Concrete, Vinyl, and Fiberglass: Which is for Me?

When choosing a pool, it’s necessary to decide what kind of pool is best. Many believe the major decision is “above ground” versus “inground.” If you choose an inground pool, you must also choose which building material will best meet your needs. The main options for inground pools are concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass, each having unique benefits. After deciding on design preferences and accounting for your available space and budget, consider which of the three choices below is optimal for your backyard oasis.

Concrete

Benefits of concrete. This material allows for the most flexibility and is poured into the shape the pool will take, from quite simple circles or squares to more complex designs. This provides an opportunity for built in features, customization, and textured surfaces. Concrete pools are the most durable and long-lasting. Repouring is only required every 10-15 years, providing many summers of fun without extensive maintenance.

Fiberglass

Benefits of Fiberglass: Fiberglass pools require far less maintenance than other materials and require little to no cost beyond initial purchase and installation. The surfaces are covered in a gel coating that makes them resistant to algae growth, minimizing the amount of regular maintenance and cleaning required. The smooth gel coating also minimizes injuries from abrasions, which pool owners with little ones especially appreciate. These pools are pre-built in a factory and often have steps and other features built in. Installation takes very little time, usually an average of 3 weeks. Imagine yourself floating in your backyard paradise in such a short span of time.

Vinyl

Benefits of Vinyl: Vinyl pools are pre-manufactured, as are fiberglass pools, but are completely customizable in terms of size and shape. There are no limitations in design. With vinyl, your dream pool is a possibility. They are also non-abrasive, keeping the risk of injury low, and the vinyl material used to coat them discourages algae growth. This keeps cleaning and chemicals at a lower level, saving money and time. Vinyl pools are the least expensive to build and install, and both the manufacture and installation time are short. Vinyl liners can last as many as 7-15 years,

Take each of these factors into consideration when choosing which material to use for your inground pool. You’ll experience summers of fun while adding value to your home.

For more information, contact Pools of Fun today!