Thursday Pools vs. Leisure Pools: An Honest Comparison of Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers
So, you’ve been researching fiberglass pools and are intrigued. If you’ve landed on this article, that is the assumption we are rolling with. If this is true for you, you’re probably wondering: “Which company is the best to buy a fiberglass pool from?”
That’s a great question!
With all the technological advancements made to the product in the past twenty years, more and more pool companies are starting to build and install fiberglass pools. Today we will talk about two of the biggest manufacturers in the industry: Thursday Pools and Leisure Pools. What kinds of pools do they install? What do their warranties look like? Do they offer any additional services? We’re going to get into all that and more.
Royal Pools and G2 Outdoor Designs have been installing fiberglass inground pools for over 24 years. We’ve installed pools from both manufacturers we’re going to talk about today and we love educating our clients about fiberglass pools. Without further ado, let’s get into the comparison.
We’re going to use six criteria to compare the two companies. These factors are:
- Available pool shapes
- Number of pools offered
- Manufacturing and technological innovation
- Warranties
- Recommended installation techniques
- Available pool colors
Available pool shapes and sizes
Leisure Pools takes the lead with the first category. They offer 31 pool designs including large deep-end pools and smaller wading pools. Thursday only offers 15 pool designs, three spas, two wading pools, and a wet deck.
This is a major plus for Leisure. Fiberglass pools are not customizable the way concrete and vinyl liner pools are. What that means for you is, that whatever a fiberglass manufacturer offers, those are your only options.
The pools offered by Leisure Pools are:
- Rectangular Fiberglass Pools
-
-
- The Limitless 26
- 26’ long by 12’6” wide
- 4’ 3” Shallow end depth
- 5’ 7” Deep end depth
- The Limitless 30
- 30’ long by 12’ 6” wide
- 4’ 3” Shallow end depth
- 6’ deep end depth
- The Ultimate 30
- 30′ 0″ long by 15′ 6″ wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 0″ Deep end depth
- 6′ 5″ x 8′ 0″ x 1′ 8″ Splash deck
- The Ultimate 35
- 35′ 0″ long by 15′ 5″ wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 6″ Deep end depth
- 6′ 5″ x 8′ 0″ x 1′ 8″ Splash deck
- The Ultimate 40
- 40′ 0″ long by 15′ 5″ wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 7′ 0″ Deep end depth
- 6′ 5″ x 8′ 0″ x 1′ 8″ Splash deck
- The Icon
- 40′ 0″ Long by 15′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 5″ Shallow end depth
- The Reflection 23
- 23′ 0″ Long by 12′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 1″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 5″ Deep end depth
- The Reflection 26
- 26′ 0″ Long by 12′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 1″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 8″ Deep end depth
- The Reflection 30
- 29′ 7″ Long by 12′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 1″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 10″ Deep end depth
- The Reflection 33
- 32′ 11″ Long by 12′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 1″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 1″ Deep end depth
- The Reflection 28 w/ Splash deck
- 27′ 11″ Long by 12′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 2″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 6″ Deep end depth
- The Reflection 31 w/ Splash deck
- 31′ 2″ Long by 12′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 2″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 8″ Deep end depth
- The Wave 30
- 30′ 0″ Long by 15′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 6″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 8″ Deep end depth
- The Wave 35
- 35′ 0″ Long by 15′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 6″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Wave 40
- 40′ 0″ Long by 15′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 6″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 5″ Deep end depth
- The Summit 30
- 30′ 0″ Long by 14′ 0″ Wide
- 4′ 4″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Summit 35
- 35′ 0″ Long by 14′ 0″ Wide
- 4′ 4″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 6″ Deep end depth
- The Pinnacle 30
- 30′ 0″ Long by 15′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 4″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Pinnacle 35
- 35′ 0″ Long by 15′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 4″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 6″ Deep end depth
- The Pinnacle 40
- 40′ 0″ Long by 15′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 4″ Shallow end depth
- 7′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Palladium Plunge 16
- 16′ 0″ Long by 8′ 0″ Wide
- 5′ 0″ Flat bottom depth
- The Palladium Plunge 20
- 20′ 0″ Long by 8′ 0″ Wide
- 5′ 0″ Flat bottom depth
- The Esprit
- 18′ 8″ Long by 7′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 5″ Flat bottom depth
- The Harmony 16
- 16′ 5″ Long by 9′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 2″ Deep end depth
- The Harmony 20
- 19′ 8″ Long by 9′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 4″ Deep end depth
- The Harmony 23
- 23′ 0″ Long by 9′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 7″ Deep end depth
- The Harmony 26
- 26′ 3″ Long by 9′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 9″ Deep end depth
- The Fiji Plunge
- 9′ 6″ Long by 6′ 11″ Wide
- 4′ 5″ Flat bottom depth
- The Cube 30
- 29′ 6″ Long by 13′ 1″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Cube 35
- 34′ 6″ Long by 13′ 1″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Cube 40
- 39′ 5″ Long by 13′ 1″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Linear 20
- 19′ 9″ Long by 10′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Linear 23
- 23′ 1″ Long by 10′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Linear 26
- 26′ 5″ Long by 10′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Linear 30
- 29′ 7″ Long by 10′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Linear 33
- 32′ 11″ Long by 10′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Linear 36
- 36′ 2″ Long by 10′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Precision 16
- 16′ 7″ Long by 10′ 8″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Precision 20
- 19′ 11″ Long by 10′ 8″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Precision 23
- 23′ 0″ Long by 10′ 8″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Precision 26
- 26′ 4″ Long by 10′ 8″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Elite 26
- 26′ 4″ Long by 12′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Elite 30
- 29′ 8″ Long by 12′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 11″ Flat bottom depth
- The Encore 16
- 16′ 5″ Long by 9′ 10″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Flat bottom depth
- The Encore 20
- 19′ 8″ Long by 9′ 10″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Flat bottom depth
- The Encore 23
- 22′ 11.5″ Long by 9′ 10″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Flat bottom depth
- The Infinity
- 40′ 0″ Long by 15′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 8′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Supreme 30
- 30′ 0″ Long by 15′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 11″ Deep end depth
- The Supreme 35
- 35′ 0″ Long by 15′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 3″ Deep end depth
- The Supreme 40
- 40′ 0″ Long by 15′ 5″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 7″ Deep end depth
- The Elegance 20
- 19′ 8″ Long by 11′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 5″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 6″ Deep end depth
- The Elegance 23
- 23′ 0″ Long by 12′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 4″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 7″ Deep end depth
- The Elegance 26
- 26′ 3″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 3″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 9″ Deep end depth
- The Elegance 30
- 29′ 7″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 2″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 9″ Deep end depth
- The Elegance 33
- 33′ 0″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Elegance 39
- 39′ 4″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 10″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 2″ Deep end depth
- The Limitless 26
-
- Shaped Fiberglass Pools
-
-
- The Moroccan 27
- 26′ 11″ Long by 13′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 5″ Deep end depth
- The Moroccan 31
- 30′ 10″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 8″ Deep end depth
- The Moroccan 34
- 34′ 2″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 11″ Deep end depth
- The Moroccan 38
- 38′ 5″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 2″ Deep end depth
- The Eclipse 30
- 30′ 0″ Long by 14′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 1″ Deep end depth
- The Eclipse 35
- 35′ 0″ Long by 14′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 4″ Deep end depth
- The Eclipse 40
- 40′ 0″ Long by 15′ 8″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 8″ Deep end depth
- The Allure 30
- 30′ 0″ Long by 14′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 1″ Deep end depth
- The Allure 35
- 35′ 0″ Long by 14′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 4″ Deep end depth
- The Allure 40
- 40′ 0″ Long by 15′ 8″ Wide
- 4′ 9″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 8″ Deep end depth
- The Caribbean
- 40′ 0″ Long by 16′ 0″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 6′ 4″ Deep end depth
- The Tuscany 23
- 23′ 3″ Long by 12′ 1″ Wide
- 3′ 8″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Tuscany 28
- 28′ 6″ Long by 14′ 1″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 8″ Deep end depth
- The Riviera 26
- 26′ 7″ Long by 12′ 4″ Wide
- 3′ 11″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 4″ Deep end depth
- The Riviera 30
- 30′ 3″ Long by 13′ 11″ Wide
- 3′ 11″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 7″ Deep end depth
- The Riviera 34
- 34′ 1″ Long by 14′ 6″ Wide
- 3′ 11″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 10″ Deep end depth
- The Mediterranean
- 40′ 0″ Long by 16′ 0″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Shallow end depth
- 8′ 0″ Deep end depth
- The Horizon
- 23′ 0″ Long by 15′ 9″ Wide
- 4′ 0″ Flat bottom depth
- The Moroccan 27
-
- Roman Fiberglass Pools
-
- The Courtyard Roman
- 19′ 9″ Long by 11′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 2″ Shallow end depth
- 5′ 1″ Deep end depth
- The Roman 23
- 23′ 1″ long by 11′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 1″ shallow end depth
- 5′ 1″ deep end depth
- The Roman 28
- 28′ 3″ long by 11′ 6″ Wide
- 4′ 2″ shallow end depth
- 5′ 6″ deep end depth
- The Courtyard Roman
The pools offered by Thursday Pools are:
- Rectangular Fiberglass Pools
-
-
- Goliath 25
- 25’ long by 11’11” wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 5’6” deep end depth
- Goliath 29
- 29’ long by 13’11” wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 5’8” deep end depth
- Goliath 33×14
- 33’ long by 13’11” wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 6’ deep end depth
- Holds 11,718 gallons of water
- Goliath 33×16
- 33’ long by 15’11”
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 6’ deep end depth
- Holds 15,300 gallons of water
- Goliath 37
- 37’ long by 15’11” wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 6’4” deep end depth
- Holds 17,500 gallons of water
- Goliath 41
- 41’ long by 15’11” wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 6’8” deep end depth
- Holds 19,700 gallons of water
- Monolith
- 40’5” long by 15’10”
- 3’4” shallow end depth
- 8’6” deep end depth
- Holds 22,400 gallons of water
- Aspen 25
- 25’ long by 12’ wide
- 3’4” shallow end depth
- 5’1” deep end depth
- Holds 7,425 gallons of water
- Aspen 30
- 30’ long by 13’11”
- 3’4” shallow end depth
- 5’6” deep end depth
- Holds 7,610 gallons of water
- Aspen 35’x14’
- 35’ long by 13’11” wide
- 3’4” shallow end depth
- 5’6” deep end depth
- Holds 8,423 gallons of water
- Aspen 35’x16’
- 35’ long by 15’11” wide
- 3’4” shallow end depth
- 5’6” deep end depth
- Holds 10,140 gallons of water
- Aspen 40
- 40’ long by 15’11” wide
- 3’4” shallow end depth
- 5’10” deep end depth
- Holds 13,090 gallons of water
- Grace Beach Entry 36’x14’
- 36’ long by 13’11” wide
- 0’ – 5’6” depth
- Holds 8,400 gallons of water
- Grace Beach Entry 36’x16’
- 36’ long by 15’11” wide
- 0’ – 5’6” depth
- Holds 10,000 gallons of water
- Grace Beach Entry 40
- 40’ long by 15’11” wide
- 0’ – 5’10” depth
- Holds 13,500 gallons of water
- Lil Bob
- 27’9” long by 13’9” wide
- 4’6” depth
- Holds 9,000 gallons of water
- Lil Bob LX
- 35’9” long by 13’9” wide
- 4’6” depth
- Holds 9,500 gallons of water
- Spirit
- 39’9” long by 13’9” wide
- 4’6” depth
- Holds 13,500 gallons of water
- Sea Turtle
- 19’9” long by 9’9” wide
- 4’6” depth
- Holds 4,300 gallons of water
- Goliath 25
-
- Shaped Fiberglass Pools
-
-
- Titus 26
- 26’ long by 12’ wide
- 3’5” shallow end depth
- 5’5” deep end depth
- Holds 7,500 gallons of water
- Titus 33
- 33’ long by 14’ wide
- 3’5” shallow end depth
- 5’10” deep end depth
- Holds 11,000 gallons of water
- Wellspring 36
- 36’ long by 15’11” wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 5’10” deep end depth
- Holds 13,500 gallons of water
- Wellspring 40
- 40’ long by 15’11” wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 5’10” deep end depth
- Holds 15,500 gallons of water
- Sandal Beach Entry 34
- 34’9” long by 16’ wide
- 0’ – 5’8” depth
- Holds 12,000 gallons of water
- Sandal Beach Entry 39
- 39’ long by 16’ wide
- 0’ – 6’ depth
- Holds 13,000 gallons of water
- Sun Day 30
- 30’5.75” long by 15’6” wide
- 3’ shallow end depth
- 5’4” deep end depth
- Holds 10,000 gallons of water
- Sun Day 34
- 34’9” long by 16’ wide
- 3’ shallow end depth
- 5’8” deep end depth
- Holds 12,000 gallons of water
- Sun Day 39
- 39’ long by 16’ wide
- 3’ shallow end depth
- 6’ deep end depth
- Holds 13,300 gallons of water
- Pearl
- 26’ long by 15’15/16” wide
- Titus 26
-
- Roman Fiberglass Pools
-
-
-
- 33’ long by 14’ wide
- 3’5” shallow end depth
- 5’ deep end depth
- Holds 11,490 gallons of water
-
-
- Cathedral LX 36
-
-
-
- 36’ long by 16’ wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 5’8” deep end depth
- Holds 10,500 gallons of water
-
-
- Cathedral LX 40
-
-
- 40’ long by 16’ wide
- 3’8” shallow end depth
- 6’ deep end depth
- Holds 12,500 gallons of water
-
Thursday Pools also offers spas and small pool options, including:
- The Pearl
- 26’ long by 15’15/16” wide
- 3’9” flat-bottom depth
- Holds 2,000 gallons of water
- Wading Pool 1
- 9’ wide by 9’ long
- 3’6” flat-bottom depth
- Holds 510 gallons of water
- Wading Pool 2
- 13’9” long by 11’9” wide
- 1’6” flat-bottom depth
- Holds 970 gallons of water
- The Round Spa Spillover
- 8’6” wide
- 3’ flat-bottom depth
- Holds 800 gallons of water
- The Square Spa
- 9’ long by 9’ wide
- 3’2” flat-bottom depth
- Holds 900 gallons of water
- The Square Spa Spillover
- 9’ wide by 9’ long
- 3’ flat-bottom depth
- Holds 890 gallons of water
- The Grand Spa
- 11’6” long by 11’10” wide
- 2’11” flat-bottom depth
- The Grand Spa Spillover
- 11’6” long by 11’10” wide
- 2’11” flat-bottom depth
- Wet Deck
- 14’ long by 8’ wide
- 1’ flat-bottom depth
- Holds 270 gallons of water
- Wet Deck w/ Dual Spillover
- 14’ long by 8’ wide
- 1’ flat-bottom depth
- Holds 270 gallons of water
Manufacturing and technological innovation
Fiberglass pools as a product are still in their infancy. Innovations are discovered every year! As leaders in the fiberglass pool space, both Thursday Pools and Leisure Pools have contributed to advancing fiberglass pool manufacturing.
Thursday has patented many new products and innovations over the past few years. For that reason, we give this category to Thursday Pools. It should be noted that all of these innovations would be additional add-ons to their standard pool packages.
Lucky 7 Skimmer
Fiberglass pool walls are usually slightly angled, and almost every skimmer is designed to fit perfectly in vinyl liner and concrete pools, making it a hassle for fiberglass installers. However, Thursday Pools has created the Lucky 7 Skimmer which is specifically designed for fiberglass pools. Thursday Pools designed this skimmer to have a larger mounting plate that will cover a pre-cut hole, making for a flush, polished look.
Backfill Eliminator
Tanning ledges are a great feature of some fiberglass pools, but they have often been a thorn in the side of builders for a couple of reasons. During the process of backfilling the area between the pool structure and the earth with stone, it is difficult to fill the area under the tanning ledge completely. For this reason, a gap is present between this portion of the pool and the earth, allowing the pool to flex over time because there is nothing to support it.
Thursday Pools created the Backfill eliminator to get rid of this problem.
This structure, with a strengthened honeycomb core, is placed underneath the pool’s tanning ledge portion to support itself and the earth. Now you don’t have to worry about the pool shape ever flexing.
The Only Beach Entry Fiberglass Pool in the World
For years the biggest criticism of fiberglass pools was that you couldn’t customize them. Which is true. If you decide to go with fiberglass, you must choose a design offered by the manufacturer you pick. If they don’t offer something you like, then you’ll have to find a new company. For years, beach entry pools were only available with concrete pools. Until Thursday introduced the Grace Beach Entry pool.
This design gives you the feel of being at the beach as the entrance slopes down into the rest of the pool. The addition of a sloping structure allows the pool to transition easily between the patio that surrounds it, making it all flow together. The aesthetic appeal and innovation that it took to create this pool make it worth mentioning.
Geo-Anchoring Pool System
Another feature that Thursday invented is the Geo-Anchoring System, which is a system that anchors the pool structure to the earth to prevent it from falling into the earth over time.
The geotextile material is infused into the pool walls in the manufacturing process and delivered to the location ready to be implemented.
When the pool shell is placed in the desired location, the material is rolled out from the shell onto the backfill. There are multiple layers of the geotextile material which work together to create a high level of security for the pool.
Composite Armour
All Leisure Pools’ core of strength is their patented Composite Armour. The Composite Armour is comprised of dupont kevlar, carbon fiber, and basalt fiber.
These materials reinforce the vinyl ester resin fiberglass which gives the fiberglass shell a much stronger structural integrity. The addition of the composite armour ensures that all Leisure Pools are durable and safe for decades.
Aquaguard X Color System
The truth is, any pool surface can fade. With that being said, however, fiberglass pools are the most resistant to color fading, which, in the case of fiberglass is almost always due to improper pool chemistry.
The Aaquaguard x gel coat is standard in every Leisure pool and helps protect against surface blistering, and color fading, as well as UV and chemical damage.
Warranties
Thursday Pools offers a ONE-TIME TRANSFERABLE LIMITED STRUCTURAL WARRANTY AND 15-YEAR SURFACE WARRANTY AGAINST OSMOTIC BLISTERING on all their pools and spas.
Leisure Pools offers several warranties for their fiberglass products including:
- Pool Structural Limited Warranty
- Pool Surface Limited Warranty
- Spa Structural Limited Warranty
- Spa Surface Limited Warranty
- Tanning Ledge Structural Limited Warranty
- Tanning Ledge Surface Limited Warranty
Recommended installation techniques
Thursday Pools’ recommended installation process is:
- Step 1—Pool is delivered on a trailer
- Step 2—The hole is dug
- Step 3—The pool is placed into the ground on a compacted bed of 3/4-inch clean stone or water-permeable stone
- Step 4—Plumbing is installed with straps
- Step 5—Must have a de-watering system or the fiberglass pool de-anchoring system
- Step 6—Backfill placed around pool with only clean 3/4-inch stone
- Step 7—Patio and decking installed; concrete must be poured 9-12 inches around the bond beam of the pool (coping) tying the pool and concrete deck together
Available pool colors
This category we have to give to Leisure Pools. They have a more diverse color selection that is hard to resist.
Leisure Pools color options are:
- Ebony Blue
- Sapphire Blue
- Crystal Blue
- Aquamarine
- Shimmer Sky
- Graphite Grey
- Silver Grey
- Diamond Sand
Thursday Pools available color options:
- Arctic shimmer
- California
- Caribbean sparkle
- Diamond
- Maya
- Sandstone
Conclusion
This is a tough one to call. Leisure Pools offers more pool designs and color options but Thursday Pool’s technological innovations make it one of the true leaders in the industry. We’ll call this one a draw. At the end of the day, once your pool is picked, everything afterward depends on your local pool builder of choice.
If this article helped you decide which pool manufacturer you may like to work with, check out their websites for more information.
For additional information on fiberglass pools and all things pools, feel free to check out our learning center. Below are a few of those articles to check out:
5 Awesome Rectangular Fiberglass Pool Designs in 2024
Why Do Fiberglass Pools Cost More Upfront?
One of the best fiberglass swimming pools ever!