Houston TX Gunite Swimming Pool
The hot Houston TX summer is fast approaching. Are you interested in owning a Houston TX gunite swimming pool? JR Pool Plastering and Texas Gunite Ltd. works with homeowners and pool building companies to make your backyard dreams a reality! Call our local office at (713) 729-5014 to learn more about what our gunite pool experts can do for you!
What Is Gunite?
Gunite is a combination of sand and dry concrete mix. Water is added as it is sprayed out of a high-pressure hose, and the resulting mixture forms the solid shell of your pool.
There are two different forms of sprayable concrete – gunite and shotcrete. At JR Pool Plastering and Texas Gunite Ltd. we offer both types, but typically recommend the use of gunite.
Both options are more cost-effective and time-effective than regular concrete and handle weather changes with less cracking and shrinking. Sprayable concrete is also far more easily manipulated than regular concrete, thereby allowing for greater customization in your design phase.
The main difference between these two sprayable concretes is the use of additives in shotcrete. Shotcrete uses a wet concrete mix instead of the dry mix used in gunite. Shotcrete combines this wet mix with sand, gravel, and accelerating additives. The most important difference between shotcrete and gunite is the process through which water is added to the mixture.
When using shotcrete, the water is mixed in before the crew reaches the day’s project site. When using gunite, water is added to the dry mixture as it is used. This allows the crew to have greater control over this key element of the structure-building process.
Houston TX Gunite Swimming Pool Construction
The first step in the process of constructing your Houston TX gunite swimming pool is pool site excavation. Before building the gunite shell of your pool, the area it will occupy needs to be cleared and prepared. This process will involve expert excavators removing large amounts of soil to carve a hole large enough to contain the gunite shell a crew will later build.
Once the hole is measured and dug, the crew will build a wooden framework. This framework will represent the perimeter of any pool, spa, deck, or patio areas to be built.
Following this, the remaining soil will be leveled out, and crushed stone or concrete blocks will be placed on top. Piping will then be measured, fitted, and prepared for installation.
A steel grid like this one helps your Houston TX gunite swimming pool take shape!
Next, plumbing and other equipment such as skimmers, drains, returns, and specialty items will be installed.
After the plumbing and electric work are completed, a grid of steel bars will be built to support the gunite as the shell of your pool as it begins to take shape.
A concrete floor will be poured within this grid to ensure the security, durability, and longevity of the project.
And finally, crewmen with years of experience building gunite pools in the Greater Houston area will cover the grid in gunite. This last step will complete the shell of your Houston TX gunite swimming pool. The shell will then have to cure for several days before the crew can add your requested finishing touches.
Customization Of Finishing Touches
Upon completion of the gunite curing process, a water-proofing finishing layer of plaster will be added to the shell of your pool. This layer will be surfaced to your desired texture.
After the plaster seal is applied, all of the exciting custom details, including coping and tile, will be added.
Benefits Of Gunite Swimming Pools – Versatility
As previously mentioned, one of the major benefits of gunite is the added flexibility in the design process. Because of the steel grid and spray-on method of application, gunite pool shells can take on any shape you want.
Modern style pools are defined by their aesthetic geometry.
Does your house have a modern aesthetic? Are you interested in the addition of a modern geometric pool defined by sharp, clean lines? We can build that for you with a precisely measured gunite shell. We can add perfectly-placed geometric spas or tanning ledges to give your pool the minimalist aesthetic you’re looking for.
Are you more interested in a gently flowing free-form style pool instead? With a gunite shell, we can create your ideal watery oasis. Lounge and enjoy the sun on a beach-front style tanning ledge. Relax in the spa and admire how the gently sloping curves of your pool complement your beautiful landscaping.
Any shape or style is possible when working with a gunite shell. Call our office with any questions and begin your unique design process today!
Benefits Of Gunite Swimming Pools – Durability
Gunite swimming pools are built to last for decades to come.
When compared to regular cement, gunite has significantly lower chances to crack or shrink with major weather changes.
With regular pool maintenance, pools built with gunite shells are built for the test of time.
Gunite Pools And Salt Water
Saltwater pools tend to be cheaper to maintain than chlorine pools when considering annual maintenance costs. However, there are two major drawbacks to the use of salt water in gunite swimming pools.
Firstly, saltwater pools are more likely to stain your plaster finish.
Secondly, salt water tends to make pool surfaces rougher. Cement-based pools typically have rougher surfaces already, so this combination tends to result in the need to resurface your pool more frequently. This need makes salt water the more expensive option in the long run.
Contact Us
The flexibility of design and increased durability of gunite make it a wonderful, cost-effective option for many residents of Houston TX. No matter the size or style of pool or complexity of addition, JR Pool Plastering and Texas Gunite Ltd. is the contractor you can trust.
Visit our Houston office or call us at (713) 729-5014 to book an appointment with one of our experts.
From minor repairs to full renovations, call JR Pool Plastering and Texas Gunite Ltd. for all of your Houston TX gunite swimming pool needs today!
Houston TX Fun Facts
- Buffalo Bayou, a 53-miles-long river, passes through Houston and Harris County.
- The Port of Houston offers free 90-minute cruises.
- And lastly, Houston has a downtown tunnel system running 7 miles and linking 95 city blocks.
- For further information about Houston, look here!