A gunite pool is constructed specifically for your property rather than selected from a limited catalog of predetermined shapes. Its size, depth, steps, seating, spa, tanning ledge, finishes, and surrounding patio can all be planned around your home and the way you want to use your backyard.
AMD Pool & Patios designs and installs custom gunite pools for homeowners throughout Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts. From the initial design and site preparation to the pool shell, interior finish, equipment, coping, and surrounding patio, we help bring every part of your outdoor living space together.
Whether you envision a classic rectangular pool, a freeform backyard retreat, an integrated spa, or a complete pool and patio transformation, our team can help you create a space designed around your property and your goals.
Request a Pool Consultation Call AMD Pool & PatiosA Custom Pool Designed Around Your Backyard
Every backyard presents different opportunities and challenges. Property dimensions, access, sunlight, grading, drainage, existing landscaping, and the location of the home all influence where a pool should be placed and how the surrounding space should be arranged.
Gunite construction provides flexibility to design the pool around those conditions.
Instead of making your yard accommodate a premanufactured pool shell, the pool can be shaped and sized to complement your property. The depth, entry points, steps, benches, and surrounding patio can also be planned around how you intend to swim, relax, entertain, and spend time outdoors.
Your custom gunite pool may include:
- Geometric or rectangular designs
- Curved and freeform pool shapes
- Integrated spas
- Tanning ledges and sun shelves
- Built-in benches and seating
- Custom entry steps
- Shallow lounging areas
- Deep-water swimming areas
- Waterfalls and fountains
- Bubblers and spillways
- Pool lighting
- Automatic pool cover accommodations
- Custom coping and patio materials
- Energy-efficient pool equipment
- App-connected pool controls
What Is a Gunite Pool?
A gunite pool is a type of reinforced concrete swimming pool constructed directly at your property.
The pool begins with an excavated shape and a steel reinforcing framework. A dry mixture of cement and sand is delivered through a hose, combined with water at the application nozzle, and pneumatically applied over the steel framework.
Because the shell is constructed and shaped on-site instead of manufactured in a predetermined mold, gunite can be used to create pools in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, depths, and configurations.
After the pool shell has been applied and allowed to cure, the pool is completed with the selected interior finish, waterline tile, coping, equipment, and surrounding patio.
Gunite pools generally require a longer construction process than fiberglass or vinyl-liner pools, but they provide a greater level of customization.
Why Homeowners Choose Gunite Pools
Gunite pools can be designed around the dimensions, contours, and architectural style of the property. You are not limited to a predetermined shell or a small selection of standard layouts.
The shallow and deep areas of the pool can be planned around your intended use. Steps, benches, ledges, and entry points can also be incorporated into the structure.
Spas, tanning ledges, built-in seating, vanishing edges, and certain water features can be constructed as part of the pool shell rather than added as separate components.
The pool, coping, patio, walkways, retaining walls, and entertaining areas can be planned together to improve traffic flow and create a consistent finished appearance.
With proper construction, water care, maintenance, and periodic resurfacing, a gunite pool can provide decades of use and become a permanent focal point of the backyard.
Gunite Pools Designed for New England Properties
Pool construction in Rhode Island and Massachusetts requires an understanding of local weather, soil, groundwater, drainage, and seasonal conditions.
New England properties may present challenges such as:
- Freeze-and-thaw cycles
- Seasonal groundwater
- Rocky soil and ledge
- Sloped yards
- Limited equipment access
- Drainage concerns
- Retaining-wall requirements
- Heavy rain
- Snow and ice
- Winter pool protection
- Different municipal setback and barrier requirements
These conditions should be evaluated while the pool and surrounding patio are being planned.
A pool should not be designed as an isolated feature. The location of the pool, grading of the property, drainage patterns, equipment placement, patio elevation, retaining walls, and surrounding landscape all need to work together.
AMD Pool & Patios reviews the proposed location and site conditions before construction so the pool can be designed around the realities of the property.
Protecting a Gunite Pool During a New England Winter
Proper winterization protects the pool’s plumbing, equipment, interior finish, and other components during freezing weather.
A professional winterization process may include:
- Lowering the water to the appropriate level
- Removing water from plumbing lines
- Plugging or protecting lines
- Winterizing pumps, filters, heaters, and sanitization equipment
- Removing or protecting accessories
- Balancing the water for the off-season
- Installing the appropriate winter cover
- Confirming that water can drain away from the pool area
The exact winterization procedure depends on the pool, equipment, plumbing configuration, cover system, and installed features.
A gunite pool should not normally be completely drained for the winter. Water helps protect the pool structure and interior surface while the pool is closed.
Learn About Pool Closing and Winterization
How Much Does a Gunite Pool Cost?
The cost of a custom gunite pool depends on the pool design, property conditions, equipment, finishes, and the surrounding outdoor living features included in the project.
Several factors influence the overall investment, including:
- Pool length and width
- Pool depth
- Geometric or freeform shape
- Excavation conditions
- Property access
- Soil, groundwater, or ledge
- Grading and drainage
- Integrated spa
- Tanning ledge
- Steps and benches
- Vanishing edge
- Interior pool finish
- Tile and coping
- Pump and filtration equipment
- Heater
- Saltwater system
- Automation
- Lighting
- Water features
- Automatic pool cover
- Patio size
- Patio materials
- Retaining walls
- Outdoor kitchens and fire features
- Landscaping
- Electrical and utility requirements
A meaningful estimate requires more than selecting a pool size from a price chart. The pool, property, and desired features should be evaluated together so the complete scope of work can be considered.
Contact AMD Pool & Patios to schedule a consultation and discuss your project goals, site conditions, preferred features, and budget. We'll help you design a custom gunite pool that fits your property and outdoor living vision.
Request a Pool EstimateGunite Pool Installation FAQs
Gunite allows for a wide variety of custom shapes, sizes, and depths.
The final design must also account for the property boundaries, setbacks, utilities, septic systems, wells, access, grading, drainage, soil conditions, local requirements, and available construction space.
Yes. A gunite pool requires routine cleaning, water testing, chemical balancing, filtration, equipment maintenance, seasonal opening, and winterization.
The interior finish may eventually require resurfacing. The timing depends on the finish, water chemistry, use, maintenance, and environmental conditions.
With proper construction and ongoing care, the reinforced pool shell can provide decades of use.
The interior finish and mechanical equipment will require maintenance and eventual replacement before the structural shell. Actual longevity depends on construction, site conditions, water care, maintenance, drainage, and use.
Yes. AMD Pool & Patios can coordinate the pool with the surrounding patio, walkways, walls, steps, and outdoor living features.
Planning the pool and patio together helps create better circulation, usable entertaining space, and a consistent design throughout the backyard.
AMD Pool & Patios provides custom gunite pool installation for qualifying properties throughout Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts.
Contact our team with your project address to confirm service availability in your city or town.
A gunite pool designed for New England should account for freezing weather, seasonal groundwater, drainage, plumbing protection, and winter closure requirements.
Proper winterization protects the pool lines, equipment, interior finish, and accessories. The pool should be closed using a procedure appropriate for its plumbing, equipment, cover, and installed features.
Winterization generally involves adjusting the water level, balancing the water, removing water from plumbing lines, plugging or protecting the lines, winterizing the equipment, and installing the appropriate cover.
The exact process depends on the pool configuration and equipment. A gunite pool should not normally be completely drained for winter closure.
Start Planning Your Custom Gunite Pool
Your pool should fit more than the dimensions of your yard. It should fit your home, your lifestyle, and the way you want to spend time outdoors.
AMD Pool & Patios can help you design a custom gunite pool and surrounding outdoor living space for your property in Rhode Island or Southern Massachusetts.
Contact our team to schedule a consultation, discuss your ideas, and begin planning your backyard transformation.
Request a Pool Consultation Call AMD Pool & PatiosMessage Us Today
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