The three finishes, side by side
| Finish | Typical lifespan | Cost tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcite / Plaster | 7–10 years | Lowest up-front | Budget-conscious associations, shorter-term ownership horizon |
| Diamond Brite | Up to 10 years (residential) / 5 years (commercial) manufacturer warranty tiers | Mid-range | High-traffic HOA, hotel & commercial pools wanting durability and color options |
| Pebble Finish | Longest of the three | Premium | Properties prioritizing longevity and a natural, textured look over up-front cost |
Marcite / plaster
The traditional smooth white (or tinted) cement finish. Lowest up-front cost of the three, but the shortest typical lifespan — usually resurfaced every 7–10 years. Reasonable choice if you're optimizing for initial cost over long-term interval between jobs.
Diamond Brite
A quartz-aggregate finish blended with fortified white Portland cement, manufactured by SGM, Inc. right in Pompano Beach — more durable and more colorful than plaster, available in 40+ colors, with manufacturer warranty tiers up to 10 years residential / 5 years commercial. This is what we lead with for most commercial and HOA jobs: it holds up well to higher bather loads, and being made locally means faster warranty support if there's ever an issue.
Pebble finish
A premium exposed-pebble aggregate finish with a natural, textured look and the longest typical lifespan of the three. Higher up-front cost, but for a property planning to hold the finish for the long haul, the cost-per-year over its lifespan can be competitive with cheaper options that need replacing sooner.
How to actually decide
For most HOAs and commercial properties balancing bather load, budget, and how long they want between resurfacing projects, Diamond Brite is the practical middle ground — which is why it's our default recommendation. A property with a longer planning horizon and budget for the premium tier should look seriously at pebble. Plaster still makes sense if minimizing up-front cost is the priority and you're comfortable resurfacing again sooner.