Fibreglass vs. Vinyl Pool vs. Concrete Pool: What’s the Difference?

If you have been wondering which type of pool is right for you – this post is all you have to read. Concrete pools are considered to be the most popular ones in Australia however, what works for everyone might not work for you. Our team of experts have put together a guide to help you make a better-informed decision.

Fibreglass Pools: 

What is a Fibreglass Pool? A fibreglass pool is fabricated using reinforced shells of fibreglass assembled in a commercial manufacturing unit but installed as an integrated piece. Once put together, they are coated with a layer of gel.

Benefits: 

1. Low Cost of Ownership: Since the surface is well covered, it usually does not end up with cracks, holes, and other porous issues that require repairs.
2. Self-Maintaining: The gel used in fibreglass pools limits the possibility of algae. This way, you save the cost of frequently using chemicals. You can also use a solution like EvoluX EX6000 to practically automate the entire pool cleaning process and save more on maintenance costs.
3. Short Lead Time: You can practically get a fibreglass pool installed in under two months.
4. Aesthetic and Utility Value: Most fibreglass pools have a design that includes some form of seating. You can also add walls, ledges, tiles, and other aesthetic elements to enhance your guests' experience.

Challenges: 

1. Limited Room for Customization: Fibreglass pools are fabricated using already available moulds and are then transported to the onsite location. This limits the size to no more than 5m and doesn’t allow much room for design customizations.
2. Expensive Installation: The cost of getting a fibreglass pool can be as high as $10,000. This matches the price of a concrete pool, but one does not get to enjoy the customized design features available for the alternatives.

Vinyl Pools: 

Vinyl pools get their name from the vinyl sheet used to construct a layer in the pool’s fabrication. The vinyl covers concrete-like substances that make the design customizable. Usually, the pool walls have a solid material backing them and are made up of thermoplastic constituents.

Benefits: 

1. Low Cost of Installation: Among in-ground pools, vinyl pools have the lowest installation cost since they are easy to be fabricated and installed.
2. Flexible Design: The concrete-like materials and the vinyl help ensure that you can practically have any design & dimension you want in your pool.
3. Self-Maintaining: Vinyl is not conducive to algae. This makes it easier to maintain the pool without the regular use of chemicals. Although algae deposits are not common, you will still need help in cleaning the pool. Using a suction cleaner, a pressure cleaner or a robotic cleaner can lower the cost of cleaning by a wide margin.

Challenges: 

1. High Cost of Ownership: While the pool is cost-effective in installation, the vinyl layer will require a replacement every once or twice in a decade. This more than doubles the cost of the pool across its usable life.
2. Design Vulnerabilities: The vinyl layer usually does not have a thickness of more than 1 mm. This makes the pool vulnerable to damage.
3. Accelerated Value Impairment: If you decide to sell the home in the next 5-6 years, the vinyl pool might pressure your asking price as the new owner will have to replace the vinyl liner that has exceeded its usable life.

Concrete Pools: 

Concrete pools have a mix of cement, gravel, stone, sand, and water as their base material. After the pool cavity is dug, a concrete shell is made by spraying water on the concrete mix or using an already wet mix. Once the spraying is done, the structure goes through a process called curing as the mix hardens. This might take over a month.

Benefits:

1. No Design Limitations: You can have any practical design or dimension for your pool as the concrete will adapt to it. You can also add entries, ledges, and edges as you please.
2. High Aesthetic Value: If you are working with a landscape theme, concrete pools will perfectly adapt.

Challenges:

1. Cost of Ownership: While the usable life of a concrete pool can be as high as 15 years, once it is over, you will have no option to redo the pool.
2. High Cost of Maintenance: The surface is porous and will often have algae deposits and pH value imbalances. This will require consistent use of chemicals for maintenance. The process of adding chemicals can be tricky. Read this expert-curated guide to get step-by-step help on how the process unfolds.
3. Long Lead Time: While the curing process takes around one month, the entire process from day one to the pool reaching a usable stage can take up to 6 months.

Still can't decide? 

It is challenging to decide which pool will work best for you. Most homeowners and estate managers tend to use a budget as the primary decision-making factor. Instead, focus on the total cost of ownership, including maintenance & replacements, along with the usable life of the pool. If you still believe that the type of pool you prefer is expensive, consider using a pool & spa controller to automate the maintenance of your pool and mitigate the expenses that come with manual pool services.