What Is the Difference Between Replastering and Resurfacing a Pool?

There’s nothing quite like having a pool in your own backyard. A quick cool-off on a hot day, or somewhere for friends to gather on the weekend, is a luxury not everyone gets to enjoy. The thing is, most owners stop once the pool is built. They don’t worry about how it was made, what it’s surfaced with, or how to keep it in good nick, and tend to leave all that to the professionals.

We’re proud of the expertise we’ve built at Fibrestyle Pool Resurfacing, and we get that most people simply don’t have time to learn the ins and outs. So we’re happy to share what we know about getting more years out of your pool. Understanding the difference between these two options, and what each one costs, goes a long way towards protecting that investment, especially when it comes to swimming pool resurfacing.

Read on and we’ll walk you through the difference between replastering and resurfacing, so you can work out which one your pool actually needs.

What Is Replastering?

Replastering means repairing or replacing the interior plaster of a swimming pool. You’ll usually need it when the original plaster has aged, worn or cracked, often from years of exposure to pool chemicals.

How Does Replastering Work?

1. Draining the pool. First, the pool is drained so we can get to the interior surface.
2. Preparing the surface. The damaged plaster is chipped back or sanded down to leave a clean, slightly rough surface that the new layer can grip.
3. Applying the new plaster. The whole interior is coated with a fresh layer of plaster, which is mostly a mix of cement, sand and water.
4. Curing. The new plaster needs to cure properly, which usually takes a few days as it hardens and sets.

When Should You Replaster?

If your current plaster is badly worn, stained or cracked, replastering is well worth doing. Old, failing plaster turns rough and patchy, which looks tired and can feel uncomfortable underfoot when you’re swimming.

What Is Pool Resurfacing?

Where replastering simply renews the plaster, resurfacing lets you swap it out for a more modern material altogether, like fibreglass, tiles or an aggregate finish, depending on the look you’re after and your budget.

Steps Involved in Resurfacing a Pool

5. Assessment and preparation. As with replastering, we drain the pool and check the existing surface for damage.
6. Surface removal. We remove or repair the old layers, whether that’s plaster, fibreglass or another material.
7. New surface application. A new interior layer goes on, based on the material you’ve chosen, such as plaster, a fibreglass coating or a pebblecrete finish.
8. Polishing and sealing. The new surface is polished or sealed to boost both its durability and its finish.

See how we handle pool resurfacing here.

Replastering and Resurfacing: Key Differences

Here’s how the two stack up side by side across the factors that matter most.

Benefits of Swimming Pool Resurfacing

There’s plenty to gain from swimming pool resurfacing. A few of the big ones:

1. Better Durability

Resurfacing can effectively double the life of your pool by swapping tired, worn materials for newer, tougher ones. Fibreglass is a great example, since it holds up far better against cracks and stains.

2. A Fresh New Look

Resurfacing materials come in a huge range of colours and styles, so you can pick a finish that suits your taste, anything from a striking mosaic to a smooth pebblecrete texture.

3. Less Upkeep

Modern materials like fibreglass need very little maintenance and are far less prone to leaks and wear. Because fibreglass is non-porous, algae struggles to take hold, and it’s much easier to clean.

Popular Swimming Pool Resurfacing Materials

The right material for your swimming pool resurfacing really depends on what matters most to you, whether that’s cost, durability or the finished look. Here’s how the main options compare:

1. Plaster

• The old standby, and the easiest on the budget.
• You’ll need to redo it every 7 to 10 years or so.

2. Fibreglass

• Tough stuff, and very hard to crack.
• Its smooth, non-porous surface means there’s barely any upkeep.

3. Pebblecrete (Pebble Finish)

• A natural, textured finish with a bit of character.
• Strong and built to last, though you’ll pay a little more than you would for plaster.

4. Tiles

• Seriously hard-wearing, and you can have them in just about any design or colour you like.
• One of the dearer choices, but nothing else quite matches the finish.

For other options, take a look at our full guide on resurfacing a pool.

When Should You Choose Pool Resurfacing?

A few things tend to point towards resurfacing rather than a quick fix:

• The whole interior needs an update, not just a patch-up.
• You want a tougher, better-looking pool.
• You’d rather go with a modern material like fibreglass or pebblecrete for the long haul.
• The pool is clearly past its best, with visible cracks or chips, discolouration, rough patches or leaks.

If any of that sounds like your pool, swimming pool resurfacing is probably the answer.

Learn more about our swimming pool resurfacing services.

Cost Considerations

What you’ll pay comes down to a few things: the size of your pool, the materials, and how involved the job is. Replastering is the cheaper option up front, with most of the cost going to labour and the plaster itself. Swimming pool resurfacing varies more, since the price follows whichever material you choose. It does cost more to begin with, but it tends to pay for itself over time, because a tougher surface lasts longer and needs far less upkeep.

So, Which Option Is Best for You?

It really depends on your pool’s condition, your budget, and what you want it to look like. If the job is simply patching up worn or leaky plaster, replastering will likely do the trick. But if you’re after a proper upgrade, something that improves how the pool looks and performs, swimming pool resurfacing is the better long-term investment.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully that clears up the difference between these two and makes the decision a little easier. Either way, taking the time to look into it means you’re already looking after your pool the right way.

Once you’ve made up your mind, get in touch. The Fibrestyle team works across every type of pool, and we’ll help you settle on the materials that suit your budget and the look you’re going for.

Ready to bring your pool back to life? Head to our swimming pool resurfacing page to get started.