Fiberglass Pools - Pros
Super Fast Installation
As we stated above, fiberglass pools can be installed very fast. How fast? Most are installed in just a couple of days. Compare this with a concrete pools, which take a few months to install. Many homeowners like the speed of fiberglass installation because it minimizes the interruption and disarray caused by any large home improvement project.
Low Maintenance
Perhaps the best thing about fiberglass pools is that they require significantly less maintenance than concrete pools. Why? Because fiberglass is a non-porous surface, which concrete is porous.
Bacteria and algae can grow more easily in porous surfaces, which means concrete pool owners have to do more work to prevent them from growing there. This means concrete pools need more chemicals in them, and the pool surface needs to be brushed weekly. Not to mention that because concrete is alkaline and increases the pool water’s pH, you have to use additional chemicals to counter this effect.
Fiberglass is inert, so it won’t affect the pH of the water, and it’s non-porous, so it can’t harbor algae and bacteria. All in all, this means less chemicals, less time, and less money spent on pool maintenance for fiberglass pool owners. Fiberglass is compatible with both chlorine and salt systems.
Smoother Surface
Another great thing about the non-porous surface of fiberglass is that it’s not rough like concrete, which needs to be finished in order to reduce this roughness. Plus, you’ll have to replace the finish every 5-15 years (depending on the finish), adding to the cost of ownership. Fiberglass pools never need to be refinished, because they’re already finished, smooth, and easy on your feet.
Durability
Fiberglass pools are incredibly durable. Unlike concrete, the water doesn’t interact with the surface, so it doesn’t get worn down over the years. And unlike vinyl, there’s no liner that needs to be replaced, or risks being punctured.
Low Cost of Ownership
Over the years, the cost of owning a fiberglass pool is very affordable. You’ll never have to pay to replace the liner or get it refinished. And because fewer chemicals are needed to keep the water clean, you’ll spend less on maintenance costs.
Fiberglass Pools - Cons
One advantage concrete has over fiberglass is that it’s highly customizable. Concrete can be custom designed into any configuration you want. With fiberglass, you have to choose from the configurations the manufacturers offer. Granted, there are a good number of sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from, but if a truly custom pool is what you’re after, then fiberglass might not fit the bill.