Reference Guide
Pool Glossary
Your complete guide to pool construction and outdoor living terminology — from aggregate finishes to waterline tile.
Aggregate Finish
A pool interior finish that exposes small pebbles or glass beads for texture and durability. Common brands include PebbleTec and StoneScapes. See also: Pebble Finish.
Algae
Microscopic plant organisms that grow in pool water when chemistry is unbalanced, causing green, yellow, or black discoloration. Regular chlorine maintenance and proper pH balance prevent algae growth.
Automatic Pool Cover
A motorized cover that rolls over the pool surface for safety, heat retention, and debris protection. Helps reduce chemical usage and evaporation.
Backwash
The process of reversing water flow through a pool filter to flush out trapped debris and contaminants. Essential for maintaining filter efficiency.
Baja Shelf
A shallow, flat area in the pool (typically 6–8 inches deep) for lounging in the water. Also known as a tanning ledge, sun shelf, or crash pad. One of the most requested features in modern pool design.
Blower
Equipment that forces air through jets in a spa to create bubbling action for a relaxing hydrotherapy experience.
Bond Beam
The top structural edge of the pool shell where the coping attaches. Forms the transition between the pool structure and the deck.
Bubblers
Small water features installed in the pool floor (often on tanning ledges) that shoot streams of water upward. LED bubblers add colored lighting for dramatic night effects.
Cantilever Deck
A concrete pool deck edge that overhangs the pool wall, creating a clean, coping-free look. Popular in modern and contemporary pool designs.
Catch Basin
A lower collection pool at the base of a negative/infinity edge that catches overflowing water and recirculates it back to the main pool.
Check Valve
A one-way valve that prevents water from flowing backward through plumbing. A common cause of spas draining overnight when they fail.
Chlorinator
A device that dispenses chlorine into pool water, either as an inline unit or a salt chlorine generator.
Concrete / Gunite / Shotcrete
The structural material used to build custom in-ground pools. Gunite is dry-mixed and applied pneumatically; shotcrete is wet-mixed. Both create the same durable concrete shell. This is what separates custom pools from fiberglass or vinyl liner pools. Learn about our custom pool construction →
Coping
The cap or edging material installed on top of the pool wall where the deck meets the water. Materials include natural stone, travertine, brick, concrete, and cantilevered concrete.
Deck
The hardscape surface surrounding the pool. Common materials include concrete (brushed, stamped, or textured), travertine, flagstone, pavers, and cool deck coatings.
Deck Jets
Water features installed in the pool deck that shoot arcs of water into the pool. Often include LED lighting for dramatic evening effects.
Diverter Valve
A valve that directs water flow between different pool features (e.g., between the pool and spa).
Equipment Pad
The designated area where pool pumps, filters, heaters, salt systems, and automation controllers are installed. Usually located near the pool behind a wall or screen.
Filter
Equipment that removes particles and debris from pool water. Three types: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE). Cartridge filters are most common in residential pools.
Fire Bowl
A decorative fire feature mounted on a pedestal or raised wall near the pool, fueled by natural gas or propane. See our outdoor living page for examples.
Fire Pit
A ground-level or raised fire feature built into the outdoor living space, often near the pool or spa area.
Flagstone
A natural stone commonly used for pool decking and coping, known for its irregular shapes and natural aesthetic.
Freeform Pool
A pool design with organic, curved shapes that mimic natural bodies of water. Contrasts with geometric pools. Browse our freeform pool gallery →
Geometric Pool
A pool design with straight lines, right angles, and defined shapes (rectangles, L-shapes, etc.). Suits modern and contemporary architecture. Browse our geometric pool gallery →
Grotto
A cave-like structure built into a pool, often behind a waterfall, creating a hidden alcove for swimming into.
Heater
Equipment that warms pool or spa water. Types include gas heaters (fastest), heat pumps (most efficient), and solar heaters.
HOA
Homeowners Association. Most North Texas HOAs require approval before pool construction begins. Your Prestige design team handles the HOA submission process for you.
Infinity Edge
See Negative Edge. A pool edge where water flows over one or more sides into a catch basin, creating the illusion of water extending to the horizon.
Interior Finish
See Plaster. The waterproof surface applied to the pool shell interior that determines the pool's color, texture, and longevity.
Jets
Nozzles in the pool or spa walls that push water for circulation, massage, or hydrotherapy.
Knife Edge
A type of negative/vanishing edge where the water level sits perfectly flush with the pool wall, creating an ultra-clean mirror-like overflow effect.
Lazy River
A shallow, slow-moving water channel that circulates around a defined path, commonly found in resort and community pools. Prestige was featured on HGTV's Amazing Water Homes for a custom lazy river build.
LED Lighting
Energy-efficient, color-changing lights installed in the pool, spa, water features, and landscaping. Controlled via automation systems. Uses about 80% less energy than traditional incandescent pool lights.
Ledge Lounger
A brand of in-water furniture designed to sit on tanning ledges, including chairs, tables, and side tables. Available at our showroom.
Mosaic Tile
Small glass or ceramic tiles used for decorative accents on pool walls, waterline, spa interiors, and water features.
Muriatic Acid
A chemical used to lower pool water pH and alkalinity, and to clean salt cells and tile.
Natural Stone
Stone materials (travertine, limestone, flagstone, etc.) used for pool coping, decking, and walls. See samples in person at our Frisco showroom.
Negative Edge
A pool design where one or more edges allow water to flow over the side into a lower catch basin, creating a vanishing or infinity effect. Also called an infinity edge or vanishing edge.
Outdoor Kitchen
A fully equipped cooking and entertaining space built into the outdoor living area, typically featuring built-in grills, smokers, refrigeration, sinks, and counter space. Explore outdoor living options →
Overflow Drain
A drain that prevents the pool from overfilling by redirecting excess water. Essential for heavy rain events common in North Texas.
Pebble Finish
A textured pool interior finish made from small natural pebbles mixed with cement. Durable and long-lasting. Common brands: PebbleTec, PebbleSheen, StoneScapes. Compare finishes at our showroom.
Pergola
An outdoor structure with columns supporting a roof framework of beams and rafters, providing partial shade over a patio, kitchen, or seating area.
pH
A measure of water acidity/alkalinity on a 0–14 scale. Pool water should be maintained between 7.2–7.6 for swimmer comfort and equipment longevity.
Plaster
The interior finish applied to the concrete pool shell. Options range from basic white plaster to colored plaster, quartz finishes, and pebble finishes. The finish determines the pool's color, texture, and longevity.
Pool Automation
A control system (like Pentair IntelliCenter or Jandy iAquaLink) that lets you manage pumps, heaters, lights, water features, and chemistry from a phone app or wall panel.
Quartz Finish
A pool interior finish that blends quartz aggregate with cement for a durable, slightly textured surface with subtle sparkle.
Rebar
Steel reinforcement bars placed inside the pool excavation before concrete is applied. Creates the structural skeleton of the pool shell.
Retaining Wall
A structural wall built to hold back soil on sloped properties, often incorporating seating, planters, or water features in pool designs.
Return
The fitting in the pool wall where filtered, treated water flows back into the pool from the equipment.
Salt System
Equipment that converts dissolved salt in pool water into chlorine through electrolysis, providing automatic and consistent sanitization. Also called a salt chlorine generator.
Scupper
A water feature where water pours through an opening in a raised wall or spa into the pool below. Creates a waterfall sheet effect.
Sheer Descent
A water feature that produces a thin, clear sheet of water falling from a raised wall into the pool.
Skimmer
A built-in opening at the pool waterline that pulls surface water and debris into the filtration system.
Spa / Hot Tub
A smaller, heated body of water with massage jets, often built attached to or elevated above the main pool. Spas built by Prestige are custom concrete with spillover into the pool.
Spillover
Water flowing from an elevated spa or water feature down into the main pool.
Tanning Ledge
A large, flat, shallow area (4–8 inches deep) in the pool designed for lounging on in-water furniture. Also called a Baja shelf, sun shelf, or crash pad. One of the most popular features in modern pool design. Browse in-water furniture →
Tile
Ceramic, porcelain, or glass material used at the pool waterline, on spa interiors, and as decorative accents. Waterline tile is both functional (prevents staining at the water level) and aesthetic.
Travertine
A natural limestone commonly used for pool coping and decking. Known for staying cool underfoot and its elegant appearance — up to 20°F cooler than concrete under the Texas summer sun.
Variable Speed Pump
A pool pump that can run at different speeds, saving significant energy compared to older pump models. Required by federal DOE regulations for all new pool construction.
Water Feature
Any decorative element that moves water: bubblers, deck jets, scuppers, sheer descents, waterfalls, grottos, fountains, and spillovers.
Waterline Tile
Tile installed at the water level around the pool perimeter. Prevents calcium and chemical staining and adds a design element.
Have a Question About Your Pool Project?
Our team has built over 2,200 pools across North Texas. We're happy to answer any questions and help you plan your dream backyard.
Referral Program
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How It Works
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