ll talk with you about your ideas, goals, budget, and how you use the pool to come up with finish material suggestions that will best fit your pool and lifestyle.
In addition to resurfacing pools, we also offer pool services like installing lighting, waterline and step tile, automation, acid washes, and upgrading equipment.
We provide pool and landscaping services in Miami, Key Largo, and throughout South Florida. You can see us in action on our YouTube channel.
Ready to give your pool a facelift so it looks as good as (or better than) the day it was installed?
Call us at (305) 901-1505, or fill out a form online to see how much resurfacing your South Florida pool will cost.