Concrete Pools
Custom Concrete Pools in Raleigh, Cary & the Triangle
Built for Life. Designed Around You.
Creating Experiences and how these impact your life and space is part of the process.
At LYFE Pools, when building custom concrete pools we ensure it reflect the personality of your home and the way you live. Every concrete pool we build in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas is unique to your backyard and personal space and shaped by thoughtful design, precision construction, and a deep respect for craftsmanship using the Lifestyle approach.
Why Concrete Pools?
When it comes to customization, flexibility, durability, and long-term value, concrete pools stand in a class of their own. They’re not prefabricated. They are formed and sculpted by hand, on site to your exact vision.
‘You can do anything!’ is often an answer given when discussing concrete pools. Want a vanishing edge? A hidden spa? A sunken lounge with fire features? With concrete, if you can dream it, we can build it.
Concrete is your limitless option that gives you full creative control and is often the ideal choice for homeowners who want a bespoke pool with personalized details.
Engineered From the Ground Up
Tailored to Your Home and Lifestyle
Every concrete pool we build in the Triangle and beyond follows best practices in rebar placement, concrete thickness, curing, soil testing and other best practices.
Our concrete pools from Raleigh to the coast are designed with intention using the Lifestyle process and your like and space functionality in mind. Every aspect of your pool and space is chosen for a reason and no two designs are the same.
Custom design options include:
- Geometric or freeform shapes tailored to your yard
- Built-in spas, tanning shelves, beach entries, and infinity edges
- Premium surface finishes like marble, Travertine, porcelain, pebble, and tile
- Integrated fire bowls, waterfalls, and Jandy LED lighting
- Swim-up seating, outdoor bars, and sunken lounges
We work closely with you to make sure the pool not only looks stunning, but also fits naturally with your home’s architecture, views, and elevation.
Building a Concrete Pool
Concrete pool construction is not just digging a hole and pouring cement. Actually its really nothing like that! Every little detail will determine the longevity and functionality of your pool. Even two identical looking pools may be built at vastly different levels of quality and functionality. It’s a complex, multi-phase process involving hydraulics, engineering, craftsmanship, and strict attention to detail and when it’s done right, it creates a pool that can last for generations.
01 Site Work and Pre-Planning
Before anything touches the ground, we will look at slopes, drainage and other aspects of the space to determine equipment location, pool heights and more.
As part of the process, we will build a hydraulic plan to consider all the features and ensure you have sufficient dynamic head to run your features to our specifications, safety, energy efficiency and functionality. When recommended we will use 3rd party engineers to ensure structural and hydraulic specifications are to our standards.
Why it matters:
Getting the plumbing hydraulics wrong will make a project that might not meet your expectations and are expensive to change. Not considering drainage at the start of the project can result in disappointment or excessive upkeep later. Ever heard of a pool spa not really being a spa or have someone told you that spa jets in a pool aren’t really jets? They didn’t build the hydraulics to our specifications.
02 Excavation
We carefully excavate the site to the exact shape, depth, and layout of your design that you’ve approved. Excavation includes planning for plumbing trenches, elevation changes, and slope grading to ensure proper drainage. Once the floor of the pool is exposed we have the Soil Tested on every project by third party soil engineers to evaluate load-bearing capacity, soil type, groundwater presence, and slope stability.
Why it matters:
If the soil shifts, sinks, or can’t support the weight of a filled concrete shell, the pool could crack — even years later. Many builders skip this step. We don’t.
What surprises buyers:
Sometimes uncover buried tree roots, rock layers, soil that cant support a pool load for long periods or even old construction debris. Heard stories of pools shifting after a build? This was not part of their process.
03 Steel Reinforcement (Rebar Grid)
A fully engineered grid of steel rebar is installed throughout the excavated area. This steel framework is what gives the concrete its strength and structural integrity. It’s bent and tied by hand to match every contour and corner of your pool. We use appropriate rebar thickness and spacing to ensure the strength is appropriate for the application.
Pro insight:
The rebar layout and thickness ensures a proper concrete schedule and prevents cracking and water loss. The difference between a pool that leaks just a few years after a build or one that lasts for generations.
04 Shotcrete Application
Here’s where it gets real. We use shotcrete, a high-strength form of concrete that’s pneumatically applied at high velocity. Unlike poured concrete, shotcrete allows us to sculpt curves, benches, and walls in a seamless, rock-solid shell. We use only the best applicators and ensure that proper procedures are followed in the application.
Buyer fact most don’t know:
Shotcrete has a PSI rating of 4,000–6,000. It bonds better and cures stronger than poured concrete and it’s what sets high-end pools apart from rushed jobs. THE APPLICATION matters. Poorly shot concrete or concrete that doesn’t remove bounce back will result in leaks and cracks eventually.
05 Curing and Waterproofing
After the shell is in place, we give strict curing protocols for 28 days — this allows the concrete to hydrate fully, harden properly, and avoid shrinkage cracks allowing for the highest PSI levels. We also apply waterproof coatings to any exposed concrete to protect the shell from groundwater and internal pressure over time.
Shortcut many don’t see:
Skipping cure time or waterproofing can lead to early failure but it won’t show for years. We build for longevity, not just handoff.
06 Tile, Coping, and Surface Finish
Once the structure is set, we move into detail work tile, coping, and interior finishes. We use the best materials and very importantly the best application materials.
Application and Quality:
Using the right application product like Laticrete and Pebbletec ensures that you have long lasting mortar joints and plaster quality. Don’t assume that every build uses the right product because they don’t and you will have challenges in the future.
07 Startup & Balancing
After your pool is filled, we will perform a detailed startup process and Pool School:
- Chemical balancing
- Brushing protocols (especially for plaster)
- Pump and automation calibration
- Education on daily use and maintenance
What matters here:
The first 30 days of pool life are critical. Poor chemical balance during startup can permanently damage even the best finishes. We guide you the whole way.
You will have the option to use one of our recommended start up teams or do this process yourself.
Local Expertise You Can Count On
As a local pool builder serving Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Apex, and Chapel Hill, we understand the unique soil, drainage, and zoning conditions across the Triangle from rock to sand to clay. We’ve built pools into hillsides, integrated them into tight urban spaces, and created expansive backyard retreats for estate homes.
You get local expertise, thoughtful service, and clear communication from our Lyfestyle process
Why Choose LYFE Pools?
- Expertly built concrete pools in the Raleigh-Durham area
- Fully customized design tailored to your vision
- Engineered for longevity and structural integrity
- White-glove customer service and honest communication
- High-end materials, finishes, and craftsmanship
You’re not just getting a pool — you’re building a space that brings people together, that adds value, and that elevates the entire feel of your property.
Let’s bring your vision to life — and build something extraordinary, together.
