Summer is here and everyone without a pool is wishing that they had one about now. You already know you want an in-ground swimming pool but how do you decide between a fiberglass, gunite (concrete) or vinyl-lined pool? They all offer the same cool water and refreshing vacation from the hot weather but what type of construction material is really the best for both your family and pocket book?
Why Choose a Fiberglass Swimming Pool?
- Quick Installation
Who wants to wait until the fall or even next spring or summer to swim? With a fiberglass pool you can be swimming in as little as 2-3 weeks. This is the easiest and most efficient of all options. Fiberglass pools are factory-molded shells manufactured off-site, transported to your home in a single piece, and placed inside an excavated hole with a crane. The pool is then leveled and components like filtration, plumbing and electrical completed.
- Fiberglass Swimming Pool Cost
Though your initial fiberglass pool cost is usually higher than a vinyl-lined pool and runs close to that of a concrete pool. After installation, fiberglass pools are more affordable over the life of the pool. The liner of a vinyl-lined pool will need to be replaced between five and 10 years. Gunite pools also must be relined or resurfaced over time. Fiberglass pools are a single shell without any corrosive properties, so they should never require resurfacing. With little to no upkeep cost, this makes them more cost-effective in the long run.
- Ease of Maintenance
Fiberglass swimming pools are the easiest pools to maintain and generally stay cleaner than concrete pools. They also require fewer chemicals than gunite pools because of the material they are made from. Fiberglass pool shells are non-porous and do not allow algae to grow on them. Additionally, fiberglass pool shells do not react chemically with the pool water in it. This eliminates the need for draining and acid washing your pool to maintain the ph as is required with a gunite pool.
- Pool Design
Contrary to popular belief fiberglass swimming pools offer over 100 different designs ranging in all shapes, sizes and depths. Issues that were previously perceived as distinct disadvantages of fiberglass pools have been eliminated with increased design choices in recent years. Fiberglass swimming pools now offer great molded steps, benches, coves, and sun deck configurations. As well as vanishing edges, waterfalls, tanning ledges and wet bar options. All of these features and more can be unique to each pool and personalized as you see fit. Fiberglass swimming pools offer beautiful colored finishes and will always continue to look as beautiful as the day were installed- that is what sets them apart!
- Durability
Fiberglass swimming pools are designed to withstand all climates, even the crazy weather we have in Northern California. The flexibility of the fiberglass makes these in-ground pools remarkably durable and resilient whether temperatures outside are hot or cold. When a pool is durable, you’re less likely to pull out your wallet and pay for potentially expensive repairs and more likely to spend time enjoying your pool with family and friends.
Our most loyal customers are those that have previously owned gunite pools because they know the ease of taking care of fiberglass after having been through the costly and frustrating difficulties of another swimming pool. School is in but it’s still plenty hot to swim. There is still time to get a pool in before the weather turns. Call us today so we can turn your back yard into an oasis!
