Plaster decisions stressing me out for new pool build.

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Fasttimes7

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Aug 22, 2023
12
Miami
I'm currently trying to decide on a plaster color/material/brand and just keep second guessing my options.

Issue 1:
My PB basically prefers only to use SMG or Florida Stucco. NPT wasn't even something I considered since he didn't list it as an option. But as I did my own exploration of the different offerings from SGM, Florida Stucco and NPT I really started to like the NPT Stonescapes line. When I brought this up to our contractor I was told they didn't like to use it since in our area there was only 1 authorized trained installer and when they tried it once the pool ended up having to be redone due to poor installation. Now he's heard there is another installer in the area that is authorized but since he's never worked with them he's very hesitant to go that route. Much less I don't even know how much more of an upgrade we're talking about if going that route.

Issue 2:
Quartz vs Pebble finish. I've read as much as I can regarding the two and their benefits and cons. I really like the look of a pebble finish with variations in color and glass beads, etc. And really like the idea of longer longevity of the natural pebbles. But the wife really hates the rough feel. In fact she just returned from a vacation with friends where the spa at the resort was done in pebble finish and everyone in her party had their bathing suits ruined from the rough finish. So, that had me reverting my earlier pebble choices to now a quartz finish. But that longevity, fading earlier,
and rough feel really has me second guessing that one.


Issue 3:
Choosing a final color. The vendors of these plaster's have the worse websites ever. How hard is it to update your websites with multiple pictures of pools at different angles? Offer some new pool owners a discount to return finished photos if that is what it takes. This would really help new pool owners in making choices. NPT's site is way better than SGM and Florida Stucco in this respect. Some of the pictures of the offerings are flat out not even right or don't exist. I have plaster choices that I might like, but really would like to see some example pictures that aren't in the shade from 10 years ago and 50 yards away.


The NPT colors and line we were liking was Aqua Blue, large or mini with PR blend. Right now, if I have to not use NPT, and going with quartz I'm leaning towards the SGM Bahama Breeze which is darker than we were intending but the better of the quartz lines we've liked. Perhaps adding some glass beads or maybe even abalone but I'm concerned about the staining on that.

Sorry for the long first post, but this stuff has me stressing when you're going to drop >$70k on something you want it just right.
 
You may want to look at PolishScape or JewelScape product by NPT . Both offer a smooth finish with a pebble type plaster.
They may be a little more expensive but incremental to a total pool project
I have WetEdge that have a smooth finish and love it. In fact you could ask if there is an installer for WetEdge which is a competitor to NPT.
It really seems strange there is only 2 authorized installers for NPT in Miami. It just seems that market is very large.

With regard to color, from a guys perspective, decide if you want turquois, light blue, green, dark blue. The actual shade IMO of the base color is immaterial. Once filled with water, the pool will take on a change in color based on position of sun, etc. Your friends will love it. So no need to be “perfect”.
 
And here how it looked prior to filing with water:
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We were going to go Wet Edge Prism Matrix originally. It looked nice but I always was wondering about the roughness.

We ended up going with Finest Finishes Micro Fusion. It has glass beads and aggregate in it but they are very small and it's much smoother than that the Prism Matrix. It's not as smooth as quartz finish though - sort of in the middle. It was materially cheaper than the Prism Matrix, also. It's darker when wet and changes colors depending on the amount of sun, which is really right up the alley of your main complaint about the manufacturer's web sites.

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If your budget can swing it go with a pebble vs quartz. Quartz is better than the traditional white plaster.
I would say full on pepple, no. A Pebble Sheen, mini pebble is not rough and provides the longevity factor.
For color, first narrow out how the sun will affect your pool. Lighter colors will keep the pool cooler than a darker color. If your pool will have sun blasting all day then it may not be nice when you swim.
If it is heavily shaded and you care for the contrast or fits your design, then all up to you.

Then based off that narrow down which hue you like more, do you want a greenish look, super blue, clear, etc, etc.
Keep in mind builders will charge more for the popular colors, so it gets expensive quick. However it is what gives your pool color which is only one of the biggest aspects you will see.
 
We're in the building process now and waterline tile is coming up. We're installing a pebble finish plaster and the wife is weary on the feel of it, particularly in the spa when sitting. So we're debating on tiling over the entire spa and the sun deck. But I'm wondering if there are issues using in-water chaise loungers on top of the glass waterline tiles? Too slippery? Easy to damage? Just looking for the downsides.
 
Post a pic of the tiles. I don't think I would put glass tiles on the sun deck. I do think they'll crack under the weight of furniture. I don't think I would put any tiles. I would go with stone if I had to do it again.
 

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Tile was delivered today and I was assuming picking the grout for the tile was going to be as simple as picking grout for floor tile but we've run into a blocker. This tile we choose for us is dependent on this exact color grout, but I just left our tile distributor and they said not only do they only carry white grout but they're not sure where we can get this color grout. They mentioned ordering the grout from SGM, but the SGM grout chart they were able to pull up didn't show any grout this dark grey.

Any ideas what color this grout is in these pictures? We chose this tile based on being able to get this grout color as it'll "calm" down the tile and we really like the way it looks in these photos. We've seen it with white grout and it looks completely different and not in a good way for us.
 

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So, we're getting closer to the end of our pool build. Decking goes in on next Monday and power soon after. In the mean time I'm starting to shop for the goods we need. One is the in-pool sun deck umbrella and chaise loungers. Looking online for in-pool umbrellas you are fronted with very expensive options, $450-$500. Is this really necessiary, or will an aluminum pole, 9' standard patio umbrella work in a chlorine environment? I don't intend to leave the umbrella in the pool all the time, just when using.

Any recommendations from experience?
 
Sorry, just realized this is in the "pool build" section, please move to the appropriate forum section if possible.

MOD NOTE: this is the best place for all of your pool question. It keep the story all in one place.
 
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Looking into what options you can use for pool alarm inspections? I'm in south FL, so perhaps each area is different, but is there a general consensus for what can be used to pass pool alarm inspections? I really don't want to install a pool fence, so I'm tying to look at what other options will get you passed.
 
Umbrella-If you take it out when not in use just about any can work. Of course there are different sizes so you might have to play around to find the correct size for your needs.

Pool alarms-You really need to check with your inspector office. Some require door and window alarms. Then there are alarms for the gates leading into the the yard. Best to check your area.
 
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