If you’re researching custom pool construction in Savannah, GA, you’ve likely come across the terms “concrete pools” and “gunite pools” used somewhat interchangeably, and you may be wondering if there’s actually a meaningful difference. There is, though the distinction is more about construction method than materials. Both produce pools built from hydraulic cement, both allow for fully custom designs, and both are widely considered the premier choice for homeowners who want a pool built to last.
This guide explains how concrete and gunite pools work, why they’re the preferred method for custom pool construction in Savannah and coastal Georgia, and how they compare with fiberglass, which remains a common point of comparison for buyers evaluating their options.
What Is a Concrete Pool?
The term “concrete pool” typically refers to any pool whose structural shell is made from a cementitious mixture applied over a steel rebar framework. The shell is what gives the pool its permanent shape, holds water, and supports the finished surfaces, tile, coping, and interior finish applied on top.
Concrete pools have been the dominant method in custom pool construction for decades, and for good reason. They offer essentially unlimited design flexibility: any shape, any depth, any configuration of steps, benches, tanning ledges, and water features can be built into the structure. There are no constraints imposed by a pre-manufactured form.
In Savannah, concrete pools are common among homeowners who want a pool that feels custom rather than selected from a catalog, particularly in neighborhoods like Ardsley Park, Habersham Woods, and the waterfront communities along the Wilmington Island corridor where property values and design standards are high.
What Is a Gunite Pool?
Gunite is a specific application method for concrete. Rather than being poured into forms, the cement mixture is pneumatically sprayed through a nozzle onto a steel rebar structure that has already been installed in the excavation. The mixture is dry and mixed with water at the nozzle as it’s applied, creating a very high-strength shell that conforms precisely to the intended design.
The result is functionally a concrete pool. The terms are often used interchangeably in the industry because gunite is simply the most common method of forming a concrete pool shell. When a pool company in Savannah, GA says they build “gunite pools,” they mean the shell is formed this way.
Shotcrete is a related method, where the concrete is wet-mixed before being applied rather than dry. Both gunite and shotcrete produce structurally equivalent results when properly applied. The choice between them is typically a contractor’s preference based on equipment, crew training, and site conditions.
Gunite vs. Fiberglass Pools in Savannah: The Key Differences
The more meaningful comparison for most Savannah homeowners isn’t concrete vs. gunite. It’s concrete or gunite vs. fiberglass. These represent genuinely different products with different trade-offs.
Design Flexibility
Fiberglass pools come in pre-manufactured shell shapes. You choose from a catalog. The shapes have improved significantly over the years, and there are more options than there used to be, but you are fundamentally constrained to what a manufacturer has decided to produce.
Gunite and concrete pool construction in Savannah, GA has no such constraint. Every dimension, every curve, every depth change, every bench, step, tanning ledge, and attached spa is designed for your specific property and built from scratch. If you have a specific site shape, an architectural vision that requires custom geometry, or features that require precise placement, gunite is the only method that accommodates that level of customization.
Durability and Longevity
A properly built gunite pool has a structural lifespan measured in decades. The shell itself, when well-constructed and maintained, doesn’t degrade. Interior surfaces do need to be replastered or resurfaced periodically, typically every 10–20 years depending on the finish and maintenance, but the underlying structure remains sound.
Fiberglass shells are durable in their own right, but they’re subject to osmotic blistering, fading, and surface issues that vary by manufacturer quality. They can also flex slightly, which can cause issues with attached tile work, coping, and decking over time.
For Savannah homeowners building a long-term investment in a property, the 30–50 year structural lifespan of a well-built gunite pool is a significant factor.
Coastal Performance
Savannah’s coastal Georgia environment is more demanding on building materials than inland markets. Salt air, high humidity, occasional flooding in low-lying areas, and the chemistry of coastal water tables all factor into how a pool holds up over time.
Gunite and concrete pools, when built with the right materials and specifications, perform well in these conditions. The key is an experienced builder who understands how to specify materials, coatings, and finishes that account for coastal exposure. Aqua Blue Pools has built custom pools across coastal Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry for over 30 years, and that regional experience directly shapes the material decisions made on every Savannah project.
Fiberglass shells are inherently resistant to salt water and can be a reasonable choice in coastal environments, but the installation, the surrounding hardscape, and the equipment all face the same coastal exposure regardless of shell material.
Considering a custom pool in Savannah? Talk to the Aqua Blue team about which pool type is right for your property. Free design consultations available.
The Interior Finish Makes a Significant Difference
One factor that matters as much as the pool type itself is the interior finish. For gunite and concrete pools, the interior surface is applied after the shell is built and can be selected from several options, each with different aesthetics, durability characteristics, and price points.
Standard plaster is the most common and least expensive option. It looks clean when new but is the most porous of the interior finishes and tends to stain and etch more readily over time. In Savannah’s climate, where pools see significant use and organic material from surrounding trees and landscaping can enter the water, plaster surfaces require diligent maintenance.
Pebble and aggregate finishes are significantly more durable than plaster and produce a more visually compelling result in the water. Brands like Pebble Tec and Pebble Fina introduce small natural stones or glass beads into the cement mix, creating a surface texture that resists staining, holds its appearance over time, and gives the water a depth of color that plaster can’t achieve. This is the interior finish most commonly specified in luxury builds in Savannah.
Glass tile interiors are the premium option. A fully tiled pool interior produces a brilliantly reflective surface and eliminates the replastering cycle entirely, since glass tile doesn’t degrade the way cementitious finishes do. The upfront cost is substantially higher, but for homeowners building at the top end of the market, it’s a legitimate choice.
Gunite Pool Construction Process in Savannah
For homeowners evaluating pool companies in Savannah, GA, understanding the gunite construction sequence helps set accurate expectations for timeline and what to expect on-site.
- Design and permitting. The design is finalized in 3D, and permits are submitted to the City of Savannah or Chatham County (depending on location) along with any required environmental approvals for marsh-adjacent lots.
- Excavation. The pool footprint is laid out and the excavation is completed according to the engineered plans. Dewatering may be used for lots with high water tables.
- Steel and plumbing. A rebar framework is installed, and all plumbing lines for returns, main drains, water features, and equipment are roughed in.
- Gunite shell. The cement mixture is applied pneumatically over the steel framework, forming the permanent structure. This typically takes one to two days for the spray itself, followed by a curing period.
- Tile, coping, and finish. Waterline tile, coping stone, and interior finish are applied. Equipment pads, automation systems, and lighting are installed.
- Decking and hardscape. Surrounding deck, patio areas, and outdoor living features are completed.
- Fill and startup. The pool is filled and the water chemistry is balanced for safe, long-term use.
From permit approval to completion, a custom gunite pool in Savannah typically takes several months, depending on scope and permitting timelines.
What to Look for in a Savannah Pool Builder for Concrete or Gunite Construction
Not all pool contractors in Savannah, GA are experienced in gunite construction. When evaluating companies, look for:
- A portfolio of completed gunite or concrete pools in Savannah or comparable coastal markets
- In-house design capabilities with 3D rendering
- Demonstrated experience navigating Savannah and Chatham County permitting
- Clear answers about the interior finish options they offer and why they recommend what they do
- References from completed projects willing to speak to both construction quality and the client experience
Aqua Blue Pools builds exclusively in gunite and concrete. As members of the Master Pools Guild, we hold our construction standards to the highest benchmarks in the industry. Our team has built over 5,000 custom pools since 1991, and our Savannah projects reflect the same level of craftsmanship we’ve delivered across Charleston, Bluffton, Kiawah Island, and Hilton Head.
Start Your Savannah Pool Project
Whether you’re drawn to a gunite pool for its design flexibility, its durability, or its long-term value in a coastal market, working with an experienced builder makes the difference between a pool that exceeds your expectations and one that falls short. The material is only part of the equation. The team building it, the design process leading up to it, and the detail in the execution are what determine the final result.
Contact Aqua Blue Pools to schedule a free consultation for your Savannah pool project. Our design team will walk you through your options, assess your site, and put together a plan tailored to your property and your vision.