Frequently Asked Questions
I have heard that fiberglass pools “pop” out of the ground. Is this true?
This is a vicious rumor (WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE) seems to have been propagated by people who do not understand the forces at work upon any in ground swimming pool, or by the people that are trying to sell you a competing product. Think of a pool as a paint tray or a piece of
Tupperware. If you were to place that paint tray in the kitchen sink full of water THEN fill the kitchen sink would it float? NO. So long as the water in and out of the paint tray are equal the paint tray (or Tupperware) will stay in place. Alternately if the paint tray, Tupperware, pool, or even boat, has no water in it but water AROUND it- it is by definition a ‘vessel’ and will float. No pool, Tupperware, or vessel is outside the laws of physics.
Are fiberglass swimming pools more expensive than vinyl in ground pools?
While the initial purchase price of fiberglass pools is typically about 15%-20% more than average vinyl lined pools (due to costs associated primarily with shipping) you must realize what the operating costs are between the two. BE WEARY OF THE CHEAP PACKAGES. If you are being quoted a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. The adage that “You get what you pay for” holds very true in this industry. With vinyl lined swimming pools it is not a question of IF you will have to replace the liner it is a question of WHEN. You must realize that when you are required to replace the liner in a vinyl lined swimming pool there are several costs associated with this process. Due to the nature of the floor in vinyl lined pools it is commonplace to have to repair it while replacing the liner. This repair adds time and labor to what is already an expensive process. In addition to the time and labor for repairing the base you also have the following costs: new liner, water, labor, chemicals and whatever price you put on your personal time and aggravation for dealing with the issue. AFTER YOU REPLACE YOUR LINER ONCE, YOU WILL HAVE SAVED MONEY BY PUTTING A FIBERGLASS SWIMMING POOL IN TO START WITH.
Beyond the obvious costs of replacing the liner in vinyl lined pools why have I heard that fiberglass pools are less expensive to operate and maintain?
This has to do with the porosity of the material used in the pool. The Gel Coat used is a very nonporous material and a very hard material. Vinyl is more porous than Gel Coat and Concrete is the most porous material of the three. One of the biggest problems faced by homeowners and their pool is algae. Like a garden weed, algae needs a place to put its roots. Once algae has rooted in your vinyl liner it is very difficult to fully eradicate. To prevent algae from rooting in a vinyl liner it is common practice to constantly barrage the pool with chemical treatments. It is also common to see a filtration system operating much more frequently and for longer durations. More chemicals (approximately 50% more) and more electricity for your pump and filter means more dollars spent on regular maintenance.
I have heard that fiberglass swimming pools crack. Is this true?
Again this is a myth propagated primarily by the competitors of fiberglass swimming pools. The myth is intended to scare people away from making an intelligent decision. Properly installed fiberglass swimming pools will NEVER crack under any circumstance. (We offer a full Lifetime warranty against the fiberglass pool shell cracking)
How long does it actually take to put fiberglass swimming pools in vs. vinyl lined swimming pools?
A competent fiberglass swimming pool installation company or swimming pool contractor can put average sized fiberglass swimming pools in (including concrete) in about 7-10 days. Average vinyl lined swimming pools will start at about 2 weeks for installation. The reality of this: fiberglass swimming pools intrude on your life and your home for a very short period of time, while a vinyl lined swimming pool installation intrudes on your life for weeks.
When people are fully educated and given the option between fiberglass pools and vinyl in ground pools do people typically choose a fiberglass swimming pool?
Almost always. An educated consumer is the best consumer and these people want fiberglass pools. These people know what they want and realize that you get what you pay for. We have all heard the horror stories, these stories are typically told by those who did not do their homework.