Achieve Your Dream Water Color
Let’s dive into how you can choose the right pool finish to create the water color you’ve always wanted.
Table of Contents
Understanding pool water color begins with recognizing the various factors that influence it. The most fundamental element is your pool finish color. Lighter finishes typically create a more tropical blue appearance, while darker finishes produce deeper, more dramatic pool colors. Pool finishes with a tan cast to them can yield teal water color notes. However, pool finish color is only part of the equation.
The quality of finish material plays a crucial role in how swimming pool colors appear.
Traditional swimming pool plaster may offer a classic look but provides limited color and texture options. Further, standard plaster frequently shows mottling and staining over time. More advanced materials—like PebbleTec’s signature pebble finishes—resist the appearance of mottling and staining while offering unique textures and reflectivity that transform how light interacts with the water.
Pool depth also significantly impacts color perception.
Deeper sections intensify the color, creating natural dimension. The pool’s surroundings matter too: adjacent landscaping, patio materials and even the sky's reflection can alter how pool finish colors appear throughout the day and from season to season.
Lighting conditions create perhaps the most dramatic variations in pool water color. Pools in direct sunlight display vibrant colors, while shaded areas appear more subdued. In-pool lighting can transform the look of pool water color as well. Understanding how to choose pool water color requires considering both natural daylight and evening lighting solutions for a complete experience.
How to Choose the Right Pool Finish for Your Backyard Vision
Creating your ideal swimming pool color starts with a clear vision. Do you want crystal blue waters reminiscent of the Mediterranean? A lagoon-like blue-green with tropical vibes? A light, icy blue for an extra refreshing look? Or perhaps a deep, dramatic blue for a modern aesthetic? Begin by identifying your dream pool water color and work backward from there.
Next, consider how this color complements your setting. For coastal-inspired designs, lighter or middle bluepool colors create a seaside feeling. For a tropical island escape, consider blue-green tones surrounded by lush landscaping. Modern minimalist yards often benefit from darker, more dramatic swimming pool colors or lightest blue tones to create a statement piece.
Third, the material you choose affects both aesthetics and functionality:
- Standard plaster finishes typically come in white and light blue tones. While plaster is cheap up front, it is also more prone to discoloration, mottling and cracking, often requiring refinishing in only 7-12 years.
- PebbleTec pebble finishes provide a natural, textured appearance perfect for a range of settings, with a wide variety of water color possibilities. PebbleTec finishes have additional advantages. With proper pool chemistry, our finishes can last over 20 years, thanks to our use of highest-quality pigments that resist fading. They also retain their beauty throughout the life of the pool because of the rigorous screening process that our materials go through during production. The pebbles used in PebbleTec finishes are screened many times during the manufacturing process to eliminate impurities and metals that can cause rusting and discoloration within the pool.
- Glass tiles and enhancements like shells and glass beads provide unmatched reflectivity that creates vibrant pool colors and striking visual depth. Our Lightstreams glass tiles, ShimmeringSea and Luminous enhancements can be added to any PebbleTec finish to provide extra sparkle and visual excitement.
Finally, when selecting your pool finish colors, also consider maintenance requirements and longevity. While some finishes may achieve your desired pool water color initially, their appearance can change over time. PebbleTec’s pebble finishes maintain their beauty for decades with proper maintenance, preserving your swimming pool colors and helping you maximize your investment.
Your perfect pool is more than just water – it's the centerpiece of your entire outdoor living space and a reflection of your personal style.
By understanding how different materials, colors and environmental factors influence pool water color, you can make informed decisions that will bring your aquatic vision to life. Achieve your perfect pool water color with PebbleTec pool finishes. Explore our water color inspiration gallery to see the possibilities and start planning your dream pool today.
