Custom Concrete & Gunite Pools
A custom concrete pool offers the greatest design freedom. Built entirely on site, it can be shaped around your home, your property, and your vision — from custom depths and integrated spas to tanning ledges, water features, vanishing edges, and architectural details.
For clients who want a truly one-of-a-kind pool, concrete offers the most flexible and elevated design solution.
What We Love About Custom Concrete & Gunite Pools
- Design Flexibility
- Lower Initial Investment
- Rapid Installation
- Affordable Repairs
- Smooth, Swimmer-Friendly Finish
| Category | Concrete or Gunite Pools | Vinyl Liner Pools | Fiberglass Pools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Highest upfront cost. | Lowest upfront cost. | Mid-range investment; often less than concrete. |
| Long-Term Cost | Higher maintenance and eventual resurfacing costs. | Liner replacement needed every 7–10 years. | Lower long-term cost; no liner replacement or resurfacing. |
| Installation Time | Longest timeline; fully built on-site. | Faster than concrete; built on-site with liner system. | Fast installation; shell is built off-site. |
| Design Flexibility | Most custom option for shape, size, depth, and features. | Flexible shapes and sizes with some limits. | Many shapes and features, but limited to existing molds. |
| Surface Care | More porous surface; requires more brushing and chemical care. | Smooth surface, but liner can fade, wrinkle, or tear. | Smooth surface; easiest to clean and maintain. |
| Best For | Fully custom luxury designs. | Lower upfront cost with flexible design options. | Beauty, speed, low maintenance, and long-term value. |
Concrete or Gunite Pools
- Initial Investment Highest upfront cost.
- Long-Term Cost Higher maintenance and eventual resurfacing costs.
- Installation Time Longest timeline; fully built on-site.
- Design Flexibility Most custom option for shape, size, depth, and features.
- Surface Care More porous surface; requires more brushing and chemical care.
- Best For Fully custom luxury designs.
Vinyl Liner Pools
- Initial Investment Lowest upfront cost.
- Long-Term Cost Liner replacement needed every 7–10 years.
- Installation Time Faster than concrete; built on-site with liner system.
- Design Flexibility Flexible shapes and sizes with some limits.
- Surface Care Smooth surface, but liner can fade, wrinkle, or tear.
- Best For Lower upfront cost with flexible design options.
Fiberglass Pools
- Initial Investment Mid-range investment; often less than concrete.
- Long-Term Cost Lower long-term cost; no liner replacement or resurfacing.
- Installation Time Fast installation; shell is built off-site.
- Design Flexibility Many shapes and features, but limited to existing molds.
- Surface Care Smooth surface; easiest to clean and maintain.
- Best For Beauty, speed, low maintenance, and long-term value.
Reimagining Existing Concrete Pools
A well-built concrete pool can evolve with your home. If you have an existing concrete or gunite pool, Sanctuary Pools can help update its appearance, improve its functionality, and elevate the entire outdoor space.
From new interior finishes and waterline tile to coping, lighting, decking, spas, ledges, water features, and surrounding outdoor living upgrades, we remodel concrete pools with the same attention to detail we bring to our new custom pool projects.
Our remodeling work is limited to existing concrete and gunite pools. We do not remodel fiberglass or vinyl-liner pools.
Why We Build Custom
Concrete & Gunite Pools
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Limitless Custom Design
Concrete and gunite allow us to create a pool shaped around your home, your landscape, and the way you want to live outdoors.
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Architectural Beauty
From clean modern lines to resort-style curves, concrete/gunite pools can be designed as a true extension of the home’s architecture.
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Luxury Finishes and Details
Tile, plaster, pebble, stone, tanning ledges, vanishing edges, spas, and water features can all be tailored for a refined, custom look.
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Built for Outdoor Living
A custom concrete/gunite pool can be integrated with patios, kitchens, fire features, lighting, and landscaping to create a complete backyard retreat.
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Exceptional Personalization
Depths, entries, benches, steps, spas, and lounging areas can be designed around your family, entertaining style, and long-term vision.
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A Statement Investment
For homeowners seeking a one-of-a-kind pool, concrete/gunite offers the permanence, presence, and design flexibility expected in a luxury outdoor space.
Concrete & Gunite FAQ
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What is a custom concrete or gunite pool?
A custom concrete, or gunite, pool is an inground swimming pool built using a reinforced concrete shell, allowing for nearly unlimited design flexibility. This construction method is ideal for homeowners who want a one-of-a-kind pool shape, custom depth, integrated spa, tanning ledge, water feature, or luxury outdoor living design.
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Are concrete and gunite pools the same thing?
Concrete and gunite pools are often discussed together because both use a concrete-based structure. Gunite is a method of applying concrete pneumatically over a steel-reinforced framework, creating a strong, durable pool shell that can be shaped into highly customized designs.
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Why choose a concrete or gunite pool over a fiberglass or vinyl liner pool?
Concrete or gunite pools are a great choice for homeowners who want maximum customization, premium finishes, and a pool designed specifically for their property. Unlike many pre-formed fiberglass pools or vinyl liner options, concrete and gunite pools can be built in custom shapes, sizes, depths, and layouts to complement high-end homes and outdoor living spaces.
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How long does it take to build a custom concrete or gunite pool?
The timeline for a custom concrete/gunite pool depends on the design, permitting, site conditions, weather, finish selections, and surrounding outdoor living features. Because these pools are built on-site and tailored to the property, they typically take longer than standard pool options but offer a much higher level of personalization.
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Is a concrete or gunite pool a good investment for a luxury backyard?
Yes. A well-designed concrete/gunite pool can become the centerpiece of a luxury backyard, especially when integrated with patios, landscaping, lighting, spas, fire features, outdoor kitchens, and custom water features. For homeowners seeking a truly personalized outdoor retreat, concrete/gunite offers the design freedom and lasting presence expected in a high-end pool.
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Do you remodel existing concrete or gunite pools?
Yes. In addition to building new custom concrete and gunite pools, Sanctuary Pools remodels existing concrete pools. Our remodeling services may include resurfacing, tile, coping, lighting, decking, water features, spas, tanning ledges, and other upgrades designed to modernize and elevate your outdoor space.
Concrete or Gunite Pool Financing
Making Your Pool Dream a Reality with Flexible Payment Stages
Sanctuary Pools is committed to making your pool investment as manageable and accessible as possible. That’s why we offer special financing stages for our Concrete and Gunite pools, ensuring you have flexibility in payments throughout each key phase of the project.
