Summary:
Pool Finish Types: Understanding Your Investment Options
Think of your pool finish as the protective skin that keeps water from seeping through your concrete shell. But it’s much more than just a barrier—it’s what determines your pool’s character, maintenance needs, and long-term costs.
Plaster pool finishes are the oldest and cheapest option, typically costing around $2,500 – $5,000 or $4 per square foot. But before you get excited about that price tag, there’s more to consider. The downside to plaster is that staining is more noticeable, as is wear and tear. As far as durability goes, it’s not the most durable option. Plaster finishes tend to last between 7-10 years on average and require a lot of maintenance.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have aggregate finishes—pebble, quartz, and glass bead options that cost more upfront but deliver significantly better longevity and aesthetics.
Plaster Pool Finishes: The Traditional Choice
Standard white plaster has been the go-to pool finish for decades, and there’s a reason it’s still around. It’s affordable, relatively quick to install, and gives you that classic pool look that many Long Island homeowners grew up with.
Plaster is a mix of white cement, white sand or marble aggregate, and water. Although usually white, plaster can be dyed different colors. Plaster is relatively inexpensive. For a typical Long Island pool, you’re looking at the most budget-friendly option for your initial installation.
But here’s what the numbers don’t tell you about plaster’s real cost. Plaster finishes tend to last between 7-10 years on average and require a lot of maintenance. That means more frequent acid washing, more chemical balancing, and earlier resurfacing compared to other options.
The surface is smooth, which feels great underfoot and makes cleaning straightforward. However, plaster is more prone to staining from metals in your water, and it can develop rough patches over time that become uncomfortable and harder to clean. If you have hard water in your area—common in parts of Long Island—you’ll see calcium buildup and etching sooner than you’d like.
For homeowners who prioritize low upfront costs and don’t mind more hands-on maintenance, plaster can work. But if you’re looking at this as a long-term investment, the math starts to shift toward other options pretty quickly.
Aggregate Finishes: Quartz, Pebble, and Glass Bead Options
This is where pool finishes get interesting. An aggregate pool finish is also cement-based, with stones, pebbles, and crystals mixed in. Aggregate finishes look rough but are actually comfortable to step on. In addition, this surface provides a natural anti-slip quality.
Let’s talk about quartz first. Quartz is an aggregate finish. It consists of cement, quartz, and dyes. Colored quartz creates a beautiful finish, and it can make your pool stand out more than plain plaster. Resurfacing with quartz usually costs between $3,500 – $8,000 or so for rough finishes. You can also get polished finishes for more.
The durability difference is significant. Quartz may last 10-20 years, which means you’re potentially doubling or tripling the lifespan compared to basic plaster. Natural quartz is ten times harder and more durable than marble, which explains why it holds up so much better to daily wear and chemical exposure.
Pebble finishes take it up another notch. Pebble is another aggregate. Pebble looks more “natural,” as it consists of cement and pebbles or rocks. Pebble pool finishes come in many different colors and textures, and it’s also a naturally non-slip surface, which can help improve pool safety. Pebbles may last 15+ years.
Here’s what really sets pebble apart: Because of its composition, it is virtually impervious to chipping, mottling, staining, or fading. For Long Island pool owners dealing with freeze-thaw cycles, this durability matters. Pebble and quartz finishes tend to cost roughly the same. Keep in mind that prices will vary depending on the location, size, style, and shape of the pool.
Glass bead finishes offer a middle ground with their own unique appeal. Glass beads are generally smaller than pebbles and softer on your feet. Big pebbles will hurt a bit; tiny glass beads are less of an issue. However, some pool owners have reported issues with glass bead finishes fading and discoloring, sometimes within just 6 years of installation.
How Pool Finishes Impact Water Appearance and Pool Aesthetics
Your finish doesn’t just protect your pool—it completely transforms how the water looks and how your entire backyard feels. This is where many Long Island homeowners get surprised by the dramatic difference between finish types.
Dark pebble or quartz finishes give the water a deeper, more reflective look, like a natural body of water. If you’ve ever wondered why some pools look like tropical lagoons while others look like basic swimming holes, the finish is usually the answer.
The color and texture of your finish directly affect your water’s appearance. White plaster creates that bright, classic pool blue that reflects lots of light. Darker aggregate finishes create deeper, richer water colors that can make your pool look more like a natural pond or resort-style retreat.
Finish Texture and Its Impact on Pool Experience
Texture affects more than just looks—it changes how your pool feels and functions. An exposed aggregate finish can feel like walking on the bottom of a creek bed, but that can work for or against you. Those with sensitive feet might not appreciate the rough texture an aggregate finish provides. It looks pretty if you want a natural aesthetic, but can be rough on the feet when you’re dealing with larger pebbles.
The texture also impacts cleaning and maintenance. Smooth plaster surfaces make it easy to brush off algae and debris, but they can become slippery when wet. Aggregate surfaces provide a natural anti-slip quality, which is particularly valuable around pool edges and steps where safety matters most.
For Long Island families with children, this slip resistance can be a game-changer. Kids running around wet pool decks are going to have better traction on textured surfaces. However, the trade-off is that textured finishes can be slightly harder to clean and may require different maintenance approaches.
An aggregate finish can be exposed or polished. Exposed aggregate: the aggregate is revealed whole, providing a bumpy texture. Polished aggregate: the aggregate is polished flat, providing a smooth texture. This gives you options to balance aesthetics, comfort, and functionality based on your specific priorities.
Understanding these texture differences helps you make a choice that matches your family’s pool use patterns. If you’re primarily swimming laps, a smoother finish might be preferable. If you have kids playing games and spending lots of time on steps and shallow areas, the added grip of textured aggregate could be worth the trade-offs.
Color Options and Long-term Appearance Considerations
Color choice affects both immediate visual impact and long-term satisfaction with your pool. Traditionally, swimming pools were predominantly adorned with white or blue finishes. However, the market has witnessed a shift towards more unique and customizable pool finishes. Pool owners now have a wide range of options to choose from, including hues that can change the appearance and color of the water, creating a stunning visual effect.
The key is understanding how different finish colors will look in your specific Long Island setting. Lighter colors make pools appear larger and brighter, while darker finishes create more dramatic, resort-like aesthetics. Quartz crystals, when in the light, create a shimmering finish that does an excellent job at refracting summer sunlight. Most of the time, your quartz tiles are going to have blue or a teal pigment to accentuate the color of the water, but you can increase that amount to give the pool a deeper-looking hue.
Consider your landscaping, home exterior, and overall backyard design when selecting colors. A finish that looks stunning in a showroom might not complement your specific setting. Many Long Island pool companies, including experienced local contractors, can provide 3D renderings or samples to help you visualize how different options will look in your actual space.
Longevity of color is another crucial factor. The quartz pieces have colored ceramic pigments permanently bonded onto their surfaces for a tough, beautiful exterior. This permanent bonding is why quality aggregate finishes maintain their appearance much longer than painted or dyed plaster options.
River pebbles create a nice-looking pattern that plaster just can’t replicate. You can get different sizes and colors of pebbles that create a truly striking pattern. This natural variation means each pool has its own unique character, rather than the uniform appearance of standard plaster.
Making the Right Pool Finish Choice for Your Long Island Home
The best pool finish balances your budget, maintenance preferences, and long-term satisfaction. Aggregate costs more than plaster initially, but when comparing aggregate vs. plaster pool finishes, you’ll find aggregate lasts longer. In fact, it can last 30 years or so.
For most Long Island homeowners, this math makes sense. You’re not just buying a finish—you’re making a long-term investment in your property and your family’s enjoyment. Quality aggregate finishes cost more upfront—roughly 20 to 30 percent over the cost of plain plaster. However, they almost always produce a superior investment because they beat plaster’s endurance—typically by 10 to 15 years—providing greater value over time.
When you’re ready to make this decision, work with a pool company that understands both the technical aspects and the local Long Island market. We at JAS Aquatics have been helping Long Island families navigate these choices since 2009, combining technical expertise with an understanding of how different finishes perform in our specific climate and water conditions.
