Concrete is a well-known construction material. More often than not, it comes in two forms, shotcrete, and gunite. Gunite is a mixture of sand, cement, and water mixed during application. On the other hand, concrete is a combination of sand, water, cement, and gravel. These two materials have slightly different compositions. At the same time, they are quite similar. One common question that pool owners ask is, “Is Gunite stronger than concrete?”
Strength of Gunite and Concrete #
Industry professionals report that gunite has strength of approximately 7500 to 9000 psi. On the flip side, concrete is about 7000 psi strong. However, there is another form of concrete that measures over 14000 psi. It is popularly known as high strength concrete. So, standard gunite is slightly stronger than standard concrete. The difference is small. It would be best if you didn’t overrule concrete pools due to the strength factor. Both of these materials are highly robust and offer high durability. It would be best if you analyze your pool needs and other factors.
Benefits of concrete in building pools #
Aside from using these materials for constructing your pool, you can also use concrete. Concrete is also a construction material that contains both large and fine particles. Some of the advantages of using concrete as a pool construction material include:
Concrete is a ready-made mixture of sand, water, cement, and gravel/ stone. So, it offers an easy time during construction. With gunite, you’ll still have to identify the right percentage of water to incorporate during application. So, contractors may take longer when constructing gunite pools.
Since it is easier to construct using gunite, you may take a shorter time during concrete installation.
Gunite advantages in constructing pools #
- The material offers high versatility. Thus, you can create any pool design using it.
- It is more affordable compared to concrete.
- It accommodates a wide range of finish materials.
Drawbacks #
- The application of this material can only get done by highly trained and experienced pool builders. One mistake during application can cost you thousands of dollars to repair.
- Its application takes a lot of time and effort. Remember, water gets incorporated into the mixture of sand and cement during construction.
- The majority of swimmers find the pools to have rough surfaces.
- Unlike concrete, gunite pools are more prone to developing algae breeding grounds.
In summary #
Both of these materials are very robust and offer high longevity. However, gunite is more flexible and can accommodate a broad spectrum of pool designs. All in all, both materials offer several advantages and disadvantages. So, before settling for particular construction material, always consider all your pool needs.
