A pebble pool finish is an exposed-aggregate surface: small, smooth stones or glass beads bound in a cement mix, troweled on and then washed to reveal the stone. It's the hardest-wearing finish you can put in a residential pool, and the one best suited to hard Front Range water. Expect 15–25+ years from a pebble surface that's installed and looked after properly.
We install pebble and aggregate finishes across the Denver metro, from Denver and Lakewood to Aurora and Westminster. Want a number for your pool? Request a free estimate.
Signs a pebble finish is right for your pool
Pebble makes the most sense when you plan to keep the pool for a long time and want to stop resurfacing every decade. It's a good fit if:
- Your plaster is worn out for the second time. If you've already replastered once and it's rough again, pebble breaks the cycle.
- Stains and etching keep coming back. Aggregate resists the etching and mottling that Denver's hard, high-calcium water causes on plaster.
- You want a natural or darker look. Pebble blends give deep blues, greens and lagoon tones that plaster can't hold evenly.
- You're renovating anyway. If you're replacing tile, coping or equipment, pebble pairs well with a full refresh.
- You're planning to stay. Pebble's longer life lowers the cost per year if you're in the home for 10+ years.
If your pool mainly needs a repair or a fresh, affordable surface, white plaster or quartz replastering may be the better call. We'll tell you honestly on the estimate.
Our pebble installation process
Pebble goes on over the same careful prep as plaster, with an extra exposure step at the end. Here's the sequence:
- Estimate and samples. We inspect the shell, sound for hollow spots and bring product samples so you can see color in daylight and feel the texture.
- Drain and check groundwater. We drain the pool after checking groundwater and soil conditions, so the empty shell isn't at risk of lifting. See draining and acid wash.
- Remove the old surface. We chip out failing plaster, cut a clean line under the waterline tile and undercut around every fitting so the thicker pebble coat locks in.
- Repair cracks and bare spots. Structural cracks are routed and filled. See crack repair.
- Bond coat. The shell is cleaned and bond-coated so the new surface grips.
- Apply the pebble mix. The crew trowels the aggregate mix by hand to an even thickness, working the steps, benches and coves.
- Expose the stone. Once the surface sets enough, it is washed (and, on some lines, treated with a surface retarder) to strip the top cement paste and reveal the pebble.
- Acid rinse, fill and start-up. After a light acid rinse to clean the aggregate, we fill without stopping and begin start-up chemistry.
The full sequence is on our process page.
Pebble finish options
Exposed-aggregate finishes come in a few broad styles. Each feels and looks different:
| Style | Feel | Look | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard pebble | Textured, like a river bed | Natural, multi-tone stone | Most durable; the classic choice |
| Polished / mini pebble | Smoother underfoot | Fine, refined texture | Popular with families and kids |
| Glass bead blends | Smooth with sparkle | Shimmering color | Usually the premium end of the range |
Finishes such as Pebble Tec, StoneScapes and similar aggregate lines offer dozens of colors in each style, and they are available through local suppliers. Your estimate names the exact line and color.
Darker colors give deeper water tones and hide minor scale, but they can show more pronounced color variation over time. Lighter colors read bright and Caribbean. Compare pebble with plaster and quartz on our pool finishes page.
Pebble finish cost and timeline in Denver
On a typical 15×30 ft backyard pool, pebble finishes typically run $14,000–$20,000. Ranges are estimates for the Denver metro, not a quote. Your written estimate sets the price. Polished and glass-bead lines sit at the top of that range. The final price depends on:
- Surface area, depth, steps and benches
- The product line and color you choose
- How much old surface must come off, and what repairs the shell needs
- Waterline tile or coping replacement done at the same time (see tile and coping)
Expect roughly 6–8 days on site from drain to full pool, plus a start-up period. Pebble, like plaster, needs temperatures around 50°F or warmer to cure, so we install from roughly April through October. Spring dates fill early, so January and February are the time to get on the schedule. Full ranges are on our Denver pool resurfacing cost guide.
Featured pebble projects
Pebble and aggregate project write-ups, with photos and job details, appear here as they are added.
See the available prep-stage project photos on the projects page.
Why choose us for a pebble finish
A pebble finish is a significant investment, and the prep underneath decides whether it lasts 25 years or starts popping stones in five.
- Prep for Colorado conditions. Full undercuts, bond coat and crack repair before any aggregate goes on, because freeze–thaw cycles find every weak bond.
- Hand-applied, evenly exposed. We work the exposure carefully so stone density is consistent and no sharp edges are left behind.
- Written warranty. A written workmanship warranty, with the terms spelled out in your estimate. More on the warranty page.
- An experienced local plastering crew. Proof of insurance on request.
- Honest advice. If quartz or white plaster suits your plans and budget better, we'll tell you.
Get a free estimate with photos of your pool, book a phone consultation, or call (303) 952-8700.