A pool's interior finish does two jobs at once — it's the waterproof barrier over the structural shell, and it's the surface that gives the water its colour. Cemcrete's PoolCrete range is built specifically for this dual role, and it's worth understanding how it differs from other pool finish options before choosing one for a new build or a renovation.
What PoolCrete Is
PoolCrete is Cemcrete's cementitious pool plaster system — a dry powder mixed on site and trowel-applied directly to the structural shell of a pool, whether that's new concrete, gunite, or a properly prepared existing surface being renovated. Once cured, it forms a smooth, watertight, decorative finish that also gives the pool water its visible colour, from the pale tones like Sandstone and Superior White through to deeper blues like Pacific Blue and Royal Blue.
PoolCrete vs Pool Quartz vs Pool Coating
Cemcrete offers more than one route to a finished pool interior, and they're not interchangeable. PoolCrete is the standard cementitious plaster finish and the most commonly specified option. Pool Quartz uses quartz aggregate blended into the finish for added texture and a different visual effect. Pool Coating is a different category again — typically used for refurbishment over an existing sound surface rather than a full plaster application. Which one is right depends on whether it's a new build or a renovation, and the finish and texture the client wants — this is worth confirming before ordering materials.
Why Colour Choice Isn't Purely Cosmetic
Lighter PoolCrete colours reflect more light and tend to show a brighter, more turquoise water tone, while darker colours like Royal Blue or Charcoal produce a deeper, more dramatic water colour but will show surface debris and light scratching more readily than a pale finish. Neither is "better" — it's a genuine trade-off worth discussing before committing to a colour, especially since the finish isn't a quick or cheap thing to redo.
Application Is a Specialist Job
Pool plastering is not a general concrete or tiling task. Correct mixing consistency, application thickness, trowel technique, and curing conditions all affect the finished surface's durability and appearance — inconsistent trowelling shows up as visible patching once the pool is filled, and incorrect curing can lead to premature staining or surface crazing. This is a job for an experienced, specialist applicator, not a general contractor doing it for the first time.
Substrate Condition Matters as Much as the Product
Whether it's a new shell or a renovation, the substrate needs to be sound, clean, and properly prepared before PoolCrete goes on. On renovation projects specifically, any existing cracking, delamination, or previous coating needs to be assessed and addressed first — plastering over an unresolved substrate problem generally means that problem reappears in the new finish within a season or two.
Talk to Us Before You Order
We supply the full PoolCrete, Pool Quartz, and Pool Coating range in Botswana, with technical guidance on which system and colour suits a new build versus a renovation, and what substrate preparation is needed before application.
Read our complete Decorative Cement Systems guide →
Planning a Pool Build or Renovation?
Talk to us about PoolCrete colours and substrate requirements.