Fiberglass pools arrive right to your backyard, fully built and have the lowest operating cost of any in-ground pool!!
It is more affordable than concrete pools and come in a wide selection of sizes and styles.
They provide a smooth interior surface that won’t snag your feet or swimsuit. The surface doesn’t require acid washing or re-surfacing like a gunite pool. Fiberglass pools are built in one-piece in a quality-controlled factory and once shipped, can be quickly installed saving weeks of construction time.
FEATURES | FIBERGLASS POOLS | GUNITE (CONCRETE) POOLS | VINYL LINER POOLS |
Cost Comparison | Initial cost to install is slightly higher than a Vinyl Liner Pools, however, they come with the lowest operating cost. | Typically, the most expensive to install and the most expensive to maintain and operate | The least expensive in-ground pool to install but requires liner replacements every 8-10 years. |
Shell Guarantee | 50 years from manufacturer | Liner Seams only | |
Surface | Smooth | Rough | Slippery and smooth |
Type of Coping | Non-slip Fiberglass | Concrete | Aluminum |
Steps & Seating | Built-in | Optional | Optional |
Quality Control.of Construction | By manufacturer at factory | By Contractor | By Installer |
Re-Plastering (Marcite) | Never | Needed every 7-8 years | Never |
Acid Wash Pool Shell | Never | Needed every 3-5 years | Never |
Exposure to Saltwater | Resistant to wear & tear from salt exposure | Plaster finish may be susceptible to saltwater exposure | Often designed with metal walls which may experience saltwater corrosion |
Algae Growth | Non-porous surface of fiberglass inhibits algae growth | Porous surface allows for algae to cling to the sides and requires routine cleaning | Non-porous surfact of vinyl inhibits algae growth |
| PROS | CONS | |
| SALTWATER SYSTEMS | Fewer harsh chemicals | Saltwater is corrosive to metal; it can corrode outdoor furniture and natural stone. Pavers near pool will need to be sealed to avoid breaking down. |
| Lower Maintenance | Higher upfront costs than chlorine systems. The cost and installation of a chlorine generator can cost from $500 to over $2000 and will need to be replaced in approximately 7-years | |
| Cheaper to Maintain – pool grade salt costs are lower than chlorine products | Higher energy costs – the filter must run 24/7 to generate enough chlorine to maintain clean water. | |
| Chlorine generator cannot generate chlorine in water temperatures below 60 degrees | ||
| PROS | CONS | |
| CHLORINE SYSTEMS | Lower upfront costs – Less expensive equipment. Water testing and balancing can be done by the homeowner. | Irritating Chemicals – Chlorine can irritate your skin, eyes and throat and can dry out your skin. |
| Easier to perform your own maintenance on equipment | On-going cost to maintain balance in your pool’s water chemistry | |
| Not corrosive and will not cause major damage to pool parts | Weekly checking of the water’s chemical balance is required and if needed, adding chlorine or other chemicals. | |
| Chlorine products are more costly than pool grade salt |
Step 1 – Select shape and style of the pool that fits you vision
Step 2 – Pool shell ordered
Step 3 – Within 2 to 3 days of pool delivery the excavation equipment arrives to dig a hole and prep site.
Step 4 – Pool shell is set in place; plumbing, electrical, and pool equipment is installed
Step 5 – Dirt is backfilled around shell and pool is filled with water
Step 6 – Once dirt is allowed to settle, concrete is poured around the pool
The starting cost to install a fiberglass pool is approximately $60,000. This includes the pool shell, equipment, ground excavation, delivery, installation & concrete decking around the pool. Issues affecting overall cost are pool size and type, spa add-on, tanning ledge add-on, difficulty accessing yard, fencing, landscaping and retaining walls.
Fiberglass pools typically take 6 weeks to complete, however timing is dependent on the permitting process.
