Hello,
I stumbled across this forum and have read many different posts. I am still doing some research but will give some details of where I am currently.
Planning installation and am about to sign a contract with a pool builder. We had many different quotes from different types of pool builders, from fiberglass, what we were originally going to go with, to gunite. We have decided to go with gunite due to the prices ending up being right about the same; however, the gunite pool option ended up giving a better bang for the buck.
Some of the reasons we decided to go with gunite:
1. pool ended up being bigger (35.5x18/3.5ft-6.5ft depth freeform)(92
2. we could get micro/mini pebble or quartz finish
3. Ludar coping over concrete
4. equipment was an upgrade (IMO), Pentair over Hayward, sand (with glass media) over cartridge filter,
5. the ability to design the pool size and shape over being held to what was being offered, this was the smallest weighted decision only because there are many different options with fiberglass.
6. Added brass sleeves for an umbrella on the tanning ledge, table/umbrella combo in the seating area small u-shaped area, and 3 additional sleeves for removable bar stools.
A few things I have questions about and am doing some more research on. Anyone with insight or guidance on pros/cons welcome your input and help make a more informed decision.
1. The only thing I am not clear on is the maintenance. Heard fiberglass was the easiest to maintain. I have also heard that if we use an aggregate like quarts or pebble a gunite pool may not be as easy as fiberglass but not far off.
2. We are leaning on the option of using the quarts finish. WHY? smoother than a micro/mini pebble, but we like the idea of having some texture to the surface as opposed to fiberglass super smooth. QUESTION: has anyone used the quarts finishes and can you give me your pros/cons and any insight you can share good or bad about the finish you chose? Also, we are looking at a medium blue color (Finest Finishes Blue Start color Lakeside)
3. We decided to go away from the salt reactor due to some feedback we received on the maintenance of the equipment and any living landscaping around the pool area. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? What our thoughts were to do in place of this and still get the soft water, recommended by two different pool stores and one pool maintenance company, was to use borates along with copper and an auto chlorinator (puck auto dispense). Does anyone have any experience with this, recommendation, or feedback?
4. We were looking at the Pentair Intelliflow3, for its ability to be controlled by phone. We were told there are two relays on that motor so we can control the motor and lighting from our phones. The Key is the 3THP giving plenty of horsepower for the pool and possible future water features. Does anyone recommend a different pump?
5. Last question, the tanning ledge. We have a tanning ledge planned, but with the size of the pool loungers, our shelf has a curved area with a width of 7ft, is this enough space to put the loungers and make them functional? should it be any larger?
If there was anything I left out let me know.
Thank you to anyone that can help contribute or chime in.
I stumbled across this forum and have read many different posts. I am still doing some research but will give some details of where I am currently.
Planning installation and am about to sign a contract with a pool builder. We had many different quotes from different types of pool builders, from fiberglass, what we were originally going to go with, to gunite. We have decided to go with gunite due to the prices ending up being right about the same; however, the gunite pool option ended up giving a better bang for the buck.
Some of the reasons we decided to go with gunite:
1. pool ended up being bigger (35.5x18/3.5ft-6.5ft depth freeform)(92
2. we could get micro/mini pebble or quartz finish
3. Ludar coping over concrete
4. equipment was an upgrade (IMO), Pentair over Hayward, sand (with glass media) over cartridge filter,
5. the ability to design the pool size and shape over being held to what was being offered, this was the smallest weighted decision only because there are many different options with fiberglass.
6. Added brass sleeves for an umbrella on the tanning ledge, table/umbrella combo in the seating area small u-shaped area, and 3 additional sleeves for removable bar stools.
A few things I have questions about and am doing some more research on. Anyone with insight or guidance on pros/cons welcome your input and help make a more informed decision.
1. The only thing I am not clear on is the maintenance. Heard fiberglass was the easiest to maintain. I have also heard that if we use an aggregate like quarts or pebble a gunite pool may not be as easy as fiberglass but not far off.
2. We are leaning on the option of using the quarts finish. WHY? smoother than a micro/mini pebble, but we like the idea of having some texture to the surface as opposed to fiberglass super smooth. QUESTION: has anyone used the quarts finishes and can you give me your pros/cons and any insight you can share good or bad about the finish you chose? Also, we are looking at a medium blue color (Finest Finishes Blue Start color Lakeside)
3. We decided to go away from the salt reactor due to some feedback we received on the maintenance of the equipment and any living landscaping around the pool area. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? What our thoughts were to do in place of this and still get the soft water, recommended by two different pool stores and one pool maintenance company, was to use borates along with copper and an auto chlorinator (puck auto dispense). Does anyone have any experience with this, recommendation, or feedback?
4. We were looking at the Pentair Intelliflow3, for its ability to be controlled by phone. We were told there are two relays on that motor so we can control the motor and lighting from our phones. The Key is the 3THP giving plenty of horsepower for the pool and possible future water features. Does anyone recommend a different pump?
5. Last question, the tanning ledge. We have a tanning ledge planned, but with the size of the pool loungers, our shelf has a curved area with a width of 7ft, is this enough space to put the loungers and make them functional? should it be any larger?
If there was anything I left out let me know.
Thank you to anyone that can help contribute or chime in.
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