MENU
What to know before you buy a fiberglass swimming pool.
Here's a chart comparing Fiberglass, Concrete (Gunite) and Vinyl Liner pools. We've put the data together so that you can weigh the benefits of buying a fiberglass pool for yourself. If you have questions or wish to inquire about a pool, please call 614.890.POOL or send an inquiry.
Luxury Fiberglass Pool
Concrete Pool
Vinyl Liner pool
Warranty
35 years by Luxury and backed by the Manufacturer
1-5 years by contractor
Liner seams only
Installation Time
5-13 days installation, ready for decking using few (if any) subcontractors
8-12 weeks using many different subcontractors
2-3 weeks using few subcontractors
Shapes of Pools
Limited to the models of the manufacturer
Unlimited
Limited to the models of the manufacturer
Price of Pools
Average
High
Average
Estimated Chemical Usage
Surface does not alter water's chemical balance. Substantially fewer chemicals used.
Plaster reacts with water to raise pH levels. Uses substantially more acid & chlorine to counterbalance this chemical reaction.
Surface does not alter water's chemical balance. Substantially fewer chemicals used.
Estimate Electricity Use
Circulate water 4-6 hours daily
Circulate water 8-10 hours daily
Circulate water 5-7 hours daily
Surface Texture
Smooth, non-abrasive to skin or swim suits, walking and seating areas are textured for slip resistance
Rough, causes skin abrasions to feet, hands and swim wear
Slippery, easily punctured or torn by toys, pets, or surfacing rocks
Algae Penetration
Algae sweeps off with wall brush
Algae grows and is harbored in pores of gunite. Acid baths and scrubbing required to remove algae.
Seams of liner harbor algae
Estimated Maintenance Time
1/2 hour per week maximum
4-5 hours per week
2-3 hours per week
Major Renovation
None
Re-marcite or re-plaster at 5-7 years
Vinyl Liner needs to be replaced every 7 to 9 years
Stairs and Seating
Built into pool shell.
Optional & Additional Cost
Optional & Additional Cost
Quality Control
Manufactured in environmentally controlled factory under stringent quality control standards
Manufactured on-site. No environmental control.
Kit manufactured in factory. Quality of on-site assembly varies by installer and weather.
Type of Coping
Fiberglass, Concrete, or Pavers
Concrete or Pavers
Aluminum (which easily corrodes)
Loan Acceptance
Excellent
Good
Fair
Legend
(F)
Luxury Fiberglass Pool
(C)
Concrete Pool
(V)
Vinyl Liner Pool
Warranty
(F)
35 years by Luxury and backed by the Manufacturer
(C)
1-5 years by contractor
(V)
Liner seams only
Installation Time
(F)
5-13 days installation, ready for decking using few (if any) subcontractors
(C)
8-12 weeks using many different subcontractors
(V)
2-3 weeks using few subcontractors
Shapes of Pools
(F)
Limited to the models of the manufacturer
(C)
Unlimited
(V)
Limited to the models of the manufacturer
Price of Pools
(F)
Average
(C)
High
(V)
Average
Estimated Chemical Usage
(F)
Surface does not alter water's chemical balance. Substantially fewer chemicals used.
(C)
Plaster reacts with water to raise pH levels. Uses substantially more acid & chlorine to counterbalance this chemical reaction.
(V)
Surface does not alter water's chemical balance. Substantially fewer chemicals used.
Estimate Electricity Use
(F)
Circulate water 4-6 hours daily
(C)
Circulate water 8-10 hours daily
(V)
Circulate water 5-7 hours daily
Surface Texture
(F)
Smooth, non-abrasive to skin or swim suits, walking and seating areas are textured for slip resistance
(C)
Rough, causes skin abrasions to feet, hands and swim wear
(V)
Slippery, easily punctured or torn by toys, pets, or surfacing rocks
Algae Penetration
(F)
Algae sweeps off with wall brush
(C)
Algae grows and is harbored in pores of gunite. Acid baths and scrubbing required to remove algae.
(V)
Seams of liner harbor algae.
Estimated Maintenance Time
(F)
1/2 hour per week maximum
(C)
4-5 hours per week
(V)
2-3 hours per week
Major Renovation
(F)
None
(C)
Re-marcite or re-plaster at 5-7 years
(V)
Vinyl Liner needs to be replaced every 7 to 9 years
Stairs and Seating
(F)
Built into pool shell
(C)
Optional & Additional Cost
(V)
Optional & Additional Cost
Quality Control
(F)
Manufactured in environmentally controlled factory under stringent quality control standards
(C)
Manufactured on-site. No environmental control.
(V)
Kit manufactured in factory. Quality of on-site assembly varies by installer and weather.
Type of Coping
(F)
Fiberglass, Concrete, or Pavers
(C)
Concrete or Pavers
(V)
Aluminum (which easily corrodes)
Loan Acceptance
(F)
Excellent
(C)
Good
(V)
Fair