Fiberglass Pools VS Gunite Pools which Is Better

Fiberglass Pools VS Gunite Pools: which Is Better

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In modern times, having a swimming pool in your home is a luxury everyone wants. You have a lot of choices of sizes, shapes, and styles to pick from. It all depends on what type of swimming pool you need depending on cost and usage. The material is one of the biggest factors to consider. Two great options that we are going to discuss here are

  • Fiberglass pools
  • Gunite pools

Both the pools are very different in their construction ways. If you are unsure about which pool material is better for you, we can give you a guideline and you can choose whichever suits you best.

These are the factors to consider:

  • Expenses
  • Installation Time
  • Durability
  • Design
  • Chemical And Electrical Energy

Expenses

The cost of a swimming pool mainly depends on the size, design, shape, features, and material used.

Fiberglass Pool

If you choose to construct a fiberglass pool by yourself it’s going to cost you $12,000 to $30,000 for an average shape, size, and upgrades. But that is not usually recommended.

Fiberglass project cost is around $45,000 to $85,000 that includes both installation and manufacturing of the pool. But if you choose a fancier landscape or accessories luxuriously it will definitely be going to cost you more. The choice of water is also a factor.

In a longer period of time around the cost of $4000 will be incurred over course of 10 years on electricity and chemical Consumption.

Gunite Pool

The initial cost of construction of a gunite pool ranges from $50,000 to $100,000. With gunite pools, you need to go the extra mile to care for it to keep it in its efficient working. Acid washing and refinishing need time and money. Electricity usage is also one of the main concerns. Over 10 years of time an overall budget of $25,000 is quite on the costly side.

Generally for the same specifications swimming pool fiberglass is going to cost you lesser on the installation as well as regular maintenance over the lifetime.

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Installation Time

Fiberglass Pool

The fiberglass pool shell is constructed offside so once it is ready it’s just a matter of 2 days of fitting it in your backyard and it is ready to swim in. The deck and patio will be ready in a couple of weeks. It’s just a 3-5 week process and you can enjoy the luxury of your own swimming pool

Gunite swimming pool

Getting a Gunitepool installed is a mind-boggling process. It takes a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months for the whole pool to be ready for the swim. Your backyard will stay under process for all this time this can be very hectic.

Durability

Fiberglass Pool

When it comes to durability we can easily say that the structure of fiberglass is extremely solid. The gel coat finish lasts really long and is very durable. We can also install a Salt Chlorine Generatorin order to get a smoother effect of water and lower maintenance overall. Saltwater is harmless on fiberglass shell.

Gunite Pool

The overall structure of a Gunite pool is very durable the only point of concern is that it should be made entirely of gunite.

The inner linings are very strong in the gunite pool and you don’t need to worry about heavy tree branches falling. But in the longer term, it needs a replacement every 10-15 years and replacing the waterline tile as well.

If you install a salt-chlorine generator it also lessens the durability of plaster inner linings that decrease the overall life expectancy of the gunite pool.

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Design

Fiberglass Pool

If you check the interior surface of the fiberglass pool it’s very smooth to touch. It’s due to a gel coat that is done on the surface to give a luxurious feel. Stairs into the pool and tanning ledges are given non-slip texture even with that it’s pretty neat and beautiful.

Gunite pool

Plasterinner linings are the roughest. It scratches the skin very badly and it’s very difficult to walk on rough hard bumps. Aggregate that is exposed like pebbles is not that rough though.

If you want smooth finish tiles are the best option but they are the priciest ones as well.

Chemical And electrical Energy

Fiberglass Pool

The use of electricity is less with fiberglass pools and lesser chemical induction is required. That reduces overall cost, time, and manpower.

Gunite Pool

You have to put aside a big budget to buy and put in extra chemicals to kill the bacteria in the pool. It is a very time-consuming process.

Moreover, you need to add a lot of acids and keep the chemistry of water in the balance as we know Gunite is alkaline-based naturally

GunitePool vs FiberglassPool Pro’s And Con’s

Gunite Pool

Gunite pools are made out of a mixture of gunite, sand, and water. They have a rebar structure underneath to support.  They are the most long-lasting pools but they are very expensive also.

Gunite Pools Pro’s

  • If you want a custom made pool exactly according to your particular design and depth Gunitepool is your best pick. Construction and installation are going to be lengthy but exactly the result you want.
  • You like your pool to have a built-in rock fountain, waterfall, and many more features of your liking you should go for Gunite pools.

Gunite Pool Con’s

  • Installing a Gunitepool is much more complex. All the work is going on in your backyard takes months of time and is a very daunting procedure to go through.
  • Its texture is very rough on the skin. Your hands and skin get scraped badly.
  • Its texture is very rough on the skin. Your hands and skin get scraped badly.
  • Weekly maintenance is a big task with Gunite pools. They need to be vacuumed regularly and demand for regular chemical induction is mandatory.
  • Gunite walls are breeding grounds for algae’s as it is made out of porous material
  • Read this: Best Vacuum Cleaner for Above Ground Pool

Fiberglass Pools

These pools are quite large in structure and are put into the already dug hole as a single piece. They are cheaper but need a lot of land for installation.

Fiberglass Pool Pro’s

  • Algae can’t stick to fiberglass walls due to gel coating which makes them smooth and non-porous
  • Regular maintenance is easy as you don’t need to rub the walls and surfaces that often.

Alga may be present in water but it will not stick to the surface.

  • The overall cost of cleanup is minimal.

Fiberglass Pool Con’s

  • If the fiberglass pool is not built properly it will create bubbles inside but good thing is that its easy to fix and the pool looks as good as new.
  • The design for these pools are standard and are made off-site and delivered to your home for installation. So we have limited choices to pick ours from.

Conclusion

As we have given all the important details above, both pools are very functional and look extremely attractive in your home. It is actually the choice of owners what their dreams are regarding their pool. The budget is a big factor. You should know and understand all these facts before deciding on the final product you purchase.

Happy swimming.

FAQ

How long do a fiberglass pool last?
A fiberglass pool is solid construction and they usually last up to 25 years or even more than that depending upon the that their surface does not support the growth of algae which means you need to spend really low on maintenance too. So the initial investment will be paid off with the passage of time.
What is the best type of in-ground swimming pool?
As compared to all other in-ground pool types concrete is the strongest and durable type of swimming pool. The other best thing about concrete pools is that you can rebuild, refinished, and update them any time you want. So they are not only solid and durable in structure but also flexible for enlargement and update.
How to clean water glass pool?
There is no secret ingredient in it, cleaning the fiberglass pool is similar to any other in-ground pool which includes skimming, brushing, and vacuum cleaning. Be careful with brushing as use a nylon-bristled brush and make sure don’t brush it too much as the gel-coated smooth surface needs less brushing to avoid scratches.
How much it cost to put in a fiberglass pool?
The cost to have a fiberglass pool is between $5000 to $4000 depending upon many factors. While keeping this fact in mind that it’s less than the cost of a cement pool. The homeowner mostly spends somewhere around $20000 to $35000 on a fiberglass pool.

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