There are a few material terms in the realm of swimming pools that you may not be entirely familiar with, and one common example here for some clients is gunite. What does this term refer to, why is gunite a popular product for swimming pools, and what else do you need to know here if you’re considering a gunite pool?
At Packman’s Pools, customized gunite pools are just one of numerous options we offer to clients around Salt Lake City and other parts of Utah. Let’s look at what gunite is and how you should think about it, some brief words on its history and its use in pools, and some other factors like costs, maintenance and more across this two-part blog series.

What is Gunite?
In reality, gunite is a specialized form of concrete, one that uses a particular process for delivery and application. This process is also called “shotcrete” because of how it’s delivered – a high-pressure, air-propelled mixture of sand and cement that has been mixed with water. It was first developed as a construction material in the early 20th century, and it quickly gained popularity due to its durability, strength and resistance to fire, chemicals, and other environmental factors.
Gunite’s use in swimming pools has grown over the years as well, due to its customizability – while it’s still a concrete material, gunite can be molded into any shape of pool that you’d like, with personalized features like steps, benches or even built-in spas. It also has a longer lifespan than other forms of pool construction, as well as an attractive finish.
Gunite and Pools
While gunite itself has existed since the early 1900s, it began being used in swimming pools since the post-World War II housing boom of the mid-20th century. Since then, it has become a popular choice for pool creation – and especially so in more recent years thanks to advances in pool technology, which makes customization easier than ever before.
Benefits of Gunite as a Pool Material
Gunite comes with a number of benefits and advantages when it comes to pool construction, some of which include:
- Customizable design – As mentioned above, gunite can be easily molded into any shape that you would like for your pool. This includes curves, steps or spas.
- Durable material – Gunite is a strong material with great structural integrity, making it both long-lasting and resistant to most environmental factors.
- Attractive finish – Gunite has a smooth and attractive finish which can add an extra layer of beauty to your pool.
These are just some of the benefits that come with using gunite as your pool material. In our next blog post, we’ll talk about things like the manufacturing and curing process for gunite pools, plus their maintenance and some related themes.
At Packman’s Pools, we specialize in custom gunite pools and are more than happy to answer any questions that you might have. Contact us today to get started on your own personal dream pool!