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Thunderbird Pools & Spas is a family-owned and operated pool designer and builder in Phoenix, Arizona. For over 20 years, we have used our experience and expertise to construct all kinds of in-ground pools, from simple, straightforward designs perfect for cooling off in the Arizona heat, to the most elaborate, luxurious backyard oases. We provide a variety of design features and options to create an outdoor space where your family can relax, connect, and make memories that last a lifetime.
Your pool’s design ultimately comes down to three choices: construction material, surface finish, and shape.
Due to our focus on customization, we specialize in concrete pool construction, specifically shotcrete.
Concrete is a combination of cement, water, and aggregates, which are granular materials used to add strength to the concrete, like sand, gravel, or crushed stone. Concrete is generally the best choice when it comes to custom pool construction because it allows for virtually any pool shape with superior strength and durability.
When it comes to concrete pools, you may have also heard the terms “gunite" and “shotcrete.” While they sound like different materials, they are actually simply different processes for applying concrete.
Both are pneumatically applied, i.e., sprayed:
- Shotcrete is a wet mix of concrete, meaning it is pre-mixed with water and that mixture is then sprayed.
- Gunite is a dry mix of concrete where water is added at the nozzle when sprayed.
Both of these are sprayed on top of a skeleton made of rebar and mesh to form the foundation of a pool. While these are different processes, they yield very similar results.
The quality of the results will come down to the expertise and skill of the nozzleman and your pool’s construction team. Thunderbird prides itself on decades of custom shotcrete pool construction experience.
As a custom pool designer, Thunderbird Pools specializes in high-end, durable pools of various shapes and sizes. For that reason, we focus on concrete pools, especially when you want a pool that can last in the Phoenix sun and heat. However, it is important to be aware of all available options to ensure you find the best pool for you.
Fiberglass pools are premanufactured shells delivered to your home. The shell is then lowered into a hole excavated in the ground where your pool contractor can install the plumbing, electrical, and decking. This cuts down on cost and time when it comes to installation of a new pool. However, because of this, you are at the mercy of the designs the manufacturer offers and are limited in shape, size, and features.
Vinyl liner pools consist of a custom‑made sheet of heavy vinyl stretched over a structural frame, generally made of steel, polymer, or concrete. These kinds of pools are generally the most budget-friendly options but require the most maintenance and repair in the long run, especially in locations with intense heat and sun like Arizona.
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Through years of experience, Thunderbird has worked with a variety of pool finishes, and this expertise has led to us becoming a PebbleTec® Elite Builder. We prefer to use PebbleTec® not only for their large variety of colors and styles, but because they are widely regarded as the world’s most trusted pool finishes, equally known for their durability as much as their beauty.
Aggregate finishes for concrete pool surfaces fall into a few different categories, each with their own slight differences in terms of texture, appearance, and durability.
Exposed pebble aggregate is a premium pool finish where several small pebbles are embedded in a cement-like binding material. This mixture is applied to the surface of the pool, where it is then washed or ground to reveal the stones, producing a sparkling, textured appearance and slip-resistant surface. It’s highly durable and more stain‑resistant than plain plaster, perfect for hard‑water or sunny climates like Arizona’s.
A quartz pool finish is similar to a pebble finish in that they both consist of stones mixed into a cement-like substance that is then troweled onto the pool’s concrete shell. However, the quartz is ground into a fine powder, resulting in a smoother feel than an exposed pebble finish. It resists staining and UV fading better than plain plaster, and typically lasts longer before needing resurfacing.
While Thunderbird Pools does not offer traditional quartz finishes, we have a variety of options that mimic the look and feel of quartz:
- PebbleSheen® is the most popular of PebbleTec’s offerings as it strikes the perfect balance between a soft feel and a textured, non-slip surface.
- PebbleEssence® offers an even softer feel than PebbleSheen® with an added sparkle due to their Shimmering Sea blend.
A glass bead finish is one of the most luxurious options when it comes to pool surfacing. By using tiny glass beads as an aggregate, this pool finish catches light better than pebbles or quartz, creating a shimmering, reflective effect in your pool.
Like with quartz, we do not offer a traditional, sole glass bead finish. However, like the Shimmering Sea blend, we also offer PebbleTec’s Luminous™ Iridescent Glass Blend. These finishes augment the finishes with an additional glistening effect. Learn more about these enhancements here.
A tile finish is the apex of luxury for a custom concrete pool. While it is the most expensive option, you get maximum value in terms of decades of durability, stain-resistance, algae-resistance, and a timeless, premium appearance.We proudly use National Pool Tile (also known as NPT) and Noble Pool Supply as our pool tile suppliers.
While we do not recommend a plain plaster finish for your custom pool due to its low durability and high-maintenance needs, it is worth exploring if you are looking to stay within a certain budget or prefer to spend your budget on other aspects of your pool that could create your dream backyard, such as water or fire features.
As a custom pool designer, Thunderbird Pools specializes in high-end, durable pools of various shapes and sizes. For that reason, we focus on concrete pools, especially when you want a pool that can last in the Phoenix sun and heat. However, it is important to be aware of all available options to ensure you find the best pool for you.
Through years of experience, Thunderbird has worked with a variety of pool finishes, and this expertise has led to us becoming a PebbleTec® Elite Builder. We prefer to use PebbleTec® not only for their large variety of colors and styles, but because they are widely regarded as the world’s most trusted pool finishes, equally known for their durability as much as their beauty.
Vinyl liner pools consist of a custom‑made sheet of heavy vinyl stretched over a structural frame, generally made of steel, polymer, or concrete. These kinds of pools are generally the most budget-friendly options but require the most maintenance and repair in the long run, especially in locations with intense heat and sun like Arizona.
Explore the stunning results delivered by one of the leading pool builders in Arizona, trusted for custom swimming pool construction in Phoenix, AZ, luxury designs, custom spas, and flexible pool financing options across the Valley.
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