BENEFITS OF GUNITE SWIMMING POOLS
When putting together your budget for a swimming pool project, one of the major factors in the cost will be the building material of the swimming pool itself. You can choose from fiberglass, a vinyl liner pool or a gunite swimming pool (aka concrete, or shotcrete). The swimming pool contractors at Town & Country Pools explain that while a gunite swimming pool project may cost more than the other styles, the benefits of this building material cannot be denied. From flexibility in design to longevity of the structure, many pool owners opt for gunite swimming pools when making the plunge into pool ownership.
A gunite inground pool is a fantastic place for friends and family to gather, but it is also a home accessory that you will have to enjoy for decades!
5 BENEFITS OF A GUNITE SWIMMING POOL
Here are some of the benefits of a gunite inground swimming pool:
- Home Resale Value — Your home values could potentially increase with the installation and construction of a concrete swimming pool. A well-made swimming pool is an investment that can increase the resale value of your home. Because a gunite inground pool is a permanent structure it is an extension of your home.
- Backyard Ambiance — The addition of a swimming pool completely transforms the look of your backyard, taking it from ho-hum to a luxurious oasis. When you add in landscaping, decking and even an outdoor kitchen area, you can move your indoor living outside!
- Your Unique Style — There are so many choices available when building an inground swimming pool with gunite. There are various colors, designs/shapes and finishes you can use to make your pool design truly unique.
- Durability & Longevity — Concrete is one of the most durable building materials for swimming pools. A gunite swimming pool will last for decades and it isn’t prone to rips or tears.
- Design Options are Limitless — With a gunite inground pool you can have virtually any design for your swimming pool, such as a freeform pool. The design and shape can be as varied as your imagination.
DECIDING ON YOUR INGROUND POOL DESIGN
Making the decision on the size and style of swimming pool that will best suit your family’s needs means you will have to spend some time researching all of the options available and making an informed choice. When speaking with a swimming pool builder make certain you ask to explain the advantages and disadvantages of all of the swimming pool building materials that are available.
CONCRETE INGROUND POOLS
The majority of inground pools are made out of concrete. This is because concrete pools are capable of lasting many years and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, it’s important to note that all concrete inground pools come in two different styles: shotcrete and gunite.
Here we’ll be discussing all the important and relevant details about gunite inground pools and why they may be the perfect kind of pool to consider for your property.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SHOTCRETE AND GUNITE INGROUND POOLS
Because both shotcrete and gunite are common kinds of cement used to create indoor pools, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. That’s actually a common mistake though. While they have some things in common, like being dryer types of cement, there are important distinctions that need to be taken into account when deciding on your own inground pool.
The main difference between shotcrete and gunite concrete has to do with when the water is added into the concrete mix. With shotcrete, concrete already comes pre-mixed with water, whereas with gunite, the water is added in moments before the concrete is spread across the surface in question. This difference in mixture methods has implications on how construction will take place.
While it generally makes construction take longer to complete, this ends up creating benefits to going with a gunite inground pool as opposed to a shotcrete one.
THE BENEFITS OF GUNITE INGROUND POOLS
Keeping in mind that gunite concrete has water mixed in right before application, this makes forming the concrete into the desired shapes a little more flexible. This process makes it easier to create a tougher structure. This is because gunite concrete is spread out with greater force and will therefore create stronger bonds to the surface in question. The end result is a more durable structure that will be far more resistant to wear or cracks and will make a longer lasting pool.
Gunite Inground Pool Durability
Not only do gunite inground pools have a stronger foundation, but it also allows them to visually age well over many years. The lack of cracks means both a stronger and a nicer looking pool. This has long term benefits regarding resale value. If you ever decide to sell your home or property many years down the line, a gunite inground pool will only add to the overall value because it is so much more durable and nicer looking than other inground pools that are the same age.
Gunite Inground Pool Design & Construction Flexibility
Another fantastic benefit of gunite inground pools is how versatile they are when it comes to how you want it to be designed. Again, this is because of its particular water mixing method which gives the construction workers a lot of freedom with forming specific shapes and sizes.
With the gunite water mixing method, it is actually possible for construction workers to take a break and return the next day, an advantage that is not possible with something like shotcrete. Shotcrete comes pre-mixed with water so it needs to be applied to the surface as soon as possible. Gunite has no limitations which leads to two major benefits in terms of construction.
Size Limitations for a Gunite Inground Pool
The first is that it gives you the freedom to have an inground pool as large as you want. Everyone knows that constructing a pool can sometimes take several months depending on the design. In this case, going with gunite is beneficial as its water mixing method makes it a great choice for larger swimming pools that will take much longer to craft.
The second is that gunite allows for more versatile shapes for the pool itself. If you have a specific kind of design in mind that forms to the specific layout of your property or land, a gunite inground pool will be better suited to make that specific shape because it is easier to form and apply.
In other words, gunite concrete is an excellent choice for people who want large and exotic looking pools. Let’s not forget that gunite concrete is usually less expensive than shotcrete concrete. Since gunite inground pools are also the preferable choice for long term real estate investments, it’s a better option.
Gunite Pool Disadvantages
The only real disadvantage of gunite inground pools is that the pool construction process generally takes longer to make because of the post-mixing water method. Many people do find the wait worth it though, but it is worth keeping in mind if you are for whatever reason under time constraints.
