Pebble Tec is not rough because, as the OP stated, the stones are tumbled. The stones in Pebble Sheen are much smaller, also tumbled, but in addition the Pebble Sheen is buffed before the pool is filled with water. We have Black Onyx Pebble Sheen and love it. The texture of the Pebble Sheen is very much like a basketball or football. To really choose between larger/smaller stones, you absolutely should have your pool builder or plaster company take you to at least one pool with the larger stones and at least one pool with the smaller stones. Be prepared to take your shoes off and step into the pools, so you can tell what it feels like underfoot.

Diamond Brite will vary in price BIGTIME. If your entertaining one of their premium colors like Midnight Blue you'll find out the upgrade cost isn't nearly as bad as if your jumping up from a Blue or a Blue Quartz. The price per bag, at my cost, is nearly $20 more per bag on Midnight -vs- Blue. And a pool uses a whole bunch of bags. My suggestion is go with Pebble Tec/Sheen. Just-a-pb, I've always paid the same for Sheen-vs-Tec on all pricing levels. Is this a promo from the Mfg to the applicator on a discounted price per bag, or is it something your applicator is doing on his own to drum up more Sheen applications? See ya, Kelly

We had a pool built last year and chose a Pebble Tec finish. I am now so sorry we did. I wish we'd saved the $$$ and had just gone for the old fashioned plaster finish. I'm 62 and use the pool for aqua exercises for my arthritis, and part of my routine is to walk MANY steps back and forth in the pool. The first few days I did this, the bottoms of my feet ended up RAW. At first I didn't make the connection. But finally on about the 3rd day, I realized it was from the surface of the pool. My feet were so sore I could hardly walk on them. My feet are not that sensitive. I walk around barefoot all day when I'm home. I now wear either water shoes or mesh shower shoes in the pool. I thought maybe I could "toughen up" the bottoms of my feet, but the few times I've tried to go in barefoot since the beginning, I can feel the irritation, and end up putting my shoes back on.

I think only you can answer that. Try to go to actual pools that have each installed and see how it feels to you. I didn't think I would like the bigger pebbles of the PT but once I tried out pools with it, I prefered it over PS.