ESSeptember 29, 2026
Plaster, Waterline Tile, or Pool Deck Tile: How to Choose Your Pool's Finish
Homeowners often lump these three together as "the finish," but plaster, waterline tile and deck material are three separate decisions — each with its own job to do and its own price range. Here's how to think about each.
Plaster: the pool's interior surface
Plaster is the smooth surface lining the inside of the pool shell — it's what's actually in contact with the water, and it's the most common finish because it's durable and the most affordable option. On new plaster work, we put the manufacturer's warranty terms in writing, so it's not a vague promise about how long it should last. Coverage depends on the scope and materials of the job, so specific conditions apply.
Pricing varies by project, but as a reference point: for a 12x24ft pool (plaster only), an SGM Diamond Brite Blue Quartz finish starts around $6,000, while an SGM Natural Pebble Pool Finish River Rok finish runs up to around $9,000. These figures are for reference only — actual pricing depends on your pool's specific size and condition, and on whether it's a remodel or new construction.
Waterline tile: the trim at the water's edge
Waterline tile is the decorative band that runs around the pool right at the water line. It's not just decoration — that strip of tile protects the plaster edge from the buildup of suntan oils, body oils and debris that naturally collects right where the water sits, which is the area most prone to staining over time.
Waterline tile comes in a wide range of styles — glass, porcelain, natural stone — which makes it one of the easiest ways to personalize a pool's look without changing the whole surface. As a general reference, waterline tile typically runs $50–70 per linear foot including labor and material for standard glass or ceramic finishes — the exact price depends on whether it's a straightforward new installation or requires demoing existing tile first.
Pool deck material: what you actually walk on
The deck is the surface surrounding the pool, and it plays a different role entirely — how hot it gets underfoot in Florida sun, how slip-resistant it is wet, and how well it matches the style of your home. Most of our builds across Broward County and Miami-Dade use travertine decking, which stays noticeably cooler underfoot than concrete or many pavers, alongside paver options for homeowners who want a different look or budget.
Deck pricing varies more than the other two finishes, since several factors combine at once: whether it's installed over a sand or concrete base (which also affects the warranty), the material itself — anything from plain cement to large-format marble or travertine — and the slab size and installation technique. Rather than a single per-square-foot number, we walk through how those factors apply to your specific deck once we've seen the site.
How to actually decide
If you're building new, all three get selected together as part of your design — and we walk through real samples with you before anything is ordered. If you're remodeling, the decision usually comes down to what's actually failing: cracked or stained plaster calls for resurfacing, dated or damaged waterline tile calls for retiling, and a deck that's cracked, sun-faded or simply outdated calls for re-decking. Sometimes it's genuinely one of the three; sometimes an honest inspection shows it's closer to all three at once.
We inspect in person and tell you plainly which one applies to your pool — not the scope that happens to be the most profitable to sell.
About Ivero Pools: a family-owned pool construction and remodeling company serving Miami-Dade and Broward County since 2015, holding its own Florida state licenses, residential (CPC1459549) and commercial (CPC1461349). Request a free consultation →