Having a pool in your back yard is sure to make you popular with your friends in the hot humid summers we experience here in Toronto and your family are sure to appreciate it too. There are 3 main types of swimming pool that are readily available in the area: fibreglass, vinyl, and concrete. Fibreglass swimming pools are becoming more and more popular because of the advantages they offer over the other two main choices. In this article, we are going to look at the main differences between the three types and how they will affect you in both the short and the long term.
How Fibreglass Pools Differ from Concrete and Vinyl Liner Pools
So you already know that you would like to have a pool installed in your back yard and you have heard that fibreglass is the way to go but you’re not sure why? If this describes you, read on to find out why so many other people have chosen what is rapidly becoming the most popular type of pool across the globe.
- Durability – Vinyl liner pools may be slightly less expensive to install but because the thickness of the liner used is usually between 2cm and 3cm, they can be damaged very easily. Concrete is obviously harder to damage but it does tend to succumb to wear and tear more easily and require regular resurfacing.
- Ease of Maintenance – As noted above, vinyl liner pools can easily be damaged, which means that a few years after you install one, you are probably going to be faced with the task of replacing the liner. The porosity of concrete means that pools made from this material require the use of more chemicals, to inhibit algae growth, and must be renovated completely every ten years or so. Fibreglass pools, on the other hand, are almost completely maintenance free.
- Value for Money – Vinyl liners may be slightly cheaper and concrete pools may last longer if renovated on a regular basis but fibreglass provides the best value for money when considering both cost and longevity.
- Smooth surface – Fibreglass pools have a gel-coated surface which, unlike their concrete cousins, is non-abrasive and therefore suitable for children of all ages.
- Readymade Fixtures – A pool that is manufactured from moulded fibreglass will come with steps and seats already integrated into the mould, if you desire. This can save a considerable amount of time and money on adding such features afterwards.
- Rapid Installation – Whereas a concrete pool could take as long as 3 months to build, fibreglass pools can often be installed and ready to use in just a couple of weeks, which is faster than most vinyl liner pools too.
- Minimal Disruption – Because fibreglass moulds are manufactured offsite, the installation process will cause a minimum of disruption to you and your family when compared with the average concrete or vinyl liner alternative.
- Choice of Chlorinators – If you have a concrete pool, you will not be able to use a salt chlorinator unless you are prepared to resurface it even more regularly than would otherwise be necessary. Fibreglass, on the other hand, is not adversely affected by salt, making fibreglass pools a great choice for people who would like to be able to use a salt chlorinator.
All of the above differences between fibreglass and the alternatives are compelling reasons to choose this material when installing a new pool in your back yard. If you would like to request a quotation for a new pool in Toronto, please feel free to call us on 416-238-9703 and let us know exactly what you need.