Custom Gunite Pool Designs in Franklin, TN: A 2026 Guide

In Middle Tennessee, your backyard is a structural canvas of rolling hills, limestone bedrock, and clay-heavy soil — conditions that make pool design decisions more involved than in flat-lot markets. Building in Franklin also means navigating Williamson County permit requirements, HOA architectural reviews in many neighborhoods, and a range of site conditions that vary significantly from one property to the next.

This guide is intended to help Franklin homeowners understand their options before talking to a builder — covering design styles, how gunite construction works, what to expect from the permitting process, and how gunite and fiberglass compare for Williamson County lots.

Why Homeowners Consider Gunite

Gunite is a construction method, not a product off a shelf. A dry mixture of sand and cement is propelled through a high-pressure hose; the mixture meets water at the nozzle and is sprayed over steel reinforcement. The result is a monolithic shell that is formed entirely on-site, around whatever shape, depth, and layout the design calls for.

That on-site construction process is the core reason homeowners consider gunite when they want something that doesn't fit a standard mold. A pool with a 12-foot deep end, a tanning ledge, an integrated spa, and a vanishing edge on a sloped lot is a single continuous structure — not a series of separate components assembled together.

With proper maintenance and periodic resurfacing, a gunite shell is built to last for decades. That longevity is part of why many Franklin homeowners treat a gunite pool as a permanent addition to the property rather than a feature they expect to replace.

Design Flexibility — Shapes, Depths, and Layouts

Because gunite is formed on-site, the design is not constrained by pre-manufactured dimensions. The pool can follow the natural contours of the lot, wrap around existing landscaping, accommodate unusual lot geometry, or incorporate features that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with a manufactured shell.

Practical examples of what that flexibility enables:

• Variable depth in a single shell — a shallow tanning ledge, a standard swim depth, and a deep end can all be part of one continuous structure
• Integrated spas — a spillover spa built into the pool shell rather than placed beside it
• Irregular shapes — freeform lagoon designs, L-shapes, and custom geometric forms that match a specific lot or architectural style
• Structural integration with hardscape — the pool shell can be designed to work with retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and elevated decking as part of a unified outdoor space

This flexibility comes with a longer construction process than a manufactured shell installation. Homeowners choosing gunite are generally prioritizing design outcome over installation speed.

Franklin-Oriented Design Ideas by Neighborhood

Franklin's architectural landscape is diverse — from historic estates near downtown to newer developments in Westhaven and the rural character of Leiper's Fork. A pool design that fits one neighborhood may feel out of place in another.

Historic Downtown Franklin

Classic rectangular designs tend to complement the heritage character of older estates in and near downtown. Clean lines and traditional coping materials — Tennessee limestone is a natural choice — maintain a timeless look that doesn't compete with the architecture of the home.

Leiper's Fork and Wooded Lots

Freeform lagoon-style pools follow the natural contours of wooded, irregular lots and often incorporate rock waterfalls using locally sourced stone. These designs are intended to look as though they belong to the landscape rather than having been placed on top of it.

Properties with Hill Views

For properties overlooking Williamson County's rolling hills, a vanishing edge or infinity pool creates a visual connection between the pool surface and the horizon. This is one of the more technically involved designs — the catch basin, pump system, and structural engineering all require careful planning — but the result on the right lot is distinctive.

Westhaven and Newer Developments

Modern Farmhouse-influenced pools are a common request in newer Williamson County developments. These typically feature rectangular or geometric shapes, dark interior plaster finishes that create a reflective quality, and white or light-toned coping that echoes the high-contrast palette common in current home builds. Three-dimensional design renderings are a useful tool in these neighborhoods, where HOA architectural review boards often want to see a realistic preview before approving a project.

Tanning Ledges, Spas, Water Features, and Lighting

Several features have become consistent requests in Franklin-area gunite builds, regardless of the overall design style.

Tanning ledges (sun shelves) are shallow areas — typically in the range of six to twelve inches of water — designed for submerged lounge chairs or as a safe, shallow play area. They are built into the gunite shell as part of the original construction.

Integrated spillover spas share a wall with the pool and allow water to cascade from the spa into the pool. A single gas heater can service both the pool and the spa, with automated valves directing heated water to whichever is in use.

Rock waterfalls and grottos using locally sourced Tennessee fieldstone create a naturalistic look that connects well with Middle Tennessee's landscape. Because gunite is a high-strength, steel-reinforced material, it can support substantial rock formations as part of the pool structure.

Fire bowls and fire pits built into the pool deck extend the usable season into Tennessee's cooler autumn months. Combined with color-changing LED lighting — controllable from a smartphone — they allow the outdoor space to function as an evening gathering area well beyond the swim season.

Automatic pool covers can be integrated seamlessly into the deck, providing both a safety layer and a practical way to reduce debris and heat loss.

How Gunite Construction Generally Works

Homeowners should expect the process from initial excavation to first use to take several months. The exact timeline depends on site conditions, design complexity, weather, and the permitting process — and is something to discuss directly with your builder during the planning phase.

Phase 1: Excavation and Steel Reinforcement

Excavation in Franklin is not always straightforward. If limestone is encountered during excavation, specialized equipment may be required, which can affect the excavation process. The depth and density of limestone varies by property, which is one reason experienced local builders include a rock clause in their contracts — it establishes in advance how limestone encounters will be handled and priced.

Once the excavation is complete, steel reinforcement is built inside the hole. This structure provides the structural integrity of the finished shell and also accommodates the plumbing and electrical rough-ins during the same phase.

Phase 2: Gunite Application and the Curing Cycle

Gunite is applied by spraying the sand-and-cement mixture over the steel skeleton under high pressure, creating a single seamless structure. After application, the shell goes through a curing period — typically around 28 days — during which the concrete reaches its full structural strength. Builders generally ask homeowners to participate in this phase by periodically wetting the shell with a garden hose, which helps prevent the surface from drying too quickly and reduces the risk of surface cracking.

This curing period is not a delay — it is a necessary part of what makes a gunite shell durable. Moving to the finish phase before the shell has fully cured would compromise the long-term integrity of the structure.

Phase 3: Tile, Coping, Plaster, and Finish Work

Once the shell is cured, the finish phase begins: tile installation, coping placement, deck construction, and the final interior plaster or aggregate finish. This is where the design vision materializes — Tennessee fieldstone accents, custom tile patterns, and coordinated coping materials are installed to create the cohesive look planned in the design phase.

Designing the Pool to Complement the Home and Backyard

A pool that looks disconnected from the home it belongs to is a common outcome when the design process focuses only on the pool itself. Achieving a cohesive result requires thinking about the relationship between the pool and the existing exterior — materials, colors, drainage, and the overall flow of the outdoor space.

If a Franklin home features specific stone accents or a particular exterior color palette, the pool coping and decking should echo those tones rather than introduce a competing material palette. The goal is a visual flow that makes the pool feel like an intentional part of the property rather than an addition.

Pool construction also involves heavy equipment that operates close to the home's foundation and existing drainage systems. An experienced builder monitors the full property during the build — not just the pool area — to ensure that excavation doesn't affect drainage patterns or create issues elsewhere on the lot.

Gunite vs. Fiberglass: Factual Differences

Both gunite and fiberglass are widely used for residential pool construction in Middle Tennessee. The right choice depends on the homeowner's priorities, the specific lot, and the design they have in mind.

Fiberglass pools use a shell manufactured off-site in a factory. The shell is transported to the property and set into the excavated hole. This process is generally faster than gunite construction, and the smooth gel-coat surface of a fiberglass shell requires less ongoing maintenance than a plastered gunite interior. The trade-off is that the design is limited to the shapes and sizes available from the manufacturer — there is no ability to customize depth profiles, incorporate unusual shapes, or build features like a tanning ledge and a deep end into a single continuous shell.

Gunite is constructed entirely on-site. There are no pre-manufactured shape constraints — the pool can be any shape, any depth profile, and can incorporate features that a manufactured shell cannot accommodate. The construction process takes longer, and the plastered interior surface requires periodic resurfacing over the life of the pool.

For homeowners with a specific design in mind — particularly one that involves a complex lot, unusual dimensions, or integrated features — gunite's on-site construction process is often the more practical path. For homeowners who want a reliable, lower-maintenance pool installed on a straightforward lot, fiberglass is a legitimate option worth evaluating.

Neither material is universally superior. The decision is best made in the context of a specific lot, a specific design, and a specific set of priorities.

Site Evaluation and Permitting

Building a pool in Franklin involves permit requirements from Williamson County and, for properties within city limits, the City of Franklin. HOA architectural review is required in many of the area's established neighborhoods. The specific requirements — fees, setbacks, safety enclosures, and review processes — vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change.

Pool projects must comply with applicable state and local safety requirements. Marlin Exteriors coordinates applicable project requirements as part of the construction process.

For properties with HOA oversight — Westhaven, Fieldstone Farms, and many other Franklin neighborhoods — the review process typically requires detailed plans and renderings. Marlin prepares professional 3D renderings and technical site plans for HOA submissions, acting as the technical representative during the approval phase.

Marlin Exteriors handles permit filings and inspection coordination for every project, drawing on two decades of working relationships with local officials and review boards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to build a custom gunite pool in Franklin, TN? The timeline from initial excavation to first use is typically several months, accounting for site preparation, the 28-day curing period, finish work, and any weather-related scheduling. The specific timeline for a given project depends on site conditions, design complexity, and the permitting process — your builder will provide a project-specific schedule during the planning phase.

What are the most popular gunite pool shapes for Franklin properties? Geometric designs with clean lines — rectangular pools, L-shapes, and pools with perimeter overflow or vanishing edges — are a consistent request in newer Franklin developments. Freeform lagoon designs remain popular on wooded and irregular lots, particularly in areas like Leiper's Fork. The right shape depends on the lot, the home's architecture, and the homeowner's priorities.

Can you build a gunite pool on a sloped property in Franklin? Yes. Sloped properties can often accommodate a pool, but the design and construction approach depends on the site's grade, drainage, access, and other conditions. We evaluate those conditions during the site-planning process.

What maintenance does a gunite pool require in Tennessee's climate? Routine maintenance includes regular water chemistry management, professional opening and closing service each season, and periodic inspection of the equipment. The interior plaster surface will need resurfacing at some point in the pool's life — the interval depends on water chemistry, usage, and the type of finish applied. Daily robotic cleaners are a practical choice for managing leaf debris, which is a consistent factor in Tennessee's wooded neighborhoods.

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Ready to explore what a custom gunite pool could look like on your Franklin property? Visit our Franklin pool builder page to learn about our services and approach, or contact Marlin Exteriors to schedule a site evaluation and design consultation.