Concrete is the traditional and the most popular pool material, but fiberglass has its fans as well. If you want to know more about fiberglass pools before installing them in your yard by in ground pool builders, read these frequently asked questions people ask about fiberglass pools.

Fiberglass Pools FAQS

What are fiberglass pools?

A fiberglass pool is a one-piece pool shell that is manufactured in a facility that produces fiberglass pool shells. The shell is then shipped to the place where it needs to be installed. Afterward, it’s installed in the chosen area of a yard. The pool shell is made of reinforced fiberglass covered with a protective gel coating.

How are fiberglass shells made?

The entire manufacturing process of fiberglass pools is carried out by licensed manufacturers only. Firstly, the pattern for a pool is created which is also called the plug. This is a pool design. A plug is constructed with wood, fiberglass, and other materials.

By using the plug, a mold is created. This mold is used for the mass production of fiberglass pools. Keep in mind that the mold serves as the design of the pool and one mold means one pool design. The production of the plug and mold is 95% of the fiberglass pool creation work. This process takes from three to four weeks.

After creating a mold, the pool shell is created. It’s the fiberglass pool that is shipped to you. This process is done within 1-2 days.

So, if the mold of a pool design is already made, which mostly is, you can have the pool made and shipped to you within a few days.

How are fiberglass shells installed?

Fiberglass pools are not installed by the manufacturers who produce the shells. So, after ordering a fiberglass pool, you will need to hire a contractor who can install a fiberglass pool. The contractor will inspect the site, perform measurements, and excavate the site. After that, the floor is set with a bed of gravel. It acts as a base for the fiberglass pool shell.

By that time, the pool shell is delivered to your house. A crane is used to carefully place the shell inside the hole. The contractor checks the levels to ensure that the pool shell has been placed correctly.

The plumbing of the pool is done and then backfilling is carried out using gravel or a flowable backfill. This process is important for the stability of the fiberglass walls.

The contractor will also attach a rebar to the pool shell for more strength and stability. Then, paver coping is installed. Later, you can add a deck or a patio around or near the pool as well.

How long does a fiberglass pool take to install?

The complete installation of a fiberglass pool takes about 3 to 4 weeks. But the actual time a fiberglass installation takes widely depends on the size of the pool and the weather at the time of installation. One rainy day can delay the process for 1 to 2 weeks. So, discuss it with a contractor who can plan out the installation and choose the weeks when rain is not expected.

What sizes do fiberglass pools come in?

Fiberglass pools come in a variety of sizes. A standard smallest fiberglass pool can be 20 feet long and 10 feet wide. However, some manufacturers may create fiberglass pools that are 15 feet long and 8 feet wide.

On the opposite end, the biggest size for most fiberglass pool manufacturers is 16×40. It means 16 feet long and 40 feet wide.

If you’re wondering why fiberglass pools can’t be produced in bigger sizes than 16×40 is because a fiberglass pool shell has to be delivered from the manufacturing facility to the destination (your home). Trucks carry a fiberglass pool shell so the highway sizing restrictions must be followed.

How deep are fiberglass pools?

The depth of a fiberglass pool depends on the size of the pool. Smaller pools are shallower than bigger pools. Most fiberglass pools that are 27 feet long or smaller are around 3 and a half to 5 and a half feet deep.

Then, for fiberglass pools with a size of 27 to 35 feet long, the depth can be from 3 and a half to 6 and a half feet. Moreover, 35 feet to 44 feet long fiberglass pools can be 3 and a half to 8 and a half feet deep.

How long do fiberglass pools last?

A fiberglass pool can last from 25-50 years depending on the quality, installation, and maintenance. If you choose a reputable manufacturer, get the shell installed by an expert contractor, and follow the maintenance guidelines, you can expect it to last for 40 years or more.

For comparison, vinyl liner pools last for 20 years where you need to replace the liner every 6 to 12 years. On the other hand, a concrete pool can last a lifetime, but you must resurface the pool every 10 years. Keep in mind that fiberglass pools don’t require resurfacing or relining.

Are Fiberglass pools better than concrete pools?

Both have their strengths and weaknesses:

Cost

The installation cost of both fiberglass and concrete pools is quite similar. However, concrete pools require expensive maintenance as well where you need to resurface it every decade. On the other hand, fiberglass pools don’t require costly maintenance.

Customizations

Fiberglass pools are designed with molds. There is a good variety of mold designs, but you’re limited to the sizes and shapes the manufacturer offers. Concrete pools are constructed on the site so there is no limit whatsoever to the size, design, and depth of the pool.

The customizations of concrete pools are only limited to your imagination and this is why many people who require custom pools, choose concrete pools. Moreover, if you need a pool bigger than 16×40, your only option is a concrete pool.

Installation Time

The installation of fiberglass pools is quick because they are pre-made. The whole process can take about 4-5 weeks. Concrete pools, though, are built from scratch so you should not expect to have the pool built within a month as the process will take 3-6 months.

Do fiberglass pools crack in cold climates?

You may have heard from someone that fiberglass pools can crack in cold weather. We are here to tell you that the above statement is completely false. To keep yourself safe, make sure to winterize your pipes so the pipes don’t freeze and crack.

Do fiberglass pools fade?

Pool surfaces of any kind lighten very slowly over time. This is true for fiberglass pools as well. There is a gel coat on the surface of fiberglass pools and it will slightly lighten with time. However, this happens slowly and evenly.

The difference is quite less so unless you can take an image of a new fiberglass pool and compare it with your pool, you would hardly notice any difference.

That being said, improper water chemistry can lead to faster and uneven fading of the gel coat. For instance; saltwater pools show fading more clearly because the chlorine generator usually mixes more chlorine in the water than required. Sometimes, chlorine in pool water is 200%-500% higher than the required levels.

Conclusion

Fiberglass pools can be installed more quickly than other pool types and they also require less maintenance. However, the shapes and designs are limited. Consult a pool contractor Long Island to discuss more details.