Fiberglass Pool Information | Installation & Construction
Do you like the idea of having a fiberglass pool but aren’t sure if you can actually get one?
With us at River Pools being the only fiberglass pool manufacturer with installation experience (more than 1,500 fiberglass installs to date), we’re kind of experts in our field. And over the years we’ve heard every installation question under the sun, including:
Is my yard big enough for a fiberglass pool?
Can I get a custom fiberglass pool?
How can I get a fiberglass pool into my backyard?
Can I bring my fiberglass pool with me when I move?
If you have concerns about how fiberglass pool installations are done or are questioning if you can even get one, keep reading because we’re answering the most commonly asked fiberglass pool installation questions to help you decide if a fiberglass swimming pool is a good choice for your home.
Fiberglass Pool Installation FAQ
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Who can get a fiberglass pool?
How can I get a fiberglass pool in my backyard?
Where can I install a fiberglass pool?
Can you custom build a fiberglass pool in my backyard?
Can you take your fiberglass pool with you when you move?
Can you refurbish a fiberglass pool?
How much does it cost to replace a fiberglass pool shell?
Can a fiberglass pool be an infinity pool?
Can a fiberglass pool be installed in an existing structure?
Who can get a fiberglass pool?
The short answer: Anyone can get a fiberglass pool.
The long answer: Generally, wherever there’s space for a vinyl liner or concrete pool, there’s space for a fiberglass pool. All inground pools require similar amounts of space to install because we use a lot of the same equipment to build them. Every inground pool also needs space for the actual construction of the pool, additional patio, and accessories around the pool.
The truth is that your pool size will play a bigger role in determining what you can get than the type of inground pool.
Note: Fiberglass pools are available in a number of sizes with various desirable features. However, because they must be able to travel on the highway, dimensions often do not exceed 16x40.
16x40 foot fiberglass inground pool
How can I get a fiberglass pool in my backyard?
A prefab pool can intimidate some swimming pool shoppers, and it's easy to see why they might think that a fiberglass pool wouldn't fit in their yard. While we can and often do drive the pool into the yard for the installation, it's not necessary. If your pool doesn't fit around the side of your house, we can always haul the pool over your home and into your backyard using a crane.
Where can I install a fiberglass pool?
Like vinyl liner and concrete pools, fiberglass pools can be installed in backyards as well as indoors and on rooftops. We've also installed fiberglass pools along waterfront properties.
Read more: How to Prepare for a Pool: Inground, Above Ground, Indoor, and Rooftop
Can you custom build a fiberglass pool in my backyard?
We get this question a lot, and while it might be possible to build a custom fiberglass pool in the ground, its quality can be greatly compromised because conditions cannot be controlled like they can indoors. For this reason, manufactures choose to build fiberglass pools in a pool plant with special equipment and optimal conditions for the highest quality product possible. We also use expertly designed and constructed molds to create the most convenient and aesthetically pleasing inground pools. Doing things this way produces a higher quality pool shell that can last decades.
A pre-built pool can't be made into a custom shape and size, but you should have more than enough options across manufacturers if you're looking for a specific style.
Read more: How Fiberglass Pools Are Made: 3 Steps
Can you take your fiberglass pool with you when you move?
Technically, anything is possible, but fiberglass pools aren't designed to be ripped out and installed again and again. Once your pool is in the ground, you should plan on leaving it there. If you were to take your pool out, haul it to your new home, and reinstall it, you could risk damaging it in the process.
You may also spend almost as much money removing, relocating, and reinstalling your pool as you would on a new inground pool. There's also the cost to reestablish the property once the pool has been removed (fill in the hole, fix drainage issues, etc.). If you just got a pool and are already thinking about moving, the good news is a fiberglass pool might up the resale value of your property.
Note: If you have an above ground fiberglass pool, taking it with you might be slightly more feasible, but it can still be risky and costly.
Can you refurbish a fiberglass pool?
Some people opt to buy and refurbish a used fiberglass pool shell to save some cash. If you find a gently used fiberglass pool, this can be a decent option, but generally, we don't recommend it. A new fiberglass pool shell should have a much longer lifespan, and the warranty will be intact.
How much does it cost to replace a fiberglass pool shell?
If your fiberglass pool has seen better days and you're dreaming of a new one, you can expect a fiberglass pool replacement project to cost about $50,000 to $95,000 and up. Removing an old fiberglass pool can typically cost around $5,000 to $10,000 or more while buying and installing your new pool shell can cost around $40,000 to $85,000.
Can a fiberglass pool be an infinity pool?
Absolutely! It might cost more to install a fiberglass pool with a vanishing edge, but it is an option. Fiberglass pools can also be installed semi-inground or fully above ground (both will cost more than an inground installation because the pool will require structural modifications).
Can a fiberglass pool be installed in an existing structure?
On occasion, someone will ask us if we can install a fiberglass pool in their existing home. While anything is possible, this type of project is more complicated, requiring an engineering assessment of the existing structure to create a viable plan for construction. More than likely, the cost to tear down and rebuild a new pool room will be more cost effective than trying to get a prefab pool into an enclosure.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Here are some useful fiberglass pool installation guides to check out next:
5 Keys to Perfect Fiberglass Pool Plumbing
Do It Yourself Fiberglass Pools: The Ultimate DIY Project!
Top 5 Fiberglass Pool Problems and Solutions
At River Pools, we manufacture world-class fiberglass pools for customers across North America. If you'd like to explore your fiberglass swimming pool options, you can browse our pool models, try our pool pricing calculator, or request custom pricing and information using the button below.
