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The Ultimate Guide to Pool Interior Finishes
Choose a Pool Interior That’s Both Stunning & Built to Last
Your pool’s interior finish is more than just a surface—it defines the look, feel, and longevity of your backyard oasis. Whether you want the classic simplicity of smooth plaster, the durability of quartz, the natural beauty of pebble, or the shimmering elegance of glass beads, the right finish will enhance water color, resist wear, and elevate your pool’s overall aesthetic. Choosing a high-quality, long-lasting pool interior ensures a functional, low-maintenance, and visually striking space for years to come.
What Is a Pool Interior?
Your pool’s interior finish is more than just the surface you see—it’s what defines the look, feel, and longevity of your pool. The interior finish affects the color of your water, from a refreshing sky blue to a rich, oceanic teal, and sets the tone for your backyard oasis. It’s also what you feel when you swim and what protects your pool’s structure, ensuring beauty and durability for years to come.
Aggregate finishes, like pebble pool finishes or polished aggregates, are popular for their long-lasting quality and aesthetic appeal, offering a wide variety of textures and colors to complement your outdoor space. Whether you’re designing a new pool or updating an existing one, your pool interior plays a vital role in shaping the overall experience.
Popular Pool Interior Options
Sea Glass Pebble Finishes
For a truly luxurious and captivating pool interior, Sea Glass Pebble finishes offer an exquisite combination of beauty, strength, and brilliance. This premium pool finish blends smooth, natural pebbles with iridescent glass beads and luminous abalone shells, creating a dazzling, light-reflecting effect that enhances the water’s depth and movement.
The result? A shimmering, resort-style oasis right in your backyard. With a variety of color options, you can customize your pool’s water tone—whether you’re envisioning a deep ocean blue, a tropical turquoise, or a tranquil lagoon hue.
Pebble Tec & Pebble Sheen Finishes
Pebble Tec, the original natural pebble finish, offers a rich, textured aesthetic with unmatched durability, standing up to harsh chemicals, fluctuating temperatures, and heavy use. Its wide range of colors creates a deep, dimensional water appearance, perfect for those who love a lagoon-like effect. For a smoother, more polished feel, Pebble Sheen features smaller, refined pebbles, delivering the same strength and longevity with a sleek, elegant surface that enhances water clarity and shimmer while remaining comfortable underfoot.
Plaster & Quartz Finishes
For a clean, polished look, traditional white plaster remains a timeless choice. Its smooth, bright surface enhances water clarity, creating a crisp and inviting aesthetic.
For those seeking added durability and depth, Ultra Poz quartz finishes blend high-quality aggregates into the mix, resulting in a stronger, more stain-resistant surface with richer, more vibrant color. Both plaster and quartz finishes offer a cost-effective solution, combining simplicity, elegance, and performance.
Pebble Fina Finshes
Pebble Fina blends ultra-smooth aggregates with a durable cement formula, creating a refined, visually stunning pool interior. Designed for both beauty and longevity, this finish provides a soft, comfortable texture underfoot while offering superior durability compared to traditional plaster, ensuring long-lasting resistance to wear and tear.
How to Choose the Right Pool Interior
Selecting the perfect pool interior depends on your style preferences, durability needs, and desired water aesthetics. If you're looking for a luxurious, shimmering effect, Sea Glass Pebble finishes blend natural pebbles, iridescent glass beads, and abalone shells to create a dazzling, resort-like appearance. For those who prioritize durability with a natural feel, Pebble Tec offers a rich, textured surface, while Pebble Sheen provides a smoother, more polished alternative without compromising strength. If you prefer a classic, clean look, traditional plaster delivers a bright, crisp finish, while Ultra Poz quartz enhances color depth and stain resistance. For a balance of elegance and longevity, Pebble Fina combines a soft, ultra-smooth texture with reinforced durability, offering a refined, polished aesthetic. No matter your vision, each finish brings unique beauty and performance to transform your pool into the ultimate backyard retreat.
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How Long Do Pool Finishes Last?
The lifespan of a pool finish varies based on material, climate, and maintenance. Investing in high-quality materials ensures durability and low upkeep. Regular water balancing, surface brushing, and chemical maintenance help extend the lifespan of your pool finish.
Plaster
Typically lasts 7–10 years before showing signs of etching or discoloration. Requires more frequent resurfacing than other finishes.
Pebble
Sea Glass Pebble & Pebble Tec/Sheene are highly durable, lasting 20+ years with minimal maintenance. Sea Glass Pebble includes a lifetime material warranty, ensuring long-term performance.
Quartz
Stronger than traditional plaster, offering 10–20 years of durability. Provides a balance of smoothness and longevity.
Tile
Lasts 20+ years, requiring occasional cleaning and resealing to maintain its premium appearance.
The Impact of Color on Water Appearance
The color of your pool interior directly influences how the water looks and feels, affecting brightness, depth, and reflection. From light, crystal-clear blues to deep, dramatic tones, every shade creates a distinct aesthetic. Choosing the right color ensures your pool seamlessly blends with your backyard design while enhancing the overall ambiance. Whether you're aiming for a refreshing, resort-like retreat or a bold, luxurious statement, the perfect pool finish transforms your space.
Light Colors for a Refreshing Look (White, Beige, Sky Blue)
Light-colored finishes create a bright, inviting atmosphere, making the water appear clear, fresh, and expansive—perfect for a Caribbean-style aesthetic. These hues maximize sunlight reflection, giving the water a cool, refreshing shimmer throughout the day. Beyond aesthetics, lighter finishes keep the pool water cooler by reflecting more sunlight, reducing heat absorption—an excellent choice for families looking for a comfortable swimming experience even in peak summer months.
Balanced Tones for a Natural Effect (Gray, Aqua, Teal)
Medium-tone finishes bridge the gap between light and dark, creating a balanced, rich aesthetic that mimics the serene beauty of natural bodies of water. These shades add depth and sophistication while keeping the water cool and inviting. They work exceptionally well in modern backyard designs, creating a chic, contemporary look that pairs beautifully with travertine pavers, stone coping, and lush greenery. Aqua and teal finishes give your pool a tropical, tranquil effect, while gray tones add a sleek, minimalist touch.
Dark Finishes for a Striking Aesthetic (Navy, Black, Deep Blue)
Dark-colored interiors create a striking, high-end look that instantly elevates any backyard. These deep shades give the water a rich, mirror-like reflection, intensifying the depth and drama of your pool. Whether you’re aiming for an ultra-modern aesthetic or a lake-inspired natural retreat, darker finishes provide an undeniably luxurious effect. The bold contrast also enhances LED pool lighting, making nighttime swims an immersive, visually stunning experience.
Glass Bead Finishes for a High-End Finish
Glass bead finishes are the ultimate in pool interior luxury, creating a dazzling, ever-changing water surface that shimmers under natural light. These finishes blend crushed glass and quartz aggregates, resulting in incredible water clarity and a luminous, jewel-like appearance. What makes glass bead finishes unique is their dynamic color transformation throughout the day—they shift from a light-reflecting brilliance in the morning to a deeper, richer tone at dusk. Homeowners looking for a custom, high-end design often choose glass beads for their exceptional visual appeal and long-lasting durability.
See What Our Customers Are Saying
Warren Price
Excellent work and service. Had our pool installed 5 years ago. Still great.
Marc Steadman
Nicholas was the project manager for our pool/yard remodel and stayed involved from beginning to end. His design analysis and expertise was always appreciated. But most of all we were thankful that Nicholas took personal responsibility that our project would end well. We could always count on Nicholas to respond quickly, and to find the right person to get our concerns resolved. Thank you.
Michelle W.
Our pool was just finished last week and the whole project went so smooth. The most stressful part was the design but our designer, Jacob was very patient with us and helped up design our dream pool. We had absolutely zero complaints once construction started. Darrin made sure that the process was very smooth. If we had any questions or concerns he was on it and we were always able to get in touch with him. Communication was great and you can tell he really cares about the end project. California pools has a great team set up to make sure your pool is everything you dreamed of.
Cynthia Graham
Our pool project was just completed. Cal Pools helped us with design, materials and all labor. Chuck, the project manager, was knowledgeable and professional; terrific to work with. Donna, our job coordinator, answered all our questions promptly, and made the whole process enjoyable. Work with them again in a heartbeat! BEAUTIFUL pool.
Kate L.
Our supervisor was Nathan Reyes and he is my reason for this 5 star review. Nathan was truly the best!! Our designer left half way through the project but Nathan never missed a beat and got everything done and more!! Thank you Nathan and California Pools did an amazing job.
Marilyn
We love our pool. Steve ,our construction manager, is a stickler for detail. Making sure everything is done right. Answering our concerns. And making sure everything was done to our liking. It was a pleasure working with both Steve and Jessica. I think the scheduling could be a little tighter but we would recommend California Pools to anyone looking to build their dream pool.
Craig Noel
I am one that rarely gives reviews because of their subjective nature but in this case as a business owner who understands the value of those reviews, I just had to give one and 5 stars it is. From the competent staff to communication up front and throughout the process, was remarkable given the large project at hand. The results are even better than the design and I could not be any more elated. I also will say that as we compared pricing before committing, my advice would be that you can't put value or quality in a "low dollar amount" as the final product and experience holds that for us. Absolutely must recommend California Pools!
Greg Ridgley
Cole Marvin is an asset to California Pools ! Cole is very knowledgeable, Great designer and Knows the Pool business prompt, returns calls & always on time. Good Person
Ron and Linda Uhle
Design of our pool and spa by Cal Pools was a work of art! The construction of the pool and spa took 7 months and had its ups and downs with construction quality . These issues were fixed by Cal Pool during the construction period. With about 1.5 months left to complete the pool, the Cal Pool construction manager quit or was let go. Cal Pool provided us with a fantastic new construction manager (Stephen Dreher) and he got our pool and spa construction back on track. Stephen provided us with clear explanations of the final steps to complete the project. He also explained in detail how the equipment worked and gave us tips on pool maintenance. Stephen Dreher rocks!
Katherine Regier
I have really enjoyed working with Nathan. He is knowledgeable and professional. California pools and landscape is very fortunate to have him as an employee .
Jill Raeburn
You will not be disappointed if you choose Cal Pools and Landscaping for your pool and yard project. They were all great to work with. From designer Robby to Stephen the project manager, it was an awesome experience. Thanks for making everything beautiful at my home and thank you for all the hard work!
Colin G.
California Pools built and entirely custom pool, deck and gazebo for us for our vacation property in Arizona. Building a pool remotely is challenging but they provided good updates and made the process enjoyable. We had some challenges with the pool after year one but when we contacted the owner they engaged an amazing support team that provided a detailed and through repair inspection and part replacement process to solve the problems. Gabe and Jessie were both outstanding and went above and beyond to solve the problems immediately with detailed communications. They stood behind their products and did not charge us for any repairs regardless of warranty policies. We would definitely recommend them to anyone and would ONLY use them to build another pool!! Thank you Gabe and Jessie for your outstanding customer service!!
Ginger S.
I am completely impressed with their customer service namely Shelly, Super friendly and helpful! Got all my questions answered and felt comfortable making a decision after speaking with her!
Carrie D.
From the very beginning Our experience with California Pools has been top notch. We were blown away with the exceptional design skills Cody was able to bring to life on a zoom meeting on our very first meeting. Cody was able to take every little detail and made it a reality before our eyes. I had so many compliments on how unique our pool was designed when it was still dirt and rebar. Jordan came out for the first time and answered all our questions with a realistic timeline. He always answered or returned our calls with a solution. Made sure every step of the way was paved and did what he said he would do without fail. If he didn't know the answer he found one, we were never left wondering. He kept tabs on all the projects and crews on site to keep us moving forward very quickly with a smile on his face! He was very personable. Then there was Sara! She handled all the scheduling of the project. Some days we would have 3 or more crews here and she kept them coming rapid fire it was outstanding the way it came together in such a short amount of time. Always going the extra mile to get what we needed done and at lightning speed!! Her calm friendly "Sunshine" attitude was a warm genuine experience. She always responded in the app right away with an answer or a solution. So far we couldn't be happier with our experience. I have waited my whole adult life and California Pools made my dream a reality in my back yard!!! Thank you
Eric Weston
Great experience, Pete, Les and Frank did a great job from design through construction.
Sean Leute
In a time of construction delays and problems facing all of Arizona's construction industry, CA Pools handled our project with the upmost integrity, honesty and professionalism. Our Pool and backyard is everything we could have ever hoped for. Joel Parron did a wonderful job designing our pool using references of a pool my late father built when we were growing up. Eric Collins our construction manager was up front and honest about every step of the way helping navigate a very difficult time with the construction industry during the pandemic. Nadine Chapman helped keep our schedule in order so I was never surprised when a construction team would show up. The company's app helped make communication a breeze. My family and I would recommend them completely!
Lonnie J.
With so many choices we think we found the best. Our sales rep Travis gave us many options and sold us on value over lowest price. Value that means a lifetime warranty on decking. The product he showed was truly amazing and a must have in the hot AZ summer days. You can feel a huge difference between cool deck and concrete. The scheduler was amazing! Marcee was responsive, timely and very detailed in her communication. Without her we would be left wondering what's next! The construction manager Shawn gave us the time and individual attention we needed. Made sure that every detail met our needs. There are so many other little things that make CalPools great but I can sum it up this way. We started our search on the BBB website and there are a lot of choices of pool and landscape companies. Save your self time and heartache; go with CalIfornia Pools and landscape and you won't be disappointed. On time completion No surprise charges or fees No subcontracting Great communication Amazing final product. A huge financial investment well worth every penny! PS that's the best dog ever Marshall! An amazing beagle mix rescue from Friends of Orange County
Antonio S.
I am a home builder and few times it happens to me to meet companies so good! They were the less expensive of 4 estimates, their schedule was perfect, no delays, I made some change of orders and they were very accommodating, (and also I had some refunds because they used less material and labor!), very communicative, and the pool is beautiful and working good.Thank you Brian Fox and Rebecca Schulte, see you at the next project!
Scott Stevens
Our rep presented a great plan for our build. Took the time to explain the details of the contract, warranties and the continuing aftercare for us and the work they preform. Heads above the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Interiors
Which Pool Finish Lasts the Longest?
What Is the Most Low-Maintenance Pool Finish?
What Is the Best Pool Interior Surface for Durability?
What Pool Finish Stays the Coolest in Hot Climates?
How Often Should a Pool Interior Be Refinished?
Can a Pool Interior Affect Water Chemistry?
What Is the Best Pool Interior for a Luxury Look?
Can I change the color of my pool interior?
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