Houston Gunite Pools
Gunite is the construction method behind the majority of custom pools in the Houston area, because it is the one engineered to handle Gulf Coast clay soil without the cracking and settling issues a prefabricated shell or a shortcut pour runs into.
15+ years building pools in Texas
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What We Build
Gunite Pool Construction
Poured-in-place concrete (gunite/shotcrete) pools, custom-shaped and engineered for Texas clay soils, built to last decades.
Learn more →Fiberglass Pool Installation
Pre-manufactured fiberglass shells, installed in weeks rather than months, with a smooth gel-coat finish that resists algae.
Learn more →Patio & Outdoor Living Renovation
Decking, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, and full backyard renovations designed around an existing or new pool.
Learn more →Pool Repair & Resurfacing
Plaster and pebble resurfacing, equipment replacement, leak detection, and structural repair for existing pools.
Learn more →
How a Project Works
Every project runs through the same four phases, managed by one team from first walkthrough to final plaster: single-builder accountability, not a chain of subcontractors.
- 1
Site & Consultation
A walk of your property to evaluate soil, drainage, setbacks, and what you actually want to use the space for, before anything is designed.
- 2
Design & Planning
A plan built around your home, lot, and budget, not a catalog shape. This is also where financing options and a firm timeline get locked in.
- 3
Construction
Excavation, steel, gunite or shell-set, plumbing, and electrical, managed phase to phase by the same team that designed the project.
- 4
Final Details
Decking, plaster or finish, equipment start-up, water balance, and a walkthrough before your pool is ready to use.
Local Notes
This site is dedicated to a single build method: gunite (shotcrete) construction, rebar cage, sprayed and hand-finished concrete, engineered bond beams, and a design that can be shaped to anything the lot allows, from tanning ledges to negative edges to integrated spas.
What clients say:
“The whole process was smooth from the first walkthrough to the final plaster. One team the entire way, no passing us between subcontractors.”
— Jenny Wilson
“Communication was the best part. We always knew what phase we were in and what was next.”
— Michael R.
“They designed around our actual yard instead of pushing a cookie-cutter shape on us. Quality of the build has held up.”
— Sarah M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of pools do you build?
We build custom gunite (concrete) pools and fiberglass pools, plus patio and outdoor-living renovations and repair/resurfacing work on existing pools. Gunite is fully custom-shaped and engineered for Texas clay soils; fiberglass installs faster with a lower-maintenance gel-coat finish.
How long does it take to build a pool?
A gunite pool typically runs several months from permitting through final plaster because it is built in sequential phases (excavation, steel, gunite, plumbing/electrical, decking, finish, start-up). A fiberglass pool is faster since the shell arrives pre-manufactured and is set in one piece, cutting weeks off the construction phase.
Do you handle permits and HOA approval?
Yes. Permitting and, where applicable, HOA or architectural-review approval are handled as part of the design phase before construction starts, so the project is not held up mid-build waiting on paperwork.
Is financing available?
Yes, through Foundation Finance and Lyon Financial, both of which offer financing built for pool and backyard construction. Financing terms are discussed during the design and planning step.
What is the difference between gunite and shotcrete?
Gunite and shotcrete are both sprayed concrete methods used to build custom pool shells; "gunite" is the more common industry term in Texas and generally refers to a dry-mix process, while shotcrete is wet-mix. Both produce the same kind of fully custom, rebar-reinforced concrete shell, and the terms are often used interchangeably by builders.
Why is gunite preferred over vinyl or fiberglass for Houston soil?
Houston-area clay soil expands and contracts significantly with moisture. A gunite shell, properly engineered with rebar density and bond-beam detailing for local soil, is built to flex with that movement; a vinyl liner or an improperly set shell is more prone to shifting, cracking, or leaking over time.
How long does gunite take to cure before plaster goes on?
Gunite typically needs roughly 28 days to reach full cure strength, though plaster or pebble finishing is often applied sooner, with the shell continuing to cure underneath. The exact schedule is set during construction planning based on weather and mix design.
Can a gunite pool be any shape?
Yes, that is the main advantage of gunite over a prefabricated shell: the rebar cage and sprayed concrete are formed to your design, so freeform shapes, custom depths, tanning ledges, and integrated spas or water features are all possible in a way a fixed-mold fiberglass shell cannot match.