Fibreglass Swimming Pools

Fiberglass pools last between 20-25 years, depending on how much they are used, the quality of materials and construction process. Many fiberglass pools come with a warranty that guarantees them for this time.

Fibreglass pools are more expensive than vinyl swimming pools, however, they offer better value over time as vinyl liners need to be replaced every 5-10 years and aren’t as aesthetically pleasing. Fiberglass pools require much less maintenance than vinyl liner pools and offer greater durability in the long term.

Fibreglass pools cost more than concrete or vinyl liner swimming pools, however, this investment may be worth the money when you consider the lower costs in terms of maintenance. Concrete pools tend to be more prone to algae and vinyl liners need replacing every 5-10 years, whereas fiberglass pools do not have these issues.

Fibreglass pools can crack if they are mishandled during transportation or if the surface is not properly supported when constructed. To avoid cracking, ensure that you purchase your fiberglass pool from a trusted manufacturer and employ a proven installation team who understand how to handle them properly.

The disadvantages of a fibreglass pool include:

• You will need access for heavy equipment. Fiberglass pools are delivered as large pre-manufactured units which often require lifting in by crane after being transported by truck. You’ll therefore need to have access for these vehicles to bring in your pool, which might not be suitable for those in particularly remote, rural locations.
• Spider cracks can appear from poor manufacturing or installation. Although only a minor flaw to the aesthetics of your swimming pool, a crack in the topcoat created by mishandled installation could be a permanent eyesore unless you order a replacement.
• Sun exposure can cause multilayer topcoats to peel. Coloured or high-gloss topcoat finishes applied on top of fiberglass pools can be prone to sun exposure. This can be avoided by opting for a fiberglass pool with a solid colour coat that won’t require an additional topcoat.
• Fibreglass pools can warp if backfilled incorrectly. Backfilling a fiberglass pool with gravel reduces the chance of this happening, sand can also be a good option if your soil has a sandy composition.
• Pre-fabricated fiberglass pools aren’t as customisable. Whilst they are more durable than other swimming pools, you will be limited in choices in terms of designs. You have more freedom to design your pool when using concrete, but that material has its own drawbacks too.
• More expensive than other materials. If you are looking to build a swimming pool on a budget, then you may want to consider concrete instead. Whilst you may pay more for maintenance in the long term, the upfront costs will likely be much cheaper.
• Extra care must be taken with water chemical balances. If your pool water’s alkalinity levels are too high, or if you have an improper calcium balance then you may find that your gel coating on your pool will need replacing after a few years.

The best fibreglass pools are made by Luxe, a company that has spent years innovating and improving their hand-layered manufacturing techniques. Each fiberglass pool is built with 10 layers, 9 of which are hand laid. These are designed to withstand the most severe environments and are installed across the world.

It’s possible to use salt water in fiberglass pools, doing so offers a handful of advantages and disadvantages. In these systems, the salt is used to release chlorine to clean the water as opposed to chlorine which may result in clearer looking water. One drawback is potential corrosion of metal fittings which can be avoided by investing in high-quality stainless steel fittings.

Many fiberglass pools come with light fittings included along with the pre-cut holes for them to be installed in. Should you wish to have additional lights fitted into your fiberglass pool then you would need to cut more sections out to fit the lighting fixtures during the installation process which would take more time and incur an extra cost.

Fiberglass pools only look cheap if they are of poor build quality. A modern high-quality fiberglass swimming pool can add real aesthetic value to a property, especially if it’s accompanied with a complimentary garden redesign.

Fibreglass pools can be as deep as 1500mm (just under 5 feet), depending on the specific model that you choose. Typically, the longer the fiberglass swimming pool that you opt for, the deeper it will be.

Fiberglass pool can have diving boards, however, in order for this to be safe, the swimming pool would need to be at least 12 metres long to accommodate a slope that would prevent divers from injuring themselves on the bottom of the pool.

Draining a fiberglass swimming pool completely is not advised as this could create pressure from below or along the outside of your pool walls, which could lead to cracks. Partially draining your fiberglass pool is safe if you wish to clean along the water line.

It’s not advisable to use a pressure washer to clean your fiberglass pool, as such an intense tool could damage the gel coating and may lead to cracks forming. Use non-abrasive or chemical treatments to clean your fiberglass and keep it in good condition.

Fiberglass pool shells should be removed from the ground before the pit is filled in.

Fixing a fibreglass pool should be undertaken by a professional swimming pool technician, rather than attempted as a DIY activity. Only a professional will be able to properly assess the cause of your problem and correct it effectively.

Fix the gelcoat on a fiberglass pool by first assessing what sections need recoating. Depending on the age or condition of your pool you may only require some light touch-ups of fiberglass epoxy. If your fiberglass pool has accrued a multitude of cracks over the years, then you may need to apply a complete gelcoat, which may be best done by a professional.

If your fiberglass pool is losing water this could be a sign that your fiberglass shell has developed some cracks. You can inspect your fiberglass shell by pressure-testing the plumbing, physically inspecting the fiberglass itself or using a dye-test to find any leaks.

Blue is one of the most popular colours for fiberglass pools, however, most manufacturers produce their pools in a wide range of colours to suit every customer. Other popular colours are light blues, turquoise, greens and white.

You can change the colour of your fiberglass pool at a later date if you wish using an epoxy paint. A new application of gelcoat can protect an older fiberglass swimming pool, as well as give it a fresh aesthetic appeal.