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Home » Fiberglass vs. Concrete vs. Vinyl Liner
Ultimately, the best type of inground swimming pool is the one that lets you get the most enjoyment out of your backyard. Planning your dream pool and picking pool materials is an initial step to set you up for a lifetime of fun and memories. To help you choose the best type of swimming pool for you, we’ll look at factors like installation time, style and customization, pool cost, durability and maintenance needs to help you understand the differences between Latham fiberglass and vinyl liner pools vs. concrete (also referred to as gunite or shotcrete) pools.
Pool cost can be a wide range depending on a number of factors. Out of the three pool options, concrete is the most expensive vs. fiberglass or vinyl liner pools. The initial cost of a concrete pool can be upwards of $60,000. The average initial costs of fiberglass and vinyl liner pools can start around $50,000, but the total cost can depend on a number of factors.
Visit our pool pricing guide and cost calculator tool to get a price estimate based on your desired style, features and add-ons.
Fiberglass pools have a number of advantages when comparing them vs. concrete pools or vinyl liner pools.
Fiberglass pools are highly durable and very efficient to install. Because they’re pre-engineered, the entire installation process can be completed quickly. Once your fiberglass pool is delivered to your home, you can start enjoying your new pool in as little as three days.
When comparing fiberglass pools vs concrete (gunite) pools can take approximately three to six months to install. Fiberglass is factory-made while concrete pools need to be poured on-site, which can not only increase time to complete, but keep your yard in disarray for a much longer period of time. One of the most time consuming parts of the concrete process is that it requires between 28 to 30 days for the material to cure.
Fiberglass offers homeowners a wide variety of pre-engineered options that are perfect for any backyard need or aesthetic, including:
Sizes: Available in a wide variety of pre-engineered sizes, comparable to options for vinyl liner pools:
The initial cost of a fiberglass pool can typically start at $50,000, making them potentially less expensive than an installed gunite concrete pool, which averages upwards of $60,000. We get into more detail on pricing including installation factors and maintenance costs in our fiberglass pool.
Durable: Fiberglass pools can last the lifetime of the home it’s installed in. To put things in perspective, there are fiberglass pools still in the ground that were put in during the 60’s! Latham’s carbon-infused technologies have superior compressive strength and an eight-element building process that provides industry-leading thickness and durability.
From virtually endless customization options to affordability, vinyl liner pools have a number of advantages.
Fiberglass pools are highly durable and very efficient to install. Because they’re pre-engineered, the entire installation process can be completed quickly. Once your fiberglass pool is delivered to your home, you can start enjoying your new pool in as little as three days.
When comparing fiberglass pools vs concrete (gunite) pools can take approximately three to six months to install. Fiberglass is factory-made while concrete pools need to be poured on-site, which can not only increase time to complete, but keep your yard in disarray for a much longer period of time. One of the most time consuming parts of the concrete process is that it requires between 28 to 30 days for the material to cure.
In terms of size and shape, inground vinyl liner pools give homeowners plenty of options to choose from. From more traditional rectangular shapes, to intriguing curved free-form shapes like the models, vinyl liner pools come in a variety of styles.
Vinyl liner pools are highly customizable and offer homeowners an abundance of options to choose from to create the pool of their dreams. Vinyl liners are also soft to the touch and a more comfortable option than the rough texture of a concrete pool.
can start around $50,000. Vinyl liner pools are less expensive than concrete pools in terms of initial cost, with concrete installation costs starting around $60,000.
However, the total cost of your pool can depend on a number of factors, including its size, add-ons and level of customization.
All Latham branded liners are backed by our standard industry leading 20 year limited warranty and only use the finest raw materials available. The longevity of a vinyl liner, especially when it comes to the cosmetic appearance, almost always is dependent on maintaining proper water chemistry. Therefore, for best results we recommend working with your local pool builder and testing water on regular basis.
Concrete pools are sometimes referred to as gunite pools. While their ability to be highly customized is one of the most attractive features of a gunite pool, they can take longer to install. Although both offer a lot of design flexibility and customization options, one of the main differences between gunite and fiberglass is that fiberglass pools are manufactured offsite while gunite pools are made-to-order and the process – from digging to pouring your pool – happens entirely in your backyard.
A fiberglass pool is made of prefabricated components, which are then delivered and installed on your property. While your fiberglass pool is being manufactured, your building team can concurrently begin breaking ground and getting ready for your pool to be delivered and installed. Installing a fiberglass pool can take as little as two to three days.
By contrast, a gunite pool needs to be done in stages, with your pool installation team digging and preparing the ground, then adding concrete to the space. It can take roughly 28 to 30 days for a gunite pool to cure before it can be filled and used. From end-to-end, the entire installation process for a gunite pool can take anywhere from three to six months.
When comparing a gunite pool vs a liner pool, a vinyl liner pool may take slightly longer to install than fiberglass. However, you’re looking at a timetable of roughly two to five weeks for a vinyl pool to be completed compared to the multi-month process required for proper installation of a gunite pool.
Concrete or gunite pools offer a range of customization options since their size and shape can be tailored to fit your design aesthetic, as well as conform to the size of your backyard. Due to their highly customizable nature and the labor involved, concrete pools are often the most expensive of pool types, starting at $50,000 and climbing higher depending on the degree of customization.
Some of the most common shapes, sizes, and custom add-ons for gunite pools include:
In terms of size and shape, inground vinyl liner pools give homeowners plenty of options to choose from. From more traditional rectangular shapes, to intriguing curved free-form shapes like the models, vinyl liner pools come in a variety of styles.
Vinyl liner pools are highly customizable and offer homeowners an abundance of options to choose from to create the pool of their dreams. Vinyl liners are also soft to the touch and a more comfortable option than the rough texture of a concrete pool.
Concrete pools can last a long time, but can be more expensive than a fiberglass or vinyl liner pool to maintain.
Concrete cancer, also known as alkali-silica reaction (ASR), is a real risk with concrete pools.
When concrete is exposed to moisture, chemicals or other factors, it can develop a chemical reaction known as alkali-silica reaction (ASR), in which the concrete expands and cracks. This reaction starts in one place, then spreads across the entire concrete structure over time, breaking down the strength and integrity of the concrete.
Pools, which are filled with water and chemicals continuously, are especially susceptible to concrete cancer, which would require a complete replacement of your pool structure.
Since fiberglass and vinyl liner pools use no concrete in their structures, this expensive replacement is only needed for concrete pools.
Now that you understand a little more about the pros and cons of each pool type, you’ll be better prepared to make a decision that’s right for you.
Start shopping for your fiberglass or vinyl liner pool with Latham. Get in touch with our team of friendly, knowledgeable experts who can help you determine which options are the best for your tastes, budget and lifestyle.