What is Gunite? The Process and Advantages

Gunite, also known as shotcrete (sometimes), is concrete that is applied through a hose and nozzle at high pressure. This is called a pneumatic application. In pool construction, gunite specifically refers to a dry-mix concrete and shotcrete is specifically a wet-mix concrete. However, in other types of construction, the terms gunite and shotcrete are sometimes used interchangeably.

The process of shooting concrete out of a “gun” (or nozzle) was originally patented in 1907 using a dry mix with water being added at the nozzle. Today, gunite generally means just pneumatically applied concrete. Since gunite is made of concrete, gunite has the same ingredients as concrete: cement, sand, and water.

Gunite is commonly used in the construction and repair of concrete swimming pools, and that’s what it is best known for. However, gunite has many other applications as well, both commercial and residential. Gunite is used for the hardscape part of landscaping, and it is also used, for example, in commercial buildings, bridges, tunnels, and mines, both in construction and repair.

There are some distinct advantages for using gunite over normal, poured concrete. Because of how it’s applied (pneumatically), gunite does not have any pockets or voids that poured concrete can have. That makes gunite stronger than poured concrete. It’s also much easier to sculpt unusual shapes and designs with pneumatically applied concrete as opposed to poured concrete.

If you are looking for gunite in the Houston area, this is our business. Union Gunite can fulfill all your gunite needs for both commercial and residential projects. Please contact us, and let us help you.