Fibreglass Vs Concrete
Which Is Better and Why?
Choosing the right pool for your home is an important and life changing decision. It might be the biggest investment that you ever make to your home. When making this decision, the most common two types of pools in homeowners backyards are Fibreglass and Concrete. While concrete pools have always been a popular choice due to its durability and being able to be customised and designed exactly how you want, in recent years fibreglass has become a more increasingly popular choice. Fibreglass pools have significantly lower costs, are much quicker to install and are an extremely durable material. Let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages of both concrete and fibreglass pools.
Concrete Swimming Pools
Advantages Of Concrete Pools
- There are a wide range of finishes and colours
- Concrete is sturdy and solid so can last a long time
- Customisable and made for your specific requirements
Challenges Of Concrete Pools
- Installation takes a long time
- Costs 30% more than fibreglass
- Concrete is rough and can cause injury to swimmers
- Not suited to all soil types
- Not very economical to run as it requires a lot of maintenance and heating
- Concrete surface attracts bacteria and mould which means more chemicals required
A concrete pool is not going to be a great option for those who are impatient. This is because a concrete inground pool will need to be built from scratch, and this can take around three months to be installed, depending on weather and soil conditions.
The process of installing a concrete pool includes excavating the pool hole, and then pouring in the concrete. Once the concrete is in, it will need to be sprayed and left to cure. The hard work like tiling, pebbling, paving, and the fencing and finishing details takes a long time as it is very laborious. You may be surprised that installing a concrete swimming pool could take several months to complete from beginning to end! Wind and rain will slow down or even stop your concrete pool installation as well. Keep in mind there could be further costs associated with drying out waterlogged soil, and draining all of the water out!
In terms of costs, concrete pools are more expensive than fibreglass pools, as they are built from scratch individually for each customer. Concrete pools are extremely strong and sturdy, but unfortunately, they are not compatible with all types of soils. If your soil is not compacted enough or unstable, the pool is at risk of sinking and slipping.
Algae is attracted to the concrete walls and floor as it is a porous surface, so you need to keep in mind that it will require more chemicals to sanitise the water and surfaces. Including more brushing over the walls and floor to clean away build-up. This is more apparent over the warmer months. Also, concrete pools will require an expensive resurface or acid wash every seven to twelve years. This can be messy, time-consuming and a very expensive process.
The great thing about concrete pools is that there is more variety, you can choose from different shapes and colours and interior textures. Plus you can choose it to be painted or tiled or pebbled, however with a fibreglass pool you’re more limited with the design options.
Fibreglass Swimming Pools
Advantages Of Fibreglass Pools
- Faster for installation
- Looks sleek and modern
- Can choose to add in-built spas and tanning ledges
- Easier for cleaning and maintenance
- More energy efficient with solar and also retains heat better
- The smooth gel surface means no scratches or grazes for swimmers
Challenges Of Fibreglass Pools
- Restricted with your choice of sizes
- Limited choice of colours
- Can choose to add in-built spas and tanning ledges
A fibreglass pool is manufactured off-site, then delivered to your house and lifted into place. The full process requires soil to be excavated, and then once the pool has been installed, it will be filled with water and then backfilled with soil. The final stages of a fibreglass pool installation are connecting your pump and electrics like lighting and filtration, and any landscaping. Would you believe that this whole process could be finished within a week? This turnaround for installation is a lot quicker than a concrete pool.
Fibreglass pools have a smooth gel-coat finish and are soft underfoot. A lot of people enjoy swimming in a fibreglass pool because there is a lower risk of scraping yourself on sharp edges which you can find on the surface of concrete pools. Also, fibreglass pools will have warmer water as they retain heat compared to concrete pools.
Fibreglass pools are mass-produced, so while this means you can have a fast installation, it also means your pool won’t be a unique ‘one-off’ design. Unlike with concrete pools, which can be designed to suit any specifications. However, there are lots of added extras you can choose to customise a fibreglass pool like having an inbuilt spa, or a tanning ledge and even steps.
The hi-tech gel coating that a fibreglass pool has means it is smooth and non-porous and has less opportunity for algae or mould to grow. This is great in terms of maintenance costs, as it means minimised cleaning time and less chemicals needed to balance your pool. Also you can expect lower bills and energy consumption compared to concrete pools.
So Which Is Best, Fibreglass or Concrete?
While it looks like fibreglass pools have the winning edge over concrete pools, it is ultimately your choice, and you need to be comfortable with the decision you make. There are many Fibreglass pools on offer in an extensive range of different shapes, styles and sizes. Here at Barrier Reef Pools New Zealand, our team will be more than happy to assist you in any way we can, so reach out to us today for more information about how a fibreglass pool can be the newest addition to your home.
