Fiberglass Pool Owners: Never Tell your Friends with Concrete Pools These 5 Things

Attention Fiberglass Pool Owners:  Please Do Not Disclose this information to your buddies with Concrete/Gunite Pools…..because they’ll be way jealous and drastic things could happen. 

We have to be considerate here, what’s done is done.  They can never enjoy the benefits of fiberglass pools the way you can, so there’s no point in rubbing their noses in it.

*Concrete pool owners: if you have accidently come across this article, save yourself years of regret and anguish and leave this page now before any more damage is done.  If you have a friend with a fiberglass pool that deliberately referred you here they should immediately go on your pooh-pooh list and lose all future Christmas gifts.

Now that’s behind us:

Here are 5 Things You Should Never Disclose to Your Friends with Concrete Pools     

 

1.  All the time you’ve had with Your Family while They’re outside Cleaning the Pool

Please, never mention all the times you’ve watched them, dripping with sweat, brush and clean the pool from your air conditioned kitchen.  They don’t have a choice you know.  Because of the porous surface of concrete pools, weekly brushing of the entire pool is recommended to remove any algae that imbeds into the surface.  Yes, I know you probably never brush your fiberglass pool.  Why would you?  The surface is non-porous, inhibiting the growth of algae, and that makes your life really easy.  I know you feel guilty, maybe you could volunteer to brush their pool for them next week….NOT!!!

 

2.  What You’ve done with the Money You’ve Saved on Chemicals

Clothes for the kids, a few nights out to dinner, they’ll never know how much more they spend on chemicals per year than you do and what they could be doing with the money….no need to even bring it up.  It’s because of that porous surface thing again.  It takes a lot more chlorine or other sanitizer to kill the algae and other bacteria imbedded in those pours.  Because your fiberglass pool doesn’t foster algae growth, it only requires a fraction of the chemicals used by your friend’s concrete pool. 

 

3.  How non-abrasive the Fiberglass Pool surface is

I know they told you that their kids have to wear water shoes while swimming in their concrete pool because the surface is so rough, so you never want to tell them how gentle, but skid-resistant, the surface of your fiberglass pool is and how easy it is on your children’s feet.    

 

4.  That you don’t need to Plan for Costly Repairs

I’m sure that they’re aware that they’ll eventually be spending $10-$20k on tile, coping, and plaster work, so there’s no need to point that out….not to mention acid washing every couple years.  They’re responsible, I’m sure they’ll plan their budget accordingly.  But you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank with costly renovation work with your fiberglass pool because the lifetime cost of ownership is significantly less.  The vast majority of fiberglass pools installed in the United States since the 1970’s have never had any major repair work.    

 

5.  That you Don’t Stress over pH and other Water Chemistry Stuff

You’ve seen your friends dumping gallons of acid into their pool, but you probably didn’t know why.  It’s because concrete pools are naturally alkaline and raise the pH of the pool water.  Therefore, it’s much more difficult to keep your buddy’s water balanced than in your fiberglass pool that is inert and does not react in any way with the water in your pool.  That’s just one less stressor you have to deal with, but remember……let’s keep it hush, hush.

 

Ok, so that’s it.  You should be able to disclose any other info about your fiberglass pool to your concrete pool friends without fear of jeopardizing the relationship.

 

Glad I could be of service.

 

Please feel free question or comment, but please, let’s make sure it stays between us:) 

Despite Advances, Some Concrete Pool Companies Still Hanging on to the Past

Just the other day I was speaking with a pool customer in the Maryland area who was debating the merits of concrete vs. fiberglass swimming pools. During our discussion, I became disenchanted to hear some of the concerns this gentleman had—not because he had concerns, but the root of the concerns themselves.

You see, this man had talked with a sales person from a major concrete pool builder in Maryland, a company that has been a ‘Top 50 Builder’ and one that has been doing concrete pools for many, many years. And it was during this conversation with their salesman that he was treated to a plethora of inaccurate statements regarding fiberglass pools.

Despite the fact that I was frustrated such a company would elect to take the road of fear-mongering so as to make a sale, I ended up reflecting upon the experience and came up with two realizations:

1. Swimming pool consumers are more informed than they’ve ever been regarding the incredible merits of fiberglass. Despite the efforts of concrete companies like this on in Md. to fight the tide of positive information regarding a gunite/concrete pool alternative, most consumers are now smart enough to know when sales persons and marketing departments are being dishonest. The pool shopper I mentioned above had just begun his research, and therefore was more susceptible to mythology. But in many cases this past year, I’ve spoken with homeowners that were incredibly turned off by this and other companies that are obviously desperate to hold fast to concrete pool superiority in the marketplace.

2. More and more concrete pool companies have now decided to embrace the 21^st century. The same holds true for quite a few vinyl companies as well. The economy, because of its tough state, has forced businesses to make decisions that they simply weren’t making just 3 years ago. Whether it has been a massive pool builder like Anthony Sylvan or a mom and pop company in the Midwest, gunite companies are accepting the reality that fiberglass pools are now in high demand due to their many benefits, as shown in this incredibly telling video we just released a few weeks ago.

But as I mentioned at the start of this article, there are still a few holdouts. Despite all the facts and signs of the times, there are still some companies like the Maryland pool builder I mentioned that elect not to embrace the future, but instead hunker-down and do their best to misinform. So as to protect those consumers who truly are looking for the pros and cons of fiberglass pools, I’ve listed here 6 of the most common myths a few gunite pool builders are still using:

1. Fiberglass Pools Don’t Work in Certain Soil Conditions: The Md. customer told me this statement the other day and I laughed. The reason for my amusement was simple: I’ve heard this silly myth used by pool companies literally in every part of the US and Canada. If it was up to certain builders, apparently fiberglass wouldn’t work in any soil condition in the world. As I’ve discussed before in other posts, fiberglass pools are incredible strong, flexible, and even repairable—which makes them perfect for any soil condition.

2. You Don’t Have a Pool Unless It’s Concrete: Yeah, and Henry Ford said you didn’t have a car unless it was a Model-T……Frankly, I’m amazed this is still a line used by sales persons. A note to sales guys, what do you say we embrace the technology of the future and not stifle it??

3. Fiberglass Pools are Ugly: 25 years ago, maybe. Today, well, I’ll let you decide—just take a glance at a few of our photos.

4. Fiberglass Pools Float: Alas…..I can only slap my forehead with this one. First of all, any vessel, be it concrete or vinyl, can float. But when built properly, and maintained with water, this should never happen with a swimming pool—as it has never happened with one of the 600+ fiberglass pools we’ve installed during our time in business—many of which were built on the water, hence River Pools and Spas.

5. Fiberglass Pools aren’t Repairable: Huh??? This statement is a laugh, really. Just talk to a boat guy if you want the ultimate unbiased opinion.

6. Fiberglass Pools only Work in Certain Warmer Climates: Again, totally bogus. The fastest growing pool in Canada is fiberglass.

Well there you have it folks—the top 6 myths concrete pool companies are still using to sway consumers. As I’ve mentioned before in other articles, there isn’t a perfect pool out there. They all have their drawbacks. Fiberglass is limited in its shapes and sizes. Concrete is high in maintenance, chemicals, and long-term costs. Despite their drawbacks though, swimming pool ownership is an amazing experience, especially with all the technology advancements of the 21^st century making the process of ownership such a more pleasant one.

But hopefully this article will help some of you that are currently in the process of researching and buying a pool to make the right decision for your situation based on facts, and not on the frivolous and inaccurate statements some will make simply in an effort to get a sale.

As always, happy swimming to everyone (only a month or so left)!

Marcus Sheridan

Concrete, Vinyl, and Fiberglass Pool Fading: Which Fades the Worst?

In a continued effort to point out the pros and cons of all types of swimming pools on this blog, this article will discuss a common issue that can arise with a swimming pool over time--- fading. As you are likely aware, any surface of any product is going to lose some color and brilliance with time. So the main goal here is to give you an accurate expectation of each type of pool, as well as the factors that can dictate color loss.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Without a doubt, vinyl liner pools have more fading and color-loss issues than any other type of swimming pool. Whether it's an above ground or an inground, the liner is produced the same, with an extremely thin colored pattern overlayed on the vinyl material.

There are two main causes of color loss for a liner: Chemicals and Sunlight.  Although the second cannot be deterred or managed (unless you have an automatic cover), chemicals are almost always the downfall to a vinyl liner, namely chlorine.

Because chlorine is a halogen (bleach), it will inevitably over time cause the design on the liner to fade. Combined with the bleaching power of the sun, a liner will often lose serious amounts of color within the 5-7 year mark, and can even eventually turn completely white. Obviously, this number can vary drastically, especially if a homeowner puts too much chorine in their pool or shocks it too often. This is another benefit of a using a salt chlorine generator-because it causes the chlorine production to be consistently low, yet effective, without ‘shocking' the pool and elevating the chorine levels drastically.

Concrete Pools

In the past, most concrete/gunite pools were white plaster, but today more and more consumers are choosing to utilize colored finishes with their concrete pool. In general, these pools look much better than their antiquated white counterparts, but they do surprisingly deal with quite a bit of color loss over time.

Anyone that has had a colored concrete patio will typically recognize the sun's dulling effects over time, which is certainly the case with a concrete swimming pool. The sun light, combined with the chlorine, will typically have a significant effect on colored concrete surfaces in the 8-12 year mark.

Fiberglass Pools

Like concrete, fiberglass pools in the past were mainly ‘white' or ‘baby blue' in color. But today, with the soaring popularity of colored finishes on fiberglass pools, most consumers are choosing to go with darker finishes for their aesthetic value.

Just like vinyl and concrete, fiberglass pool finishes will be affected by the sun but the main question is how much. I've written quite a bit about this on other posts, but there are some fiberglass pool manufacturers that make great color finishes (Leisure), a handful that make utilize average finishes, and then a few that use substandard finishes.

Keep in mind that the finish warranty on a fiberglass pool is often only as good as the disclaimers that comes with it, so make sure you see the written text before you assume that something with a frivolous  ‘20 Year Finish Warranty' has any value.

In general, quality fiberglass finishes will start to experience some fading at the 8-12 year mark whereas the cheap finishes can experience fading within 1-2 years.

Questions about pool finishes and color loss? As always, feel free to leave your comments below.

Fiber Glass Pools Gain More Market Share with Educated Consumers

Having been in this business for almost 10 years now, it's absolutely unbelievable just how much the inground swimming pool market has changed during this time. This trend was made even more evident to me when I recently sat down with a customer in Baltimore Maryland, who, by all intents and purposes, was a self-taught fiber glass pool expert.

For the sake of privacy, I'll refer to the lady as ‘Renee' in this article.

Intense Research

For many months now, Renee has been scouring the internet doing research on swimming pools. Recently, when her and her husband finally decided it was time to actually have a pool installed, they focused even further on what type of pool to choose and with whom they wanted to entrust their backyard. And with such an outstanding amount of research, Renee knew that a fiberglass pool would clearly be her choice for this important investment. And what brought her to this conclusion? Well she thoroughly understood her goals for this swimming pool project would be as follows:

• A pool that would last forever without big expenses down the road
• As little maintenance as possible
• A visual enhancement to her backyard that would be consistent with her home's aesthetics

And because she was looking for a small to medium size, Renee understood overwhelmingly that fiber glass was going to be her choice. At that point, it was just a matter of choosing the right manufacturer and the right builder.

More Consumer Tools

In the past, most consumers didn't necessarily know how to research fiberglass pool manufacturers as well as builders. But today, with more and more educational consumer blogs popping up all over the internet, as well as a significant amount of pool/spa forums designed to promote conversation on the product, consumers are now light years ahead of where they were just a few years ago.

In the past, I would meet with a homeowner and spend most of my time teaching them the differences between Vinyl, Fiberglass, and Concrete Pools. Now, instead of teaching, I'm listening to them tell me what they want, why they want it, and how they want it to be done. And let me tell you, this type of informed consumer really, really gets me excited.

For example, my friend Renee not only knew she wanted a fiberglass pool, but she also knew that she wanted it to be backfilled with gravel, not sand. (In fact, she finds it hilarious that some slower-minded individuals in the pool industry still subscribe to a sand base and backfill). Renee was quite aware of the differences in pool color finishes, materials, and patio options. And finally, Renee was well cognoscente of what manufacturers have shown financial stability, as well as the ones that have experienced financial disaster due to poor business models and management practices.

Seeing the Big Picture

All this being said, Renee was really the exact type of customer I get excited to work with when it comes to a swimming pool project-informed, able to see the big picture, and concerned enough to do all the necessary leg work(research).

But getting back to my original point, the experience with Renee was perfectly analogous to the great movement that is happening within the swimming pool industry. No longer do consumers simply base their decisions on initial price, what their neighbor has, or what their parents had growing up. Yep, today's swimming pool consumer chooses their own path through diligent research and an understanding of the good, the bad, and the ugly of all their possible choices. And by so doing, they are able to, just as Renee did, make a decision that will bring them joy and happiness for many years to come.

Marcus Sheridan, PoolSchool

Can Concrete (Gunite) Pools Float? Crazy Pictures

I was recently sitting with a customer looking to buy a fiberglass swimming pool and the classic question came out.

'Marcus, I was talking with the guy that gave me a quote on a concrete pool and he told me that I didn't want a fiberglass pool because it would float. Is that true?'

I could only sigh upon hearing such a question, as it is one that I figured the concrete pool builders would have gotten weary of using by this point. But instead of expressing my frustrations to this particular homeowner regarding the false words of another salesman, I went on to explain to her the truth, which is as follows:

1. Any vessel, underneath the ground, can float with enough water pressure pushing on it.
2. Of all types of pools, concrete/gunite pools are the most likely to float, as you can see in these photos, all of which are  concrete/gunite pools.
3. Fiberglass pools, although potentially could float if they were empty of water or had no concrete decking bond beam, almost never float.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure, or water pushing upwards, is the reason why pools can pop up out of the ground. To alleviate this problem, the majority of concrete pools are built with a hydrostatic relief valve. In the case of fiberglass, as long as they remain full of water, and have a cantilevered concrete coping edge around them of at least 3' (this is our general rule of thumb at River Pools), then floating should never be an issue.(See Jason's recent article regarding hydostatic pressure and fiberglass pools)

After having literally installed a few hundred pools on the waters of Virginia and Maryland during our time in business, we have not had one of these pools pop-up or 'float' after installation. In fact, the only case that typically leads to hydrostatic issues with a fiberglass pool is when they are drained/emptied of their water, which is an absolute 'no-no' and can cause, instead of the pool floating, the pool's floor to buckle or crack. Such can be repaired, but is obviously not a good thing, which is why fiberglass pools should always remain full.

But remember this the next time a concrete pool salesman has the audacity to use the old 'fiberglass pools float' pitch. In fact, if you're in the process of buying a pool and getting quotes on both concrete and fiberglass, then I suggest having these little pictures handy in case the subject happens to come up. :-)

As, always,happy swimming to everyone and if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to leave your thoughts below.

Marcus Sheridan, PoolSchool

Hydrostatic Pressure and Dewatering Systems for Fiberglass Pools

We are frequently asked questions about the effects of ground water on fiberglass pools.  The short answer is that it has no effect in most cases as long as the pool remains full of water. 

But you may be wondering, “What if the pool is not full of water?”

My response is-- Exactly!

The ground water around a fiberglass pool needs to be removed before the pool shell can be emptied or the water level significantly lowered.   This is not only true with fiberglass pools, but with any vessel…septic tanks, oil drums, gunite pools, and even vinyl liner pools.   Hydrostatic pressure is the term used to describe the force that water exerts on a structure.  Too much hydrostatic pressure = bad news, and like I said earlier this is not a concern with a fiberglass pool unless it is emptied.  The good news is that many fiberglass pools may not require draining for 30 or 40 years down the road.  That’s great, but when the time comes there needs to be a way to get rid of the ground water….which brings us to the subject of dewatering systems. 

Dewatering Systems

3 reasons fiberglass pool contractors should install dewatering systems on every pool:

•         It can take less than 30 minutes
•         It can cost less than $100
•         It can save someone tons of $$$ and heartache

 

Here’s how we do it at River Pools:

After the excavation for the pool is complete and the pool is set and level we drop one end of an 8” PVC pipe to the bottom of the excavation just outside of the deep end of the pool.  The pipe stands up in the hole so the top of it extends above the top of the pool shell.  We cut the top of the pipe off flush with the patio and place a skimmer lid on top of it and....  Viola...Instant access to ground water! If the pool needs to be drained simply remove the lid and drop a pump down in that baby a few days beforehand.  There’s no need for a permanent pump because the ground water doesn’t hurt anything when the pool is full; plus any pump you put down there will probably go bad before you have a chance to use it anyway. 

 

 (The image on the left shows the drainage pipe just after the installation of the pool.  The image below/right shows the skimmer lid that covers the pipe.)

 

Other dewatering systems:

There are other systems out there that work great.  We prefer this method because as I stated earlier it’s cheap and easy, and because it works on the principle of pushing water rather than pulling it.  Other systems utilize suction pumps like a “mud hog” that sit at ground level and draw water up from the lower lying excavation.  This works well, but it is much more effective to push water up from the bottom than pull it from the top.  These surface pumps also have to be much more substantial in size, they have to be primed, and some are gas powered which means they have to be refilled if pumping for days is required.  The system we utilize uses a standard sump pump that connects to a garden hose which is much smaller and more cost effective means to move water.  We also like this method because it pairs well with the use of clean gravel backfill.  The gravel acts as a sieve and allows the water to flow unrestricted up through the bottom of the pipe.  The level of water inside the pipe is naturally the same as the level outside of it.  When using sand backfill it is recommended to put a layer of clean crushed gravel down for the bottom of the pipe to rest on and to drill holes in the side walls of the pipe and cover with a filter fabric to keep sand from washing in.          

The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter what kind of dewatering system is installed around a fiberglass pool as long as it’s installed.  As I stated earlier, ground water around a fiberglass pool is perfectly fine in most cases, but if you’re having a fiberglass pool installed at your home do yourself a huge favor and have your contractor do something to insure that the ground water around you pool can be removed if necessary. 

Pool guys:  What other systems have you seen that work well? I’d love to hear what you’re doing. 

 

Related articles:  7 Deadly Sins of Fiberglass Pool Installations

Anthony Sylvan Accepts Reality, Does a 180 and Decides to Embrace Fiberglass Pools

 

Anthony Sylvan Accepts Reality, Does a 180 and Decides to Embrace Fiberglass Pools

Ahhhh, isn't it funny how a bad economy forces businesses to be honest with every component of their company? Such was the case recently as Anthony Sylvan Pools, the second largest installer of inground concrete pools in the United States, decided to integrate fiberglass swimming pool construction into their business model. Obviously, I don't fault Sylvan for doing this. In fact, I'm just surprised they were living in denial for these past 10 years. But as I've already mentioned, slower sales will certainly cause a business to accept the reality and trends within the marketplace. In their new fiberglass pool website, Sylvan states:

  "Anthony & Sylvan Pools has built quality in-ground swimming pools and spas throughout the United States for over 60 years. Not only do we offer concrete pools, but many of our markets can also take advantage of beautiful fiberglass pools.

Fiberglass pools are durable, long-lasting and typically are installed much faster than concrete swimming pools. Fiberglass pools come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Anthony & Sylvan Pools builds inground fiberglass pools in the following areas: Virginia Beach, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Atlanta Georgia and Charlotte North Carolina."

What makes me snicker about Sylvan's sudden appreciation for fiberglass is that for many years they have, or at least their sales people have, talked rather poorly of fiberglass swimming pools. After having gone head to head with an Anthony Sylvan salesperson at least 100 times in the past 9 years, I've heard some hilarious statements, with the top 3 being:

• 1. You don't want fiberglass, it will pop out of the ground! (still my all time favorite)
• 2. You don't really have a pool unless it's concrete.
• 3. Fiberglass pools aren't really pools. (huh????)

So, considering Anthony Sylvan subscribes to this blog(Hi guys!), I have an open question and invitation for them:

Will you now admit that fiberglass pools are the wave of the future for the residential pool industry in the United States(as they already are in Australia)? And what took you so long?? Please feel free to leave your comments below..........

 

As always, happy swimming everyone!!

 

Marcus Sheridan, http://www.poolschool.us/

Custom Pools vs Fiberglass Pools: Which is Right For You?

 

Custom Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools: Which is Right for You?

I recently worked with a customer who was trying to decide between a concrete pool and a fiberglass pool. After doing quite a bit of research he told me that fiberglass, in terms of its longevity and low maintenance, would likely suit his needs the best. But when it came time for him to choose what type of pool he would go with, he didn't follow his gut instinct. In fact, when I asked him what his final decision was, he simply responded by saying, "I've decided to go with a custom pool."

"Say, what??" was the thought that went through my mind.

Yep, he was going with a 'Custom Pool'.

Heck, he didn't even say words like concrete or gunnite or anything of that nature. The only thing he wanted to call it was a Custom Pool.

The experience reminded me of something I see on occasion in the swimming pool industry. Essentially, this gentleman was caught up in the linguistics of a good salesman. What do I mean by this? Well here are some of the best one-liners I hear from concrete/gunnite pool salespersons:

                "You really don't own a pool unless it's concrete."

                "The only way you truly have a custom pool is if it's concrete."

                "You don't possibly want a pre-fab pool do you??"

                "All your neighbors own concrete, don't you think it would look odd if you went with a fiberglass pool?"

I'll stop with these but believe me when I say I've heard hundreds of variations of such statements. But when it comes to a salesperson trying to convince a homeowner that fiberglass is not a 'custom pool', well, that's just plain ridiculous. Now granted, with fiberglass one cannot change the size and shape of a particular design. This much is true. But after having personally assisted over 2000 customers who were trying to find a fiberglass pool to fit their needs, less than 10% of these consumers were unable to find a shape or size that didn't fit their needs and wants, especially with the fact that just about every fiberglass pool comes with multiple benches, ledges, seating, etc. But let's also consider the other ways in which fiberglass pools can be customized:

• 1. They typically come in a variety of color finishes. In fact, their colors are much more vibrant than your standard concrete pool color finishes.
• 2. Tile can be used anywhere on a fiberglass pool. Whether it's on the waterline or inlays and mosaics in the steps and seats, tiles can completely change a fiberglass pool to fit an individual's likes and personality.
• 3. The same patios that are available for concrete/gunnite pools are available with fiberglass. Whether it's stamped concrete, brick pavers, coping stones, flagstones, etc; all can be used to customize your fiberglass swimming pool.
• 4. Just like patio options, a fiberglass pool can be built with a huge array of water features. From simple deck-jets to natural waterfalls, all are available with a fiberglass pool.

Hopefully you can see my point here. The fact is fiberglass pools are COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZABLE. If this wasn't the case, and if fiberglass pools weren't the wave of the future in the swimming pool industry, such massive concrete pool companies as Anthony Sylvan Pools, which have notoriously spoken down regarding fiberglass, would not be now working so hard to sell and install fiberglass pools themselves.

So I return to the original question:

"Custom vs Fiberglass Pools: Which is right for you?"

And I'll finish with this simple answer:

"That's a trick question, as the two are one in the same!! :-)"

 

By Marcus Sheridan, http://www.poolschool.us/

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Gunite Pools versus Fiberglass Pools: Which Looks Nicer?

 

Gunite Pools versus Fiberglass Pools: Which Looks Nicer?

Because fiberglass pools in America started out as plain white shells without any tiling, colored finishes, and cantilevered decking, they were stigmatized with the ‘bathtub' label, which is why many consumers still to this day mistakenly perceive concrete/gunite pools to be a much more aesthetically pleasing product.  But such a perception is not true throughout the world. Let me give you an example.

The first time I spoke with the Australian owners of Leisure Fiberglass Pools I told them that I was quite impressed with the look and luster of their pools. In fact, my statement to Paul Pusztay, one of their owners, went something like this: "I really like what you've done with your pools. With their deep, rich colors, unique seating patterns, and classy designs, they will compete incredibly well aesthetically against concrete pools."

Upon hearing this statement, Pusztay gave me an odd look/grimace and said something like, "What do ye mean mate?"

"I mean you've got a pretty pool, that's what I mean. Many uniformed people here in America feel like fiberglass pools have a second rate look about them" I said.

"Ahh, now I see your point" said Pusztay. "I was just a little confused because in Australia it's a totally different viewpoint. There, the concrete pool builders are trying to make their pools look more like fiberglass. The last thing we want to do at Leisure is look more like concrete."

And as these words started to sink in, it all started to make sense- I knew that Australia was about 20 years ahead of the American market with the fiberglass pool industry, but I had no idea that the perceptions of two nations regarding swimming pools could be so very different, which explains why resendential fiberglass pools outsell residential concrete pools in the Australia.

 But back to my original question: Which pool looks better?

Well how about I answer this in simple terms- Both gunite and fiberglass pools can look boring or fantastic, but the look of the project will really come down to the following items.

• 1. Decking/Patio Around the pool
• 2. Landscaping other than decking
• 3. Color of the pool
• 4. Shape of the pool

Although there are certainly more factors, those are what I consider to be the most important 4 components to your pool's appearance. Therefore, the actual answer to the question is that it all depends on these variables. There really is no clear cut winner.

So when will fiberglass catch up to gunite/concrete here in the United States? Well let me just say that out of the 80 or so fiberglass pools our company will install this year, more than 50 of the customers were ONLY looking for fiberglass. They were educated, they were informed, and they also knew that fiberglass did not have any aesthetic drawbacks versus gunite. In fact, just like those wonderful people from ‘Down Under', many preferred the deep and rich colors that fiberglass had to offer.

So to close my little article, I'd like to make a prediction. Here it is:

Within the next 10 years, fiberglass pools will have a larger share of the inground swimming pool market than concrete/gunite pools.

Yep, that's what I believe and it's also what has already happened in Australia, so it only makes sense that it will happen here in the United States. But, as always, time will tell. Time will tell.....

 

By Marcus Sheridan, Co owner of River Pools and Spas and author of the popular eBook: "How to Buy a Fiberglass Pool the Right Way, From the Right Company, at the Right Price."

 

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Concrete Pools Vs Fiberglass Pools: The Crazy Buying Decisions People Will Make

 

Concrete Pools Versus Fiberglass Pools....The Debate Continues

By Marcus Sheridan, http://www.poolschool.us/

 

Ok, so this is one of those articles where some readers might argue that I'm extremely biased because I sell fiberglass pools and so therefore the points herein aren't relevant. Frankly though, I pride myself in being one of the few ‘pool guys' who will often times recommend to a shopper that they choose another product other than my own. Let me give you an example.

I recently had a customer who was very interested in having a fiberglass pool installed. His neighbor had just gotten a fiberglass pool from our company and spoke very, very highly of the product. So the potential client called me up and said something to the nature of, "I really like fiberglass pools, but I have one really big concern." I asked him what his concern was and he said, "I must have two things with my inground pool. I must have a diving board and I must have a very large play area for my kids. Do you have a pool that will fit this need?" Many fiberglass pool contractors would try to give some type of ‘yes' answer to such a question but without any reservation on my part, I gave this customer a succinct ‘No'.

 You see, when it comes down to it, any normal pool with a deep end is going to have a small play area. This is because the entire middle portion of the pool will be a hard-slope, allowing the final third of the pool to be a diving well depth. The only exception to this rule would be something like an ‘L' shaped pool, where there are essentially two unique bodies of water. Because ‘L' pools are very large and wider than 16', they are not available in fiberglass, which brings me back to the original reason I told this customer that I was sorry but we didn't have anything to fit his needs. In my opinion, this is simply just being honest with a customer. The last thing I'd want to do is install a pool for someone and have them tell me they were disappointed with a recommendation I had made them. The customer in this example was unique. He actually understood how much more maintenance he'd have with a concrete pool and he knew he'd have some serious long term repair costs. Notwithstanding, he also was absolutely sure that a large shallow area, as well as a diving well, were the most important requisites of his pool project. And in such a case as this one, I had no choice but to recommend he choose a concrete pool.

The previous example was a very unique one though as most customers(about 90% of the market in my estimation), are looking for a pool design available in a fiberglass size(16'x44' or less). But having literally worked with thousands of customers in their efforts to choose the right pool from the right company, I will never cease to be amazed with some of the incredibly illogical reasons people will choose a concrete pool over a fiberglass pool. So here is my top five list:

• 1. "Everyone in my neighborhood has a concrete pool.."

So my question is this. If everyone in your neighborhood had a rotary phone, would you have one too?? Seriously, such a statement makes me smack my forehead.  Again, choosing a concrete pool over fiberglass for a size reason is one thing, but going with it because it's what the neighbors did????

• 2. " It's what I grew up with.."

Again, another major head-scratcher. I can appreciate someone having fond memories of their pool growing up, but to miss out on the benefits of fiberglass simply because one is not used to it would be like saying, "I just don't think I want a plasma TV. I grew up with black and white...."

• 3. "I'm worried it won't look like a pool.."

 

I can understand how people may have made such a statement 10 years ago when all fiberglass pools were white and all decking was non-cantilevered. But with the advent of colored finishes and beautiful patios, most fiberglass pools would give the best concrete pool a run for their money. This is also why when customers go to the photo page on our website they think we install concrete pools.

 

• 4. "I'm worried it won't feel like a normal pool...."

Again, I just have a really hard time even beginning to understand this statement. For our customers here in Virginia and Maryland, many are introduced to fiberglass pools when they go on vacation to places like Myrtle Beach and Nags Head. And do you know how many of these people have ever said to me, "Marc, I used a fiberglass pool on vacation and I didn't like it because it didn't ‘feel' like a pool."? You guessed it, none.

• 5. "I'm going with a concrete pool over fiberglass because the concrete pool costs a little less."

 

I've written various articles regarding this statement, but the simple reality is that fiberglass pools will almost ALWAYS cost less than a concrete pool over the course of the pool's lifetime. This is because the chemical costs on a yearly basis, and the resurfacing costs (average of 10 years with white plaster) will undoubtedly more than make up for a few thousand dollars on the front end.

To close this article, I want to reiterate my point that there are certainly times when concrete is the better solution for a pool shopper. Just don't let the reason for such a decision be based on one of the five listed above;-)