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.
The most significant disadvantage of a fiberglass pool is the limitation on pool shapes and sizes. If you are looking for a large pool with multiple bodies of water or want a swim-up bar with bar stools built into the structure, then the fiberglass pool may not be the right choice for you.
Fiberglass pools are extremely easy to maintain, can be installed quickly, are very durable, and can be beautifully designed. However, their initial cost can be higher than vinyl liner pools, and the shapes and sizes are not as customizable.
However, the fading is very even and gradual, and you probably won't notice it. If you purchase the pool from a quality manufacturer, have it installed properly, and take care of it, you shouldn't have any major issues with your fiberglass pool.
Fibreglass shells rely on the water pressure in the pool to exert force against the soil around them in order to maintain their structure. If there is no water pressure in the pool, the soil around the pool can push against the fibreglass shell and cause it to crack.
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.
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.
It varies depending on the type of pool, with plaster or cement pools needing to be resurfaced every 3-7 years while fiberglass pools can sometimes go as long as 15-30 years.
Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as you replace your liner every 6-12 years. Concrete pools have exceptional longevity, but you need to resurface the concrete every 10 years or so. Fiberglass pools have the longest lifespans of any in-ground pool, often easily surpassing 30 years.
Fiberglass pool repair costs $300 to $400 for a gel coat that restores dinged, scratched and cracked surfaces. Expect to pay up to $800 more to repaint after doing the repairs. You also have to cover the cost of draining the water, refilling the pool and applying the right chemicals.
Luckily, heating is not only an option for fiberglass pools, it's actually a wonderful idea for them. Fiberglass pools are both the easiest type of pool to heat and the least expensive.
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.
Fiberglass pools tend to be the least problematic in freezing conditions. This is because the materials used in the surface and structure of the pool are flexible and can withstand both high and low temperatures.
Concrete pools tend to be the strongest of all the inground swimming pools. Since they are rebar and concrete they can't oxidize or corrode. Like every other form of concrete, they get stronger as time passes. They are at the upper echelon of price points and have a higher end product reputation.
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.
CaliMar pools are the strongest, longest lasting models of pools on the market and all carry an unprecedented 8 Year - 100% warranty along with a Lifetime warranty on the above ground pool liners.
1. Calcium build-up on the pool surface. High pH levels will cause calcium carbonate in the water to precipitate or bond to the fibreglass surface. When this happens, it often leaves a white gritty layer that looks much worse when dry.
We maintain that if a pool is properly manufactured and properly maintained by the customer, the gelcoat surface of a modern fiberglass pool should last decades—as in 30–40 years.
To check, look inside the skimmer and see where the water has stopped. More than likely the water level stopped just below the skimmer extension ring. Filling the pool any higher will just cause the water to drain back to that point. There is a gasket leaking by the equipment pad.
Standard pool dimensions usually measure something like 10 x 20, 15 x 30, and 20 x 40, with an average depth around 5.5 feet. 10 x 20 is considered a small in-ground pool, while a 20 x 40-foot pool is on the larger side of things.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.