Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
Because fiberglass pools in America started out as plain white shells without any tiling, colored finishes, and cantilevered decking, they were stigmatized with the ‘bathtub' label, which is why many consumers still to this day mistakenly perceive concrete/gunite pools to be a much more aesthetically pleasing product. But such a perception is not true throughout the world. Let me give you an example.
The first time I spoke with the Australian owners of Leisure Fiberglass Pools I told them that I was quite impressed with the look and luster of their pools. In fact, my statement to Paul Pusztay, one of their owners, went something like this: "I really like what you've done with your pools. With their deep, rich colors, unique seating patterns, and classy designs, they will compete incredibly well aesthetically against concrete pools."
Upon hearing this statement, Pusztay gave me an odd look/grimace and said something like, "What do ye mean mate?"
"I mean you've got a pretty pool, that's what I mean. Many uniformed people here in America feel like fiberglass pools have a second rate look about them" I said.
"Ahh, now I see your point" said Pusztay. "I was just a little confused because in Australia it's a totally different viewpoint. There, the concrete pool builders are trying to make their pools look more like fiberglass. The last thing we want to do at Leisure is look more like concrete."
And as these words started to sink in, it all started to make sense. I knew that Australia was about 20 years ahead of the American market with the fiberglass pool industry, but I had no idea that the perceptions of two nations regarding swimming pools could be so very different, which explains why residential fiberglass pools outsell residential concrete pools in Australia.
But back to my original question: Which pool looks better?
Well how about I answer this in simple terms - Both gunite and fiberglass pools can look boring or fantastic, but the look of the project will really come down to the following items.
- Decking/Patio Around the pool
- Landscaping other than decking
- Color of the pool
- Shape of the pool
Although there are certainly more factors, those are what I consider to be the most important 4 components to your pool's appearance. Therefore, the actual answer to the question is that it all depends on these variables. There really is no clear cut winner.
So when will fiberglass catch up to gunite/concrete here in the United States? Well let me just say that out of the 80 or so fiberglass pools our company will install this year, more than 50 of the customers were ONLY looking for fiberglass. They were educated, they were informed, and they also knew that fiberglass did not have any aesthetic drawbacks versus gunite. In fact, just like those wonderful people from ‘Down Under', many preferred the deep and rich colors that fiberglass had to offer.
So, to close my little article, I'd like to make a prediction. Here it is:
Within the next 10 years, fiberglass pools will have a larger share of the inground swimming pool market than concrete/gunite pools.
Yep, that's what I believe and it's also what has already happened in Australia, so it only makes sense that it will happen here in the United States. But, as always, time will tell.
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At River Pools, we manufacture high-quality fiberglass pools for customers across North America. If you'd like to learn more about fiberglass inground pools, you can check out our video library, try out our pool cost calculator, or request custom pricing using the button below. Happy swimming!
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