If you are in the market for a pebble pool finish, look no further than any of the finishes in StoneScapes’ Mini Pebble series.
Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing, but they are durable and feel good to the touch. StoneScapes offer some of the smoothest surfaces for in-ground pools.
Do you frequently host pool parties? Do you want to wow your guests and be the object of envy for all the other pool owners? Sure, that’s not a bad goal.
But don’t you want a pool that makes you happy every time you see it and swim in it? Nobody else is going to scour the market for the perfect pool finish as much as you will.
And to that end, it can be difficult to choose between the myriad of color options that StoneScapes offers. It’s not enough that a pool finish is vaguely some kind of blue; it must be the perfect shade of blue.
Two very popular shades of blue offered in the StoneScapes Mini Pebble series are Tropics Blue and Midnight Blue. Both are striking and similar, yet have some stark differences as well. You’ve narrowed your choices down to these two but can’t decide on one, so what can serve as a tiebreaker?
In this article, we will go over the various pros and cons of both of these colors to see if it can help you decide which one is most suitable for your pool.
The criteria
Water appearance
View this post on Instagram
For more pictures of the Tropics Blue finish, click here.
Seeing as how both the Tropics Blue and Midnight Blue are different shades of blue, you might think that the appearance of the water would be too similar to notice, but you’d be wrong. To the discerning eye, there is a noticeable difference.
The Midnight Blue finish looks less like a solid dark blue as the name might imply and more like a dark blue/green hue. The appearance of the water can change depending on time of day, viewing angle and the nearby surroundings. Generally speaking, you can expect the Midnight Blue to have a richer color than Tropics Blue.
Tropics Blue, in contrast, has a lighter blue color that will remind you of the waters in a tropical shore. This difference in light blue vs dark blue will likely be a major deciding factor between these two colors.
For those who prefer a much darker color, it can make the pool look deeper because it will be harder to see the bottom of the pool. At night, a darker pool can look like a bottomless ocean.
View this post on Instagram
For more pictures of the Midnight Blue finish, click here.
Many prefer a lighter color because it looks more inviting and is much easier to see the bottom which can be a legitimate safety benefit. Essentially, if you prefer your pool water to look darker, stick with Midnight Blue. If you prefer a lighter blue, then go with Tropics Blue.
Aesthetics
Next, we will talk about the aesthetics of the pool finishes. Based on popularity, I think Midnight Blue has the edge here, but Tropics Blue is not far behind.
Both shades are stunners. The Tropics Blue is made with a blnd of white, gold, and pure quartz aggregate mixed with dark blue pigmented white Portland cement. It also includes abalone shells and colored quartz highlights to create its unique look.
Given the name, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that Tropics Blue is reminiscent of the tropics. If you want to have a reminder of your trip to the Carribean beach each time you go to your backyard pool, then this is a good option.
The Midnight Blue finish is made of white, gold, and black quartz pebble aggregates. It also contains colored quartz highlights mixed with midnight blue-tinted white Portland cement.
These combine together to make an ethereal, breath-taking aesthetic that almost makes it seem like you’re swimming in deep waters.
Texture
Both the Midnight Blue and Tropics Blue finishes are part of the StoneScapes Mini Pebble series. That means that the finishes have a smoother feel to them, but there are still some slight differences.
The Tropics Blue finish may feel smoother because it features crushed abalone shells which was primarily used to achieve a lighter color, but also contributed to a slightly smoother feel.
Homeowners who have StoneScapes finishes installed find that they are generally comfortable to the touch, but may be hard on the feet after a prolonged swimming session because they are made of stone.
Cost
Pebble pool finishes are going to be significantly more expensive than plaster finishes, so you can expect either of these finishes to cost you a pretty penny. It also depends on the size of your pool as well as the cost of labor.
It would not be surprising if you had to pay anywhere in the range of $3,000 to $6,000, perhaps even more if you have a large pool. They can charge as much as $10 per square foot.
At least take comfort in the fact that you’re paying for quality. Maybe the finished product will take the sting off your wallet a bit.
Maintenance
Being pebble finishes, both the Midnight Blue and Tropics Blue finish are incredibly durable. StoneScapes boasts that their pebble finishes can last 15-25 years, so let’s just call it 20 years.
Not only that, but they are incredibly durable and require minimal upkeep. All that is required of you is to brush the pool at least once weekly.
Since these finishes are primarily made with natural materials, you can expect them to last much longer than most other finishes.
The verdict
Both the Tropics Blue and Midnight Blue are two very popular choices offered in StoneScapes’ Mini Pebble series. Since they come from the same line of offerings in the same company, it should not be surprising they have similar durability, cost, and feel.
The biggest differences are in their appearance, both the water aesthetics and the finish itself. At the end of the day, I think it comes down to your preference of a darker blue or lighter blue aesthetic.
The darker your pool is, the harder it is to see the bottom, and the deeper and more ominous it will appear. This can make it seem uninviting and intimidating to swim in. That said, I know some people love the depths of the ocean and love the peaceful tranquility it gives them to be deep underwater.
The Tropics Blue finish looks lighter and more inviting, as if you are at the shores of a tropical beach. It is certainly a better option if you are faint of heart and not a fan of the depths.