Quartz Swimming Pool Surface
Quartz swimming pools, also known as a quartz pool finish or quartz aggregate pool finish, is a cement-based finish used for the interior surface of a swimming pool. It is a popular choice due to its durability, aesthetics, and smooth texture. Here are some key features and information about quartz swimming pool surfaces:
- Composition – A quartz pool surface consists of a blend of white Portland cement, crushed quartz (or other types of aggregate), and various additives. The quartz particles give the finish its texture and attractive appearance. Some quartz colours will have ‘sparkle’ within the mix to make the surface reflect light.
- Durability – Quartz pool surfaces are known for their durability and longevity. They can withstand the harsh chemicals used in pool water maintenance and are resistant to staining, chipping, and etching. Many Quartz finishes are significantly stronger and harder than normal concrete surfaces due to their high cement ratio.
- Aesthetics – One of the main advantages of a quartz pool finish is its aesthetic appeal. The quartz aggregate provides a smooth textured surface that comes in a range of colours. Dark blue is one of the more popular choices. This gives the pool a high-end, elegant appearance.
- Maintenance – Maintaining a quartz pool surface typically involves regular cleaning and chemical balancing to prevent algae and calcium buildup. It’s essential to follow proper pool maintenance practices to ensure the longevity and beauty of the finish. Quartz finishes are slightly more prone to calcium formation because of the high concentration of white cement used in the mix. Because of this, pool owners need to add acid frequently to keep the pH in check. Most complaints about Quartz finishes online talk about calcification as being the main issue with the product.
How to choose a quartz finish
In Australia, there are at least two companies that manufacture quartz finishes in swimming pools. Some of these include:
- Rainbow Quartz (Based in WA)
- Q Quartz (Based in VIC)
This blog will not offer an opinion on each of these products and companies. However, it is a good idea to ask about the warranty details and maybe a few references from past clients that have used their product. Finally, whoever you choose, make sure you ask about warranties and after-sales service.
Calcium in Quartz Swimming Pools
As mentioned earlier, Quartz swimming pools have challenges with calcium formation. Many pool owners talk about this issue online in various pool forums. The picture below shows a dark-coloured quartz interior with a significant number of calcium spots all over the surface. These are sometimes referred to as calcium nodules.
In spite of the challenges, Quartz swimming pools became very popular in Australia about 20 years ago. At that time, they were the smoothest surface available and also had mica in the mix which caused the surface to sparkle in the sunlight. This feature, along with the smoothness of the interior, made the product a hit in the early 2000’s.
Also, back then, Quartz was something new and was a real standout compared to the old brownish river pebble used everywhere at the time. The market leader in Quartz in Australia was Quartzon who had recently ceased production of the product. Other products are now entering the market that looks close to a Quartz finish in colour. For example, glass bead pools are now becoming more popular.
Other similar quartz products
Remember, some pool surface application companies use a method called ‘site-mix”. In short, this is where the cement, pigment (colour), and quartz are all blended together on-site to make your chosen colour. When mixed and applied properly, the results can be fantastic and look great. However, as there is no actual product ‘manufacturer’ in this scenario, your warranty is limited to whatever warranty the application company has to offer. Hence, in some cases, this means no warranty at all. Also, the colour may not be what you are expecting and you will only see the final colour when the job is complete.
Final thoughts….
Quartz interiors are great and many pool owners love them. They have a lifespan of more than 15 years if you maintain the water properly. With Quartzon out of business, it is important to know who you are dealing with and under what circumstances they will stand by the product. Warranties vary greatly and it is important to take a few minutes to read through the paperwork before you go ahead. It may be an idea to also use an acid feeder to maintain the pH of your water as this will help reduce calcium formation.
Even today, it is hard to find a cement-based pool interior that is as smooth as quartz.
