Concrete (gunite) pools provide almost unlimited customization options. It’s why we here at Pools by Bradley build pools with gunite. It takes away the limitations of cookie cutter shapes and sizes for pools, so we are able to design countless waterscapes that fit right into your individual yard and space. We can build pools to accommodate large or small spaces, sloped or flat yards, which, in the past, would have prevented the installation of a “traditional” pool. With all the customization available, there will be a lot of decisions to make, including the interior “finish” of your pool. The two main choices available are Aggregate and Plaster, both coming in a variety of colors that can be accented with different types of stone, ceramic or glass tiles, giving each pool its own unique look. Here are the main things you need to know when selecting the interior finish and the pool water color for your dream pool.
Your Pool Water Color
Whichever type of finish you decide to go with, one of the first things to think about is what color you want your pool water to be. There are two primary water colors for your swimming pool, blue and green, and the shades of blue or green are determined by numerous factors. The main determiner for water color is the background dye in the finish. If you want green water, the finish should be green, brown or tan. For blue water, the finish should be white, blue, black or grey. Begin making your water color selection by coming up with the color palette you want to achieve. Do you want to see a deep blue, a dark aqua green, or a bright aqua or blue shade? Your Pools by Bradley Design Consultant will help you select the pool color finish that will accent the look you are trying to achieve and also consider the other factors that will affect the color.
Factors Affecting Pool Water Color
One factor that cannot be controlled is the environment around your pool, some of which change day-to-day, like the weather. Pool water looks considerably different on bright, sunny days than it does on an overcast days. Since this is just a temporary change, it shouldn’t be a huge factor on making your final decision. However, there are other environmental factors that are more constant, like yards that are heavily shaded by existing structures or trees. In yards such as these, the pool water color selected is going to appear darker. The colors surrounding the pool can also affect the water color as these will, at times, reflect off the surface of the water. Selecting a finish that coordinates with the natural colors and surroundings of your backyard will ensure your pool will blend and become part of the natural landscape.
The depth of your pool can also affect the pool water color. The deeper the pool, the deeper the color. If you select a white plaster finish, you’ll notice that the blue is deeper in color over the deepest part of the pool, while it appears very light blue over the shallow steps or ledges. Adjacent spas will also sometimes look lighter than the pool as well, even though they have the same finish.
The next factor that can impact the color is water movement. Pools with waterfalls or fountains will appear more vivid due to the light prisms created by the moving water. This won’t totally change the color of the water, rather it adds depth and color variation as the water moves around the pool.
Lastly, the water itself is the final factor that affects the color. If your pool water has algae or is cloudy, this will change the color of the pool. Cloudy water does not reflect light the way clear water does; therefore you’ll lose its usual vibrancy and depth. Algae growth causes pool water to become green and high iron levels will show as yellow, both of which can drastically affect the color of your pool depending upon their severity. Proper water treatment and filtration is essential to keeping your pool finish and water color bright and vibrant, just the way you envisioned it.
So, to recap, the main factors affecting your pool water color are:
- Background dye of the finish (white, blue, black, gray, green, brown and tan)
- The environment surrounding your pool (fencing, lawn decor, home exterior color, and landscaping)
- Sun exposure (existing structures or trees causing heavy shade)
- Depth of the pool (the deeper the pool the darker the water)
- Water movement (water features and wind)
- Water condition (algae growth, iron levels)
Pools by Bradley is Here for YOU
Whichever pool water color you decide on, make sure the materials and options fit your budget as well as your needs. All of us here at Pools by Bradley live and breathe our mission of designing and building your ultimate outdoor pool atmosphere – and this includes your interior finish! We intend to inspire you to improve the recreational time you spend with your family and friends in your new outdoor environment. Our motto is “take care of the customer and everything else will take care of itself”. When you choose Pools by Bradley to help you build your dream pool, you can rest assured that you’re choosing the very best. As a local family owned and operated company founded in back 1996, we have received numerous design awards and honors. Pools by Bradley is rated as one of the top 50 pool builders in the U.S., plus recognized as the “Best Pool Company” in Orlando by Orlando Magazine several years in a row! We offer custom built pools and spas with additions ranging from water features and lighting effects to rain curtains and water slides…the sky’s the limit! Contact us online or call us today at 407-323-7496 (Lake Mary) or 386-410-7946 (NSB) to see how we can help you build the pool of your dreams!
