The Ultimate Guide to Gunite Pools: Benefits, Costs, and Installation

If you’ve been dreaming of a pool that fits your style, space, and long-term vision, a gunite pool might be exactly what you're looking for. Known for their durability and design flexibility, gunite pools have become the top choice for homeowners who want a place to swim as well as a space to gather, relax, and create lasting memories.

We’ve put this guide together to help you understand what a gunite pool really is, how it’s built, what it costs, and why it continues to stand out among other pool types. If you're in the early planning stages or refining your vision, you'll find the clarity and inspiration you need to move forward.

Key Takeaways

• Gunite pools offer unmatched customization, making them ideal for homeowners who want a truly personalized inground swimming pool.

• Though the upfront cost may be higher, gunite pools provide long-term value with lasting durability and timeless design appeal.

• The gunite process allows for complex shapes, features, and finishes, giving you full control over the look and feel of your backyard retreat.

What Is a Gunite Pool?

A gunite pool is a type of concrete pool created using a specialized dry mix of sand, cement, and water. This dry concrete mix is sprayed at high velocity over a steel rebar framework using a hose and high-pressure air in a process known as the gunite process.

As the gunite cures, it forms a solid, seamless pool shell that’s built to last for decades.

Gunite vs. other pool types

Gunite is often compared to shotcrete, which uses a wet mix instead. Both are popular for custom inground swimming pools, but gunite allows for more precise application and adjustments during the construction process. It's ideal for complex shapes or detailed pool design features like tanning ledges, water features, and custom add-ons.

Unlike fiberglass pools or vinyl liner pools, a gunite swimming pool is built entirely on-site. Fiberglass pools are pre-manufactured and lowered into place as a single shell, while vinyl liner options use a flexible liner over a metal or polymer frame. These other pool types can limit your choices in shape, floor layout, and materials.

Built for customization and strength

Gunite pools are highly customizable, offering a true backyard oasis tailored to your space and lifestyle. Their solid structure and resistance to weather conditions, water loss, and small cracks make them a long-term investment in both function and beauty.

The strength and flexibility of gunite allow you to create something exceptional, whether that's a sleek modern pool or a resort-style retreat.

The Fabrication & Installation Process

Building a gunite pool is a detailed process that balances precision, experience, and craftsmanship. While timelines can vary depending on your design, backyard layout, and materials, here's what to expect from the start of pool construction to your first swim.

Step-by-step construction

1. Excavation - Once the shape and layout of your new pool are finalized, the first step is digging the shell. This includes clearing the area, shaping the ground, and preparing for framing. Often, crushed stone is used as a base to stabilize the structure.

2. Plumbing and steel framework - Next, we install essential plumbing lines and begin framing the pool walls and floor using steel rebar. This forms the skeleton of the pool shell, ready to support the gunite layer.

3. Applying the gunite - A specialized crew sprays the dry mixture of cement, sand, and water onto the steel frame using high-pressure hoses. This is the gunite process. It creates a strong concrete mixture that shapes the full concrete pool structure.

4. Curing time - After application, the gunite must cure. This typically takes 7–10 days and requires proper moisture control to ensure a solid, crack-resistant gunite surface. This phase is crucial because rushing it could lead to algae growth, small cracks, or even expensive repairs later.

5. Finishing touches - Once the structure is fully cured, finishing details are added: tile, coping, and the plaster layer that defines the pool surface. You can choose from a variety of textures and colors, depending on your design vision.

From planning to poolside

The full construction process for a gunite pool can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks, depending on complexity, weather conditions, and customization. Compared to fiberglass pool manufacturing or installing shotcrete pools, this timeline reflects the care and craft involved in tailoring a pool to your home.

While gunite pools require regular maintenance and balanced water chemistry, their durability and versatility make them well worth the investment. Done right, your pool becomes a lasting centerpiece of your outdoor space.

Benefits of Choosing Gunite

A gunite pool holds up over time and adds lasting value to your home. Here’s what sets this type of pool apart.

Unlimited design flexibility

Gunite allows for almost any shape, depth, or feature you can imagine. From freeform designs to geometric lines, you’re not limited by prefabricated molds or shell sizes. Whether you want steps, tanning ledges, waterfalls, underwater lighting, or a vanishing edge, gunite can accommodate it all with precision.

Because the pool is built entirely on-site using raw materials like concrete and steel, you're free to customize every detail from layout and finish to add-ons like fire features or attached spas. This level of design freedom is hard to match with other materials, like fiberglass or vinyl.

Built for longevity and durability

Gunite’s structural strength is one of its biggest selling points. The reinforced concrete construction is engineered to withstand the test of time, even in varied weather conditions. Properly installed and maintained, a gunite pool can last for decades with minimal structural concerns.

Unlike some pool types that may suffer from liner tears or shell degradation, a gunite pool has a solid structure that resists common wear issues. While maintenance costs (occasional plaster resurfacing and regular water chemistry checks) do apply, gunite requires no liner replacement or prefabricated shell repairs.

A high-end feel that lasts

From a design and real estate perspective, a gunite pool adds function, enhances curb appeal, and contributes to the overall luxury of your outdoor space. It’s a statement piece that blends with landscaping, patios, and entertainment areas.

Though gunite pool cost can be higher upfront compared to other options, it offers exceptional value that gets better over time. With the ability to tailor every inch to your vision, you create an experience built to last.

Understanding the Costs

A gunite pool is a premium investment, and its cost reflects both the customization and craftsmanship that go into the build. While prices vary, having a general range and knowing what affects those numbers can help you plan better.

What you can expect to pay

The average cost for a fully installed gunite pool typically falls between $50,000 and $120,000, or about $100 to $250 per square foot. This range depends heavily on the complexity of the design, materials used, and any additional features you want to include.

What influences the price

Several factors affect the final cost of a gunite pool, including:

• Size and depth of the pool

• Custom features like tanning ledges, lighting, spas, or waterfalls

• Site conditions, including access and ground preparation

• Choice of materials for tile, coping, and decking

• Permitting and local regulations

• The finish—plaster, aggregate, or other surface options

Adding design complexity or luxury features will increase your investment but can significantly elevate the final result.

Comparing costs to other pool types

While the upfront cost of a gunite pool is higher than fiberglass or vinyl liner options, it offers unmatched customization and a longer lifespan. Other pool types may come with lower installation costs, but they often require more frequent maintenance, liner replacements, or specialized cleaning, which adds up over time.

It’s also worth noting that fiberglass and vinyl pools tend to have fewer options for intricate shapes or features, and may use more chemicals to maintain clarity and sanitation.

If you're looking for a truly custom pool that integrates into your landscape and lifestyle, a gunite build provides long-term value despite the higher starting point.

Long-Term Investment & Maintenance

Known for strength and longevity, gunite delivers durability that holds up over time, both structurally and aesthetically.

Built to last

Gunite pools are constructed with reinforced concrete that gives them exceptional stability that often outlasts other pool types. While the pool surface may need to be resurfaced every 8 to 15 years, the underlying structure requires minimal maintenance. Cracks, if they appear, are often small and cosmetic rather than structural.

This durability makes gunite a low-maintenance option in the long run, especially when compared to pool types that require liner replacements or shell repairs.

What routine maintenance looks like

No pool is maintenance-free, and gunite pools require regular care to keep them in peak condition. That includes balancing water chemistry, checking filtration systems, brushing the surface to prevent buildup, and making occasional repairs to finishes.

Because the porous nature of gunite can lead to increased chemical demand, some homeowners may use more chemicals compared to fiberglass or vinyl options. Still, with the right care, you can avoid frequent maintenance headaches and preserve the beauty and function of your pool for years.

Long-term value

Unlike temporary or prefabricated models, a gunite pool is integrated into your landscape as a lasting part of your home.

The result is a space that pays you back in enjoyment and marketability, with more detail and craftsmanship than most other options can offer.

Why Ferrari Pools: Custom Outdoor Living Excels at Gunite

With over 50 years of experience designing and building pools across New England, Ferrari Pools: Custom Outdoor Living has refined every step of the gunite process. Our team brings together deep technical knowledge and a passion for creating tailored outdoor spaces that reflect how you want to live.

We design complete environments. From integrated swim jets and fire bowls to decking, lighting, and hardscaping, we approach each project with a focus on luxury, function, and flow. Every element is considered, down to the finest detail.

Our showroom gives you the chance to explore finishes, textures, and ideas with hands-on guidance from our experienced design team. And because we prioritize communication and care from the first conversation to the final walkthrough, you can expect an experience as polished as the pool we deliver.

How to Begin Your Gunite Project with Us

Starting your custom gunite pool project is easier than you might think because we will guide you through every step with clarity and attention to detail.

It begins with a consultation, where we learn about your vision, goals, and the space you're working with. From there, we move into the design phase by mapping out everything from layout to materials. Once the design is finalized, we handle permitting, excavation, and the full installation process for a pool that's built to impress and made to last.

Our commitment doesn't stop at completion. We’re here for ongoing maintenance support and any upgrades or refinements you may want down the road.

Ready to get started? Visit our showroom to explore ideas and materials in person or reach out to schedule a consultation. We're here to help bring your backyard vision to life.

Conclusion

A gunite pool is more than a place to swim—it’s an investment in your home, your lifestyle, and how you spend your time with the people who matter most. With its unmatched design flexibility, lasting durability, and refined aesthetic, it brings lasting value to any property.

If you’re ready to transform your backyard into something extraordinary, we’re here to help. At Ferrari Pools, we specialize in turning outdoor visions into beautifully crafted realities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a gunite swimming pool different from a concrete pool?

A gunite swimming pool is a type of concrete pool, but instead of using pre-poured slabs, the gunite process involves spraying a dry mix of sand and cement over a steel rebar frame. This allows for more flexibility in shape and design.

How does gunite pool construction compare to fiberglass pool installation?

Gunite pool construction is done entirely on-site, offering more customization but requiring a longer timeline. A fiberglass pool, on the other hand, is manufactured off-site and installed as a pre-formed shell, which can limit design options.

What should I expect in the gunite pool construction process?

The construction process includes excavation, plumbing, steel framework, application of the gunite mixture, curing, and final finishes like tile and plaster. It typically takes several weeks from start to swim-ready.

What factors affect the overall gunite pool cost and maintenance costs?

Gunite pool cost depends on size, features, materials, and site conditions. While initial costs may be higher than other pool types, gunite pools are durable and long-lasting. Maintenance costs include resurfacing every 8–15 years and routine care like water chemistry and surface cleaning.