Hi, I am seriously thinking about adding Shimmering Sea (Abalone Shell) to our Blue Surf Pebble Sheen. Big question, my PB wants $500 to add it. Is it worth the add, and is $500 too much? Any input is appreciated!
Adding Shimmering Sea???
- Thread starter buccaneersdj
- Start date
I have the shimmering sea shells and love them. It's possible they wear away or dissolve over time, but I love them. The prices really seem to vary.
Mine were $350 for a bag, and I wonder if I got the full bag. I've heard of someone getting them for free, another person paid $100 for a bag, etc. I guess it depends on area, pool builder, and applicators.
I wish I had more, but I probably wouldn't have wanted to pay more.
I haven't really seen a photo that captures their sparkle, so I went on the word from here - glad I did.
There's also discussion about the distribution of the shells in the pool. Some people say they show more in the shallow areas which makes sense and maybe more so with the darker finishes. I don't know. Some people want them mixed in on the walls.
I have Blue Granite and this is where mine are:
Mixed in on the walls
Sparsely hand broadcasted over the rest of the pool - very uneven.
I see them very well in the deep end and love them there too.
What I would do next time:
None on the walls
Buy one and a half bags (but probably not over $500)
Evenly sprinkled over the entire pool
On the fence about adding them to the spa.
There is also an option now of adding a bag of PebbleTec luminous beads to sheen or tec. Check out Ummgood's thread for more info or go to the Pebble tec website.
Suz.
Mine were $350 for a bag, and I wonder if I got the full bag. I've heard of someone getting them for free, another person paid $100 for a bag, etc. I guess it depends on area, pool builder, and applicators.
I wish I had more, but I probably wouldn't have wanted to pay more.
I haven't really seen a photo that captures their sparkle, so I went on the word from here - glad I did.
There's also discussion about the distribution of the shells in the pool. Some people say they show more in the shallow areas which makes sense and maybe more so with the darker finishes. I don't know. Some people want them mixed in on the walls.
I have Blue Granite and this is where mine are:
Mixed in on the walls
Sparsely hand broadcasted over the rest of the pool - very uneven.
I see them very well in the deep end and love them there too.
What I would do next time:
None on the walls
Buy one and a half bags (but probably not over $500)
Evenly sprinkled over the entire pool
On the fence about adding them to the spa.
There is also an option now of adding a bag of PebbleTec luminous beads to sheen or tec. Check out Ummgood's thread for more info or go to the Pebble tec website.
Suz.
You may want to ask the plaster guys when they get there... In my case, the PB was quoting exorbitant amounts to add the shells..
But the pebble tech guys had many bags in their truck and added TONS of these for $200! I mean a lot.. maybe 3 or 4 bags... maybe more .. the shells are in every nook and corner of the pool..
They even mixed it with the pebble AND sprinkled extra when troweling.
But the pebble tech guys had many bags in their truck and added TONS of these for $200! I mean a lot.. maybe 3 or 4 bags... maybe more .. the shells are in every nook and corner of the pool..
They even mixed it with the pebble AND sprinkled extra when troweling.
I used 2x the standard amount on my pebbletec and I love it. It is everywhere and it looks great but 500 for a bag is nuts. My PB didn't charge extra.
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Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Sunbaby
LifeTime Supporter
- Feb 27, 2015
- 1,397
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Truclear / Ei
Sunbaby
LifeTime Supporter
- Feb 27, 2015
- 1,397
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Truclear / Ei
I know this is an old post...but wondering if 2 bags is enough for 15k gallons ... ocean blue...and do the shells lighten the color a touch? Are they sharp? Did they last?
darkrider
Well-known member
- Jun 14, 2021
- 288
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Our PB priced the shimmering sea at $1 per sq/ft additional, which is for a 1/10 ratio to pebble. I'm not sure what that comes out to in bags, but that seems to be in line with what others have posted.
I'm pleased with it in our Blue Surf. Our depth is 3.5 to 5.5 with a sun shelf and it's the right depth to see it really in action and get the nice sparkle. I think it adds a very nice dimension and we are happy we did it.
- Jun 11, 2021
- 86
- Pool Size
- 18500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
We’ve just completed a free form ocean blue pebble sheen pool and whilst we didn’t get shimmering sea, we did get about 10% glass beads cast across the pool. They resemble tiny little sparkles as you walk by when the sun‘s out and I like them a lot. 20-30% would’ve been better so that the sparkles were more prevalent but it still looks good. They’re very difficult to pic up by a camera unfortunately bit I’ll post a couple of pics.
Attachments
We ended up with wet edge and getting both abalone and glass beads. (So it’s not the same as shimmering seas or pebbletec glass blends.)
My main comment would be I probably would not do both again and only get glass.
Up close look wise I prefer glass easily vs the silver color of abalone but glass does not shimmer (or photograph) in the sun like abalone.
But if glass is out, I saw a pool prior with abalone (no glass)—a light blue plaster (abalone added pale silver spreckles) and it did enhance the look of the actual plaster for me (saw on cloudy day). On darker plaster I’m not sure I would’ve liked that silverly white spreckles add on when the sun doesn’t hit it.
My main comment would be I probably would not do both again and only get glass.
Up close look wise I prefer glass easily vs the silver color of abalone but glass does not shimmer (or photograph) in the sun like abalone.
But if glass is out, I saw a pool prior with abalone (no glass)—a light blue plaster (abalone added pale silver spreckles) and it did enhance the look of the actual plaster for me (saw on cloudy day). On darker plaster I’m not sure I would’ve liked that silverly white spreckles add on when the sun doesn’t hit it.
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Yes. Little sparkles. Glass looks good in the pebble in sun or in shade for me.
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If I could make one change to my pool it would be to NOT get any abalone. I’d sub in glass beads instead. I have the Wet edge Primera Stone Saphire Treasure. If u look on this site you’ll see bunches of examples of exposed abalone shells and staining. I have a couple. It’s annoying and truthfully really the shells in my opinion do nothing to make the plaster look any better.
Kathleen2252
Well-known member
I agree.
We have Pebblesheen prism blue and the shells really dont add anything in our opinion.
We have Pebblesheen prism blue and the shells really dont add anything in our opinion.
lovethatgrey
Member
@Sunbaby
Hi does anyone have pictures of blue surf with the shimmering sea added? Would like to get an idea what it looks like. Thank you
Hi does anyone have pictures of blue surf with the shimmering sea added? Would like to get an idea what it looks like. Thank you
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Pictures really can’t capture the shine. Best to see it person if possible. I’ve seen blue surf with simmering sea and it it beautiful.
I have slate blue with shimmering sea and it’s worth the up charge IMO. However if I was looking to cut costs, that might be one of the first things to go.
I have slate blue with shimmering sea and it’s worth the up charge IMO. However if I was looking to cut costs, that might be one of the first things to go.
lovethatgrey
Member
Hi .Ben. Good to know. I read somewhere that shimmer fades or discolors or whatever. How long ago was your application? Thanks
