A gunite swimming pool is a custom in-ground pool built on-site using a sprayed mixture of cement and sand over a steel rebar frame. Because the shell is shaped by hand, gunite pools can be built in any size, depth, or shape — freeform, geometric, vanishing edge, beach entry, or built around an existing feature. Gunite is the highest-quality, longest-lasting, most resale-friendly pool material on the market, and it’s what Southern Poolscapes specializes in. We’ve been designing and building custom gunite pools across the Alabama Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle since 2015 (AL #50835 / FL #CPC1458821).

Why Gunite Is the Right Choice

For nearly every Gulf Coast homeowner we work with, gunite is the right call. Here’s why:

• Unlimited shape and depth. Not constrained by factory molds. Build any shape, any size, any depth — from a tight courtyard plunge pool to a 60-foot resort-style build with a vanishing edge.
• 50+ year shell lifespan. A properly built gunite shell can last the life of your home. The plaster or pebble finish is refreshed every 10–15 years — the shell underneath rarely needs to be replaced.
• Resort-style features. Vanishing edges, beach entries, swim-up bars, integrated spas, raised walls, sheer descents, grottos, sun shelves — anything you can sketch, gunite can deliver. Fiberglass cannot.
• Highest resale value. A custom gunite pool delivers the biggest home-value uplift of any pool type, especially on the Gulf Coast where outdoor living is a primary buyer consideration.
• Premium finishes. Pebble, quartz, plaster, or polished aggregate — each with different color, texture, and longevity profiles. Color options far exceed fiberglass gel-coat selections.
• Built to your lot. Sloped backyard? Bayfront? Wraparound shape? Tight access? Gunite is built to fit your property exactly. Fiberglass requires a hole sized to a factory shell.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Gunite Pool?

From signed contract to swimmable water, a typical custom gunite pool takes 12–18 weeks. The breakdown:

• Design + 3D rendering: 1–2 weeks
• Permitting: 2–5 weeks (varies by county — Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Bay, Leon)
• Excavation + steel + plumbing: 1–2 weeks
• Gunite shoot + cure: 1 week shoot, 4 weeks cure
• Tile + coping + decking: 2–3 weeks
• Plaster, fill, startup: 1 week

Gunite takes longer than fiberglass to build, but the trade-off is a one-of-one pool that lasts twice as long.

Gunite vs. Fiberglass — Where Gunite Wins

Fiberglass installs faster and has lower chemical overhead, but those are the only categories where it wins. For homeowners building their primary residence, planning to stay long-term, or expecting to sell the home down the line, gunite is the better investment by every meaningful measure. Read more about fiberglass to see exactly when it makes sense.

Why Choose Southern Poolscapes for Your Gunite Pool

Southern Poolscapes has been building custom gunite pools across the Alabama Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle since 2015. We’re a fully licensed pool contractor in both states (AL #50835, FL #CPC1458821) with offices in Fairhope, Pensacola, and Tallahassee. We don’t subcontract the critical work — our crew handles the steel, shoot, and finish in-house — and every project starts with a free 3D pool design rendering so you can see exactly what you’re getting before construction begins.

Frequently Asked Questions — Gunite Pools

What is a gunite pool, exactly?
A gunite pool is a custom in-ground pool with a shell built from a sprayed mixture of cement and sand applied over a steel rebar frame. Once cured, the shell is finished with plaster, pebble, or quartz aggregate. Because the shape is built by hand, there are no factory mold limitations — you get a one-of-one pool.

Why does Southern Poolscapes recommend gunite over fiberglass?
For nearly every primary-residence and resale-bound build, gunite is the better long-term investment. The shell lasts 50+ years (versus 25–30 for fiberglass), the design is unlimited (versus factory shapes only), the depth is unlimited (versus ~8 feet for fiberglass), the resale-value uplift is the highest of any pool type, and we can build to any lot. Fiberglass installs faster and has lower chemical overhead, but those are the only categories where it wins.

Is gunite the same as shotcrete?
They’re closely related. Both are sprayed concrete materials. Technically, gunite is a dry-mix process and shotcrete is a wet-mix process. Most modern Gulf Coast pool builders, including Southern Poolscapes, use shotcrete, but the term “gunite pool” is the industry-standard name for any sprayed-concrete pool.

How long does it take to build a gunite pool?
Most projects take 12–18 weeks from contract to swimmable water. Permitting in your specific county adds 2–5 weeks; the gunite shell needs about 4 weeks to fully cure before plaster. Fiberglass is faster (5–9 weeks) but builds a less durable, less customizable pool.

How long does a gunite pool last?
The gunite shell can last 50+ years with proper maintenance. The plaster or pebble finish is replaced every 10–15 years on average. Most homeowners never replace the shell itself — it outlasts the kitchens and roofs around it.

Can you build a gunite pool with a high water table?
Yes. The Gulf Coast water table is a real engineering consideration, especially in low-lying parts of Mobile, Baldwin, and Escambia counties. We engineer hydrostatic relief valves and a properly compacted base into every build to handle it. Gunite handles water-table conditions better than fiberglass because the shell is monolithic and bonded to the ground.

What’s the best gunite pool finish: plaster, pebble, or quartz?
Plaster is the most affordable, looks classic, and typically lasts 7–10 years before resurfacing. Pebble (e.g. PebbleTec) is the most popular Gulf Coast finish — it’s durable, textured, available in dozens of colors, and lasts 15–20 years. Quartz aggregate falls between the two on both durability and aesthetic. All three offer far more color and texture options than fiberglass’s gel-coat selections.

Do gunite pools work with saltwater systems?
Yes. We routinely install gunite pools with salt chlorinator systems. Salt is gentler on swimmers and reduces manual chemistry, but you need corrosion-resistant equipment and coping/decking materials — something we engineer into every saltwater build.

Do you handle pool permits?
Yes. We handle all permitting in-house with the appropriate authority for your city or county — City of Mobile, Mobile County, Baldwin County, City of Pensacola, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Walton County, Okaloosa County, Bay County, and Leon County.

Do you offer financing for gunite pools?
Yes. We partner with the leading pool-specific lenders — Lyon Financial, HFS Financial, and Viking Capital — offering competitive rates and long terms for qualified buyers. See financing options.

Get Started With a Free 3D Pool Design

Ready to see your custom gunite pool before construction begins? Schedule a free 3D pool design consultation or call Alabama at (251) 929-8990 / Florida at (850) 530-4085. We’ll come to your property, measure the site, and have a 3D rendering of your finished pool in front of you within a few days — no obligation.