11 Jun Why Concrete Pools are Better than Fiberglass and Vinyl
You’re probably aware that many companies promote their products by only talking about benefits and advantages and totally glossing over the negative stuff. This kind of promoting doesn’t paint a full picture for buyers and leads them to scour the Internet for any useful information that they can find. Therefore, we’ve put a list together comparing concrete pools to fiberglass and vinyl pools. Our goal is to make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of each one so that you can make an informed decision.
Concrete Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools vs. Vinyl Pools
We have broken down the advantages and disadvantages of concrete pools, fiberglass pools and vinyl pools.
Advantages of Inground Concrete Pools
With unlimited size and pool shape options, you can make the pool as big or as unique as you want.- Want a tanning ledge or a specially designed feature? You can get that easily with a concrete pool.
- Installers can integrate a concrete pool into the landscape, making it look like a seamless addition to the yard.
Disadvantages of Inground Concrete Pools
- Concrete is a porous material; therefore, it requires more maintenance to combat degradation and algae buildup.
- You may need to renovate a concrete pool every eight to 12 years.
- It can take a few months to complete a concrete pool installation.
Advantages of Inground Fiberglass Pools
- Fiberglass is nonporous, which means less maintenance for you.
- A fiberglass pool doesn’t require a replacement liner.
- Many fiberglass pools already come with built-in ledges and steps.
Disadvantages of Inground Fiberglass Pools
- You don’t have many choices when it comes to sizes, shapes and designs.
- You can’t get a fiberglass pool larger than 16-feet wide.
- Fiberglass pools cost almost as much as a concrete poolt to install and aren’t certified for diving.
Advantages of Inground Vinyl Pools
- It doesn’t cost as much upfront to install a vinyl-liner pool.
- Vinyl liners feel smooth, and the nonporous material reduces algae growth.
- Repairing the pool is as easy as replacing the liner in most cases.
Disadvantages of Inground Vinyl Pools
- Liners can start to degrade after seven years, and they cost up to $5,000 to replace.
- Vinyl-liner pools have limited options for built-in seats and other features.
- Most vinyl liners come with a pro-rated warranty, which means that you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if damages occur after the initial warranty time has expired.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Hopefully, this bit of unbiased reporting helps you understand the pros and cons of each pool type and pick the one that’s best-suited for your needs. They all have their advantages, but in the end, concrete pools may offer the most bang for your buck. Not only can you get them in any shape, size and design that you want, but they also integrate well into backyard spaces and last for years with proper maintenance.
Your Orlando pool builder team at American Pools & Spas bring years of residential and commercial swimming pool construction experience to every job. That commitment and experience, give our customers confidence they will receive a well designed, beautifully constructed pool. Every time.
From initial design through that very first jump into the crystal clear water of your in-ground swimming pool, American Pools & Spas has the expertise, service and resources to be your pool builder.