Pool Finish Options for Florida Pools
A free referral service connecting Pinellas homeowners with licensed pool contractors.
The finish is the surface you see and touch inside your pool. Plaster, quartz and pebble each look, feel and last differently.
Plaster vs quartz vs pebble: how long each lasts
The National Plasterers Council and Pebble Tec give different numbers. Pebble Tec sells pebble finishes.
| Finish | National Plasterers Council | Pebble Tec |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional plaster | 5 to 8 years | 5 to 15 years |
| Quartz | 10 to 15 years | Not listed |
| Pebble | 12 to 18 years | 20+ years with good care |
Florida tips for any finish
Quartz
Quartz aggregate is hard and doesn't react with pool chemicals, says the National Plasterers Council.
Sun and color
Sun isn't the main reason pool color fades, the National Plasterers Council says.
Salt pools
Wait at least 28 days before adding salt. Salt left on the surface can scale, stain or discolor it, says Pebble Tec.
Caring for a new finish in the Florida heat
Start-up care runs 28 days, with daily testing and frequent brushing. Keep the heater off the whole time.
Summers are hot here. St. Petersburg's average July high is 90.9°F. Your fill water's hardness depends on your utility: Pinellas County Utilities averaged 217 ppm in 2025, St. Petersburg 158 mg/L. Ask your contractor how they will balance it for your new finish.
What a new finish costs depends on
Pinellas price ranges coming soon from our local contractor survey.
Your exact price comes from the contractor after they see your pool. Size, finish, repairs and tile all change the total.
What changes the price
- Pool size (surface area)
- Finish type: plaster, quartz or pebble
- Repairs to the old surface, such as cracks or hollow spots
- Tile and coping work in the same job
- Drain, refill and start-up
- Permit fees, if a permit is needed
Pool finish questions
How long does a new pool finish last?
It depends on the finish and how you care for the water. The National Plasterers Council says traditional plaster lasts about 5 to 8 years, quartz 10 to 15, and pebble 12 to 18.
Pebble Tec, which makes pebble finishes, gives longer numbers: 5 to 15 years for plaster and 20+ for pebble. Ask your contractor what to expect for your pool.
What happens after a new finish goes on?
The pool is filled and the water is balanced on a schedule. Start-up care runs 28 days, with daily testing and frequent brushing. The National Plasterers Council calls its start-up guidance advisory.
Find the right finish for your pool
Tell us about your pool. Your request comes to us. We refer it to a Florida-licensed pool contractor.
Sources
- Pebble Tec, Plaster vs Pebble Swimming Pool Finishes
- National Plasterers Council, Tips on Filling the Pool and Initial Start-Up
- National Plasterers Council, Pool Owners
- Pinellas County Utilities, 2025 Water Quality Report
- City of St. Petersburg, 2025 Water Quality Report
- Pebble Tec, Pool Care Instructions
- National Plasterers Council, Pool Resurfacing
- National Plasterers Council, Start-Up Card (2021)
- NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (St. Petersburg)
