A fiberglass pool offers the best value for investment, finishes, and durability. Fiberglass pools are growing in market share compared to other kinds of swimming pool construction.
The investment for a fiberglass pool is more than an in-ground vinyl liner pool but less than a gunite or shotcrete pool.
The initial smaller investment of an in-ground vinyl liner pool can appeal to price-conscious buyers. However, these pool owners will need to replace their vinyl liner at some point, which will typically make up the difference after one or two replacements. A fiberglass pool lasts longer than a vinyl liner.
Some homeowners have a specific design that may best suit a gunite or shotcrete pool. A vanishing edge pool, a perimeter overflow pool, or a beach entry pool are examples of designs that suit gunite or shotcrete construction best. Homeowners who require a very specific size pool may need to have their pool built using gunite or shotcrete.
For everyone else, a fiberglass pool should be seriously considered because it is durable and loaded with features. Fiberglass pools can be made with tile, so they have the traditional tile appearance; vinyl liner pools do not use tile. Like vinyl pools, fiberglass pools are smooth to the touch but are not subject to accidental holes or tears. Fiberglass pools now have several appealing color options and appear more custom than vinyl liners.
Every pool buyer should consider durability so their investment lasts as long as possible. A vinyl liner generally needs to be changed every 5-10 years, depending on chemical usage, maintenance practices, exposure to UV, and how the pool is used, among other factors. Unfortunately, a perfectly good vinyl liner may need to be replaced prematurely if someone or something causes a large enough hole or tear. One might say, “That won’t happen to me.” Maybe not, but if it does, then the math to make up the difference between a vinyl liner pool and a fiberglass pool changes significantly in favor of the fiberglass pool.
In the Treasure Valley, or for those of you who are new to the greater Boise, Idaho area, a fiberglass pool is the most durable of all pools. Normally, people think a gunite or shotcrete pool would be the most durable because it is made from concrete, but they are misinformed. We experience the freeze/thaw cycle here every year. Although gunite or shotcrete pools are great and way more durable than a vinyl liner pool, the tile and the plaster are susceptible to damage during the freeze/thaw each year. Micro cracks develop in the grout between the waterline tiles, and small amounts of water get behind. When the freezing temperatures come, the water expands, separating the tile from the pool wall, eventually needing to be fixed. A similar explanation applies to pool finishes like “plasters” made with large pebble. Pebble-based pool finishes are designed to remove the surface layer of concrete to expose the beautiful pebble. However, that also introduces the risk of the freeze/thaw cycle damaging the finish.
For these reasons, fiberglass pools offer the best value for pool owners in Treasure Valley. They offer the best overall investment when considering upkeep, they provide beautiful finishes and features, including a smooth surface, and they are the most durable pool for where we live.