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.
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.
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.
Typically, you would use a product like ecoFINISH if you need to have your fiberglass pool resurfaced. ecoFINISH is a long-lasting, chemical-resistant coating that can be applied to a variety of concrete and fiberglass pool surfaces.
Epoxy pool paint is the only suitable material to paint a fiberglass pool. Buy enough to paint two coats for a long lasting finish. Measure your pool carefully to add up all the surface area of the floor, walls and steps, then buy more than enough Epoxy pool paint to cover the surface, twice.
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.
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.
Fiberglass pools require less maintenance and are easier to keep clean. The smooth surface of the fiberglass makes it easier to control algae and bacteria that may otherwise get caught on the rougher surfaces of a concrete pool. Fewer chemicals are needed in the water to control the bacteria.
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.
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.
Gelcoat is a colored resin. It creates the surface layer of a fiberglass pool—the inside part, which you see when it's installed in your backyard. Pro tip: If you're looking at a fiberglass pool shell, just look for the pretty side. That's the gelcoat.
If you don't resurface the pool, which is necessary because it is always exposed to weather, cracks and an unevenness in the pool surface will occur and this could lead to algae stains, water leaking and injuries from the uneven surface.
On Average, Replastering is Every 10 Years
So how often do you need to replaster a pool? The short answer is about every 10 years. However, it's important to consider the factors mentioned above, as they are typical signs that your pool needs to be replastered.
Diamond Brite® finishes are blends of selected quartz aggregates and fortified white Portland cement ideal for new or re-finished swimming pools. Diamond Brite® finishes are factory blended to provide the pool owner with an extremely durable and attractive alternative to traditional pool coatings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In conclusion: what is the best type of swimming pool? We firmly believe that the Leisure Pools composite fiberglass swimming pool is the best available swimming pool structure for 95% of customer requirements. We urge people on a budget to look at fiberglass before above ground and vinyl liner pools.
Surface Differences
Concrete pools with fiberglass layers use a gelcoat that is applied and cured in an outdoor environment. The gelcoat surface on a traditional fiberglass pool lasts much longer because it is applied in a factory with optimal curing conditions.