For some choosing, watercolor can be an agonizing decision. You’ve probably made a hundred decisions already when it comes to the construction of your swimming pool. The pool finish, however, is probably one of the most important choices you will make for your swimming pool. Not only for the aesthetics but also the pool will need to stand up to a harsh underwater environment. There are so many influences on watercolor that we can only give you an idea or “in most cases” type of an answer to the watercolor you will get from a pool finish. The most common variables that influence pool water color are size, depth, the pool’s surroundings, sunlight, pool water chemistry, and any preconceived ideas.  For an in-depth look at these variables, you can watch the variables that influence pool water color. 

Did you know that water is actually clear? Multiple wavelengths of light, some being absorbed and some reflecting off of the water create the color we see. Simply walking from one side of the pool to another can change the water color due to a difference in the angle that which the light is hitting the water. Light wavelengths are processed through photoreceptors in our eyes that then produce electrical signals in the brain. Fifty percent of women have an additional photoreceptor that gives them a heightened color sense and the ability to see rare subtleties of color. Watercolor is unique to each individual and how the brain processes color. So one person’s blue may be another person’s teal.

Size and Depth

Most large-sized pools are deep so these two variables are usually combined. The deeper the pool the more reflection the richer the watercolor will be. You can see this phenomenon as you look out into the ocean. The shallow water is light and almost clear, but off in the distance, the water appears to be much darker.

Water is clear so the deeper the water the more refraction. If you have a shallow pool and want a deep watercolor you may want to choose a darker pool finish. Keep in mind that trying to achieve a rich deep watercolor may not be possible in a small play pool.

Surrounding Materials

The hardscape and amount of foliage around the pool affect the watercolor. Red and gold-toned hardscape materials near the pool, green shrubbery and lawns can change a normally blue hue to more of an aquamarine. The two pools shown below are the same product color. The normal hue this product color gives is a Blue Gray tone. However, with the immense amount of grass surrounding the other pool casts a decidedly green hue to the water.

This second set of pictures used to illustrate how the surroundings can affect watercolor is pretty dramatic. The pool on the left is a large and deep pool and is surrounded by mostly white decking. The pool on the right is a much smaller shallow pool surrounded by a gold deck and red brick home and a tremendous amount of green trees. The watercolor is a decidedly aquamarine hue.

Sunlight

Pool watercolor will change throughout the day depending on the amount of sunlight unless of course the pool is entirely shaded throughout the day. Full sun on the pool reflects more and shows off the pool watercolor. Cloudy days, early mornings and evenings or times when the pool is shaded by trees or structures the pool water will appear more clear.

Water Chemistry

This variable is not brought to the attention of a new “to be” pool owner often enough. A picture taken or a pool viewed could possibly have not been balanced correctly. This could absolutely distort the typical hue of a pool finish. A normally blue-hued pool could appear green. Some pools may be on well water with a high content of metals and will cast a green hue. If your pool watercolor suddenly turns a different hue you may want to check your pool water and see if it is in balance. Pools on well water or in areas with high metal content in the water may always cast a shade, unlike the typical hue.

Preconceived Ideas

This variable encompasses all of the variables that have been discussed so far. When you look at a picture of a pool in a magazine or even see a pool in person please keep in mind the differences in your pool’s size, depth, and surroundings. If you are viewing a large deep pool and your pool is a small play pool be aware that your pool watercolor will not be as rich of a tone. Your pool may not receive much sunlight and the pool you are viewing is in full sun. If you are still in the layout phase you may want to situate your pool in a different place in your yard. Take a good look at your hardscape material colors and ask what role they could play in determining the pool’s watercolor. 

Multimedia Disclaimers

We do our best to give you the best representative images in our brochure. Cameras, filters, brochure papers are all different and therefore may capture a slightly different hue. Please keep in mind that computer monitors will vary too when viewing pool photos online.

I hope that this has helped you narrow down all the choices you have available when choosing your pool finish. Our brochure and website will give you a good idea of watercolor in normal conditions but know that every pool is unique. Remember the influences of size, depth, sunlight, surrounding materials, and water chemistry all have a factor in determining watercolor.

#Swimming Pool Finishes #Pool Finishes, #Pool Plaster#Quartz Pool Finishes #Pool Pebble Finishes #Pebble Finishes #Wet Edge Technologies #Popular Pool Finishes #Luna Quartz #Altima #Prism Matrix #Signature Matrix #Primera Stone #Serenity Stone #Beautiful Pool Water Color