Tile is often employed along the waterline for aesthetic and practical maintenance purposes. Concrete pools can be shaped to almost any design. Masonry block pools are restricted in pool design to straight-line construction. Reinforcement rods are inserted in the block cores, which are then filled with mortar. The final product is either plastered or painted.
Most pools are rectangular in design although some shaping is possible.
Liners are available in a variety of colors and designs. Fiberglass pools are either a solid shell or a sectioned design. They offer low maintenance, long life and a variety of built-in colors. However, in areas of high water alkalinity, improperly treated pool water can chalk the finish, necessitating a painting to maintain a reasonable appearance. It enables homeowners to conserve water by using the initial water supply over and over again.