At Pools by Design, we build beautiful custom pools using a sprayed concrete shell, a method prized for pools that are durable, highly customizable, and long-lasting. Our highly skilled team has the expertise to apply it effectively. Here is how a custom pool shell comes together and why the method matters.

How a sprayed concrete shell works

The shell is formed by spraying concrete onto the pool’s frame under high-pressure air, which bonds it densely and lets the crew sculpt the exact shape. There are two application methods. In the wet-mix method, which we use for our pools, the concrete is mixed in the truck before it is applied. In the dry-mix method, also called gunite, the cement combines with water inside the hose. Both build a strong shell, and the wet mix gives our crew precise control over consistency.

The construction process

We apply the shell after building the rebar frame that gives the pool its structural strength. Before we begin, we protect your home, walls, and landscaping with plastic sheeting and collect all wash-out. The crew uses a specialized nozzle to spray the concrete onto the frame, forming your pool shell, then checks the thickness and confirms everything is structurally sound before moving on. An extensive site cleanup follows.

Watching this stage is fascinating, since it is where you see the biggest transformation, but for your safety you should only watch from a distance. Stay away from the fresh shell for at least three hours so it can harden properly, and keep children and pets away from the area as well.

Why this method makes the best pool

There are three main types of inground pools: fiberglass, vinyl liner, and sprayed concrete. Fiberglass pools use shells manufactured offsite, and vinyl liner pools have a thin lining over a steel frame. We believe a sprayed concrete pool is the best option, for three reasons.

It is highly customizable. A fiberglass pool limits you to pre-made shapes, sizes, and depths, and a vinyl liner offers only some flexibility because the material is not as strong. With sprayed concrete, we have far more freedom to design a pool that is truly unique to you, with a custom shape and additional features, so it becomes a work of art.

It is durable. This is an advantage over vinyl liner pools in particular, whose thin liner is easy to damage, meaning you have to swim with caution and usually cannot let dogs in the pool. And it is long-lasting: cared for properly, a concrete pool built with quality materials can last for decades.

Build a custom pool in Tucson

As the only Master Pools Guild member in Southern Arizona, we have the skill to build your dream pool to last. Contact us to learn more about custom pool construction across Tucson and the surrounding communities.