Gunite Day: How a Concrete Pool Takes Shape (and Why It’s So Exciting to Watch)

If you’ve ever seen a gunite pool being built, you know one thing for sure: Gunite Day is a show. It’s loud, fast, messy, and incredibly impressive. It’s also one of the most exciting milestones in the entire pool-building process because it’s the moment a pool goes from a rough dirt outline to a real, three-dimensional structure.

Whether you’re planning a pool or simply curious about how they’re constructed, understanding the Gunite phase will give you a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind a concrete pool.

What Gunite Actually Is

Gunite is a specialized blend of:

• Sand

• Cement

• Water

It’s sprayed at extremely high pressure onto the steel-reinforced shell of a pool. This method allows builders to sculpt the pool into its final form.

Here’s why Gunite is so important:

• It creates the pool’s permanent structure

• It shapes steps, benches, tanning ledges, and custom features

• It forms an incredibly strong shell that lasts for decades

• It’s flexible enough to accommodate almost any design

This durability and customization are a big reason why concrete (gunite/shotcrete) pools are considered the premium standard in the industry.

What Gunite Day Looks Like

Gunite Day is one of the most visually dramatic phases of pool construction. A full crew works together with specialized equipment to build the pool shell in real time.

Here’s what typically happens:

1. High-Pressure Application

The Gunite hose blasts concrete onto the steel structure at high velocity—similar to watching a firehose spray cement. It’s intense, but the process creates a dense, high-strength shell.

2. Carving and Shaping

Once applied, skilled craftsmen shape and sculpt the wet concrete by hand. This is where the pool’s personality is defined:

• Steps

• Benches

• Ledges

• Spa spillways

• Curves and contours

It’s a combination of construction and artistry.

3. Rapid Transformation

Gunite is one of the fastest “visual change” days in the entire build. Within hours, the pool goes from a dirt basin to a true concrete structure.

This is often the moment when homeowners first say,

“Now I can really see it!”

What Happens After Gunite

Once the pool shell is complete, the next steps include:

• Curing

Gunite needs time to harden and cure. Depending on humidity and temperature, builders may recommend lightly misting the shell for several days to help it cure evenly.

• Site Checks

Crews return periodically to make sure the shell cures correctly and is ready for the following stages.

• Preparing for the Next Phases

After curing, construction typically moves on to:

• Backfilling around the shell

• Installing Tile & Coping

• Preparing for decking

• Equipment installation

• Interior finish

Gunite is the foundation for all of these upcoming steps.

Why Gunite Day Is Such an Important Milestone

Before Gunite, the pool is only an outline in the ground. After Gunite, it becomes a real structure—solid, permanent, and recognizable. This phase unlocks the visual momentum of the entire project.

Gunite is the bridge between concept and creation, marking the point where design becomes reality.