Project OverviewThis commercial pool renovation in Duluth, GA went well beyond cosmetics — it addressed a structurally compromised plaster situation head-on before delivering a complete, top-to-bottom upgrade. The scope included removal of two layers of delaminated and failed plaster, a new Quartz Blue pool finish, stunning new 1×2 glass tile with white grout, new LED pool lights, new variable-speed pumps, and a full conversion to salt water — producing a pool that is structurally sound, visually striking, and built for efficient, low-maintenance commercial operation.
Not every pool renovation begins at the surface. Sometimes the most important work happens before any new materials go in — and that was exactly the case with this commercial pool in Duluth, Georgia.
When Allen Pool Service was called in to assess this facility, it became clear that the pool had a significant underlying problem: two layers of delaminated and failing plaster had accumulated over years of service. Delamination — where plaster separates from the pool shell beneath it — is one of the most serious conditions a commercial pool can develop. Left unaddressed, it leads to accelerating surface failure, rough and potentially unsafe swimming surfaces, and eventually structural damage to the pool shell itself.
The right solution was not to simply plaster over the problem. It was to remove both failed layers entirely, properly prepare the substrate, and then build back up with premium materials that would perform reliably for decades. That is precisely what Allen Pool Service did — and the result is a pool that is as structurally solid as it is beautiful.
Here is a detailed look at every component of this renovation and why each upgrade matters.
Removing Two Layers of Delaminated & Failed PlasterBefore any new surface could be applied, Allen Pool Service performed the critical first step that separates a lasting renovation from a temporary fix: the complete removal of two existing layers of failed plaster down to the bare concrete shell.
Plaster delamination occurs when a plaster layer loses its bond to the surface beneath it — whether due to improper preparation during a prior renovation, water chemistry issues over time, freeze-thaw cycling, or simply age. When plaster delaminates, it develops hollow spots, cracks, and eventually begins to flake or pop off in sections. A second layer applied over a first without proper removal only compounds the problem — and that is exactly the situation this pool presented.
Why full removal matters: Applying fresh plaster over delaminated layers is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes in pool renovation. The new layer will eventually fail for the same reasons the old ones did. Full removal and proper substrate preparation is the only way to ensure the new finish bonds correctly and performs as intended.
With both failed layers stripped and the shell properly prepped, this pool now has the clean, solid foundation that premium finishes require. The removal process alone represents a significant investment of labor and expertise — but it is the step that makes everything else in this renovation worthwhile.
With the shell properly prepared, the pool was resurfaced with a premium Quartz Blue finish — one of the most popular and highly regarded choices for commercial pools throughout the Southeast, and a significant upgrade over conventional white plaster in every meaningful way.
Quartz pool finishes blend finely graded quartz aggregate into a durable, polymer-modified cement base. The quartz aggregate dramatically increases the hardness and density of the finished surface compared to standard plaster, making it far more resistant to the chemical exposure, abrasion, and high bather loads that commercial pools endure day after day. Where standard plaster might require renovation every 7–10 years, a properly maintained quartz finish routinely delivers 15–20 years of reliable service.
Quartz finishes are also significantly more stain-resistant than traditional plaster, which is a meaningful advantage in a commercial setting where pool chemistry can fluctuate with varying bather loads and usage patterns. The Quartz Blue color produces a deep, rich water color — vibrant and inviting — that immediately elevates the visual appeal of the facility for members, guests, and residents alike. It is a finish that works as hard as it looks good.
New 1×2 Glass Tile with White GroutThe pool’s waterline was fitted with all-new 1×2 glass tile finished with crisp white grout — a combination that delivers both striking visual impact and excellent long-term performance in a demanding commercial environment.
Glass tile is widely regarded as the premium choice for pool waterlines, and for good reason. Its non-porous surface resists the calcium scaling, chemical staining, and organic buildup that are the persistent challenges of waterline tile in high-use commercial pools. Unlike ceramic or porcelain alternatives, glass tile will not fade, chip, or discolor over time — its color is baked through the material, not just applied to the surface. It cleans easily and maintains its appearance with minimal effort, making it a smart long-term investment for any commercial facility.
The 1×2 format creates a refined, mosaic-style band around the pool perimeter that reads as sophisticated and intentional. Glass tile interacts with light in a way no other tile material can match — it reflects and refracts both natural and artificial light throughout the day and into the evening, producing a shimmering, jewel-like quality that makes the pool genuinely beautiful to look at from every angle.
The choice of white grout is particularly well-considered here. White grout against glass tile creates a clean, high-contrast look that is both timeless and contemporary — it makes the tile pop visually while keeping the overall palette crisp and bright. Combined with the Quartz Blue water color, the effect is a pool interior that looks polished, professional, and unmistakably high-quality.
This renovation included the installation of new LED pool lights — an upgrade that transforms both the nighttime experience of the pool and the facility’s ongoing operating costs in ways that are immediately noticeable.
LED pool lights are a generational improvement over the traditional incandescent or halogen fixtures they replace. From an energy standpoint, LED technology uses up to 75–80% less electricity than conventional pool lights to produce the same or greater light output. For a commercial pool that may run its lighting for several hours every evening, that efficiency difference adds up to meaningful savings on monthly utility bills over the life of the fixtures.
LED fixtures also last dramatically longer than incandescent alternatives — typically 30,000–50,000 hours of service life compared to 1,000–5,000 hours for traditional bulbs. For a commercial facility, fewer bulb replacements means less maintenance labor, less disruption to pool operations, and lower long-term maintenance costs. The fixtures themselves are also more robust and better sealed against water intrusion, reducing the risk of fixture failures.
Beyond the operational advantages, LED lights transform the pool’s after-dark appeal. Modern LED fixtures produce a bright, even, high-quality white light that makes the pool look brilliant and inviting at night — showing off the Quartz Blue finish and glass tile to their full advantage. Many LED systems also offer color-changing capabilities, allowing the facility to create dynamic lighting effects for events or simply to vary the ambiance. For a commercial property where the pool is a key amenity, that nighttime visual experience matters.
The existing pool pumps were replaced with new variable-speed, energy-efficient models — one of the highest-return upgrades available in any commercial pool renovation, and one that begins paying for itself from the very first month of operation.
Traditional single-speed pool pumps run at full power continuously, regardless of what the pool actually requires at any given time. During routine filtration and circulation — which accounts for the vast majority of daily pump operation — a single-speed pump is dramatically over-powered for the task, consuming far more electricity than necessary. Variable-speed pumps eliminate this waste by continuously adjusting motor speed to match actual demand, running slow and quiet during standard operation and ramping up only when high flow rates are genuinely needed.
The energy savings are well-documented and substantial: variable-speed pumps can reduce pool pump electricity consumption by 50–75% compared to single-speed models. For a commercial pool running its pumps around the clock, 365 days a year, that reduction produces significant monthly savings on utility bills — savings that compound year after year over the pump’s service life. Variable-speed motors also run more quietly and tend to last longer than their single-speed counterparts, further reducing long-term maintenance overhead.
Variable-speed pumps are now required by code for new commercial pool installations in many jurisdictions. This renovation brings the Duluth facility fully into compliance with current standards — and positions it well for the future.
Completing this renovation’s systems upgrade, the pool was fully converted from traditional chlorine sanitation to a salt water system — a change that delivers meaningful benefits for facility operators, maintenance staff, and every swimmer who uses the pool.
A salt chlorination system works through electrolysis: a low concentration of dissolved salt in the pool water passes continuously through an electrolytic cell, which converts it into free chlorine — the same effective sanitizer used in traditional pool treatment, but generated automatically and on-demand by the system. Once the chlorine is consumed, it reverts to salt and the cycle begins again. The result is a self-sustaining sanitation process that requires far less manual chemical intervention than a traditionally dosed pool.
For a commercial facility, this translates into real operational advantages. Maintenance teams handle fewer bulk chemical deliveries, there is less hands-on chemical dosing required between service visits, and the system’s automated generation maintains more consistent chlorine levels — avoiding the spikes and dips that can occur with manual dosing. Consistent chemistry means better water quality, fewer water balance problems, and reduced wear on pool surfaces and equipment over time.
For swimmers, the difference in the water itself is immediately apparent. Salt-treated water is noticeably softer and gentler than traditionally chlorinated water — easier on eyes, skin, and swimwear, with none of the sharp chemical odor that many associate with heavily dosed pools. Swimmers simply feel better in the water, stay in longer, and come back more often. For a commercial facility where member and guest satisfaction drives retention, that experience improvement is a tangible competitive advantage.
The Result: A Structurally Sound, Beautifully Renovated Commercial PoolWhat began with the unglamorous but essential work of stripping two layers of failed plaster ended with one of the most complete commercial pool transformations Allen Pool Service has delivered in the Gwinnett County area. Every layer of this renovation — structural, cosmetic, and mechanical — was addressed with the same commitment to doing the job right.
The facility now has a pool backed by a solid, properly prepared shell, finished with a premium Quartz Blue surface that will hold up for decades. The shimmering 1×2 glass tile with white grout elevates the visual quality of the space, while the new LED lights ensure it looks just as impressive after dark. The variable-speed pumps and salt system mean lower operating costs, simpler maintenance, and a better swimming experience — day in, day out.
For the operators of this Duluth facility, this renovation is an investment in the long-term performance and appeal of their most important amenity. Allen Pool Service is proud to have delivered it.
Whether your pool needs a structural fix like this one, a full cosmetic refresh, a systems upgrade, or all of the above — Allen Pool Service has the commercial expertise to deliver. We serve facilities throughout the Atlanta metro area, from Duluth and Gwinnett County to Buckhead, Midtown, Sandy Springs, and beyond.
Please call (770) 451-1621 to for pool renovation, service, and winterization by Allen Pool Service in Atlanta.
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