A SMALL INGREDIENT THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

Tiny balls of colour-coated quartz are the key ingredients of South Africa's newest pool surfacing product.

Quartsite, launched three years ago, is based on technology developed in America and Australia. In essence, it is a quality, exposed aggregate pool surfacing plaster, which uses quartz to create a beautifully smooth, colourful pool interior finish. Tiny, round pieces of quartz, no bigger than the dot made by a ballpoint pen, are coated with different coloured, chemical and ultra violet light-resistant resins in the factory. These are then blended with premium cement and special additives to create a pre-mixed product, ready for the pool builder to use. 

"Quartz-based products are used extensively in both Australia and America", says a spokesman for Quartsite. After years of research, we have adapted what is available in those countries to suit South Africa conditions. The result is a material of unequalled strength and colour tones, which is comfortable on the feet and easy to maintain. 

He explained that Quartsite is trowelled on in the usual way, but acid-washed after 24 hours to remove the cement face and expose the grains of coloured quartz. 

"Even though it is a cementitious plaster product, you are left with a stone, rather than a cementitious, finish”, he said. The advantage of this is that water management is simplified because the surface is much tougher and more durable. You can also use an automatic pool cleaner within a week of filling the pool; whereas you need to wait four to six weeks when the pool is plastered in the traditional manner. 

The Moh’s Mineral Hardness Scale compares the hardness of natural minerals, illustrating just how tough quartz is. 

When soft marble (3.0) is replaced by hard quartz (7.0) which is literally harder than steel (5.5), the resulting mix is much more durable than conventional plaster, which is approximately a 4.0. 

Quartsite offers unbeatable performance to pool finishes by combining the strength of quartz with their proprietary colouring process.

Quartsite colours are varied and include a selection of blues and greens, as well as black and white (ivory), browns and even red. Colours may also be blended to create tonal or marbled effects.

Click on any of the images below to enlarge.

All fired up

A stunning and unusual flushdeck pool plastered with firewater (red) quartsite.

Chocolate box

Chocolate Brown Quartsite creates an unusual effect in this striking swimming pool. The raised deck alongside the pool is the perfect pace for sunbathing, relaxing or even entertaining; it can also be used by those wishing to dangle their legs in the water.

Singing the blues

The rich, deep colour of Mid Blue Quartsite is guaranteed to give any pool an instant Mediteranean feel. The flushdeck design, with the water level at the same height as the Quartsite surround, is mirrored by straight, clean lines around flower beds.