What Is A Fiberglass Pool Shell?
Purchasing an inground swimming pool comes with a lot of questions. How big of a pool can my yard accommodate? How much maintenance do I want to do on a pool? How long is my yard going to be under construction?
If you’re considering a fiberglass pool, then you probably want a quicker installation process and less maintenance to do. But I am sure you have other questions and concerns. If you have ever heard the term “fiberglass pool shell” or “fiberglass pool mold” you may be wondering what exactly that means. “I thought all inground pools were built and installed directly in the ground??”
You’d be forgiven for making this assumption. Between the three inground pool types (concrete/gunite, vinyl liner, and fiberglass), fiberglass pools are the only pool type that is not built entirely on the construction site. So what is the fiberglass pool shell? Where is it built? How is it built? Let’s get into it!
How Are They Made?
A fiberglass pool shell is a pre-built pool mold composed of layers of fiberglass that are reinforced using strong polymer resin (preferably vinyl-ester resin) material. Fiberglass has been one of the leading materials in car and boat manufacturing for decades now. Don’t forget, they’re great for pools, too!
Fiberglass starts as fine, hair-like strands produced by melting glass and pushing it through tiny holes. These fibers are then woven into larger sheets and combined with resins, creating a composite that is both lightweight and highly durable.
When you decide the pool design you want, the manufacturer will use a pool mold of the design to spray the fiberglass around, creating what will become the pool shell.
This highly-scientific manufacturing process makes fiberglass pools resistant to cracking, fading, and algae buildup, which will reduce the amount of time and money you spend on maintenance over time. It usually takes about 1-2 days to build the pool shell around the mold.
How Are Fiberglass Pools Brought To My Backyard?
Fiberglass pools shells are built in controlled facilities that specialize in fiberglass construction. Upon completion of the shell and inspection that the pool is installation-ready, the pool is ready to leave its childhood home and come to your backyard!
Your fiberglass pool shell will be transported to your home via freight. Transportation fees are typically already built into the price of the pool overall. The time it takes to get to your house will depend on the size of your project and your location.
A fiberglass pool can only be so big, and this is why. A freight truck cannot carry too large or too wide of a load, which means fiberglass pools do not typically run longer than 40 feet. There are a few options for longer fiberglass pools, however, the longest ones run 43 feet long.
Conclusion on Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are a very unique product due to the construction and installation process they undergo. There is something really cool about watching a big pool driven to your home and then dragged or craned into a backyard that you do not get with vinyl liner and concrete pool installations.
The fiberglass shell is what is going to sit in your backyard for years to come. Any product that is meant to sit in the ground and come into contact with chemicals, water, natural fluids, and the elements is going to require a highly controlled construction process. With fiberglass pools, it starts at the very beginning.
If you’re trying to determine if fiberglass is the right pool for you, we hope this article whetted your appetite and made you more curious. If you have more fiberglass pool questions, check out the articles below. For more educational content on all things pools and landscaping, check out our learning hub at the top of our page. Happy hunting!
Top 3 Most Popular Thursday Pools Fiberglass Designs of 2025
Thursday Pools vs. Leisure Pools: An Honest Comparison of Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers