Have you considered a fiberglass pool? Although we started as custom concrete pool builders, we have come to love fiberglass pools too! Fiberglass is a durable material that is used for insulation, bathtubs, and boats. Its amazing structural properties are perfect for pools too. Fiberglass pools have three unique features: fast installation, great durability, and fun designs.
1) Quick Installation
Because fiberglass is a moldable plastic, fiberglass pools are manufactured as a single piece. This is a significant labor advantage! The majority of the pool is built in a factory and delivered as a complete unit.
It takes an average of 1.5 months (6 weeks) to order, ship, and install a fiberglass pool. Once it arrives at your home, it only takes 1-2 day to excavate, install, and backfill. It takes twice as long to finish a custom concrete pool because it needs time to cure properly.
2) Durability
Thanks to the power of polymerization, fiberglass will last for decades with no surface maintenance. That’s right – less scrubbing! That’s because its nonporous surface:
- won’t react to pool chemicals
- resists algae
- is less prone to staining
Worried about Iowa winters and damage from freeze-thaw cycles? Fiberglass won’t break even when the temperatures are below zero. But just to be on the safe side, our fiberglass pool provider Barrier Reef offers a lifetime limited structural warranty plus a 15-year finish warranty against blistering.
Fiberglass pools are truly a low maintenance option. Vinyl liners have to be replaced every 7-10 years and cost between $4,000-12,000 each time. Concrete pools have a longer life but can require resurfacing from time to time (about every 15-20 years). Plaster and interior tile on a concrete pool need regular cleaning. A fiberglass pool only requires minimal upkeep like skimming and vacuuming.
Best of all, fiberglass pools are a great match for salt generators. This type of water treatment uses electricity to turn sodium chloride into free chlorine. Read our post about saltwater generators to learn more.
3) Breezy Designs
Fiberglass pools are beautiful and elegant. Trust us – your pool will not look like a cheap bathtub!
Fiberglass pools have a fantastic array of shapes and colors. Freeform and kidney designs are where fiberglass really shines. Barrier Reef even has a Roman pool for a truly unique option. There’s stately rectangles and classic squares too.
Fiberglass is also perfect for homeowners who want a predesigned pool. We get it – not everyone loves picking tiles and plaster options. Each of Barrier’s fiberglass pools come in one specific shape and dimensions – all you have to do is pick the shell color.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t customization! Some models have sun shelves with loungers, deep end seating, or wraparound seat ledges. Several even have integrated spas.
Ready to get started on your fiberglass pool project? Call us at (319) 200-POOL or build your pool wishlist here.
Read more tips on planning your pool: