Therefore, installation is a long process that can stretch over many months. Fiberglass 1 pools are easier to install as they come pre-cast from a factory and are installed as a single piece on site. The pool is installed on top of a concrete or sand base inside a large excavated hole.
The installation is relatively quick and can be completed in three to five weeks. Costs are dependent on the type of concrete you choose, with cast in place being the least and gunite 3 costing the most. This includes site excavation and preparation, concrete along with forms and reinforcements, a pump 4 and necessary tubing, interior finishing supplies like sealant and paint, as well as a lamp and ladder.
There are additional costs for a water heating system, a perimeter walkway, privacy fence 5 , and vinyl 6 pool cover, plus additional labor. The upfront costs of a concrete pool may be lower than a fiberglass 1 pool, but keep in mind that custom features will drive the price higher. A fiberglass pool is made in a factory and transported directly to the site where it will be installed. Fiberglass pools are prefinished with a smooth gel surface and do not require an additional sealant.
Concrete pools will have a rougher, more porous surface and require a chemical sealant to prevent moisture absorption.
The rough surface can easily trap bacteria, which can lead to algae growth. It can also cause scratches and cuts if you hit the bottom of the pool while jumping, playing, or swimming.
The surface of a fiberglass pool is smooth and much like that of a bathtub. It is also non-porous , making it unlikely that bacteria will find a place to grow.
Keep in mind that fiberglass pool surfaces can become slippery when wet and built-in 7 stairs or other features that are part of the pool shell may cause a slip or other injury.
Concrete pools will last longer than fiberglass pools because of the materials used and construction methods. With regular maintenance, cleaning, and resurfacing, a concrete pool can last for decades. A high-quality surface finishing product should be used to seal the concrete to improve longevity. A fiberglass pool will last between 20—25 years , although the interior gel finish may need to be reapplied every 10 years. These pools are less durable than concrete because they do not use the same reinforced construction methods, and the pool shell is installed on top of concrete or sand, making it prone to cracking as the ground settles or shifts.
The flexibility of concrete pools is virtually unlimited and is the best choice for creating a customized pool that takes advantage of the size and shape of your space. Features like rocks, fountains, and grottos can be built into the design of your pool and seamlessly integrate into the surrounding landscape. A fiberglass pool is limited in size and shape because the shell comes pre-cast, and the installation area must be able to accommodate its dimensions.
If you have limited space or unique features in your yard, like large trees or rocks, fiberglass will be more difficult to install.
Because these pools are shipped from the factory by trucks, they cannot be larger than 16 feet, the width of roads, in any dimension. There is considerably more maintenance required for a concrete pool than a fiberglass pool. Weekly cleaning and scrubbing are required as well as the regular rebalancing of chemicals. Concrete pools require a complete resurfacing every 10—15 years to maintain their surface and keep moisture out.
The better maintained your pool is, the longer it will last and ensure that your investment is protected. Fiberglass pools require less maintenance and are easier to keep clean. The smooth surface of the fiberglass makes it easier to control algae and bacteria that may otherwise get caught on the rougher surfaces of a concrete pool.
Fewer chemicals are needed in the water to control the bacteria. As a result, the lifetime cost of a fiberglass pool is considerably lower than a concrete pool. Fiberglass pools heat up quicker and retain heat longer than concrete pools. The fiberglass shell and liner 8 are thinner and made of a material that does not absorb heat, meaning that your water will warm faster and stay warm longer.
Concrete absorbs heat, so in addition to heating the pool water, the pool heater must also warm the concrete to maintain its temperature. This process takes much longer and requires more energy to warm the water. According to the National Association of Realtors , both concrete and fiberglass pools can increase the resale value of your home, provided they are properly maintained.
In recent years, there has been discussion as to whether in-ground pools are worth the ongoing expense to homeowners. Home buyers, however, tend to view a pool as a quality of life investment rather than a financial one. Depending on your climate and location, an in-ground pool can be a very attractive selling feature.
FIXR provides cost guides, comparisons, and term cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation and repair projects. Log In. Loading, please wait Password Recovery. Get Local Cost. CONS Requires resurfacing every 10—15 years Higher lifetime maintenance costs More difficult and time-consuming installation Porous surface may allow algae growth, requiring more chemicals Rougher surface may cause scrapes and cuts.
Find Pros. Installation The installation of an in-ground pool is a large, complex task and is best left to professionals. After the concrete has been sprayed and left to set, before adding the finishing coating of tiles or plaster. Naturally, the more involved process means that concrete swimming pools will take a bit longer to install and get running than fibreglass models.
This is a trade-off as the pre-built nature of fibreglass pools mean they are more limited in terms of shape, design, and size — they have to fit onto a truck for delivery after-all! Both concrete and fibreglass pools look great when installed and finished, and for most people, it will be impossible to tell the difference between them. The feel of the pool may also differ depending on the options you choose. Fibreglass pools tend to have a very smooth finish due to the gel coating applied over the raw fibreglass.
Concrete pools are generally either plastered or tiled, which makes them slightly rougher underfoot than fibreglass but does give them a better grip. Fibreglass and concrete are both hard-wearing, long-lasting materials. Fibreglass is generally more resistant to long-term everyday wear than concrete, but it is more susceptible to damage and cracking due to soil and ground movement. Meanwhile, concrete may require repair work at some point during its lifespan to handle general wear and tear.
Whatever material you finally decided on, however, you can expect to get decades of enjoyment from your new swimming pool. Contact us today to see how we can help make your swimming dreams become a reality! Concrete has many pores and cavities , which invites algae. Regular maintenance can keep your pretty pool from turning into a pond, regardless of the pool type.
However, a fiberglass pool makes this easier for you. Fiberglass pools need less electricity and fewer chemicals to stay in good shape. Less money, time, and sweat. You have to put aside time and money to buy and add the extra chemicals to kill algae. Aside from that, you also need to add acid regularly to keep the water chemistry in balance, given that concrete is alkaline-based. Only you know your priorities for your new pool.
Consider these different characteristics to consider as you determine the best fit for you and your family. Maybe the pool needs to fit your specific aesthetic regardless of cost. If you're still on the fence, but you'd like to get a clearer idea of your perfect pool, try our Pool Type Selector quiz.
You'll get a customized recommendation with just 10 quick clicks. Try it out below:. Unlike concrete pools, fiberglass pools are installed quickly over a few weeks instead of months , cost much less in the long run, and require minimal maintenance and repairs. Fun fact: If you already have a concrete pool and want to switch over, you can actually install a fiberglass unit inside it.
At River Pools we offer both freeform and linear fiberglass pools in Virginia and southern Maryland and across the country through our dealers. If you think a fiberglass pool might be the right choice for you, we want to answer any questions you have!
Should You Buy a Fiberglass Pool? Concrete vs. Categories Follow Us Subscribe. Conclusion The upfront costs for both are about the same, but concrete pools cost far more in the long run. Winner: Fiberglass Customization Fiberglass Fiberglass pools typically run up to 16 feet wide, 40 feet long, and 8. Concrete If you need a super long or deep pool, concrete is your best option. Conclusion Fiberglass pools and concrete pools can be equally gorgeous, but concrete pools are almost unlimited in their size and shape options.
Winner: Concrete Installation time Fiberglass We manufacture the fiberglass pool shell off site. Concrete It takes 3—6 months to construct a concrete pool, which is typically done using the gunite process.
Conclusion You only see the installation part of the fiberglass pool process, not the messy manufacturing, and that installation takes weeks instead of months.
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