New Gunite Pool Installation: Flawless 2025
Transform Your Backyard with a Custom Gunite Swimming Pool
A New Gunite Pool Installation transforms your backyard into a custom oasis. Gunite pools offer unparalleled design flexibility and durability, but they are a significant investment. Here’s a quick overview:
- What it is: A pool built by spraying a cement-sand mixture over a steel frame, creating a seamless, durable shell.
- Timeline: Typically 3-4 months, including a 28-day curing period.
- Cost Range: $75,000 to $150,000+, depending on size and features.
- Key Benefits: Unlimited design flexibility and exceptional durability.
- Considerations: Higher upfront cost, longer installation time, and requires replastering every 10-15 years.
Gunite can be formed into any shape, size, or depth you can imagine. The monolithic concrete shell is incredibly strong and built to last for generations. However, the porous surface requires regular maintenance to prevent algae, and the interior finish will need to be replaced periodically.
I’m David Brabant, owner of Creative Edge Pools. With over thirty years of experience in New Gunite Pool Installation in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, I personally oversee every project to ensure the highest quality. This guide will walk you through the construction process, budgeting, and long-term care for your new gunite pool.
Simple guide to New Gunite Pool Installation terms:
The Complete Process for a New Gunite Pool Installation
Building a New Gunite Pool Installation is one of the most exciting home improvement projects you can undertake. This section walks you through the detailed construction journey, realistic costs, and what you’ll need to know about keeping your pool beautiful for decades to come.
What is a Gunite Pool and Why Choose One?
Gunite is a specialized material ideal for pool construction. It’s created by spraying a dry mix of cement and sand through a hose at high velocity, with water added at the nozzle. This process creates a dense, incredibly strong, and seamless shell that can be formed into virtually any shape.
The result is a monolithic pool shell—one continuous piece without weak points—giving gunite pools their legendary durability and making them the top choice for custom designs.
The primary advantages are unlimited design flexibility and exceptional durability. If you can dream it, we can build it—from freeform lagoons to geometric lap pools with integrated spas. Built over a steel rebar framework, these pools are made to last for generations, withstanding the harsh freeze-thaw cycles of New England.
However, there are drawbacks to consider. Gunite pools have a higher initial cost and a longer installation time (3-6 months) than other pool types. The porous surface also requires more frequent brushing and chemical maintenance to prevent algae, and the interior finish will need to be replaced every 10-15 years.
Here’s how gunite pools compare across key areas:
| Feature | Gunite Pools |
|---|---|
| Customization | Unlimited shapes, sizes, depths, and features. Truly custom design. |
| Durability | Extremely durable, monolithic concrete shell reinforced with steel rebar. Built to last a lifetime (decades). |
| Installation Time | Longest installation time (3-6 months) due to multi-stage construction and curing. |
| Lifetime Cost | Higher initial cost; significant long-term maintenance costs including replastering every 10-15 years and higher chemical/electricity use due to porous surface. |
| Maintenance | Requires more frequent brushing to prevent algae. Regular chemical balancing and filter cleaning. Surface refinishing needed periodically. |
The Step-by-Step Construction Journey
Building a gunite pool is a complex but rewarding process. I personally oversee each phase of every New Gunite Pool Installation to ensure the highest quality.
Step 1: Design and Permitting
This phase begins with a site evaluation to understand your property’s unique layout. We then collaborate on a custom design that fits your vision, whether it’s for family fun or a resort-style retreat. Once the design is finalized, we handle all necessary local building permits and HOA approvals.
Step 2: Excavation
Our team uses heavy machinery to precisely dig the pool’s shape according to the design. We carefully manage the site, setting the correct elevation to prevent rainwater runoff into the pool and digging trenches for plumbing lines.
Step 3: Steel and Plumbing
Next, we install the pool’s “skeleton.” A framework of steel rebar provides the structural reinforcement for the gunite shell. At the same time, we install all the plumbing, including skimmers, drains, and return lines. All lines are pressure-tested to prevent future leaks, and a bonding wire is installed for electrical safety.
Step 4: Gunite Application
A skilled nozzleman sprays the gunite mixture onto the rebar cage at high velocity. The material is applied in layers and hand-shaped to create the exact curves and features of your custom design. This is where the pool truly takes form.
Step 5: Curing
The gunite shell must cure for 28 days to reach its maximum strength. During the first week, the shell is kept wet to ensure proper hydration. While the pool cures, we can begin work on the surrounding hardscaping.
Step 6: Tile, Coping, and Hardscaping
We install waterline tile, which adds a decorative element and provides an easy-to-clean surface. Then, we add coping—the stone or paver edge around the pool—for safety and aesthetics. Finally, we install the pool deck and surrounding patios to integrate the pool into your outdoor living space.
Step 7: Interior Finish
The interior finish is the waterproof layer that gives the pool its final look and feel. Popular choices include classic plaster, durable pebble aggregate, or premium all-tile finishes. Each offers a different aesthetic, texture, and level of durability.
Step 8: Pool Startup
Immediately after the finish is applied, we begin filling the pool with water. Once full, we start up all the equipment, perform the initial chemical balancing, and provide you with a comprehensive orientation on how to operate and maintain your new pool.
Budgeting for Your New Gunite Pool Installation
A New Gunite Pool Installation is a significant investment. While prices once ranged from $55,000 to $100,000, today’s market conditions have pushed the average cost to between $75,000 and $150,000 or more for a turnkey project.
Several factors influence the final price:
- Pool Size and Depth: Larger and deeper pools require more materials and labor.
- Custom Features: Integrated hot tubs, waterfalls, tanning ledges, and custom lighting add to the cost but also to the enjoyment.
- Site Accessibility: Difficult terrain or limited access for heavy machinery can increase labor costs.
- Material Choices: The type of interior finish, coping, and decking you choose will impact the budget.
Beyond the initial installation, budget for long-term ownership. Annual maintenance, including chemicals and electricity, can cost over $2,700 per year. A major long-term expense is replastering the surface every 10 to 15 years, which can cost several thousand dollars. We offer Gunite Pool Financing options to help manage this investment.
Design, Finishes, and Long-Term Care
The beauty of a gunite pool lies in its design flexibility and finishing options.
Your choice of interior finish is key to the pool’s look and longevity:
- Plaster: The classic, smooth finish. It’s the most economical option but requires refinishing every 10-15 years.
- Pebble Aggregate: A textured, natural-looking finish that is more durable and stain-resistant than plaster.
- All-Tile: The premium choice, offering stunning custom looks, exceptional longevity, and the easiest maintenance.
The aesthetic appeal comes from combining your chosen finish with custom shapes and features. You can see examples in our past projects to find inspiration.
Proper long-term care is essential. Due to its porous nature, a gunite pool requires:
- Weekly brushing to prevent algae growth.
- Regular chemical testing and balancing to protect the surface and equipment.
- Routine filter cleaning to keep water clear.
With proper construction and diligent maintenance, your gunite pool is built to last for decades, often serving families for 50 years or more.
Popular Gunite Pool Features:
- Integrated Hot Tubs & Spas
- Tanning Ledges & Baja Shelves
- Waterfalls & Rock Features
- Deck Jets & Laminars
- Custom LED Lighting
Your Dream Backyard Awaits
As you can see, a New Gunite Pool Installation is a significant but rewarding investment in your home and lifestyle. The lasting value comes from creating a custom outdoor living space that will be the heart of family fun for decades to come. The unparalleled customization ensures your pool is truly one-of-a-kind.
A project of this complexity demands an experienced builder. As a family-owned business serving Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire for over thirty years, we provide comprehensive project management. We don’t just build your pool; we handle the landscaping, masonry, and hardscaping to create a cohesive outdoor oasis.
I personally oversee every project, ensuring our commitment to quality craftsmanship turns your vision into reality. We are with you every step of the way, from the first design sketch to the final walkthrough.
Ready to build your dream pool? Contact us today to schedule a consultation. For more inspiration, follow our latest projects on Facebook.
