Are you debating between an inground fiberglass pool and a concrete pool? Get the facts to decide which is best for your backyard!
It is always captivating to engage in a comprehensive evaluation of two options. The same is true for a fiberglass pool and a concrete pool. Through this type of comparison, it is possible to gain a greater understanding of the relative merits and drawbacks of each option.
In this blog post, we will explore the comparative merits of two distinct options, fiberglass vs concrete pools. It is important to note that there is no definitive ‘good’ or ‘bad’ choice between them; rather, the selection should reflect a range of factors, including individual personal preferences, budget and requirements.
Concrete pools are the most traditional form of aquatic leisure, having been part of the human experience for many years. Concrete has played a significant role in improving the look of our cities and the quality of our lives. It is the second most used material in the world. This speaks to its versatility and utility in a variety of contexts, ranging from construction and infrastructure projects to aesthetic endeavours. Its physical properties provide an ideal balance between strength, durability, and workability, making it a valuable tool for engineers and architects alike.
Concrete pools are a classic choice for pool owners due to their traditional nature. However, there are some downsides associated with concrete pools that must be taken into consideration when making the decision to invest in one. Firstly, they can be much more expensive to install than fiberglass pools and vinyl liner pools due to their labour-intensive and time-consuming construction process. Additionally, the porous nature of concrete means it is more susceptible to staining and scaling over time.
The maintenance work and costs are much more significant with concrete pools.
The technological and manufacturing advancements of today are revolutionizing the way we live our lives. Modernity has embraced the concept of knowledge transfer from traditional materials, such as concrete and has thus sought to employ more dynamic means of constructing advanced products.
Just like any other industry, in the 1950s, the pool industry was asking for an innovative advancement. For that reason, fiberglass pools were introduced into the market and changed the overall pool construction significantly. This new type of pool technology represented an advancement of existing methods and drastically improved durability, longevity, and cost-effectiveness while also enhancing the aesthetic appeal of traditional pools. The introduction of fiberglass pools resulted in a substantial increase in consumer demand due to its various advantages over other materials.
Inground fiberglass pools have been around for decades, but their popularity has exponentially increased in recent years.The ability to mass production of fiberglass pools has enabled a reduction in its price point. This market adjustment has spurred an increase in demand for fiberglass pools, as the price is now more appealing and hence attractive to a larger group of consumers in addition to their quality, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.
Due to advancements in design and manufacturing, fiberglass pools are now the most popular type of swimming pool within the market. Let us draw a comparison between an inground fiberglass swimming pool and a concrete pool.
Installation & Construction Cost
Inground Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass pools are a great investment option for those in the market looking to maximize their Return On Investment (ROI). These pools are increasingly popular due to their reasonable prices. The average cost of a fiberglass pool in Canada is between $30,000 to $85,000. This cost includes the pool shell and the fiberglass pool installation, making the pool swim-ready.
Concrete Pool
The cost of a concrete pool is highly variable, dependent on numerous factors such as the size, design, pool contractor and installation costs. Generally speaking, a reasonable budget should be allocated in the range of $55,000 to $150,000; however, this can vary depending on the project specifications. When budgeting for a concrete pool, every feature can fluctuate the overall cost significantly.
The Winner is a Fiberglass Pool
In terms of pool installation costs, fiberglass pool is a more advantageous option than concrete. The lower installation cost associated with fiberglass pools makes them the winner of this race.
Long-Term Maintenance Costs
Inground Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass swimming pools are well known for their low maintenance costs, which is one of their unbeatable competitive advantages. This is due to the fact that their surface is constructed from a gel coat layer that is resistant to corrosion, algae and is very easy to clean.
This means that fewer repairs and upkeep will be needed over time, as the material is far more durable than other pool types such as concrete or vinyl liners.
Depending on the use of the home owners, fiberglass pools may require a resurface every 20 to 25 years, if the customer is observing a faded gel coat or stress (spider) cracks. This is, in most cases, not required, but in case it happens, it may cost the homeowner between $5,500 to under $8,500.
Concrete Pool
Concrete pools have the highest maintenance costs when compared to other types of swimming pools due to the fact that they require more frequent and intensive cleaning procedures. This is mostly due to the porosity of the concrete material, which is more prone to absorbing dirt, debris, and bacteria than other pool materials such as vinyl-liner and fiberglass.
Concrete pools must be resurfaced every 12 to 15 years, while an acid wash should be performed every 3 to 5 years in order to remove algae build-up that could compromise the look of the pool and its water quality. Concrete pools are prone to staining, chipping, cracking, and tile popping. The minimum maintenance cost of concrete resurfacing is $12,500 to $20,000, depending on the size and condition of the pool. The acid wash cost varies but ranges between $1,250 to under $3,000.
The Winner is a Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass pools are the winner in the maintenance cost battle with concrete pools. Fiberglass pools require significantly less ongoing upkeep than concrete pools and are less prone to experiencing staining and algae growth.
Warranty
Inground Fiberglass Pool
Most fiberglass pools are equipped with a manufacturer’s warranty that safeguards against manufacturing product defects. This warranty is intended to provide protection to the consumer by ensuring that any damage caused by a malfunction of the product material can be repaired or replaced. Most pool contractors also offer a craftsmanship warranty for a period of time.
Concrete Pool
Concrete pools typically do not have a comparable warranty, as they are more prone to degradation due to their chemical composition and exposure to environmental elements. The warranty for concrete pools is inherently weaker than that for fiberglass pools due to the fact that the warranty is highly dependent on the pool builder and it does not cover the material itself. Therefore, the quality of your pool is highly dependent on the expertise of your pool builder.
The Winner is a Fiberglass Pool
The winner of the warranty battle is, once again, a fiberglass pool. Fiberglass pools are renowned for their superior durability, evidenced by their superior warranties.
Customization
Inground Fiberglass Pool
Customization options available for fiberglass pools are limited compared to other types of pool construction. The prospective pool owner is typically limited to choosing from the variety of models that the particular manufacturing brand offers. This lack of flexibility can be inconvenient for those who desire a design tailored to their exact specifications and preferences.
We have created a collection of fiberglass pools with various shapes and styles that are attractive to the majority of the population. However, if a customer is interested in fully customized shapes, sizes, depth and etc. fiberglass is not an ideal choice.
Concrete Pool
Concrete pools offer a high level of customizability, allowing for the realization of highly individualized swimming pool designs. The various parameters associated with these pools, such as shape, sizes, depth, and decking, can all be tailored to a user’s unique preferences and requirements.
The Winner is a Concrete Pool
When it comes to customizability, although fiberglass pools have many great models to choose from, they are not as customizable. Concrete pools are the winner of the design customizability battle.
Installation & Construction Time
Inground Fiberglass Pool
Once the fiberglass pool manufacturers have completed the fabrication of the pool shell, it is ready to be delivered and installed. Fiberglass pools can be installed (swim-ready) in 2 to 5 days, which is way faster than any other type of swimming pool. The fiberglass pool installation process involves a number of different steps, including excavation, pool base, crane use, pool setting, plumbing, backfill, coping and equipment installation.
PENTARM POOLS offers the guaranteed fastest delivery and installation of fiberglass pools across Canada with the help of its robust logistics partners and dedicated authorized dealers.
Concrete Pool
The construction process for concrete pools can be quite lengthy due to the complexity of the task. The timeline for completion is typically between 6-12 weeks, depending on several factors such as the size and design of the pool structure, weather conditions, human capital and availability of materials. Concrete pools take the most time to be built in comparison to other types of swimming pools.
The Winner is a Fiberglass Pool
A fiberglass pool wins over a concrete pool when it comes to the speed of pool construction and installation. From the time your permit is obtained and your pool is ready for delivery, it would take you less than a week to jump into your dream fiberglass pool. On the other hand, a concrete pool requires between 1.5 to 3 months.
Surface Texture
Inground Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass pools are known for their great-looking and smooth surface, which is primarily attributed to the gel coat that is applied during the construction phase. The gel coat acts as a barrier between the swimming pool’s body and potential contaminants in the environment, thus ensuring a highly resistant and comfortable surface.
Additionally, this layer of protection also provides an aesthetically pleasing finish that helps to create an ambience of relaxation. For example, check out our highly popular rectangular fiberglass pools with shiny and smooth surfaces.
Concrete Pool
One notable downside of concrete pools is the rough surface. This is because concrete absorbs water, leading to the formation of small cracks or algae on its surface. As a result, the pool’s texture can be uncomfortable and unappealing to swimmers, who may prefer a smoother texture.
The Winner is a Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass pools offer a significant advantage over concrete pools in terms of surface finish. The gel coat finish on fiberglass pools provides a smoother, more consistent finish than the rough and porous surface of concrete pools.
Overall Winner
Based on the six factors elucidated, fiberglass pools are in overall a better option when considering advantages over concrete pools. As mentioned in the beginning fo the post, no single type of swimming pool is suitable for all home owners, and the same is applicable to fiberglass pools and concrete pools.
If you are seeking an option that can satisfy you at the most reasonable price with the highest ROI, then selecting a fiberglass pool should be your first choice. If you are looking for a pool with depth and size flexibility, then choosing a concrete pool is a great option.
A concrete pool can be custom-designed to fit the desired dimensions and depth that cannot be achieved with fiberglass pools. Additionally, since fiberglass pools come pre-manufactured, they must often be craned into place due to their weight, making the installation for areas with space constraints or difficult access points.
Final Note
PENTARM POOLS is the leading fiberglass swimming pool distributor across Canada, with the largest and strongest dealership network of authorized pool installers ready to serve homeowners faster, better and easier than ever. Our customer service is unparalleled, in addition to the largest selection of flat-bottom fiberglass pools in North America, with over 39 models to choose from. View our fiberglass pool designs from the world’s largest fiberglass swimming pool manufacturer.
