You may not know exactly what gunite is because over the years people have grown accustomed to calling any type of concrete in a pool by that name. Gunite was invented by a man in North Carolina.

It is brought to the site in dry form and water is added there, where it is applied through a hose to make a smooth surface inside the pool. Shotcrete is another name for this product.

A plaster is applied to the surface of the gunite afterwards, which is what the swimmers actually touch. This was the primary type of pool in existence before vinyl liners and Fiberglass Biaxial factory began to be commonplace.

Gunite Pools - Pros and Cons

The gunite pool still represents an excellent choice for a durable and long-lasting swimming facility. A definite pro for this type of construction is the fact that it will last indefinitely if properly cared for.

The biggest kick against the gunite pool is the cracking that occurs, in both the plaster and the gunite itself. Settlement and changing temperatures cause the inevitable cracking that may not be seen for several years. The best way to repair cracked pools is to drain them and re-plaster, which is expensive.

Although most people seem to believe that water doesn't have to stay in a concrete pool year-round, hydrostatic water pressure has been known to exert enough force to raise some units when the water was removed.

Fiberglass Pools - Pros and Cons

In the early days, fiberglass pools were limited to small units because of the methods of production and the difficulty in shipping them. Although transportation is still difficult, units are constructed in sizes that rival those of residential gunite pools. Once a fiberglass pool is set in place, it must remain full of water or ground water will push it out of the ground.

One of the primary selling features of the fiberglass pool is it is much faster to install than a concrete or gunite pool. If the hole has been dug and the plumbing is in place when the pool arrives, leveling the unit and shoring it takes a little time because it has to be accurate.

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