A concrete pool is formed on site: a steel frame is built in the excavation and the concrete shell is placed around it, so the shape is limited only by the design. The inside can then be finished in pebble, tile, mosaic or other decorative materials, and the outside can take just about any design. This is why concrete is the preferred pool type of many homeowners and business owners in New Orleans, Uptown, Jefferson and surrounding areas. Nolascapes Pool & Outdoors LLC builds concrete pools from standard layouts to fully custom designs.

Gunite or Shotcrete Shells

Both methods place the concrete over steel reinforcing bars that are tied to the design, and the steel and the concrete together give the shell its strength. The shell is applied by one of two methods. Gunite is sprayed dry and mixed with water at the nozzle, while shotcrete is mixed wet before it is sprayed. We recommend gunite and use it for most pools, and the material is described on Gunite Pools. With either method the pool is built in the sequence set out in New Pool Construction Process, from layout and excavation through tile, coping and the interior finish.

Custom Shapes and Features

Because the shell is formed rather than ordered, a concrete pool can be a kidney, an irregular shape, a lap pool or an infinity edge. Islands, split levels, raised edges and an attached spa can be built into the same shell. Underwater lighting, fountains, sun decks and a diving board can be added to the plan. A concrete pool can also be designed around the conditions of your property, such as a slope, a line of trees or an existing patio, and tied in with outdoor living features such as a kitchen or a fire pit. The build takes longer than a fiberglass or vinyl pool, and that extra time is the price of designing every part.

Interior Finishes

A concrete shell is finished on the inside with plaster, pebble aggregate, tile or mosaic, and each one changes the water color, the feel underfoot and how long the surface lasts. Plaster is the traditional smooth finish, pebble adds texture and durability, and tile and mosaic give the most color and detail at a higher price. We offer a number of finishes so that you can choose the one that suits the design and the budget.

Concrete Compared With Other Types

A fiberglass pool is quicker to install and has a smoother surface that needs less brushing, but its shapes are fixed. A vinyl pool costs less, but it has a liner to replace and is less suited to heavy features. Concrete costs more and takes longer, and in return the pool can be any shape and any depth and can carry any feature listed above.

Durability and Upkeep

A well-built concrete shell is rigid and long-lasting, and it is the surface that ages first. Compared with fiberglass the finish is rougher and holds algae more easily, so brushing and balanced water matter. Plaster eventually needs resurfacing, and a resurfaced pool keeps the same shell, so the structure itself is not replaced.

Request a Concrete Pool Estimate

Call Nolascapes Pool & Outdoors LLC on 504-330-8479 or use our online form to request a free estimate for a concrete pool. Bring a sketch or photos of the shape and features you have in mind, even if it is only a rough idea, and we will explain what is possible on your lot, which finishes would suit the design and how long the construction would take.