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Swimming Pool Blog

River Pools & Spas Blog

The most educational swimming pool blog in the country, providing fiberglass pool articles and videos, as well as information on inground concrete and liner pools.

Blog Feature

Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Pool Maintenance  |  Pool Manufacturing Process

Do Fiberglass Pools Need to be Resurfaced?

We’ve covered fiberglass pools extensively in our previous guides and articles, but there’s something that's been missing from our content... We haven’t said much about resurfacing fiberglass pools. At River Pools, our fiberglass pools are made with high-quality materials, and they really don’t need to be refinished when cared for properly, even after several decades. However, we also acknowledge that not all fiberglass pools are made equal. Some fiberglass pool shells are made with lower quality materials that may be less durable over time.

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Installation & Construction  |  Pool Manufacturing Process  |  Swimming Pool FAQs

How Messy Is a Fiberglass Pool Installation?

A fiberglass pool installation is, relatively speaking, less messy than vinyl liner or concrete. However, note that I said less messy, rather than not messy. We're using giant machinery to rip out a ton of earth and put in your glittery new pool. It's not a clean, tidy process. There tends to be a rose-colored-glasses assumption that there won't be that many machines, and they won't make that much of a mess. In the past we've heard people say, "I didn't know my yard was gonna be such a mess. No one told me." Well, it's time someone told you—and that someone is River Pools.

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Comparing Fiberglass, Concrete, and Vinyl Liner Pools in the Modern Age Ebook.

Comparing Fiberglass, Concrete, and Vinyl Liner Pools in the Modern Age

Don't blindly wonder if a fiberglass, concrete, or vinyl liner pool is right for you. Our educational ebook does a deep-dive comparison of the 3 types, all while noting the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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Installation & Construction  |  Pool Manufacturing Process

Why You Should Wait to Get a Pool Until Your New Home Is Built

The idea of building my own home (well, hiring someone to build it) is wild to me. That's some phenomenal cosmic power. You can include all your favorite things and leave out the details you hate. The only thing that would make building a new home even cooler? If you were putting in a pool with it. Talk about living the dream. So if you're building a new house, when should the pool be installed? The answer is... "It depends." (I know, I wish it were simpler too.) The ideal time: after power, before asphalt and landscaping. Of course, things aren't always so simple.

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Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Pool Manufacturing Process

6 Things You Should Know about a Fiberglass Pool Gelcoat Surface

"Gelcoat" is a funky word to describe the surface of a fiberglass pool. Personally, it makes me think of the expensive nail polish option in a salon. Plus, "gel" sounds like it'll be soft and squishy—not the ideal texture for a pool. So what gives? What is a gelcoat, really? Here at River Pools, we specialize in fiberglass pools. Between manufacturing and installing them, we know them inside and out (literally). We want to share our knowledge so that you can be fully informed when you make that big pool decision for you and your family. Let's start at the beginning: the gelcoat surface.

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Installation & Construction  |  Pool Design Guides  |  Pool Manufacturing Process  |  Swimming Pool Design

Small Inground Pools: Sizes, Shapes, Cost, Pros, & Cons

You know something I think is cute about humans in general? Our love for small things. Think about it! Even if we like the thing itself, we love the tiny version. A pig? Kinda gross. A tiny pig? Awww! A teacup? Classy. A tiny teacup? I need it right now! A house? Fine. A tiny house? Perfect! A cat or dog? Beautiful. A kitten or puppy? I want to die of happiness!

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Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Installation & Construction  |  Pool Manufacturing Process  |  Swimming Pool FAQs

What is a Fiberglass Pool Mold?

When I first visited River Pools in person, the first things I noticed were the...red-orange lumps outside. What kinda yard decorations are those? The answer: Not decorations at all. (Whew!) Turns out, these are pool molds—we make them ourselves and then use them to manufacture our fiberglass pools. Fancy, right? But what does all that really mean? Let's talk about these weird-looking lumps: What a pool mold is, and what it is not How we make a mold for a fiberglass pool How we use a mold for a fiberglass pool How we maintain a mold for a fiberglass pool

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Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Installation & Construction  |  Pool Manufacturing Process

The Basics of Manufacturing and Installing a Fiberglass Pool

A lot goes into the manufacturing and installation process for a fiberglass pool. It’s especially hard to make sense of all those steps when the explanation includes a lot of pool and science jargon, regardless of whether you’d like a refresher on the basics of a fiberglass pool or already know the components.

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Concrete Pool Information  |  Cost and Pricing  |  Pool Maintenance  |  Pool Manufacturing Process  |  Swimming Pool FAQs

Concrete Pool Basics: Pros, Cons, and How They’re Made

A pool is a pool is a pool, right? Actually, not so much. When you’re planning such a big investment, you need to look into the three primary pool types—concrete, vinyl liner, and fiberglass—to understand the differences. River Pools specializes in fiberglass pools, but we know you need all the information on all the pool types in order to make an educated decision on what’s best for your needs. For some people, concrete is the way to go.

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Installation & Construction  |  Pool Manufacturing Process  |  Swimming Pool Design  |  Swimming Pool FAQs  |  Vinyl Liner Pool Information

Inground Vinyl Pool Liner Thickness: Basics, Costs, and Options

Are you shopping for vinyl pool liners for your swimming pool and uncertain what thickness is best? Want to verify in layman’s terms what your pool builder has offered? Unsure what a “mil” measurement even means? At River Pools, we specialize in manufacturing fiberglass pools, and we also know a lot about other inground pool types. If you're interested in a vinyl liner swimming pool for your home, we want to share some key information on the thickness of the liner to help you make the best choices while buying your pool.

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Blog Feature

Pool Manufacturing Process

Vinyl Ester Barrier Coat: 4 Fiberglass Pool Manufacturing Problems Solved

If you are seriously considering an inground fiberglass pool, I'm going to make two assumptions: #1. You are actively searching for specific information from fiberglass pool manufacturers about the actual materials they use and how they are applied. #2. Up to this point, your search has been in vain. Luckily, your search is over. Our Vinyl Ester Barrier Coat not only overcomes the common manufacturing challenges in our industry but also provides many other benefits that result in a more beautiful and durable pool for your backyard. Here are some specifics I'd like to point out:

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