Pebble-Tec Emerald Bay, Shell & Mosaic Questions

16 years ago

Hi Everyone,

We are going to be building a pool next year and working out the details right now. My husband is in charge of mechanicals, etc. and I get aethetics!

We've seen a Pebble-Tec pool in Tahoe Blue and a Pebble-Sheen in Ocean Blue (the latter is one of the finishes with shell).

Both of us have been reading forums, searching archives and generally researching all the pros and cons of all the options out there--it's almost like paint--too many choices!

We liked the Tahoe Blue, and I really liked the little shell bits in the Ocean Blue, but am wondering how they hold up since the company won't warrant those pieces--is that just a matter of their not having done it long enough to know, or that individual pool chemistry varies, etc.?

Some of you have posted that you chose your finish and then had your builders add shell to it if it wasn't in that finish originally. Did this create any problems? Was is particularly expensive to do? Has anyone done a finish with shell and then regretted it later? (or the reverse. . .)

I'm intrigued by the Emerald Bay finish, but haven't found any pictures of it other than on the Pebble-Tec website. If anyone has a pool with this finish, I'd love to see photographs. I like the little green pebbles in the aggregate and the medium-dark color, but worry that it will make the water look too green--the 'underwater' picture on the web-site doesn't look green at all, but that may not be the case in 'real life'.

Finally. . . I know some states require steps and such to be marked with tile/mosaics and I'm wondering if we should consider that. I like the idea of a beautiful, simple finish but wonder about safety for the very youngest (and oldest!) swimmers. If we mark the steps and drop-offs, will it be safer for them but still look as nice to us?

I'd really appreciate any thoughts, suggestions or photographs anyone might care to share on the Pebble-Tec Emerald Bay finish (or others!), Shell bits and Tile/Mosaic markers.

Thanks very much,

Teresa

(zone 7, Maryland)

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Comments (10)

aggietexan
16 years ago
We chose Tahoe Blue Pebble Tec for our remodel, and had the shells added. Our applicators added the shells to the mix before they sprayed it on, but I've also heard of the shells being added by hand after the pebble coating is applied. I really like the look of the shells when the sunlight hits them. Here's a picture that shows how they glisten in the sun.

{{!gwi}}
soivos
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the picture, 'Aggie'--I really like that little bit of sparkle, too.

I wonder why some applicators mix the shell into the aggregate and others add them by hand?

Teresa
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scrapula
16 years ago
We have Tropical Breeze with the shell bits. I wrote to Pebble Tec about the shells not being covered by the warranty. They said that they have not had any problems with the shells. It just hasn't been long enough to know how long they will last over time. I think it's only been about 5 years since the products with shells have been out.

I enjoy the "sparklies" in my pool. If they don't sparkle after 10 years, I won't know about it. I'll probably move by then.
K Jensen
16 years ago
We have Stonescapes Tropics Blue mini pebble. It has bits of shell in the mix plus the applicators threw a bunch more onto the surface as they were finishing. We didn't ask for extra they just did it. I noted the extra added with our PB and he said they just like to throw a little extra sparkle onto the surface. In the grand scheme of the cost of building a pool I'm sure the added cost of crushed shell for your pebble is VERY MINIMAL and well worth it. We LOVE the sparkles!

We went back and forth on installing mosaic markers. I think either way looks good. In the end we went without. Our kids (ages 6 and 3) very quickly learned where the edges of the steps and baja shelf are located :o)
kush165
16 years ago
Does anyone know where to get the shell?
My PB has not used it before (no pebble tech installers in our area)

We will probably be using sunstone pearl or crystalstones smooth and would love to have some shell in it as well.

Thanks

Rob
soivos
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions--I think I'm inclined to go without step/drop-off markers just for the appearance, but then I waver when I think about all the kids' friends and safety concerns. . .

Dogpaddle, it sounds like your pool guys really like the shell!
Now I'll have to look into the Stonescapes, too. . .
Is that the company started by some former Pebble Tec people?
How do the two compare?

Thanks again,
Teresa
K Jensen
16 years ago
soivos: Stonescapes is availble through NPT. You will find many people on this site say that you should only use Pebble Tec because only PT will stand behind the installation if you have any trouble. A good reason to go with Pebble Tec. That aside, our PB has said that there are plently of competing pebble products that are just as good. It comes down to the expertise and abilities of the applicators... as long as the workmanship is good the actual product used doesn't make much difference. Our PB is one of the best in our area and is currently building his own pool and will be using Stonescapes Tropics Blue.

I've been in a few Pebble Tec pools and was turned off by the roughness so we were not going to use pebble until our PB showed us samples of the Stonesscapes mini pebble. We REALLY like the mini pebble but now that I'm used it I would probably like the Pebble Tec too :o) Sorry to be so wishy washy but you will probably like either equally.

I don't know if Stonescapes was started by former Pebble Tec people.

Best of luck with your build!

Here is a link that might be useful: Nation Pool Tile Group (NPT)
rachelacey
16 years ago
We have tile at the edge of our steps and I'm glad we did it. When you're in the water it's hard to see the edges of the steps. If you don't want to outline the steps, maybe you could just put a cute little mosaic on each one.
soivos
Original Author
16 years ago
Now you've got me thinking about coping choices with that link! (I think that's another thread, though).

I did find out that 'Wet Edge' is the company started by former Pebble Tec people.

I'll post a link when I figure out how!
(Still trying to find more Emerald Bay PT pictures)
Teresa
soivos
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's the Wet Edge link (hopefully):

Here is a link that might be useful: Wet Edge Technologies

Pebble-Tec Emerald Bay, Shell & Mosaic Questions

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aggietexan

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Pebble-Tec Emerald Bay, Shell & Mosaic Questions

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aggietexan

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