Fiberglass Swimming Pools

Fiberglass pools first appeared on the market about 50 years ago and remain popular choice because of their convenience and ease of installation: They arrive at the site ready to install, and can be completed in a matter of days, unlike concrete pools which can take weeks on end, or even months to install.

Various companies have slightly different methods for building fiberglass pools, but all fiberglass pools are completely built at the factory out of fiberglass mixed with vinyl and/or polyester resins. Other types of resin fillers may be added to the mixture to lower the selling price of the pool, but this will weaken the mixture, and therefore cost more in long term maintenance costs. This mixture is layered onto a wax mould of the pool until the desired thickness is reached. The pool is finished with a non porous gel coating, similar to the surface found on boats and pool slides.

A further benefit of fiberglass pools is that they can be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are also several optional features available, such as an assortment of tile patterns, fiber optic lighting highlights and convenient in-floor cleaning systems. However, since fiberglass pools are prefabricated at a factory using a mold system, they cannot be fully customized, unlike concrete and vinyl pools.

The primary rule regarding the maintenance of fiberglass pools is that they should be kept full of water at all times so the pressure outside the walls of the pool is the same as the pressure inside the walls of the pool. Improper drainage will cause hydrostatic or ground pressure outside the pool, which could cause the pool to crack or collapse. This means that fiberglass pools are not ideal for cold climates where pools need to be weathered over the winter by completely emptying the pool. However, fiberglass is hardy enough to withstand ground frost and can be installed in zones where the winter gets a little chilly.

Aside from this requirement of always keeping the pool full, fiberglass maintenance isn't more difficult than the maintenance required by other types of pools. The water must be kept sanitized and safe with chemicals and cleaning work is required on a regular basis to protect the gel finish of the pool. Fiberglass does not require acid washing, resurfacing, and liner replacements unlike concrete or vinyl pools.

If you are looking for a durable, high-quality pool which can be installed quickly, and do not need a unique, fully customized installation, a fiberglass pool may be the right choice for you.

Fiberglass Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips >>