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Is a Fiberglass Pool Worth Purchasing?

So you’re thinking about purchasing an inground pool and you’ve narrowed down your choice to a fiberglass pool. Solid choice! Did you know that fiberglass pools are the newest type of pool in the industry? Fiberglass pools were created in the 1950s but didn’t gain prominence until the turn of the century when manufacturers started making technological advancements. Today, they are one of the three most popular types of inground pools available alongside vinyl liner and concrete (gunite) pools.

Purchasing an inground pool is a huge investment. Perhaps you’ve done all the research you can and still have a few questions. Perhaps you just want to know: is a fiberglass pool really worth it? We’ve heard this question before. As a fiberglass and vinyl liner pool installer, we at Royal Pools and G2 Outdoor Designs have helped hundreds of folks determine the right pool for their needs. Should it be a fiberglass pool? Of course, we believe that they’re worth it, but they’re not perfect for everyone. Let’s find out if they’re right for you.

What Are the Upfront and Long-Term Cost Comparisons Between the Pool Types?

An inground pool is a big expense. To maintain mental sanity while making a purchase this big, think of buying a pool as investing in your and your family’s happiness for years to come. A fiberglass pool is the most expensive type of inground pool upfront. The price ranges are as follows.

  • Large fiberglass pool: $86,000 – $100,000
  • Medium fiberglass pool: $76,000 – $85,000
  • Small fiberglass pool: $70,000 – $75,000

What sets fiberglass pools apart from the other pool types is the long-term savings you will accumulate due to low maintenance costs. Chemicals and electric usage are the two biggest expenses of owning a fiberglass pool, adding up to about $3,800 over ten years. Compare that to the costs of maintaining a vinyl or gunite pool and you can see there’s no contest.

 

What Makes Fiberglass Pools Unique?

With a fiberglass pool, what you see is what you get. Despite how some may look, a fiberglass pool is not customizable the way a vinyl or gunite pool is. With vinyl and gunite pools, you can create your ideal design with your pool contractor. Most fiberglass pool manufacturers offer you a list of pool designs to choose from, with varying sizes and specifications.

Unlike the other two pool types, the fiberglass pool shell that you choose will be transported to your home and installed immediately. Vinyl liner and gunite pools are built from start to finish in your backyard, whereas fiberglass pools are built off-site. 

Here are some ideas and features to consider when picking your fiberglass pool design.

  • Tanning ledge
  • Beach entry
  • Deep end
  • Stairs 
  • Diving board
  • Automatic pool cover

 

Can I Have A Larger Fiberglass Pool?

If you’re in the market for an Olympic-sized swimming pool, we’re sorry to say that a fiberglass pool will not be the pool for you. 

Unlike vinyl liner and gunite pools which are built on-site in your backyard, fiberglass pools are manufactured in a warehouse and transported to your house. At their largest, fiberglass pools can be 16 feet wide and 40 feet long, with few exceptions. Anything larger than this will be extremely difficult to transport from the warehouse to the project site. It will be very difficult and most likely costly to find a manufacturer that can create a 41-foot-long pool. If you want a fiberglass pool, a 16×40 footer is the biggest you’re gonna get.

 

How Long Will My Fiberglass Pool Last?

Fiberglass pools are very durable if made and installed properly. The process has been transformed into a fine science at this point. With proper maintenance and chemical treatments, a fiberglass pool can last over 40 years. On average, a fiberglass pool will last at least 25-30 years.

As you can see from the 10-Year Pool Cost Projection chart, fiberglass pools do not require much maintenance. All you need to do as the pool owner is keep the pool chemically balanced and clean and your pool will last for a long time.

 

We here at RPG2 are proponents of fiberglass pools. We understand that they are not the perfect pool for everyone. But we do believe that for what you’re paying for, fiberglass pools are absolutely worth it. But we’re an installer! Of course, we believe in them. Ultimately it is your decision and your backyard goals that will best help determine if a fiberglass is worth it for your specific needs.

We hope you’re now more comfortable with your purchase of a fiberglass swimming pool. If you have any more questions about fiberglass pools, feel free to check out our learning center and blog portal for more informative articles and videos. 


Additional Articles:

Common Fiberglass Pool Problems And Their Solutions

The Top Five Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers of 2023

Fiberglass Pool Rundown: Pros, Cons, And Manufacturing Process

Written By Logan Edgemon