Fiberglass Swimming Pools: Advantages, Disadvantages, Cost, and Options
Fiberglass Pools: Pros vs Cons
While in some regions this is the height of the hot, bright days, in others it is swim season all year round. You’re probably here because you’ve been considering acquiring your own inground pool, whether you’ve been contemplating it for a long time or the heat of this summer is just starting to affect you. You are more interested in finding out more information about inground fiberglass pools, you came to right place.
As a manufacturer of one-piece fiberglass pools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, we are Nachman Pools, an inground fiberglass pool supplier. We prefer to be up forward and honest, so we’ll say that fiberglass pools are our specialty and area of strength. However, we also like to educate anyone who are considering installing an inground pool.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fiberglass Pools
Examining the benefits and drawbacks of each option is frequently the best way to compare them. Inground fiberglass pools undoubtedly offer advantages, but they may also have disadvantages.
Advantages
Lower Upkeep
Though we say “lower,” this does not imply “none.” No matter the model, maintaining an inground pool will take time and effort. If you’re eager to learn the ins and outs of inground pool maintenance, check out our fantastic eBook that compares the three pool models based on maintenance requirements as well as installation, durability, and other variables.
Flat Surface
Swimming pools made of fiberglass are well known for being strong and comfortable to walk on. A non-slip gel coat, which is what gives the pool its “purdy tint,” is sometimes used by fiberglass pool makers to make the surface smoother and safer for swimmers. The answer to the question “are fiberglass pools slippery?” is that there is less of a chance of falling due to its non-slip properties. Nevertheless, be cautious because any slick surface in water might be dangerous for you.
Installation times are usually shorter
Additionally, we say “usually” since there are several things that can make it take longer for your project to be finished, such as greater demand, labor or material shortages, etc. Installation of a fiberglass pool typically takes between two and six weeks.
Disadvantages
They cannot be tailor-made
Pools made of fiberglass that are installed in-ground are built from molds by manufacturers. All of the specifics and attributes of that specific pool are contained in this mold, which functions similarly to a baking pan. The pool is removed from the mold when all the “ingredients”/materials have been added and have had time to cure, leaving behind a lovely pool and a lovely mold that may be used to create further pools. There is no way to rearrange or add/remove features because every pool is made from the same mold. If the manufacturer’s website does not offer the exact design you are looking for for your pool, you might need to consider vinyl or gunite as an alternative.
They only expand to a specific size
The main reason for this is shipping limitations. Have you ever witnessed a truck towing a swimming pool down the road? Most likely, that was a fiberglass pool shell making its way to its destination.
Depending on your budget, it may not always be the most economical choice.
Inground pools with vinyl liners are often the least expensive, with fiberglass coming in second and gunite/concrete frequently being more expensive. There are, of course, always exceptions, based on factors such as where you live, the pool type that local pool builders find to be the most popular or pleasant, your specific needs for your particular pool project, etc.
Cost of Pools Made of Fiberglass
How much does it cost to install a fiberglass pool? is one of the questions we are asked the most. The cost of a fiberglass pools in Virginia will vary depending on your needs, as it does with any pool renovation. Do you want the largest pool that is offered? Would you like water features? Would you want retaining walls? What about some first-rate landscaping? The total amount you wind up spending will depend on all of these factors and more.
Without knowing the specifics of what you want and the local considerations relevant to your location, it is difficult to offer you a precise price. However, in general, we can state that turn-key packages often cost homeowners between $75,000 and $150,000. Just to be clear, when we use the term “turn-key,” we mean that the installer will handle every aspect of the pool project of your dreams. The installation of the pool, the concrete, the landscaping, etc. are all taken care of by Nachman Pools, so you as the homeowner don’t have to supervise any of it.