A dream home isn’t complete without a lovely pool in your backyard that you can freely deep in, well, for most homeowners. Having a pool is an excellent idea as it is a comfortable spot to entertain guests when they come over, a perfect place to relax during summer, and at the same time an excellent accessory to make use of to put in some exercise. As you start this journey of getting and owning a pool, you will need to think about a few things, are you going to use fibreglass or have a concrete one. Obviously, they will both serve the same purposes.
And it should be said that they will both serve that purpose almost identically. But there are some minor differences in them, and maybe even a bit larger differences when it comes to price and designs. Both are a good go-to option; thus, there is no definite answer which is best for you; each offers its advantages and disadvantages that you will need to consider before choosing. Below are some of the things you need to consider.
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Look into the cost factor
The cost of these two types of pools differs significantly, from the construction to finally installing the pool. Both of them will offer us high-quality features and are long-lasting in the backyard. If you consider getting a concrete pool, this will cost a little more to construct and take more time to install our heart’s desire than the fibreglass option. It should be mentioned that concrete pools will cost more yearly to maintain.
So when it comes to cost, it is clear that fibreglass seems like a much better option. But even that could really depend on a deal you can find. It is not unheard of that people paid less for concrete ones than for fibreglass. So keep both eyes open for a good deal you never know what can pop up. The main reason why concrete ones are usually more expensive is time. They can become complicated in design and then it takes too long for them to be finished. As long as we can keep their construction fast, it is worth it.
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The installation process
As mentioned above, concrete pools will take a little longer due to your backyard’s construction and excavation. Fibreglass pools come already pre-made; thus, it is a cast unit that will be fitted directly into your backyard. Thus, for the fibreglass option, the main work involved would be digging the hole where your pool is expected to be, connecting the filtration systems, lighting for your pool, and heating options if you would like to enjoy a heated pool. This means that we can enjoy our fibre-pool in a few days, but concrete pools would require months to have all this setup.
However, if you are patient enough, you could go for the concrete option, these will be built on-site; therefore, coming in your desired shape, size, and design. But fibreglass pools restrain us on the pool size, shape, and design, as this needs to fit in the truck and be delivered to our home. That means that while manufacturers will give us options of various shapes and sizes to purchase, it will still be possible not to find that ideal form you had in mind.
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The design and appearance of the pool
Whatever option you choose, whether concert or fibreglass, you will love the aesthetic look it will immediately offer to your backyard. And people will not be able to tell the difference between the two. The only visible appearance we can say is the different designs and shapes that concrete pools can come in fibreglass is mostly in pre-made models, thus limiting you on what to choose.
Additionally, the feel might be a little different due to the gel coating on the fibreglass will have a smoother finish. As for concrete, these have a plastered or a tiled finish making them slightly rougher. These three main factors should make it easy for us to choose the type of pool to have in the backyard. As it is already clear, since we can custom design concrete pools, they can be more of a perfect fit for us. Concrete will allow our creativity to fully express itself. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t decorate the other one. We can add various aesthetics with water features, tanning ledges, tiles, and lights. The only thing limiting us is our creativity.
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Maintenance
When we compare the wear and tear, concrete pools are more prone to this due to algae build-up, more chemical treatment, and regular cleaning. Especially troublesome are black algae. They connect to the surface of the pool, and it can prove bothersome to completely get rid of them. Concrete ones are generally more costly to maintain over time. Usually, every twenty years or so, they should be reconditioned. But when we talk of wear and tear, this is over decades of serving you as a suitable chill spot in the backyard.
Fibreglass, on the other hand, will cost less over time. It is quite a durable material and elastic at the same time. That is why it shouldn’t be a problem to get a warranty for them that will serve as insurance for a long period of time. Don’t forget to use salt chlorine when it comes to maintaining fibreglass pools. That way, maintenance will be extremely affordable, and best of all, salt doesn’t harm the pool at all.
As we have seen, there really isn’t a correct answer here. For someone concrete pool might be a better choice. For others, a fibreglass is a better fit. This race will probably never be resolved. Furthermore, it might change depending on the situation. There are many factors that decide what is better. Our needs and price range are some of them, but in the end, it could all be left to the personal preference as well. Whatever the answer is, one thing is sure, neither is wrong, just slightly better than th