They say that a pool is a pool – nothing more. But there is more to it than meets the eye. After all, it is a huge investment. You want to make sure you give it as much attention as you can.
Concrete pools are the top choice for many Australian homes. The material has gained so much popularity over the years, thanks to its durability and industrial look. Additionally, it has improved in the design department. For decades, we saw that concrete only had one appearance: textured grey surface. Today, you can come up with the design you want, so that it can match your landscape.
Understanding Concrete Pools and Why They Have Become More Popular
Many people mistake concrete as cement. In reality, cement is simply a component of concrete, along with sand, water, and aggregates, such as gravel or stone.
When a concrete pool is created, it typically uses gunite or shotcrete, which is sprayed on the area. Gunite is a dry mixture and later added with water while shotcrete is an already wet mix. When done correctly, the pool owner will not know the difference between the two.
Concrete should be left alone after it is sprayed on, only then will it reach its full potential. It will take some time to dry and harden, a process known as curing. It can take up to a month for the curing process to be completed.
Swimming pools use various materials, one of the most popular of which is fibreglass. However, the material has many downfalls, including the fact that it restricts shapes and sizes. A fibreglass pool is moulded in the factory, rather than onsite. Therefore, homeowners can only select from the predetermined shapes offered by the pool contractor.
On the other hand, concrete pools are flexible. Contrary to popular belief, concrete is customisable. You can choose any shape or design and your dream pool will come to life. Additionally, concrete pools are created onsite, which means that the builder can easily adjust the design according to your preferences and the area itself.
New concrete pools also look incredibly appealing. The undeniable stylishness is enhanced even more with the range of finishes available, including tile and pebble. You can opt for the one that meets your taste and your budget as well.
Design Trends That Will Jazz Up Your Concrete Pool
After the cold winter passes, it is time to mull over how to dress up your pool for the spring and most especially the summer season. During the warmer times of the year, you can bring new life to your pool. This way, you can invite your friends and family over as you take pride in how your concrete swimming pool looks.
Your pool deck eventually turns into a social zone where everyone comes together to have some fun. Concrete is delightfully versatile, so you can play with the hues and even the styles in the background.
If you are looking for inspiration on how you can make the area around your concrete pool stand out, you have come to the right place. With the design trends below, there is no excuse for you to avoid using concrete for your pool:
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- Stamped ConcreteMany years ago, concrete was simply a cold material with non-existent designs. Most of the time, homeowners would even cover it up with paint or stone. The sterile appearance was unexciting, which was why concrete was not a preferred material for pools.
However, times have changed and technology has brought in many options for pools in Australia and the rest of the world. Today, we view concrete pools as a stunning revitalization of industrial style. Add to that is the fact that many homeowners want a more minimal design, especially for their backyard.
Although the designs are unfussy, concrete offers versatility. The material is a great match to contemporary and even traditional homes. A concrete pool suits any taste because of its adaptability and elegance.
It does not have to be plain and simple all the time. You can use patterned and imprinted designs, particularly for your concrete pool decks. The change in appearance is possible through stamped concrete. It allows you to move away from the standard grey colour, while offering you with varieties, such as stone and brick. Stamped concrete perfectly mimics these finishes. The best thing about it is that you get to have this look without spending more than you should.
- Textured and ColouredPlain and poured concrete has a certain appeal for those who prefer a minimalist design. However, it does not mean it is your only choice. We have emphasised how versatile concrete has become over the years. You can now have a stained,stamped, or stencilled concrete pool that will boost the final look.
Other stone finishes are more expensive than concrete. However, you get the same aesthetics perhaps due to the chemical stains. The other stone finishes also utilise dry-shake hardeners. It is why homeowners gravitate towards exposed aggregate for their pools. This concrete design is chicer with a pebble-like surface. You can even compare a sandy beach with this look.
Aside from the colour options, you can also have that textured effect on your pool surrounds. It is often achieved using acid etching and sometimes through sand finishing. Both are great options and even add safety because they are slip-resistant. Therefore, if you have kids who are hard to control because they run around the pool, you have less to worry about.
Even during the rainy season, concrete is not slippery. If your builder uses acid etching as the main process for creating your pool, it will increase the visual appeal of your yard. It can even mimic sandstone and limestone without paying for the actual cost of these materials.
- Stamped ConcreteMany years ago, concrete was simply a cold material with non-existent designs. Most of the time, homeowners would even cover it up with paint or stone. The sterile appearance was unexciting, which was why concrete was not a preferred material for pools.
- Classic ConcreteYou should not veer away from the classic grey look that concrete offers. If you have always dreamed of a simple backyard retreat with a modest pool, concrete is the material to go for. You can even add a fireplace in your yard to warm things up when it is chilly outside. At the same time, you create a cool place to hang out, whether with your friends, family, or on your own.
Many people want this type of look in their yard, but the problem is with budget constraints. A concrete pool can drastically reduce the costs involved. The project is a lot easier to accomplish because it can meet your budget.
You will forget about the expensive finishes when you see the potential of stamped concrete. It is not only appealing with a minimal look but is also low maintenance.
- ResurfacingIf you have an existing concrete pool, you can resurface it to get rid of the dull look. The best thing about resurfacing is that you do not need to tear everything out just to pour new concrete.
The method is through the use of overlay products, which you can spray on the surface. It allows you to add colour and texture. If you had a problem with the pool surrounds being slippery, resurfacing can also solve it. In some systems, you can also stamp and stencil concrete. This way, you can achieve the pattern you want.
Using overlay products is easy. They can be mixed with polymer resins, along with the main components of concrete, which are cement, sand, and additives. Once they are all blended properly, you can resurface the existing concrete to further improve its performance and aesthetic qualities.
The new concrete will bond to the existing one. Many systems can even fight off the damage resulting from salt exposure from the pool, along with UV, chemicals, and freeze-thaw conditions. Your lacklustre pool will get a decorative makeover in as short as one day. Some products can dry quickly, so you do not have to wait much longer than you intend to.
Other Concrete Pool Styles to Consider
Architects and homeowners sometimes would choose a small pool over a large one. In some cases, the best size for the pool site is smaller than normal. Smaller pools are making a splash in many Australian homes.
Few backyard pools today are used for swimming laps or water exercises. It is why homeowners are shying away from larger pools. The council restrictions, along with the preferences of each individual can work together with these smaller versions. The concrete pools do not have to swallow the entire backyard.
After all, the pool space can gain less to no attention in winter. Therefore, people would simply go for a pool that is as small as 5×3 metres.
Concrete is a classic look, but with a modern twist, especially for those who want to have an updated look. You can have simple lines that integrate full-width steps with extensive swim out ledges. They can be used for sitting but also for adding equipment, such as pool heaters. This way, owners can invite their friends over and swim at any time of the year.
Concrete pools can turn your yard into an interesting space where you can get together with your loved ones or just chill under the sun on your own.
