I've been the in the pool industry in S. California for over 40 years; along with traveling and working with pool builders all over the world. I see or visit at least 10-15 pools a week in the largest pool owners area in Calif and maybe the world. Surface is about (3) basic needs: look or style of the pool, reflection of sunlight, and type of material (which plays into the cost to install or replace it. White Plaster or Tile is what you see on commerical Pools and Spas due to Health Department codes. Plaster can be in many colors and shades, and the least costly to do. But your installation, start up, and weekly care (pool servicemen/company) needs to do they job! Pebble Tec or Pebbie Sheen give you a more or finished look (my opinon) and can be designed to better match your decking/Couping, stonework, tile, etc. An seem to hold up better with less chemical damage issue's, but come at a greater installation cost. Tile, Marble, or a stone surface are at the top of the cost chair. A white pool reflects sunlight and color in part from the tile. A surface color give you depth in color; but the darker the pool color the less your light brighten the pool. (but remember you are not building a airport runway) And if you are using "color" or LED pool lights the number and placement can and will be a factor on a older pool. A new pool the builder would set and use more pool lights. But LED color lighting give your pool a speical look at night, and you can have 15-20 "moods" pre-set. Dark pools do warm up better from the sun and in some area's get hotter than the customer may want to swim at. In a non-commerical pool (I built a commerical pool>teaching>swim lessons>thus it's white plaster), I like
the fench grey shape in a Pebble Sheen ( a little smoother than the Pebble Tec surface). It's not to dark to take the lums away from your light, but give you a very nice day shape to your pool. Anyone offering to do this work should have tons of samples to look at. Get them wet to see the true color of the sample; ask for refenence's, and see his or her contractors licence. DON'T TAKE THE LOW BID, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!
Hope it helps
art
agrimmitt@pelican