PebbleTec Pool Finishes in South Florida

For most South Florida pools, yes. PebbleTec is natural stone aggregate rather than a plaster coat, so it resists staining, etching and fading far better than marcite and outlasts quartz. It also has the widest color range of any finish family, from light Caribbean blues to near-black. The only real trade-off is a higher cost on day one.

Properly installed and properly looked after, a PebbleTec finish is commonly expected to last two decades or more — far longer than traditional plaster, which usually needs redoing within about ten years. Balanced water chemistry is what protects that lifespan, and we show you exactly how to keep it balanced at startup.

It depends on the size of the pool, the line you choose, any glass bead enhancement, and what repairs the shell and tile need first. A PebbleTec finish costs more up front than plaster or quartz, but because it lasts far longer it usually works out cheaper over the life of the pool. We price it after a free site visit, in writing, so the number holds.

They aren’t competitors — they work together. Gunite is the concrete shell that forms the structure of your pool. PebbleTec is the finish applied over that shell, the surface you see and touch. Nearly every custom pool we build is a gunite shell with a PebbleTec finish, and it’s the best combination there is for a concrete pool.

Almost every problem people describe traces back to two things: a rushed installation or unbalanced water. A poor exposure wash can leave a rough surface, and water that runs aggressive for years can loosen pebbles over time. Both are avoidable. That’s exactly what Elite Builder certification is about, and it’s why we walk every client through water care at startup.

Honestly, only two: it costs more up front than plaster, and the original PebbleTec line has a natural texture that some people find firmer underfoot. Both have answers. The cost evens out over the finish’s much longer life, and if comfort is the priority, PebbleSheen, PebbleFina and PebbleBreeze are progressively smoother.

Yes, on almost every measure that matters to a homeowner. Plaster etches, stains and fades toward chalky grey, and in South Florida it typically needs resurfacing far sooner. PebbleTec holds its color, resists staining, lasts much longer and offers a far wider palette. Plaster wins on only one thing: the lowest price on day one.

It depends on the line. The original PebbleTec is textured by design — that texture is the grip. PebbleSheen is noticeably smoother and is the most popular choice in South Florida. PebbleFina and PebbleBreeze are the smoothest aggregate finishes made. Tell us barefoot comfort matters and we’ll steer you to the right one.

There’s no single best color — the right one depends on your deck, your house and how much sun the pool gets. In South Florida three lead the way: Blue Surf for the classic vivid blue, White Diamonds for bright Caribbean water, and Ocean Blue for depth and character against tan marble. We bring samples to your yard so you can see them in your own light.

Darker, moodier water is the clear design direction: Black Eclipse, Ocean Blue and French Grey make the pool read like a reflecting pond. On the lighter side, White Diamonds with a glass bead enhancement is having a moment for its sparkle. PebbleTec covers both ends, which is part of why it stays the first name in finishes.

Yes. PebbleTec backs its finishes with a manufacturer warranty, and the terms depend on the line you choose. Because we’re an Elite Builder, the finish is applied to PebbleTec’s own standard, which is what that warranty relies on. You get the written warranty for your specific finish with your proposal, before you sign anything.