New pool owner - question on Diamond Brite pits

[keschete]

I really like the Midnight blue and Tahoe blue. What makes the Tahoe blue so difficult? Do you think Midnight would have the same issues? Thanks, Kaya

[famousdavis]

From what I've read, yeah, Midnight Blue would have the same issue. The "issue" is using non-white plaster in the cement mix. Having a pigmented cement mixed with the aggregate makes it more challenging to retain the appearance of the DB finish, and flaws can be more noticeable. I liked Tahoe Blue, too, and was thinking that would be the color I'd choose, but 1) it was an DB "upgrade", and 2) I didn't want more trouble with my DB finish than what I was already going to get. This is, afterall, my first pool, so I didn't want to be more ambitious than what was warranted.

Also, with the darker pigments, be aware that they'd make your pool water warmer. I live in So. Fla., and I don't need my pool water to be any warmer than it already is right now -- that is, between 89 and 90 degrees. Not sure where you live and whether that would be a consideration to ponder over, but I did ponder over that matter before selecting a DB finish.

[vinper]

We went with French grey Diamond Brite . Its really wierd that its grey till you add water then it turns a nice blue ......

[famousdavis]

That was on my short list of DB colors, too!! But like Tahoe Blue, it was an upgraded choice. I liked the few photos I found on the 'Net that showed pools done in French Grey. I hope you like your pool when it's done!

[vinper]

Mine has been finished 2 years this Oct. ... Love it ... you can see pics of it ,in this section listed thread- My Build

[famousdavis]

Great photos! I'd love to see what the water looks like in direct sunlight. Your home, from what little I could see of it, looks nicely upscale. I'm astonished at how much bang you got for you buck. I guess it helped a lot that you did much of the work yourself, huh? Saved yourself a tidy bundle that way.

Wasn't it nice to be able to design your own pool, just the way you want? When my wife and I were looking at the possibility of moving to a larger home that would already have a pool, the homes we looked at all had fairly pedestrian kinds of swimming pools, which would be fine, but it's so much nicer when you can cobble together your own pool design and create something that is uniquely a reflection of your own values, tastes and style. Our home is pretty unremarkable in every possible way, but the pool area now is its key selling feature (not that we're looking to move). A co-worker friend just bought and moved into a nearly new home that during the hey-deys of the real estate market sold for over $1M (he bought it for about half that -- still a huge amount of money). His home outshines my home in every possible way...except one. I like my swimming pool area much better than his. :-)

[vinper]

We worked with the builder on the house saved there also . But we learned so much on both . would love to do it again .. you get better the more you practice .. But just glad to not be upsidedown on mortgage like so many people are right now...