Education · Industry Terms
The industry throws terms around — gunite, shotcrete, rebar, CMU, pergola, ramada, ABC, coping, bonding — and expects homeowners to keep up. Here's every term we use in our bids, contracts, and jobsite conversations, defined in plain English, with the honest tradeoffs. If a word on your quote isn't here, tell us and we'll add it.
Concrete Masonry Unit — the standard grey block used for walls.
Hollow concrete blocks (commonly 8x8x16) stacked in courses, reinforced with vertical rebar and grouted solid at cell locations. CMU is the workhorse of Arizona freestanding walls, retaining walls, seat walls, and BBQ island cores.
AE take: Not all block walls are equal. We call out cell grout locations, rebar size, and footing dimensions in the scope so nothing is guessed on the jobsite.
A tooled or sawcut line that tells concrete where to crack.
Concrete WILL crack — it shrinks as it cures. Control joints are placed at planned intervals (typically 8–12 ft on residential slabs) so the crack happens in a straight, hidden line instead of randomly across the surface.
AE take: If a concrete pad over ~100 sq ft has no control joints, expect random cracking. We spec joint layout on every flatwork scope.
A flexible gap between two concrete pours or between concrete and a structure.
Concrete expands and contracts with temperature. Expansion joints (typically a compressible foam strip) let a slab move without pushing against a wall, coping, or adjacent slab.
The engineered concrete base a wall or structure sits on.
Width, depth, and rebar size are dictated by soil, wall height, and load. On Arizona expansive soils, footings often go deeper than the code minimum to reach stable subgrade.
Dry-mix sprayed concrete used for pool shells.
A dry blend of cement and sand is fed through a hose and mixed with water at the nozzle, then sprayed at high velocity against rebar. Placement is manual and depends heavily on the nozzleman's skill.
AE take: Gunite has been the industry standard for in-ground pool shells in Arizona for decades. Quality is only as good as the crew running the nozzle.
Pounds per square inch — the compressive strength rating of concrete.
Residential flatwork is typically 3,000–4,000 PSI. Pool shells shot on-site typically test 4,000+ PSI. Higher PSI = more cement content = more crack resistance and durability.
Steel reinforcing bar tied inside concrete to carry tension loads.
Concrete is strong in compression, weak in tension. Rebar (typically #3 or #4 grade 60 in residential work) is tied in a grid before the concrete is placed so the assembly can flex without cracking apart. Spacing, lap length, and clearance from the form face are all called out in engineering.
AE take: In pool shells, rebar spacing is engineered — usually a 6" or 12" grid depending on depth and shape. We photograph the steel before shotcrete so the homeowner sees what's inside their pool.
Wet-mix sprayed concrete — pre-mixed before it hits the nozzle.
Concrete is fully batched (cement, sand, aggregate, water, admixtures) at a plant and pumped through a hose. Water content is controlled at the batch plant instead of at the nozzle, which produces more consistent strength and lower shrinkage cracking.
AE take: Shotcrete typically outperforms gunite on strength consistency and crack resistance, at a higher material cost. Both are valid — the crew matters more than the method.
A measure of how wet — and how workable — a concrete mix is.
Concrete is loaded into a cone, the cone is lifted, and the amount the concrete 'slumps' downward is measured in inches. Higher slump = wetter/more workable; lower slump = stiffer/stronger.
AE take: Too much water on-site to make placement easier is the #1 cause of surface cracking in Arizona flatwork. We spec slump in writing.
A wide, shallow shelf (typically 9–12" deep) at the pool edge for lounging.
Also called a tanning ledge or sun shelf. Sized to fit a chaise or two, often with an umbrella sleeve installed through the shelf.
The thickened, heavily reinforced top edge of a pool shell.
The top ~12 inches of the pool shell is wider and packed with more rebar. It carries the coping, resists soil pressure from behind the shell, and is where waterline tile is bonded.
A heat pump that removes heat from pool water in Arizona summers.
Phoenix pool water regularly hits 90°F+ in July/August. A chiller (or reversible heat pump) cools the pool back into a swimmable range. Increasingly standard on new AE builds.
The cap that finishes the top edge of a pool.
Coping is the material (travertine, flagstone, cast concrete, brick, or poured-in-place) that caps the pool wall. It gives the pool its finished edge, protects the shell from water intrusion, and provides the transition to the deck.
AE take: Travertine bullnose is the current default in Arizona because it stays cool under bare feet. We seal it — unsealed travertine picks up pool chemistry stains fast.
The suction fitting at the bottom of the pool that pulls water into the pump.
Modern pool code (VGB Act) requires dual main drains or an approved alternative to prevent entrapment. Any pool built or re-plumbed today must meet this standard.
Pool interior finish using natural pebble aggregate in a cement matrix.
Pebble finishes (Pebble Tec, Pebble Sheen, Wet Edge) hold up longer than plaster (typically 15–20+ years), resist staining, and give the water a deeper, more natural color.
Pool where water spills over every edge into a slot gutter.
The most technically demanding pool style — the entire pool surface sits at the top of the wall and water sheets in every direction into a hidden gutter.
The interior finish coating of a gunite/shotcrete pool.
White cement, marble aggregate, and water troweled onto the shell. Plaster is the most affordable finish, typically 7–10 year life in Arizona water before it needs refinishing.
The rectangular opening at the waterline that draws surface debris into the filter loop.
Skimmers pull the top layer of water — where leaves, oils, and bugs collect — into the filter. Most residential pools have 1–2 skimmers depending on shape and prevailing wind.
A pool wall that overflows into a hidden catch basin, creating a mirror-like edge.
Also called an infinity edge. Requires precise engineering and a second pump loop that returns water from the catch basin back to the pool.
A pool pump that runs at multiple RPMs instead of one fixed speed.
Variable speed pumps (VSPs) are required by Arizona energy code for new residential pools. They cut pool electricity use by 60–80% compared to single-speed pumps.
Tile band at the water level — the 6-inch strip you see when the pool is full.
Waterline tile hides the visual line where evaporation stains the pool interior and gives the pool a finished look. Glass, ceramic, and porcelain are common. It's set with thinset onto the bond beam.
Aggregate Base Course — the graded crushed rock base under pavers.
A blend of rock from 3/4" down to fines. The big rock carries load, the fines fill voids so the base compacts tight. Standard base material under paver patios, walkways, and driveways.
AE take: AE standard: 2–3" compacted ABC under residential patios and walkways, 4–6" under driveways, additional ABC for build-up or higher-traffic use. See our ABC base guide.
The 1" screeded sand layer between the base and the pavers.
Washed concrete sand (not mason sand), screeded dead flat on top of the compacted ABC. Its only job is to level the pavers — not to add depth or hide grade issues.
AE take: AE spec: 1" of screeded bedding sand on top of the ABC, every job, every time. Not 2", not 3" — one inch.
Installing base material in 2–3" layers, compacting each before adding the next.
A plate compactor only pushes energy down a few inches. Dumping 6" of ABC at once leaves the bottom loose and the patio settles later.
AE take: This is where paver jobs quietly fail. Ask any contractor how many lifts they'll run on your base.
Weathered granite chips used as a loose surface for paths and yards.
Compacts firm when installed correctly over quarter minus, but not stable enough for driving loads. Stabilized DG uses a binder to reduce migration.
Plastic or metal edge spiked into the base to keep pavers from spreading.
Pavers rely on tight interlock. Without a restrained edge, the outer rows migrate outward over time and joints open up. Spiked into the ABC with 10" spikes at roughly 12" on center.
Natural stone in irregular flat pieces, set with wide grouted joints.
Common types in Arizona: Arizona flagstone (buff/rose), Oklahoma, and Colorado. Sold by the ton. Thickness varies, so the setting bed adjusts to keep the surface flat.
Sand mixed with polymer binders that hardens when activated with water.
Swept into paver joints, then activated with a fine mist. It locks pavers in place, resists weed growth, and stops ants from tunneling up through the joints.
AE take: AE uses polymeric joint sand on every paver install. Standard silica sand alone washes out in the first monsoon.
Crushed rock from 1/4" down to fines. NOT for paver base.
Quarter minus is a fine crushed material used under artificial turf, decomposed granite paths, and other low-load applications. It does not have the coarse aggregate needed to carry paver loads.
AE take: If a contractor is putting quarter minus under your pavers, stop the job. That's a fail. We never use quarter minus under pavers.
The act (and the tool) of leveling bedding sand to a precise depth.
Two parallel rails set to the finished sand height, and a straight bar pulled across them to level the sand between.
Natural stone popular for pool decks because it stays cool underfoot.
A sedimentary stone with natural voids (that are usually filled). Reflects heat well and is comfortable barefoot even in Arizona summer, unlike concrete or dark pavers.
A beam or roof section that extends past its support with no post at the end.
Common on modern pergolas and ramadas — one edge floats without a column, creating an open sightline. Engineering has to account for the extra bending load on the supported end.
Aluminum pergola with rotating roof blades that open, close, and rain-seal.
Motorized aluminum louvers rotate up to 170°. Closed = full shade and gutter-drained rain protection. Open = partial shade with airflow. Rain and wind sensors are common add-ons.
An open-roof shade structure with rafters and slats — partial shade.
Traditionally a series of beams and cross-slats supported on posts, with no solid roof. Modern louvered pergolas (Struxure, Renson) have operable aluminum blades that open and close, giving on-demand shade or rain protection.
AE take: In Arizona sun, a traditional slatted pergola gives roughly 40–70% shade. A louvered pergola in closed position gives 100% shade and can be watertight.
The metal bracket that anchors a wood or steel post to the concrete footing.
Standoff bases hold the post ~1" above the concrete so water can't wick into the base of the post. Required by code for wood posts touching flatwork or footings.
A fully-roofed freestanding shade structure — 100% shade.
A ramada has a solid roof (tile, metal, or built-up) supported on columns or walls. Provides full shade and rain protection, and typically requires a permit and engineered foundation.
AE take: If a homeowner asks for a pergola but wants full shade and to hang a TV, they usually want a ramada.
Cement-hard calcium carbonate layer common in Arizona subsoil.
Jackhammer-hard when dry, still tough when wet. Affects planting depth, trench digging, and pool excavation cost. Almost every Phoenix Valley yard hits it at some depth.
Low-pressure water delivered to each plant through emitters at the root zone.
Efficient for Arizona landscapes — water goes directly to the root ball with minimal evaporation. Emitters are sized (0.5, 1, 2 GPH) to match each plant's water needs.
Ounces of yarn per square yard on the face of artificial turf.
Higher face weight = more yarn = more durable and premium feel. Residential turf is typically 60–100 oz. Below 50 oz is builder-grade and won't last in Arizona sun.
The granular material brushed into artificial turf blades.
Silica sand, coated sand, or organic infill (cork, olive pit) brushed between the blades so they stand up, cushion, and stabilize the turf. Volume is spec'd in pounds per square foot.
The compacted aggregate base under artificial turf — typically quarter minus.
3–4" of quarter minus, compacted in lifts, over a graded and compacted subgrade. Provides drainage and a stable, level surface for the turf to be seamed and secured to.
Landscape designed around low-water plants suited to desert climate.
Not the same as zero landscape. Xeriscape uses native and desert-adapted plants, efficient irrigation, and mulches to reduce water use by 50–75% vs. traditional turf-heavy yards.
The equipotential grid that ties all metal parts of a pool together electrically.
A #8 solid copper wire ties the rebar shell, pump, ladder, coping, and metal fencing to the same electrical potential so no shock hazard can develop between them. Required by NEC 680.
Ground fault circuit interrupter — required on all outdoor and pool circuits.
Detects tiny current leaks (indicating shock hazard) and trips in milliseconds. Required by NEC on every outdoor receptacle, pool equipment circuit, and pool light circuit.
The color temperature of a light source, measured in kelvin.
2700K = warm/incandescent. 3000K = warm white (standard for landscape). 4000K = neutral. 5000K+ = cool/blueish. Landscape lighting in AE installs is typically 2700K–3000K.
12V or 24V lighting powered through a transformer — the residential landscape standard.
Line voltage (120V) stepped down to 12V DC or AC. Safer to install, easier to modify, and lower operating cost. Cable size (10, 12, 14 gauge) is chosen based on wattage and run length to avoid voltage drop.
AE take: Landscape lighting is almost always low voltage. Line voltage in the yard is a red flag on a residential landscape bid.
Programmable RGB LED lights installed under the eave year-round.
Individually addressable LED nodes mounted in an aluminum channel under the fascia. App-controlled — holiday colors on Christmas, red/white on July 4, off the rest of the year.
Loss of voltage as current travels through a wire run.
Long runs and undersized wire cause fixtures at the end of a run to dim. Solved with heavier gauge cable, multiple home runs from the transformer, or hub-and-spoke wiring.
A gravel-filled pit that receives collected water and lets it percolate into the soil.
The exit point for a French drain or roof leader in areas without a lower daylight point. Sized to soil percolation rate and drainage volume.
A perforated pipe in gravel that collects and moves subsurface water.
A trench lined with fabric, filled with drain rock around a perforated pipe. Collects water from a low or saturated area and pipes it to a daylight point or dry well.
The ground slopes AWAY from the house at a minimum of 2% (1/4" per foot).
The #1 rule of yard grading. Water must move away from the foundation, not toward it. Required by code on any grading that affects the home's drainage.
Water moving as a thin, even film across a graded surface.
The goal on most patios and pool decks — water spreads evenly and drains off the edge instead of channeling into ruts. Achieved with tight grade tolerance during finishing.
A financial guarantee filed with ROC that homeowners can claim against.
Licensed contractors post a bond that covers homeowner claims for shoddy or incomplete work, up to the bond amount. Bond size is set by license class.
A written amendment to the original contract for added or modified scope.
Legitimate scope changes get written, signed, and priced BEFORE the work happens. Verbal change orders and post-work invoicing are the #1 source of Arizona homeowner-contractor disputes.
A legal claim against the property for unpaid labor or materials.
In Arizona, subcontractors and suppliers can file a mechanics lien if the general contractor doesn't pay them — even if the homeowner already paid the GC. Preliminary 20-day notices are the early warning.
Municipal approval required for most structural, pool, and electrical work.
Every Arizona city sets its own permit fees and inspection process. Pools, ramadas, block walls over a certain height, and most electrical additions require permits and inspections.
A payment tied to a specific milestone in the project.
AE pool payment schedule is 15% at contract / 25% at excavation / 25% at gunite/shotcrete / 25% at deck & tile / 10% at plaster startup. No 'call for pricing,' no vague remainder language.
An ROC-administered fund that reimburses homeowners for licensed-contractor damages.
Funded by contractor license fees. If a licensed residential contractor fails to complete a job or damages a home and doesn't make it right, the homeowner can file for reimbursement up to $30,000.
Arizona Registrar of Contractors — the state agency that licenses contractors.
Any contracting work valued over $1,000 (materials + labor combined, lifetime aggregate for a project) requires an ROC-licensed contractor. Unlicensed work leaves the homeowner liable for injuries and workmanship failures.
AE take: AE lists ROC license numbers on every proposal and every truck. If a contractor won't share their ROC number, walk away.
Bring us any outdoor living contract, from us or anyone else, and we'll walk through it line by line — materials, methods, and where the real money is going. No pressure, no upsell.
