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100% Quartz Finish Good Investment

100% quartz, Sparkle Quartz,

100% Quartz Finishes Are Good Investments. Quartz aggregate finishes are armed to stand up to water chemistry imbalances far better than standard plaster or 50% quartz finishes. Especially if the aggregate is 100% quartz. In an acid test where the quartz is submerged in acid, the quartz is completely unaffected. There is no reaction. The acid test is meant to simulate aggressive water in your pool. From that test you can see that a 100% quartz finish is going to perform very well in a pool environment.

100% Quartz, Sparkle Quartz,

G&B has proven the best finishes in the pool industry are either a 100% quartz aggregate or a pebble finish. We have proven that with the use of our 40,000 PSI Water Jetting machine. This is not your typical scientific test. Over the last 5 years we have replastered over 1500 pools with our Hydro Demo Replaster process. We pass over every square inch of the pool surface with up to 40,000 psi. The pool finishes that wilted/gave up the most under our 40,000 PSI test were standard plaster and finishes that did not have 100% Quartz or pebble as the aggregate. Pools that had more than 50% quartz or pebble did much better in our 40,000 psi test.

G&B chooses to offer the best bang for your buck finish on the market for our 100% quartz finish option. Sparkle Quartz is our quartz aggregate finish of choice. We are able to pump and trowel the Sparkle Quartz without adding any additives. That is not the case with the other options on the market for quartz aggregates. A finish that can be pumped through a hose, regardless of the hose length, and troweled without adding additives will outperform those that cannot.

We have been offering Sparkle Quartz since 2008 and have had nothing but satisfied customers who have chosen it. In addition to having 100% quartz it also features a high performance patented cement.  G&B prefers to install the best finishes on top of our hydro demo replaster prep for our customers and Sparkle Quartz meets that requirement easily.

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50% Quartz is better than white plaster.

 50% Quartz

50% Quartz is better than white plaster.

In one of the tests performed at the National Pool Industry Research Center, 50% Quartz finishes were evaluated to determine if they perform better than standard plaster. The testing was done to see at what ratio the quartz addition improved the performance of the finish, if at all.

The testing reported a 30% reduction in surface deterioration in quartz mixes of at least 50% when compared to standard plaster with no quartz additions. This means that less surface deterioration occurs in plaster finishes that have 50% of the aggregate weight as quartz. Quartz is inert and will not react with water chemistry. 50% Quartz will perform better than standard plaster.

Quartz finishes of at least 50% will improve the performance of your plaster investment as compared to standard plaster. You can chose from a variety of colors, however most choose blue quartz. The 50% quartz will not only improve the performance (as long as it is at least 50%) of that finish but will also give the water a hint of color.

The addition of quartz at a lesser concentration than 50% quartz will not offer any quality benefit. Just like adding dye to standard plaster, it will only add to the cost of the plaster investment. You need at least 50% quartz to improve the performance of the plaster finish.

In order to receive the best benefit of a quartz additive to your plaster investment a 100% quartz finish is the right decision. Though a 50% Quartz will improve your finish as compared to a standard plaster, a 100% quartz finish will be as good as any finish you could invest in for your pool.

It is ultimately up to you how long a plaster finish lasts in your pool. It cannot be over stated how important balanced water chemistry is relative to the long term success of your plaster finish

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Pool plaster finish type differences

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Over the last 20 years a great deal has been determined about pool plaster finishes and how to make it last longer. In July of 2004, the National Plasterers Council Research Foundation INC. began construction of the research center at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. Over the next few weeks I will go into detail on what has been learned over the years and what types of finishes that resulted from that research center.

Pool plaster finishes are made up of an aggregate and white portland cement. Examples of the types of aggregate used are marble dust, quartz, pebbles, and glass beads.  I will explain the type of plaster finishes available with the different aggregates.  There are also different types of cements and additives that are designed to improve cement performance within these plaster finishes.

Standard Pool Plaster

Standard white pool plaster is a time tested surface for the interior finish of a swimming pool.  It has been around for as long as pools have been being built.  Color plaster is achieved by adding pigment to standard white plaster.

Pre-blended Plaster

Manufactures have developed some plaster finishes with pozzalons, polymers, or other additions to make the cement stronger in its ability to withstand water chemistry imbalances. Pigments are commonly added to these finishes.

50% Color Quartz Plaster

This finish replaces 50% of the marble weight in the mix with quartz. Effectively making the aggregate portion of the mix ½ quartz and ½ marble dust. The quartz can be colored for a speckled finish appearance or white. Pigment can also be added to this finish.

Aggregate Finishes                                                                           

Aggregate surfaces are pre blended products composed of quartz aggregates and fortified cement.  There are many different colors available.  These are an upgrade alternative to traditional plaster and more durable than traditional plaster.

Pebble Surfaces 

Pebble surfaces are the commonly thought to be the most durable plaster type.  They derive the unique look from the differently colored natural pebbles.  The pebbles are not affected by water in color or strength.

 Polished Aggregate Finishes

Aggregate surfaces are pre blended products composed of quartz aggregates and fortified cement.  There are many different colors available.  These are an upgrade alternative to most other plaster finishes. They are generally the most consistent looking finish due to the polishing.

 Glass Bead Finshes

Glass beads are combined with cement. The beads are not affected by water. The glass beads are an eye catching finish. The bead are generally smooth.