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

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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

Unbiased Pool Owner Speaks Out Regarding Concrete vs Fiberglass Debate

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As just about any pool shopper knows, there is a significant debate raging on in the swimming pool industry:

Concrete Compared to Fiberglass: Which is the Best Swimming Pool?

Understandably, this question merits serious consideration. But the truth is, just about every pool guy is quite biased when it comes to the product they sell. And no matter what any person says, they are almost always leaning one way or another when it comes to what they tend to recommend to customers.

I've mentioned many times that we try not to be 'that guy' here at River Pools---You know, the one that is so blinded by his own products and need to 'make a sale' that he completely loses track of what the customer is really looking for. In reality, the fact is fiberglass pools aren't for everyone. Nor is a concrete or gunite pool the right choice for many consumers. One has size/shape limitations. The other involves significant upkeep, chemicals, and maintenance.

But when comparing the two, the truest way to know the merits of each product is to actually ask a consumer who has owned or currently owns both products. After all, pool owners that have experience with only one type of pool only know things from their one-way perspective. Not that this is by any stretch a bad thing, it just is what it is. But when you take an individual who owns both and ask that person to compare, well then we have a serious analysis at hand.

So without further ado let's finally hear what a customer who owns both products has to say. The following video shows Ken Knull, owner of Yankee Pt marina in Lancaster Virginia. Ken owns a fiberglass pool at his marina. He also owns a concrete pool at his residence. Considering the heavy usage of his fiberglass pool, Ken is the perfect case study of someone who can shed legitimate light and understanding on such a long-standing debate:

7 Qualities of the Best Fiberglass Pool Builders in America

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7 Qualities of the Best Fiberglass Pool Builders in America

Although I’ve been living the life of a ‘pool guy’ for about 10 years now, it has been over the last 3 where I’ve really begun to know the industry in and out. Because of this blog, the eBook, and the events I’ve had the opportunity to teach at, my conversations with fiberglass pool builders and consumers all over North America have increased 100-fold. In fact, on a normal day I’m now getting as many emails outside of our installation area (Va/Md) as I am inside.

I do not mention the facts to brag. No, such is not my goal at all. As most of you know, I’m all about teaching. I love learning, giving, and sharing knowledge in all its forms. Being a part of ‘the great discussion’ has satiated this tremendous need I have. Along this path of discussion with so many people, I’ve come to notice certain qualities that every great fiberglass pool builder has. And although most of these qualities are certainly applicable to vinyl and concrete pool builders, I decided to focus on fiberglass for now as it’s a subject that has weighed heavily on my mind for quite some time now.

So without further yapping on my part, I’d like to point out the top 7 qualities of the best fiberglass pool builders in the world today:

1. A Focus on Fiberglass: Although there are a few exceptions to this rule, in general the best fiberglass pool companies only focus on fiberglass. Instead of pretending to be great at more than one type of swimming pool, they focus their thoughts and efforts on becoming great with one thing. As I’ve watched many pool builders throughout the country expand into fiberglass due to consumer demand and the need for diversification in a down economy, I’ve also seen quite a few mistakes by builders who got into the business and simply assumed that installing a fiberglass pool would be a piece of cake. Granted, installing such a pool is not rocket science, but there are certainly many things that can go wrong. This is why a crew that installs fiberglass all the time, and experiences the repetition that comes with said installations, will likely commit fewer errors than a crew that ‘occasionally’ installs fiberglass.

2. Gravel over Sand: If there is anything about this blog that I’m proud of, it’s the fact that it has brought so much attention to the importance of using gravel (small size, roughly 3/8”) as a base and backfill versus the antiquated approach of using sand with fiberglass pools. Even better, most manufacturers have embraced this paradigm because inevitably, even though installations usually end up costing more initially, the pool structure benefits over time. 5 years ago I’d say only about 15% of fiberglass pool builders used gravel as a base and backfill. Today, I’d estimate the number of gravel users to be about 70%--a huge change for sure, and one that will only benefit the industry in the long run. At this point, even the most old-school installers have begun to embrace the common-sense and qualitative approach of gravel utilization.

3. Not Accepting the Status Quo: This goes along with sand versus gravel but it needs to be given attention as well. You see, for years there were a few ‘power-players’ in the fiberglass pool industry that really controlled the industry’s image, consumer awareness, and installation methodologies. But as we all know, the ‘status quo’ is often times NOT a good thing. Today, instead of just accepting things ‘the way Daddy did it’, builders all over the United States and Canada are looking for new ways to innovate, change, and become better at what they do. I think this movement is wonderful and I’m excited to see what it will bring to the industry over the next decade.

4. An Understanding of Product Limitations: This quality applies to all pool builders and what it stems from is the fact that most pool builders are very biased. The ‘liner guy’ thinks everyone should go liner. The ‘concrete guy’ looks down on the ‘other guys’ because ‘unless it’s concrete, it’s not a real pool’. The fiberglass guy tries to pretend their product has no limitations at all…and on and on and on.

The fact is that fiberglass isn’t for everybody. Yes, it does fit the needs of about 85% of the market, but for the person that absolutely has to have a size/shape/depth beyond the scope of fiberglass, then it might not be a great fit. This is why every year I tell every homeowner, quite bluntly, that I might not have a product for them. And do you know what? I’m OK with that…because it’s the truth.

Pool builders need to stop acting like their product is perfect. The concrete guy needs to accept the higher maintenance that comes with their product. The liner guy needs to stop misleading homeowners to believe that the liner will go at least 15+ years before replacement. Fiberglass guys need to accept size limitations.

I have seen a few builders around the country utilize such an honest approach and to them I say Good for You. You are doing a favor to the industry. Your honesty will be rewarded.

5. Hold Manufacturers  Accountable: Nobody is perfect. This applies to all pool builders and it certainly applies to fiberglass pool manufacturers. I’ve seen 2 types of builders over the years:

                1. The one who thinks their manufacturer is flawless

                2. The one who appreciates their manufacturer yet looks for them to improve

As you might imagine, I’m not a fan of the ‘Our Pool Manufacturer is Perfect’ builder. As everyone knows, I’m a huge fan of Leisure Pools. I think their quality and company are tremendous. Notwithstanding, they have their flaws, and I let them know it at times. In fact, I’ve gotten in arguments with the owner, Ashely Gill. Why? Because we both care and are passionate about the industry. And when it comes down to it, we both want the same thing. We want the industry to be better, and we want the pools found therein to be built and installed better. That is our goal and I see us getting closer each and every day.

6. Willing to Fix Mistakes:  Ahhh, the tough one. Maybe the hardest thing to do in any business is to fix mistakes that eat up profits. The life of a pool builder is no different. We all make mistakes. In fact, I tell every customer that I by no means can guarantee their job will go perfect, but I can guarantee they’ll recommend us to their friends when it’s all said and done. Such is the true mark of a great company. Are they willing to fix mistakes when it was their fault or do they just tell the homeowner to deal with it?

7. A Focus on Education: As previously mentioned, I love teaching. That’s why I (and my biz partners) write this blog. 90% of the people that come to this website are not even a potential customer of River Pools. But this matters not, as our goal here with this blog and everything we do is to empower pool shoppers through great education. I’ve seen other pool companies around the country begin to jump on this education wagon, which, to say it in the very least, thrills me. So as you go about looking for your pool builder, ask yourself how much time they’ve invested in your education. Are they ‘though leaders’ or focused solely on making more sales? The difference between the two can be quite profound.

Although I’m sure there are other mentionable qualities with merit, I hope these at least help some of you out there that are in the process of researching swimming pools to make the best decision for you and your family. I would also invite the pool contractors/manufacturers out there that have read this to offer your thoughts on the matter. What qualities would you add? Do you agree or disagree with what I’ve written here?

As always, Happy Swimming to everyone.

Marcus Sheridan

Northeast Fiberglass Pool Company Wins Award with Impressive Water Feature/Pool Combo

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This is part 2 of our efforts here to highlite the 2 fabulous fiberglass pool projects that won this year's Master of Design awards. The pool shown was installed by Cherry Hill Pools in Massachusetts. What's so impressive about the project, as you can easily see, is the dynamic natural water feature that begins at a high elevations and cascades into the free-form fiberglass pool below. Considering myths are often circulated regarding the fact that fiberglass pools don't look good with natural water features, I give quite a bit of credit to companies like Cherry Hill that are changing the perception of fiberglass swimming pools across the country, especially in their Northeast corner of the United States. Also, I've included here a few answers to some questions I sent out to Cherry Hill.

Question: Did the homeowner know what they wanted from the beginning or was this something that Cherry Hill designed for them? 

The homeowners, like many of our clients had decided that rather than purchase a vacation home, they would invest in their space. The couple, Steve and Kim, own a business together and as such don't have much free time in the summer.

Owner Bio:

Jim McGill has been in the outdoor living/home improvement area his entire life.  He started Cherry Hill Pool & Spa in 1999 and has been actively building fiberglass pools ever since.

Can any Fiberglass Pool have a Tanning Ledge and Custom Water Feature?

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One of the greatest evolutions in the fiberglass swimming pool industry has been a concerted effort from many builders and manufacturers to add customized features to their products. And considering the biggest knock on a fiberglass swimming pool is its lack of customization, such an effort makes quite a bit of sense.

Since the beginning of the 21^st century, one of the more ‘en vogue’ swimming pool features homeowners have been looking for  is the addition of a tanning ledge/water feature to their poolscape. Because fiberglass pools have width limitations, such a feat is difficult unless the tanning ledge is modular (as offered by Trilogy Pools), or if the tanning ledge is built-in, just as it would be on a concrete pool.

The following video depicts a custom tanning ledge on a Leisure (Riviera Model) fiberglass pool. The tanning ledge is made out of regular concrete and is overlaid with a ceramic tile, specifically Aztec cobalt. Along with the ledge, you’ll also notice 3 bubblers that were built into the structure as well.

So if you are considering a fiberglass pool, and are worried you may not get as many ‘customized’ features as you’d like, make sure to check and see the limitations of your builder, as you may be very surprised just how customized these pools can really be.

Marcus Sheridan

The Top 6 Hidden Costs of a Swimming Pool Project

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I was on an appointment last night with a potential pool owner and was reminded of the important, as well as frustrating, theme of this article. To make a long story short, the homeowners had received a couple of quotes for their swimming pool and despite the fact that they obviously needed a small retaining wall on one side of their pool, none of the other companies had mentioned this relevant fact. And why had such an important element of the project been tossed aside? Simply put:

Because the homeowner had a very set and lower budget, and because ever dollar mattered in order to make the sale, the pool builders simply left it out knowing such an issue could be dealt with later.

Now this may sound harsh. It may also come across like the two companies that had already been out and quoted the homeowner were dishonest. Although I'm not going to say they were dishonest, they were certainly willing to overlook imperative parts to the project so as to win the bid.

This is a classic example of ‘hidden costs' for pool shoppers. After being in this business for about 10 years now I've seen examples of homeowners getting hit with such costs after the start of the project by their pool company many, many times. And although the occasional hidden cost is inevitable, most can and should be caught, or at least brought to light, beforehand.

So that's the purpose of this article. I want you, the homeowner, to be fully cognoscente of the potential extra expenses you're going to have with your swimming pool project. The whole idea here is that you can set a budget and won't have to go into a panic once the project has actually begun because something surprising has popped up. And if you already own a pool, then feel free to stop reading at any point. ;-)

Top 6 Hidden Costs of a Swimming Pool Project

Retaining Walls

You've already heard my story from last night, but such an experience happens to me at least once a month. If I had a dollar for every time a homeowner told me, ‘The pool guy said I may need a retaining wall after the project is done, but said we'll just have to wait and see', I'd be a rich man. Fact is, retaining walls can get pretty expensive. They also have extreme importance in terms of pool and decking stability as well as proper yard drainage. So if anyone says you may need a retaining, please do yourself a favor and get a set price on the wall before the project ever starts.

Extra Concrete

Like retaining walls, there are often times not nearly enough discussion about a pool's patio leading up to the project. And because most people get at least an extra 300-700 square feet of patio beyond their initial 3'-4' border, the cost of additional patio is usually the most expensive option to the pool. Although I do understand that some homeowners are going to get the minimal amount of patio up front so as to save money and at least be able to enjoy their swimming pool, they should still have a plan/design already in place (with help from the pool builder) showing the amount of additional patio footage they'll need in the future. Again, do not overlook or push aside this important element to learning the true cost of your swimming pool project.

Dirt Hauling

When an inground swimming pool is built, a significant amount of dirt comes out of the ground. And when I say significant, I mean a LOT. In fact, homeowners are usually shocked to see the actual amount when all is said and done. In some cases, the dirt that comes out of the hole can be spread out or dumped on the homeowner's yard or land. But as often is the case, the dirt will need to be hauled away. Hauling dirt, especially in the big cities, can be pretty expensive. Therefore, make sure you always know if dirt hauling is included in the cost of the project as I've literally seen cases where the homeowner was left with a big mound of muck in their backyard.....Yikes!

Landscaping

The process of putting in an inground swimming pool is a rather involved one, using quite a bit of heavy equipment to make the project a reality. Because of this, anywhere equipment comes in and out of the property so as to get to the pool area may be damaged. This means that any grass in this area will need to be seeded/replaced after the fact. In many cases, homeowners will just go ahead and sod in the area around the pool so as to get things looking back to normal right away.

If a driveway is the main entrance to the backyard, keep in mind there is a chance it driveway will sustain damage during the project. This is especially true in cases where the driveway, be it concrete or asphalt, was built too thin. In such cases, damage due to the weight of the equipment is basically inevitable. In fact, there have been many, many jobs where we have told homeowners that they needed to understand that their driveway was likely going to get very damaged due to the fact that it was obviously poorly constructed. Although such a conversation is never a fun one, it is critically necessary because we believe the only way to paint a picture when it comes to pool planning is by painting a realistic and honest one. At least this way, all parties know fully what to expect.

Electrical

Some pool builders included the electrical hook-up to the project in their standard package, and others treat it as a separate invoice. I have no problem with either, but in our case we always handle it separately. The reason for this is simple. The extent of an electrical job with a pool is based on how many items the homeowner is getting with their project that require power. For example, a pump, salt chorine generator, light, automatic cover, hot tub, and heat pump all require additional power when doing a pool's electrical. So depending on these factors, as well as additional outlets or lighting in the pool area, electrical costs can vary significantly. So just as with all the other categories we've discussed, make sure you have a clear cost for the electrical hook-up before the project starts.

Fencing

Just about every pool in the world is required to have a fence around it in some way, shape, or form. Unfortunately, I've seen many instances where the homeowner didn't even think about the fencing component of the project until the swimming pool was completely finished. Such an order of operations is not a good idea and should be taken care of at the same time the swimming pool and patio are planned.

So there are my top 6 hidden expenses of a swimming pool project. I hope this article helps you to be more prepared when you're ready to buy your swimming pool and if you having any questions, comments, or additions to the article; please don't hesitate to leave your thoughts below.

If you're considering the purchase of an inground pool and live outside of the Va/Md/Wva area, receive a quote from our affiliate site here. If you live in the Va/Md area and would like to receive a pool quote from River Pools, please click here.

Marcus Sheridan

Image courtesy of TruShu

Fiber Glass Pools Gain More Market Share with Educated Consumers

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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

How to Pour Concrete Coping around a Fiberglass Pool Video

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Fiberglass Pool Coping: A How-To Video

One of the biggest factors in the success of a fiberglass pool project is the proper forming and pouring of the concrete patio. The absolute best way to achieve maximum structural integrity, as well as aesthetics, is to use cantilever forms. But as we've talked about many times in this blog, the reality is that many fiberglass pool builders have not yet fully grasped this construction technique.

This is why we at River Pools and Spas are so excited about this video, as it is, at least far as we're aware,  the first of its kind. We hope that this video will be a tool for novice and even experienced fiberglass pool builders around the world to help them refine their trade and in-turn elevate the entire industry. We also hope this video will be utilized by homeowners attempting to bite off the huge task of building their own fiberglass pool from scratch in a DIY project.

If anyone has any questions regarding this unique skill, feel free to email Jason Hughes, who produced and narrated this entire video, at riverpoolsjason@gmail.com ... 

Also, we invite all to leave comments, questions, or thoughts below.

Ceramic Core Fiberglass Pools: The Truth Behind the Gimmick

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"What the heck is a ‘ceramic core' fiberglass pool?"...........

This blog post is simply the product of the growing number of emails I've been receiving on a daily basis from literally readers all over the US and Canada who are considering the purchase of a swimming pool. The subject of these emails always vary, so from time to time I choose a particular question to address that strikes  my fancy.

As I've mentioned so many other times, the process of buying a swimming pool can be a tricky one, mainly because there is not enough honest information available to you, the consumer, with respect to true value and sales gimmicks.

The Consumer Advocate

Providing such information has always been the goal of this blog and I feel we're accomplishing this goal based on the profound amount of readership that makes me do a double-take every time I see how many consumers are reading these articles. But it just goes to show, if you give people the good, the bad, and the ugly information on any given product; they will in turn recognize the authoritative voice of the source.

But today's article, as I mentioned earlier, is a direct result of a question I received from a very intelligent, informed consumer who was perplexed over certain ‘sales-gimmicks' he was sensing as he researched fiberglass swimming pools. Specifically, he was asking about two particular ‘gimmicks': Ceramic Core Fiberglass Pools and the use of Carbon Fiber in Fiberglass Pools.

Upon discussing with him this topic, I decided it was time that our readers were informed of such a farce and were made aware of what a ‘ceramic' fiberglass pool really is. In general, if a fiberglass pool manufacturer claims to have a ceramic core pool, what they are actually using is a ‘fillite' powder. (Please note the root word). In fact, one such company that produces fillite, Eager Plastics, explains what their fillite powder actually does:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Fillite - 500 powder (EP7707) is a finely-divided, free-flowing spherical powder with a gray-green color. ...Fillite is a glass-hard, inert hollow silicate sphere. Fillite is primarily used to reduce the weight of plastics rubbers, resins and cement, but has been used a variety of filler applications. Other applications include use in refractories, PVC flooring, SBR latex carpet backing, break linings, phenolics, epoxies, cast polyesters, synthetic marbles, syntactic foams, BMC, SMC, FRP, low-density cements, shotcrete, wallboard joint compounds and automative sound dampening sheets.

The addition of EP7707 Fillite provides the following outstanding features:

1. Fine particle size for easy mixing
2. Reduces cost
3. Reduces resin exotherm......

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
Shell
60% SiO₂
30% Al₂O₃
4% Fe₂O₃
0.5-4% K₂O / Na₂O
1-2% MgO
0.2-1.0% CaO

I know this all may appear a little confusing, but if you're into science you'll quickly see that a ‘ceramic core' is actually 60% Silica and 30% ceramic, and that all it's really doing is acting as an inexpensive filler in the case of a fiberglass pool. In fact, Wikipedia defines Silica as:

The chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica (from the Latin silex), is an oxide  of silicon  with a chemical formula of SiO2  and has been known for its hardness since antiquity. Silica is most commonly found in nature as sand or quartz, as well as in the cell walls of diatoms. Silica is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust

I've talked to various fiberglass pool manufacturers regarding this subject and they all laugh about what the product actually is and the fact that its components are available to everyone.

Simply put, if ceramic core (or should we say silica core) technology truly did benefit a fiberglass pool, everyone world be doing it. But the reality is that more than 90% of fiberglass pool manufacturers on the planet have chosen not to use this cheap product. I think it's also important to note that there are fiberglass pool manufacturers that have multiple lines of fiberglass pools, some made with ‘ceramic' and others without. So my question at that point becomes-If the stuff is so great and critical to a quality pool, why wouldn't a company put it in all their products, not just one line out of many?

Other Gimmicks

But this article isn't just about supposed ceramic cores. It's also about ‘Carbon Fiber', ‘Kevlar', and any other scientific words that pops up in the future. Frankly put, all of these hot, ‘space-age' phrases that sound very scientific are only means of semantically tricking a consumer, and thus have no place in the fiberglass pool market, or any other market for that matter. Fact is, if a pool was truly made out of carbon fiber it would cost at least 10 times as much as one without. So as a consumer, if you hear a manufacturer claim they put such products in their pool, I'd make them guarantee it on paper and then I'd make them show these ‘miracle materials' in the shell when the installers cut out the returns and skimmer sections of the pool. Just by doing this, one will quickly see what components are truly making up the pool shell.

True Value

My point with mentioning these items is that fiberglass pool manufacturers need to focus on the important things that genuinely make a pool stronger and better-Quality resins, quality gel coats, and quality workmanship. Any pool manufacturer that can achieve these 3 metrics with every shell they produce should be highly commended and sought after by consumers. And as for those that would rather use marketing gimmicks to create false product realities, I can only hope they'll eventually turn back to the basics and win over their consumers the old fashion way-by earning it.

Marcus Sheridan, PoolSchool

Questions? Please leave your thoughts below.

Awesome Fiberglass Pool Installation Video!

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Many people, especially when debating over whether to install a fiberglass pool themselves or have a professional installer do it for them, are frankly not quite sure of what a proper installation entails. As we have done with so many other videos regarding the swimming pool industry, this video (produced by Jason Hughes) takes all the essential steps of unloading, excavating, setting, plumbing, filling with water, and backfilling a fiberglass pool and rolls it into a concise yet extremely informative and entertaining 10 minute video.

Upon reviewing the video, if anyone has any comments or questions about what a proper fiberglass pool installation involves, please don't hesitate to put your thoughts below.

As always, we appreciate the involvement of the community that has grown here at the River Pools and Spas blog.