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Gunite and concrete pools by Serenity Pools
At Serenity Pools, we specialise exclusively in the installation of gunite and hand-packed concrete pools. There are various reasons why we choose and recommend gunite and concrete pools over fibreglass pools:
- Gunite pools, although initially more expensive, are significantly stronger due to its unique concrete application process. This means that gunite pools are less expensive than, for example, fibreglass pools in the long run, as they are more durable and have a longer lifespan.
- A gunite or concrete pool can be designed and built to accommodate any shape, depth or size. This means your new gunite or concrete pool can be designed to fit your existing outdoor landscaping, and not the other way around.
- When installing a gunite or concrete pool, you can choose from a number of personalised finishes, available in a variety of colours.
- Gunite or concrete pools are also extremely flexible in their design, which means you can add any number of amenities to your new pool, including underwater benches, water features and tanning ledges. A gunite pool also allows you to add large extensions such as waterfalls, streams and spas to your pool, contributing to the aesthetic appeal thereof.
The building process of concrete gunite pools
A gunite pool is built by first digging a hole in the ground, either by hand, or with the use of machinery, after which the plumbing necessary for the operation of the pool is installed. Thereafter a steel structure made from Y10 steel (unless a customer specifies otherwise), spaced 150 mm to 200 mm centre to centre (c/c), is put into place. Once the steel structure is installed, a sprayer unit combines the gunite mix with water (creating a wet concrete material), and this mixture is then applied to the structure using the sprayer unit. The concrete structure we apply to the steel structure is 120 mm to 150 mm thick, compared to the standard thickness of 80 mm to 100mm, and for added strength this shell is up to twice as thick in the coves and at the base of the pool.
After the gunite mixture has been applied to the steel structure the pool shell is complete. In order for the gunite shell to strengthen, it has to go through a curing process which involves hosing down the pool on a daily basis for at least 7 days. (The curing process can take up to 28 days in total but 7 days is usually adequate.) Once the gunite pool shell has cured, the finishing works will follow. This entails copings, mosaics, filtration and marble plaster (giving the pool its smooth finish).
The building process of a hand-packed concrete pool starts off the same as with a gunite pool, but is less machine intensive than gunite processing, as the pool is literally built by hand. A concrete mixing truck delivers a 30 MPA pool mix to site. We use this method where the client does not have space for gunite machinery and materials.
Gunite and concrete pool finishes
Once your pool shell has been built, you have a choice between three finishes including:
- Marble plaster
- Marble plaster is the finish Serenity Pools recommends to all of our clients. There are various reasons we recommend marble plaster above epoxy paint and a fibreglass lining:
- First and foremost is the fact that marble plaster has a lifespan of 15 to 25 years, making it the longest lasting of the three finishes.
- Secondly, marble plaster contracts and expands along with the shell of the pool. This is because marble plaster’s underlying material is the same as the shell of the pool, which prevents de-lamination of the pool’s finish.
- The final reason we recommend a marble plaster finish is mainly aesthetic in nature. Marble plaster is available in 12 different colours. We recommend white (which gives your pool a clean blue/turquoise colour) or charcoal (which gives your pool a dark blue colour) above all of the other colours available.
- Epoxy paint
- Fibreglass lining
As a final finish for your pool, Serenity Pools offers mosaics from South Africa’s leading supplier, Douglas Jones. Mosaics are not only beautiful, they also serves the practical purpose of protecting the finish of the pool from deteriorating and cracking from exposure to the sun. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to mosaics, being able to choose any mosaic from the Douglas Jones range.