Vinyl Liner vs. Fiberglass: Which Pool Is Right for You

When you are considering a new pool project, it’s reasonable to look at your property and determine what the best kind of pool is for your space. Two of the most common kinds of pools offered by Pools of Fun, vinyl liner and fiberglass, may seem interchangeable at first glance. However, some key differences between the two may make one a better fit for your lifestyle or project than the other — both for practical considerations and for the joy that your new pool will bring to your life.

Here are some things you will want to keep in mind when deciding between fiberglass or a vinyl liner for your pool.

Upkeep

For both kinds of pools, the pumping, chemicals, and consumable filters are very comparable. However, the gel coat on a fiberglass pool is very algae-resistant and is compatible with lower maintenance systems. A vinyl liner does tend to be largely algae resistant as well, but it has seams that need more pump time and chemical maintenance to prevent algae from forming. Some owners may find this an inconvenience, but if you’re looking to save time on maintenance and upkeep, a fiberglass pool’s more uniform coating is likely to be the winner.

A vinyl pool liner will also need replacement every few years if you take good care of it. Without careful attention, wrinkles can form, and anything from rocks or sticks to dog claws or even insect colonies can cause early tears in the liner. Punctures in the liner can lead to the degradation of the wall panels. This is avoidable with good care, but it is something to keep in mind as you are looking at your options. That said, vinyl liners can deal better with large changes in temperature than fiberglass pools do, so the further north you go, the more of an advantage there is to vinyl liners.

Installation

Another advantage of fiberglass pools is their low installation time. A fiberglass pool can be installed usually in  four to five weeks. A pool with a vinyl liner, however, usually takes about five to six weeks, depending on the project.

Customization

One of the biggest reasons that people choose to go with a vinyl liner pool over a fiberglass one is that they can be much more easily customized to an interesting or unusually shaped pool. Fiberglass pools come in pre-cast shapes, so they might potentially be harder to tailor to a site. If you have a design that’s particularly unique in mind, a vinyl pool might be much easier to fit into your vision than a fiberglass one.

Making Your Pool a Reality with Pools of Fun

No matter what the size or shape of your pool might be, Pools of Fun is here to help make it a reality. If you have any questions about what kind of pool and liner would be best for your space and environment, get in touch with us today! We are excited to help you create a pool you can enjoy for years to come.