A Review of the I Series From River Pools
Are you having a hard time figuring out what kind of inground swimming pool you want? A purchase this big is never easy. You can go to any pool manufacturer’s website and find as much information about their pools as possible, but you may be wondering how good these pools truly are.
Welcome back to another fiberglass pool review. Today, we’re going to take a look at the I Series of freeform pools from River Pools. River Pools has been in the fiberglass pool world since 2001 and offers multiple unique lines and fiberglass pool shapes to choose from.
A freeform pool doesn’t really fit into one category, they can essentially be any shape. In the case of fiberglass pools, freeform is typically associated with a wavy or curvy pool like the ones you see below. The I Series has a very natural look that a lot of homeowners love, so we figured a review was in order. Royal Pools and G2 Outdoor Designs started this series of fiberglass pool reviews to help you and all potential pool owners with an honest assessment of these pools from an installer’s perspective.
Size Options
The I Series comes with five size options to choose from, two of which feature built-in spas, which are a huge plus. Size optionality is always a pro with fiberglass pools because they’re not customizable like vinyl liner pools and concrete pools. Your only options for fiberglass are what the manufacturer offers. The size options for the I series are as follows,
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I25
- 12’ x 25’
- Depth of 3’8” to 5’2”
- Holds 6,050 gallons of water
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I30
- 14’ x 30’
- Depth of 3’8” to 5’6”
- Holds 7,947 gallons of water
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I25S (with built-in spa)
- 12’ x 25’
- Depth of 3’8” to 5’2”
- Holds 5,200 gallons of water
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I30S (with built-in spa)
- 14’ x 30’
- Depth of 3’8” to 5’6”
- Holds 7,100 gallons of water
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I34
- 15’6” x 34’
- Depth of 3’9” to 5’9”
- Holds 11,000 gallons of water
Features and Functionality
The I Series is a striking pool based on aesthetics alone. The curvy nature of the design can make any backyard look like an oasis. The I Series pools are more of what we like to call social pools, pools designed for interaction and lounging, rather than big swimming pools. A rectangular pool is always the way to go for maximum swim space. The tanning ledge is a great feature as well, giving parents a place to chill and watch their kiddos swim, or a perfect place for little ones who can’t swim to play. Another great feature that is standard on all River Pools is the non-skid texture on the steps, tanning ledge, and pool floor to prevent slipping.
You’re not getting a big deep end with an I Series pool, but as we said earlier, the I Series are social pools. This pool is not designed for deep swimming or doing laps if that is your thing. What are some of the overall pros and cons of the I Series?
Pros
- Two models feature built-in spas
- Beautiful natural aesthetic
- Non-skid texture throughout
- Compatible with automatic cover
- Tanning ledge
- Deep-end seats create multiple exit points
- Size and color optionality
Cons
- Lack of swim space due to design
- Small deep-end
- Spa is only available in two sizes
- High cost inherent to fiberglass
The I Series from River Pools offers optionality for a social pool that can fit in just about any backyard design. We give the I Series a B+ grade. We love the design and spa feature but wish it was available with every design, as well as some additional swim space. We recommend this pool for anyone looking for a smaller social pool or a pool with a built-in spa. For more fiberglass pool reviews, check out the articles below. For additional pool educational information, check out our learning center. Happy hunting!
River Pools vs. Thursday Pools: Comparing Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers
Common Fiberglass Pool Problems And Their Solutions
Top 5 Benefits of Fiberglass Pools