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What Type is for Me ?

Carolina Pools and Designs would like to share an article by Jason Hughes on his information on this subject as we found his Blog and Book spot on."

There is a link below to download Jason’s ebook

Fiberglass vs. Vinyl Liner vs. Concrete Pools

Vinyl liner pools have a lower initial cost and a customizable shape, but you frequently replace the liner. Fiberglass pools are easy to maintain, quick to install, and very durable. They cost more upfront and aren’t as customizable. Concrete pools are extremely durable and customizable but require heavy maintenance, the highest costs, and a slow installation.

 

Fiberglass Pools Pros and Cons

Pros of a Fiberglass Pool

  • Low maintenance
  • Little or no lifetime cost
  • Non-abrasive surface
  • Built-in seats and steps
  • Manufactured in a controlled environment
  • Quick installation
  • Beautiful

Low maintenance

The gelcoat surface of the fiberglass pool shell doesn't have the big pores and cavities of plaster.

This inhibits algae growth and reduces the amount of sanitizing chemicals required to maintain the pool.

Little or no lifetime cost

About 99% of the time, the shell of fiberglass pools needs no upkeep.

There's no vinyl liner to replace and no resurfacing.

Non-abrasive surface

The gelcoat surface of fiberglass pools is smooth to the touch.

Built-in seats and steps

Most fiberglass swimming pool designs have seating, and all have steps incorporated into the shell of the pool.

Manufactured in a controlled environment

Fiberglass pools are built in the controlled climate of a factory.

Quick installation

Because the shells of fiberglass pools are built off-site, the installation occurs more rapidly...3–6 weeks on average.

Beautiful

You can do amazing things with a fiberglass swimming pool, such as beautiful colored finishes, ceramic tile, tanning ledges, water features, stunning pool lights, elevated spas, poolside walls, and more.

 


 

Cons of a Fiberglass Pool

  • Limited shapes and swimming pool designs
  • No wider than 16'
  • Repairs on some colored finishes do not match
  • Higher initial cost

Limited shapes and swimming pool designs

Because fiberglass pools are built from a mold, the consumer is limited to the shapes and sizes offered by the various fiberglass pool manufacturers.

No wider than 16'

Fiberglass pools are shipped via the road. Shipping restrictions limit the width of the fiberglass pool shell to 16 feet.

Higher initial cost

Fiberglass pools are more of an initial investment—usually at least $10,000 more than vinyl liner pools and about the same as concrete pools.

Repairs on colored finishes ( Carolina Cobblestones has revised this article with our own intake on the repair of fiberglass finishes)

Many fiberglass pool manufacturers use a wide range of colored finishes. Each manufacturer having there own shade. Repairing older pools and/or new pool finishes are possible but to match a color brand from other manufacturer can be a challenge. Carolina Cobblestones uses Latham's Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Pool shells. Blue Hawaiian takes special care to not only file each shells gel coat finish information on the mixture, But also keep a small piece of each shell on file. If we have a touch up or a major repair they will pull that information and either send us the product for repairing or a techican with the product as to match the shell as close as possible.

 


 

Vinyl Liner Pools Pros and Cons

Pros of a Vinyl Liner Pool

  • Low initial cost
  • Customizable shape and size
  • Nonabrasive surface
  • Doesn't foster algae

Low initial cost

Vinyl liner pools have the lowest initial swimming pool cost of any of the three types of inground pools.

Customizable shape and size

There are no limitations of the length, width, and depth of vinyl liner pools.

Nonabrasive surface

The vinyl liner material is smooth to the touch.

Doesn't foster algae

The vinyl material used in vinyl liner pools is also relatively non-porous, so it inhibits algae growth.

Cons of a Vinyl Liner Pool

  • Higher lifetime cost
  • Liner warranties are pro-rated
  • Have to use the pool with care
  • Lower resale value

Higher lifetime cost

On average, a vinyl liner will last 5–9 years. Each replacement can cost $2,500–$3,500 plus the cost of water. It usually adds up to $4,000–$4,500.

Liner warranties are pro-rated

Many vinyl liner manufacturers have a 20-year pro-rated warranty. Read the fine print.

Have to use the pool with care

Dogs, kids throwing stuff in the pool, tree limbs, etc., are all concerns.

The liner is only 20–30 mils thick, which is the thickness of several sheets of paper. One mistake could cost you big bucks.

Lower resale value

When you go to sell a home with a vinyl liner pool, one of the first questions asked is "How old is the liner?"

If it's more than 3–4 years old, there's a significant chance the potential buyer will request you replace the liner before the sale of the house, or the value of the pool will depreciate.

 

Concrete Pools Pros and Cons

Pros of a Concrete Pool

  • As big as you want
  • More flexibility with swimming pool design features
  • Works of art

As big as you want

Concrete pools can be any size, shape, or depth.

More flexibility with swimming pool design features

Vanishing edges, beach entries, tanning ledges, etc., are all just a sketch away from reality with concrete pools.

Works of art

Concrete pools can be integrated into design as a literal work of art in the landscape.

 

Cons of a Concrete Pool

Unfortunately, the flexibility concrete allows from a design perspective comes with a price.

  • High lifetime cost
  • More chemical use
  • More maintenance
  • Longer install time

High lifetime cost

Concrete pools will need to be renovated every 10–15 years. This involves resurfacing and re-tiling the pool at an expense of $10,000–$20,000 or much higher depending on the pool.

More chemical use

Because the surface of concrete pools is very porous, more chemicals and filtration are required to prevent algae. The alkalinity of the pool shell also constantly raises the pH of the water, requiring you to frequently add acid to counteract the effect.

More maintenance

You also need to frequently broom or sweep a concrete pool with a pool brush to remove algae from the pores of the plaster or aggregate surface.

Longer install time

Concrete pools take longer to install...usually 3–6 months.

 

Key Takeaways

Each of the three types of inground swimming pools—fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl liner—comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and cons of fiberglass pools

Fiberglass pools are extremely easy to maintain, can be installed quickly, are very durable, and can be beautifully designed. However, their initial cost can be higher than vinyl liner pools, and the shapes and sizes are not as customizable.

Pros and cons of vinyl liner pools

Vinyl liner pools have a lower initial cost and a highly customizable shape, but the biggest disadvantages include having to frequently replace the liner, the possibility of algae growth, and the riskiness of the liner warranty.

Pros and cons of concrete pools

Concrete pools are extremely durable and allow for a highly customized size and shape. The disadvantages include more effort to maintain, more chemical usage, highest cost of ownership, a rough interior surface, and a slow installation time.

Okay Now that we have balanced out the pro's and con's of each style of Pool Installation and Manufacturing. Give us a call and schedule an appointment for a free estimate on layout and pool shapes that would best fit your needs.

Carolina Pools and Designs would like to share an article by Jason Hughes on his information on this subject as we found his Blog and Book spot on."

There is a link below to download Jason’s ebook