There is an ongoing debate surrounding the three most popular types of in-ground pools in the United States: gunite, vinyl, and fiberglass. Gunite - or concrete - pools have always presented an impressive range of benefits, and their greatest asset has proven to be their flexibility. Gunite, which is a mixture of sand and cement, can be contoured into virtually any shape, and a gunite pool can be decked out with additional features like waterfalls and customized steps. The resulting concrete structure is also very resilient and can last decades. Here are a few reasons why you won’t regret investing in a gunite pool in Islip, NY, in 2021.
Limitless shapes and sizes
Award-winning landscape design Islip NY - modern gunite pool Islip NY
When it comes to the shape, size, and depth of a gunite pool, you’re solely limited by the boundaries of your landscape. Wherever you are able to excavate within your backyard, your gunite pool will come to life. This is made possible because the concrete mixture is sprayed along the sides of the hole to create the shell of the pool. You and your landscape designer can therefore experiment with incorporating curves, arcs, and straight lines into the body of your pool, finding the design that best echoes the style of your home and hardscape. You can even have your pool weave around other features within your landscape, like a fire pit, creating a small island that can be accessed via a quaint bridge.
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Fiberglass pools, on the other hand, are premade in specific shapes, brought to your home, and placed in a hole of the same size and shape. This leaves much less room for customization and can result in pools with a generic appearance.
Customizable finishes
There are many types of finishes that can be laid over the concrete shell, such as tiles, plaster, and stone. Each material contributes something different to the look and feel of your poolside and should be selected to complement the rest of your hardscape. If you’ve incorporated sandstone into your pool deck or patio in an effort to achieve a tropical aesthetic, a band of stone pieces can be placed along the upper inside edge. Being able to create captivating tile combinations can allow your pool to double as a work of art and serve to make your backyard more unique.
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A gunite pool can also be customized with vanishing edges, which are at water level rather than above it, and allow water to spill into a catch pool nestled beneath them. Infinity pools have become a raging trend, for which vanishing edges are the key feature.
A pool with a beach entry begins at ground level and gradually slopes to a desired depth, which can be achieved with the flexibility of gunite. Homeowners can then add sand-colored stone around the pool, giving it a convincing beachy look and feel.
Improved value
Despite the rising popularity of fiberglass pools, concrete pools remain a greater selling point for homes. These pools hide a tough steel framework that makes them incredibly sturdy and ensures that they retain their shape over time. Potential buyers are allured by this guarantee, as well as the interesting shapes in which gunite pools can be found.
Image courtesy of Unilock.