I doubt your feet would know the difference between PS and DB. Your wallet would when the DB wears out. Plastering costs vary by market location. Some just get in and get out, others provide added services like initial cure care, etc.... I charge anywhere from $8 to $16 a sq foot for plain plaster to Wet Edge's premium products for a simple resurface. If a chip out is needed, it costs more. But I also take care of the cure in total, brushing, chems.... Is it more than most of my competition? Yes, but I do more too. Most of them prefer to let a homeowner shoot them selves in the foot to relieve them of the warranty claims potential. Scott

dude, Remember to brush twice a day for the first 7-10 days. No algaecide or chlorine for the first week. Then you can start adding chlorine slowly.Add acid as needed to lower the pH to 7.3 or so. It will rise on it's own for the next year. This tendency will slow as time progresses and the plaster cures. Watch the filter pressure too. The dust you brush off will get sucked into the filter and if not paid attention to, will clog it. Then daily for the next few weeks. No pool sweeps for the 1st 3 to 4 weeks. No Vacuuming either. You don't want track marks from the wheels. Note: When brushing, turn off the skimmers so the drain pulls the dust. Brush towards the drain. Run the filter continuously. If you have an Intelliflow, try for 2 to 3 turns per 24. Your plaster will cure nicely and smoothly. If I missed anything, I'm sure someone will chime in. Scott

I stepped in a pool with big pebble coating and did not like it at all. We got diamond brite and it has a slightly sandy feel but doesn't hurt my feet. Very happy w/ selection. agree w/ you that one color can look very different in diff pools depending on location, time of day, etc. I wouldn't consider a dark color b/c I wanted to see clearly all the way to the bottom, in case any stray snakes came to visit. Dark coatings will keep water warmer, so if that is your primary consideration vs. visibility, go for it. DB is like pebble sheen, maybe a bit smoother. Cost for our 20,000 gal pool was about $10K for coating. It was bundled with other work, so don't know for sure, but we think that was about it. I live in Houston metro area. I think plaster applicators have to be certified by plaster mfr, so you may want to verify that whoever you select is certified. Would be really sad to spend that kind of $ and be stuck w/ shoddy workmanship.

What is the calcium level of the pool water? It should be 150 to 200 PPM. If too low, the pool plaster can leach and deteriorate.