Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes Quartzon unique?

Stunning visual effects - Only Quartzon creates stunning visual effects in water that are truly unique. It's the cleaner, richer colours and intense light reflections that make Quartzon so different from other pool surfaces. That's because Quartzon is made from a blend of premium ingredients including white cement, brilliant white quartz sand, metallic oxides and ceramically coated aggregate. Your Quartzon pool will retain its brilliant colour for many years to come.
More light reflection - Only Quartzon contains StarFleck, for even more light reflection. StarFleck is highly reflective aggregates mixed into Quartzon. It makes your pool surface glitter and sparkle like no other as the sunlight hits the surface. In fact, StarFleck is so reflective, it even captures moonlight to create a spectacular, shimmering effect to pool water. Now available in all colours.
Many more options - Only Quartzon gives you so many options, our collection of nine designer colours gives you the flexibility to choose the look that is just right for you - whether you are renovating an old pool or about to build a new one. Prices vary, depending on the colour that you choose. There is a Quartzon colour to suit every budget.
Guaranteed consistent quality - Only Quartzon guarantees consistent quality. Quartzon is batched, mixed, tested and packed at the factory to guarantee consistency. We do not mix Quartzon on job sites, because this increases the risk of inconsistent colour and performance standards. When you choose Quartzon for your pool, you can be assured that you are getting exactly what you've paid for. All your contractor needs to do with Quartzon is add water!

2. What's the difference between standard pebble and Quartzon?

Quartzon is stronger - Standard pebble has been the most common surface in Australian swimming pools for the past fifteen years. And it's easy to see why. Standard pebble is stronger and lasts longer than other traditional pool surfaces, such as marblesheen, fibreglass, vinyl and paint. Standard pebble is also much less expensive, in comparison to pool tiles. Like standard pebble, Quartzon is made with cement and pebbles. But that's where the similarity ends. Standard pebble is strong, but Quartzon is even stronger: Most standard pebble surfaces are made with single sized quartz or limestone particles. Quartzon is made with multi-sized quartz particles, ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 mm. This gives Quartzon a higher density mix, with closer fitting particles and less exposed cement for a rock solid surface.
Quartzon is smoother - Quartzon is smoother: When you compare the surface textures of standard pebble and Quartzon, you will notice that the standard pebble surface has 'hills' and 'valleys' between the pebble particles. And this is why so many people find standard pebble uncomfortable on their skin and many have suffered from cuts and abrasions to their feet.
Colours are colourfast - Quartzon colours are colourfast: The colours of Quartzon are based on ceramically coated aggregate and metallic oxides. The ceramic coating on the aggregate is extremely durable and designed to retain its brilliant colour for many years to come.
Colours are cleaner and sharper - Quartzon colours are cleaner and sharper: Quartzon is made with super white cement, which produces the cleanest, brightest colours possible. Many standard pebble surfaces are produced with off-white cement, which gives colours a dirty, hazy appearance.
Easier to live with - Quartzon is easier to live with: Quartzon's smooth, high-density surface is more hygienic and easier to maintain. Standard pebble is difficult to clean, because algae is left in the 'valleys' between the pebbles, as cleaning equipment skims over the 'hills' on top of the surface. Quartzon's even surface makes algae much easier to remove. Quartzon is also a stronger surface and is more resistant to algae breaking through the top skin of the pool surface.

3. How does Quartzon compare to marble plaster?

Quartzon is made with quartz sand, an extremely strong aggregate, while marble plaster is a limestone-based surface, which has a much softer structure. Limestone slowly dissolves in water, which is 'attacked' by chlorine, pool acid and salt to weaken the structure and dramatically reduce the life of the surface.
Marble plaster is mixed 'on the job'. However, Quartzon is tested and batched at the factory, so you'll get exactly what you've paid for. All your contractor needs to do is add water!
Quartzon also offers more colours, which are richer and cleaner in appearance. Quite simply, Quartzon gives you more options to create a pool with the look that's just right for you.

4. Why choose Quartzon over tiles?

Tiles are a popular option for upmarket residential and public pools. For many years, tiling a pool has been the only option available to achieve rich water colours.
Quartzon gives pool owners the opportunity to achieve rich water colours without the distracting grout lines of tiles in the curves of the pool. The gutter shaped grout lines of tiled pools can also create an algae trap that is difficult to clean. It is also difficult to achieve smooth, rounded corners with square-shaped pool tiles (even when they are cut down, tiles still produce square, angular corners).

5. What are the Price guidelines?

While you are thinking about the cost of a pool surface, it pays to consider the advantages of Quartzon: smoothness, unique colours, durability and easier maintenance.
The following price guidelines will give you an idea of the premium you can expect to pay for Quartzon, in comparison to a standard pebble surface (excluding colour additives) for a new swimming pool.
When quoting, pool builders usually include basic pebble as the interior surface in their standard package. You will pay a premium for Quartzon over standard pebble. Just how much depends on the colour. The general rule of thumb is, the darker the colour, the more expensive it is.
As a guideline, White Beach is the cheapest; Ice Blue and Golden Star are at the lower end of the range; Sky Bay and Aqua Sea are mid range; and Galaxy, Royal Blue, Pacific Star and Calypso are at the high end of the range.
Paint and marble plaster may be cheaper than Quartzon in the short-term but Quartzon offers long-term durability. Quartzon is still significantly cheaper than using vinyl liners, fibreglass or fully tiling a pool. We urge you to consult with a pool builder experienced in applying Quartzon. They will provide you with a specific quote for your particular pool in the Quartzon colour of your choice.

6. Is Quartzon suitable for renovations?

Is your pool looking a little tired and neglected? The colours and superior performance qualities of Quartzon give you a great way to update the look of your pool and provide a safer, more comfortable surface. Renovating your pool will also add value to your home.
A renovation is only limited by your imagination and budget. It can be as extensive as changing the shape of the pool, replacing the pool surrounds and installing new equipment or the renovation can be limited to replacing the existing interior finish.
Quartzon can be applied over most existing standard pebble, marble plaster or painted surfaces. As long as the shell of the pool is made from concrete, your pool can be renovated with Quartzon.

7. Can Quartzon be used in Olympic sized pools?

Quartzon's durability and ease of maintenance is making it a popular choice for council pools, hotel pools, resort pools, school pools, swim schools and even water parks.
An additional benefit of Quartzon is its proven slip resistance. It meets the requirements of Australian Standard 3661.1 "Slip resistance for wet surfaces".
Quartzon is more cost effective than fully tiling a pool. In the long term it also works out more cost effective than painting a pool as painting needs to be redone every few years.
Call us for details of commercial pools in your area.

8. What about maintenance?

Quartzon has similar maintenance requirements to other pool surfaces. When you purchase Quartzon, we provide you with a 'Quartzon Care Guide'. This contains step-by-step instructions to help you look after your pool. We also recommend water care products to help you.

9. Are ionisers or salt chlorinators compatible with Quartzon?

Yes - both systems, along with conventional chlorine are routinely used with Quartzon.

10. Do you need a tile band for a Quartzon pool?

No - but it is preferable. Aesthetically, a waterline tile band provides the final finishing touch to your pool. It gives you the opportunity to match or contrast your chosen Quartzon colour and surrounds for an integrated look.
As Quartzon becomes darker when wet, a tile band avoids the situation of seeing a lighter colour above the water. The added benefit of a tile band is that it prevents a 'waterline mark' from appearing on your Quartzon surface.

11. What kind of pool cleaner can you use?

Quartzon is suitable for all types of pool cleaners.

12. Will Quartzon stain like my old marble plaster pool?

Quartzon is more resistant to staining than marble plaster because the aggregate is harder. This makes it more difficult for organics and metals to penetrate the surface.
All surfaces can stain. In general, the lighter the colour, the more visible the stain. With Quartzon, you can remove most stains relatively easily.

13. What sort of finish can I expect?

You can expect your finish to be smooth and colourful like the samples that you have chosen from. However, you must realise that Quartzon is applied by hand under varying weather and site conditions. Like all cement based pool surfacing products, it is impossible to get it totally consistent over the entire surface. As the finish is made from natural aggregates, it may contain trace amounts of black, pink and orange particles. Pool colours can also change based on site conditions, surrounding colours, cloud cover and depth of water. The overall effect you will see when looking at your pool will be a rich, clean colour.

14. What warranty does Quartzon provide?

A seven year manufacturer's warranty on the product is provided. This warrants that your Quartzon is of suitable quality, corresponds to the descriptions and samples and is fit for use in a pool.

15. How long will Quartzon last?

Quartzon being sand and cement should last over 15 years, particularly if you maintain your water balance in line with our guidelines. The amount of leaves and debris left to sit on the floor of the pool will determine its appearance. If leaves and metals sit on the Quartzon, it will mark the surface. However you can clean up most problems using chlorine or acid.

16. Want to know technical details?

If you have any queries of a technical nature, please call us. We'll help to make things easier to understand, so you can act with confidence, whether you are purchasing or maintaining a Quartzon surface.

For all Quartzon enquiries, contact us at Mad Pool Interiors