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Not All Fiberglass Pools Are Manufactured the Same

Most people don’t realize it, but the way your pool is made can make all the difference in how long it lasts and how much you enjoy it.

Engineered to Last. Designed for a Lifetime of Enjoyment

Even the best pool designs can fail if the shell itself isn’t made to last. That’s why we’ve developed a manufacturing process that protects the integrity of every pool we produce, from the mold to the final layer.

At River Pools, we’ve invested in advanced manufacturing techniques that ensure every pool shell is strong, reliable, and built for decades of worry-free enjoyment. We use premium materials, precise craftsmanship, and a purpose-built facility designed to eliminate the common issues that can compromise a fiberglass pool shell.

Because the pool you choose will hold much more than water—it will hold years of shared laughter, lazy afternoons, and the simple pleasure of watching your family make memories that last a lifetime.
Every great pool starts with a precise mold.

The Mold – The Starting Point for Every Great Pool

Every fiberglass pool starts with a carefully crafted mold. It’s the critical first step in creating a pool shell that’s strong, consistent, and built to last for decades.

At our manufacturing campus, we go to great lengths to protect these molds. They’re stored indoors, moved on flat surfaces, and handled with care to reduce stress and wear. Why? Because a precisely maintained mold means a more accurate, reliable pool shell every time.

Less stress on the mold means less stress for you, and more time spent enjoying the water.

The first thing you see, the last thing you want to worry about.

Gelcoat – The Color You Choose, the Surface You Feel

The gelcoat is the smooth, high-gloss layer that gives your pool its color and shine. It’s comfortable for bare feet and paws, algae-resistant to keep your water clearer, and scratch-resistant for active families.

Plus, River Pools leads the industry in gelcoat testing, so you can feel confident your pool will look great for years to come.

Choose the color you love, and enjoy a finish that’s built to last.

 

 

A critical layer for long-term durability.

Vinyl Ester Barrier Coat – A Hidden Layer of Protection

Before the first layers of fiberglass are added, every River Pools shell gets a critical barrier of vinyl ester resin. This waterproof layer helps prevent blistering, protects the gelcoat, and acts as a powerful shield against moisture intrusion.

It’s a hidden but essential step that helps keep your pool looking beautiful, strong, and ready for decades of use.

 

The backbone of a strong, durable pool shell.

Chopped Fiberglass – The First Layer of Structural Strength

Once the vinyl ester barrier coat is in place, the first structural layers are built using chopped fiberglass. This material starts as strand roving—long, continuous strands of fiberglass that are chopped into shorter lengths by a specialized chop gun, then mixed with resin and catalyst.

When sprayed onto the mold, this chopped fiberglass forms a dense, reinforced layer that gives the pool shell the strength and flexibility it needs to handle water pressure, ground movement, and decades of use. It’s a critical step in building a tough, reliable pool shell.

 

 

Adding strength to your pool shell.

Hand-Laid Woven Roving – Extra Reinforcement Where It Matters Most

After the chopped fiberglass layers are in place, the next step is adding hand-laid woven roving. Unlike chopped fiberglass, this material comes in thick, interwoven sheets that provide an extra layer of strength where it’s needed most—like steps, benches, and stress points in the pool shell.

This layer helps prevent flexing and adds durability, ensuring your pool is ready for decades of use. It’s a critical part of building a pool that’s as strong as it is beautiful.

 

Critical support for flat and vertical surfaces.

Honeycomb Core – Adding Rigidity Where It’s Needed Most

Honeycomb core is a lightweight, rigid material used to reinforce specific areas of the pool shell—like sidewalls, steps, benches, and tanning ledges. By itself, it isn’t particularly strong, but when layered with chopped glass and resin, it adds critical stiffness exactly where it’s needed.

This strategic reinforcement helps the pool maintain its shape over time, reducing the risk of flexing, cracking, or structural stress. It’s one more way we build strength into every pool shell.

 

 

Added strength where it counts.

Stitch Matting – Extra Reinforcement for High-Stress Areas

Stitch matting is a thick, multi-layered material that adds bulk, strength, and impact resistance to critical areas of the pool shell. It’s made by stitching together layers of fiberglass mat and woven roving, creating a dense, durable layer that helps protect the shell and gelcoat from undue stress and cracking.

This reinforcement is strategically placed in areas that may experience more flexural stress, like steps, benches, and corners, helping your pool maintain its shape and strength for decades of use.

 

A well-built pool shell makes all the difference.

Spend More Time Making Memories, Less Time Worrying

You deserve a pool that’s ready to enjoy, not constantly fixed. That all starts with one that's been crafted with carefully selected materials, applied in exactly the right place.

When your pool is built using high-quality gelcoat, vinyl ester barrier coat, chopped fiberglass, hand-laid woven roving, honeycomb core, and stitch matting, you get a shell that’s strong, resilient, and ready for decades of summer days.

Your backyard transformation starts here. Get a quick ballpark estimate today and start planning the pool you’ll love for life.

 

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What River Pools owners are saying

"The pool is easy to maintain and will last for years. Installation is so much faster with a fiberglass pool."

Vicki & Peter E. St. Louis, MO

"For us, it is the right size and has the features we wanted in a pool."

Robert W. Knoxville, TN

"The pool size is perfect and we love the convenience of Fiberglass."

Lisa & Mark W. Burlington, WI

Price Your Own River Pools Fiberglass Pool

The 3-Step Plan

Follow our 3-step plan to get the pool that brings your backyard to life

1

Step #1: Design Your Pool

You pick the design, features, and colors that fit your style. We’ll guide you through the process so you’re always in the know.
2

Step #2: Connect with an Installer

We’ll connect you with a local installer, and before you know it, your pool will be ready to enjoy. Plus, we’ll share all the tips to keep it in top shape.
3

Step #3: Live the Life You Want

Now the fun begins! From sunny afternoons to poolside hangouts, your new pool is ready for all the memories you’re about to make.

FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got answers! Check out these FAQs to learn more about fiberglass pool installation.

What makes River Pools’ manufacturing process different?

How do you make sure every pool is top quality?

Why do you have to handle molds so carefully?

Manufacturing Done Right

We build our pools with top-quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and a process that gets it right the first time—so you can enjoy more and worry less. Ready to make it happen?

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River Pools® manufactures fiberglass pool shells and does not install pools. Pools are installed by locally owned and operated dealers and franchisees. The relationship between the dealers and franchisees to River Pools® is that of an independent contractor. River Pools Franchising LLC (Franchising) provides independently owned and operated River Pool franchisees with the right to market the River Pools brand of pool shells as a franchisee. Franchising does not manufacture pool shells. Due to the unprecedented and historic growth of the River Pools brand, this website contains an abundance of information that has been created over the last decade. Some of the content on this site may reflect prices, perspectives, processes, entities, and names that were relevant at the time but may not be as relevant today.

Consumers should consult their local installer (independent dealer or franchisee) for the most accurate and updated information based on the unique conditions of their property. Consumers should verify specifications with the installing dealer rather than relying on the information on this website, which is not intended to be a final specification.