Why Do Fiberglass Pools Cost More Upfront?

So you’ve narrowed your inground pool choices to fiberglass and vinyl liners. Concrete pools are super expensive, we get it. You may be super enticed by fiberglass pools. They’re the newest pool type and have tons of features and benefits… but that price. It always comes down to price, right? 

Here at Royal Pools and G2 Outdoor Designs, we have been installing inground pools for over 24 years, specifically fiberglass and vinyl liner pools. We have heard the question, “Why are the fiberglass pools more expensive than the vinyl liner pools?” more times than we could possibly remember, and for good reason. If you’re purchasing a luxury item like a pool, it’s best to be as educated about the product and variations of the product as possible. Here’s a quick overview of the average costs of fiberglass pools:

• Small Fiberglass Pool: $70,000 – $75,000

• Medium Fiberglass Pool: $75,000 – $85,000 

• Large Fiberglass Pool: $85,000 – $100,000 

Most vinyl liner pools start at around $55,000, and larger liner pools can reach north of $90,000, but generally speaking for residential pools the price you pay will most likely fall between those two numbers. Fiberglass pools and vinyl liner pools are still less expensive than a gunite pool, which requires a large amount of high-end concrete product, and the labor involved in building these pools really drives the price up. RPG2, however, does not build gunite pools. So, let’s get to the main point, what makes fiberglass pools more expensive?

 

Raw Materials

The fact of the matter is, it costs a lot of money to manufacture a fiberglass pool shell. Much more than the steel and vinyl that create a vinyl liner pool or the concrete required to build a gunite pool. Fiberglass pools are crafted from premium-grade fiberglass, a material known for its strength, resilience, and resistance to environmental factors such as UV rays and chemical corrosion. While these superior materials contribute to the longevity of fiberglass pools, they also drive up the initial cost of production.

Freight

Unlike concrete and vinyl liner pools, which are constructed right in your backyard, fiberglass pools are manufactured off-site in specialized warehouses. Once built, these pools must be transported to your house, a process that incurs significant freight costs. Fiberglass pools are not exactly small—transporting them requires careful coordination, specialized vehicles, and sometimes even oversized load permits. These logistical challenges add another layer of expense to the overall cost of fiberglass pool installation.

 

Apples to Apples Comparison

When evaluating the cost of fiberglass pools, it’s essential to consider the full scope of the investment. While the initial price may seem steep compared to a vinyl liner pool, it’s crucial to conduct an apples-to-apples comparison. Fiberglass pools offer a variety of benefits, including low maintenance requirements, reduced chemical usage, and they can be installed much quicker, in just about 3-4 weeks. You will save a significant amount on pool chemicals alone. When factoring in these long-term benefits, the higher upfront cost of fiberglass pools may pale in comparison to the overall value they provide over time.

 

Chemical Savings 

We mentioned this one earlier, but one often overlooked benefit of fiberglass pools is their ability to save homeowners money on pool maintenance and upkeep. Thanks to their non-porous surfaces, fiberglass pools are also more resistant to algae growth and staining than other pool materials, reducing the need for costly chemical treatments and frequent cleaning. Over the life of the pool, these savings can add up, offsetting the initial investment and making fiberglass pools a more cost-effective option in the long run.

 

Superior Finish

Beyond their practical benefits, fiberglass pools offer a level of aesthetic appeal that is unmatched by other pool types. The smooth, glossy finish of fiberglass is made of a gel-coat. Gel-coat is used as the final surface coating in most fiberglass pools. This finish not only enhances the visual appeal of the pool but also contributes to its long-term durability, as the non-porous surface resists fading, chipping, and staining over time. 

 

Closing Thoughts

There’s always a million reasons not to buy something, a pool included. With fiberglass pools, they’re only the second most expensive inground pool out of three main types, and you will spend much less money on a fiberglass pool overtime than you will on a gunite or vinyl liner pool. Pools aren’t getting any cheaper, so if a fiberglass pool sounds right for you, we hope you now understand why they are priced higher than vinyl liner pools. If you want to learn more about fiberglass pools, check out the articles and videos below and feel free to check out our learning center.

 

Written By Logan Edgemon

 

More Articles to Dive Into:

The Top Five Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers of 2023

Fiberglass Pool Rundown: Pros, Cons, And Manufacturing Process

Fiberglass Pools VS Vinyl Liner Pools: Which Is Better?