Because vinyl pools are basically just a thin liner with zero insulating property on top of the soil, and concrete is just hard soil, these two types of pools have the same heating properties. Whereas fiberglass was first designed as an insulator, and therefore has much better heat retention properties.
In contrast to vinyl and concrete pools, which have little to no ability to retain warmth, fiberglass is an insulator so it holds heat in your pool. Fiberglass pools heat up much faster than other kinds of pools and hold onto that heat for much longer.
The cons associated with fiberglass pools are primarily related to cost and installation issues. Contrary to popular belief, fiberglass pools aren't cheaper than traditional options like concrete (we'll provide more details in the “Costs” section later on).
Many people wonder if their fiberglass pools are strong enough to withstand the extremes of winter weather. The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Cold temperatures are not a problem for fiberglass pools, so long as you properly care for them.
Fiberglass pools are durable
Both the structure and the surface of a high-quality fiberglass pool can last as long as you want them to, provided you take good care of it. A well-made fiberglass pool can last at least 50 years, with less maintenance required to keep it useful and enjoyable decade after decade.
Most fiberglass pools are known to last 25-30 years, but we take that to the next level. Our manufacturer, Narellan Pools, makes the best fiberglass pools around. Their unique fiberglass formula results in a pool that can last as long as 50 years! Plus, these pools are notoriously easy to maintain.
Fiberglass pools can craze or check crack from imprecise manufacturing or when the surface is not fully supported, like under the steps or areas where the backfill is eroded. Gelcoat can also crack during transport and installation if it gets bumped around too much.
If you are looking to install a fiberglass pool for the lowest time, both the fall and winter are the best times to achieve this. Most people want a pool installed in the spring or early summer months so they can use it right away and receive fast gratification.
As the water freezes, it expands and can start pushing against the skimmer and tiles of your pool causing them to potentially chip, break or fall off completely. It is important to keep water flowing as long as possible to avoid potential damage caused by ice.
While they are easier to install, fiberglass pools are nowhere near as durable as a gunite inground pool. The inside surface of this type pool is a gel coat on which the fiberglass has been laminated. The walls of the pool are only ½ to ⅜ inch thick compared to the 8 to 10 inch thickness of a gunite pool.
Inground swimming pool LED lights will add a truly breathtaking nighttime appeal to your pool. Providing a luminous setting for impromptu get-togethers and evening swims, inground pool LED lights impart an enchanting ambiance to any style of pool.
Inhaled slivers of fiberglass irritate the alveoli and can cause lung disease. There is some data which suggests fiberglass in the lungs may cause cancer, by slicing DNA and causing cell mutation, in the same way as mineral wool. Some fiberglass still uses formaldehyde as a binder, which leaks out into the air.
On the other hand, fiberglass pools are very easy to heat, and once the sun heats it up a bit, all it takes is an hour or two to get the temp just perfect on a cool evening costing less than 10 dollars.
A fiberglass pool is not prone to growing algae, which is one of the main reasons why this pool is easier to maintain. Anyone who is looking for a pool that doesn't require a lot of maintenance may want to consider going with a fiberglass pool.
Fiberglass pools are exceptionally durable and can last the lifetime of a home. Vinyl liner pools can also last the lifetime of a home. However, the liner itself will need to be replaced on average every ten years, but provides a unique opportunity to completely refresh the look of your pool.
In fact, compared to other kinds of pools, fiberglass is very resilient to changes in pressure in and around it. It also doesn't contract or expand much itself due to changes in the temperature around it. So a cold and rainy climate isn't an issue.
Yes, they can freeze solid. If temperatures reach below zero, swimming pools that are not circulating can freeze solid within a few days. If those low temperatures continue for several days, the ice sheet can increase in thickness by up to ¼” per day.
While there are many myths about fiberglass pools, the one thing you should NEVER EVER do is DRAIN your fiberglass pool without professional help. Let me say that again, NEVER drain your fiberglass pool for any reason. In fact, we recommend NEVER letting the water level drop more than 2-3 inches below the skimmer!
This is the Regular Gizmo. It is designed to absorb the expansion of winter freeze-up in swimming pool skimmers. The Regular Gizmo is 9 Inch long and installs in short skimmers found in both above ground and in-ground swimming pools.
Fiberglass swimming pools were designed to be affordable, attractive, safe and easy to maintain. Polished concrete makes the perfect surrounds for fiberglass swimming pools, because it shares these same characteristics.
Fiberglass swimming pools are very compatible with salt water systems. If you are using a vinyl liner pool, you must be careful as those pools tend to have metal parts or connections which salt will eat through and corrode.
Premature or uneven fading of the gelcoat surface of fiberglass pools is almost always due to improper care of the pool's water chemistry. This is especially true with salt water pools, as the chlorine generator often produces far more chlorine than needed.