You’re here to find out if a Pebble Tec pool is the right choice for your Boca Raton home, what it looks like to resurface with Pebble Tec, how Pebble Tec pool colors read in our sun and water, what it costs to do this well, and how to make sure the finish lasts. This guide gives you the one true path Epic Watershapes uses with clients who want luxury that endures—not lux‑ish that disappoints.
If you’re in the top 25% income bracket in Palm Beach/Broward and you’re planning a new luxury pool or a $60k+ remodel, this is your handbook. We’ll show you:
Along the way, we’ll anticipate your objections (“Will it feel rough?” “Is salt okay?” “Will it fade?”) and answer them with specifics—so you can move forward confidently.
A Pebble Tec pool uses an exposed aggregate finish made from selected pebbles bound with high‑performance cement and pigments, then exposed and detailed to reveal the natural stone texture. It’s not paint. It’s not old‑school plaster. It’s a structural surface designed to resist etching, mottling, and premature wear when installed and started up correctly. Pebble Technology International (PebbleTec®) manufactures the pebbles, pigments, and system—and limits installation to an authorized network. That matters: the only way to get genuine Pebble Tec is to use a Pebble Tec Authorized Installer/Builder. Pebble Technology International+1
Why the authorized network matters to you
Luxury finishes fail for the same reasons luxury kitchens fail: bad prep, wrong tools, and guessing at the details. Pebble Tec’s authorized network ties product, training, and warranty together. It’s how you get product coverage plus a workmanship warranty through the approved applicator—something you won’t get by hiring a generalist and “hoping” they’ve done it before. Pebble Technology International+1
Boca’s climate is hot, humid, and sun‑intense, with typical temps from 61–89 °F and long summers. Translation: high UV, frequent heavy rain, and year‑round algae pressure—conditions that punish low‑end finishes. Pebble Tec’s materials and fade‑resistant pigments are built for this: they’re designed to maintain color and integrity longer than plain plaster when chemistry is kept in range. Weather Spark+1
Salt systems? Yes, Pebble Tec supports salt‑water chlorination—with one non‑negotiable rule: no salt for the first 28 days after application. Following the official start‑up protects color and texture and preserves your coverage. Pebble Technology International+1
Texture changes both look and feel. Pebble Tec organizes finishes by pebble size and enhancements:
Worried about roughness? Choose PebbleSheen or PebbleFina. We design the texture to your comfort, then confirm it with in‑person samples before you approve the finish.
A Pebble Tec pool finish is a field‑applied composite: graded natural pebbles + cement binder + UV‑stable pigments (and sometimes glass/mineral accents). After application, your installer exposes the aggregate (light wash/acid detail/buffing depending on the line) so the pebbles show cleanly and the surface cures as designed. The result is color‑fast water, tactile quality, and long‑term durability when chemistry is kept in range and the first 28 days are handled correctly. Pebble Technology International+1
Most homeowners pick a chip and hope for the best. That’s how you get surprises. Water color is a system, and in Boca’s sun you’ll see bigger swings by hour and depth. Use this framework:
Pro move: Approve color at two depths (sun shelf and deep end) to love the water at noon and at 8 p.m.
Wins
Not a fit (and what to do instead)
Homeowners tell us the scariest part is the unknowns—“What are you doing to my pool, and who owns each step?” Here’s our one‑true‑path that aligns with Pebble Tec’s process.
That’s the process at a glance. The goal is a finish that looks designed on day one and stays that way—because the exposure is right and the start‑up was by the book.
Here’s how to keep Pebble Tec looking like the photo you approved:
Let’s skip vague ranges and talk decision math.
Where the value shows up
Bottom line: If you plan to live with your pool—or sell your home to someone who will—the total experience per year favors Pebble Tec when you keep chemistry in range.
“Will a Pebble Tec pool feel rough on my feet?”
Not if you choose the right line. PebbleSheen and PebbleFina use smaller aggregates for a smooth, refined feel. We bring wet samples, set expectations, and tune the texture to your comfort before we order material. Pebble Technology International+1
“We want a salt system. Is Pebble Tec compatible?”
Yes. Pebble Tec publishes specific salt‑pool start‑up procedures. The rule that protects your investment: no salt for the first 28 days; then maintain ongoing ranges. We stage the salt addition and set the generator for you. Pebble Technology International+1
“Will it fade in Boca’s sun?”
Pebble Tec formulates with fade‑resistant pigments and uses exposure/buffing steps that preserve color. Water color will still shift with depth, sun angle, and deck color—that’s physics—so we design your palette with that variability in mind. Pebble Technology International
“We’ve heard horror stories about start‑ups.”
They’re real—and avoidable. Epic runs a documented 28‑day program based on Pebble Tec’s official guidance and NPC best practices, with photo/chemistry logs you can keep. It’s the difference between a surface that looks good at fill and one that still looks good next season. Pebble Technology International+1
“What about safety—fences, alarms?”
We design beauty and compliance. The ISPSC sets widely adopted barrier rules; the CDC reinforces four‑sided fencing as a key prevention tool. Our designs assume secure perimeters from day one. ICC Digital Codes+1
You’re hiring a result, not a line item. Here’s how we deliver it:
UV & deck color: Bright decks cool and blue‑shift water; dark decks warm and green/gray‑shift it. We’ll test chips next to your deck sample in direct sun to avoid surprises.
Daily temps & rainfall: Boca’s weather swings increase chlorine demand; automation helps keep residuals steady after summer downpours. Plan for year‑round maintenance (or service) because algae pressure never really goes away here. Weather Spark
Salt timing = finish health: We cannot overstate this: No salt for 28 days after application. That single habit protects your pigment, exposure, and warranty. If a contractor shrugs at this, they’re not your contractor. Website Files
A luxury exposed‑aggregate pool finish made from natural pebbles, cement, and pigments—applied, exposed, and detailed by authorized professionals. Designed for beauty and durability in climates like Boca’s. Pebble Technology International
Medium‑to‑deep blues with gray/stone decks dominate modern builds. Specific favorites shift, but Tropical Breeze and Ocean Blue are consistent contenders; your yard’s light and deck tone will tilt the final look. Use the Water Color Tool, then confirm with samples on‑site. Pebble Technology International+2Pebble Technology International+2
With proper start‑up and ongoing chemistry, over 20 years is realistic—one reason discerning owners choose it over basic plaster. Pebble Technology International
It’s methodical, not complicated—drain, prep, apply, expose, fill, 28‑day start‑up—when led by an authorized applicator and a builder who owns the timeline. Pebble Technology International+1
Yes—after day 28. We add salt and commission the generator only once the finish cures. Pebble Technology International
ENERGY STAR‑certified variable‑speed pumps can use up to ~70% less energy than single‑speed units. We spec and program them as standard. ENERGY STAR
By controlling the finish details other builders delegate: authorized crews, documented 28‑day start‑up, verified water color in real conditions, and quiet‑efficiency programming that keeps the pool effortless to own.
You’re not buying a bag of pebbles; you’re buying water you love, every day. Epic Watershapes integrates design, engineering, authorized application, and start‑up into one accountable plan. You get:
Here’s what happens when you click “Request a Design Consult”:
Epic Watershapes — Boca Raton’s high‑end pool builder, specializing in Pebble Tec finishes for discerning homeowners.
