With vinyl liner pools, there’s no question about whether liners are present — after all, it’s in the name. But what about fiberglass pools?
A key difference between fiberglass pools and vinyl liner pools is fiberglass pools do not have liners. Contributing to the low-maintenance nature of fiberglass pool designs, this lack of a liner eliminates the need to replace one every six to 10 years. Or if water chemistry is off balance, it can mean having the liner replaced in as little as one to three years.
Without a liner, you may be wondering how fiberglass pools preserve a smooth, durable surface. The answer is simple: fiberglass pools are equipped with a gel-coat surface.
The Gel-Coat Surface of Fiberglass Pools
Swimming pool liners have a few different jobs. Stretching over every part of a vinyl pool — from the walls, to the floor, to the steps — this covering helps keep water inside the pool while adding a layer of protection against damage and mold and algae growth. It also helps smooth the surface of the pool so individuals can swim freely with comfort.
The gel-coat surface of a fiberglass pool takes care of all these needs, and then some. With a colored resin manufactured right into the surface layer of a fiberglass pool, this type of pool is recognized as having one of the most durable surface layers that can last decades without wear and tear. While noticeably smooth to the touch, the gel-coat surface is also built with non-slip technology so your family and guests can safely enter and exit the pool without safety concerns.
How a Gel-Coat Surface Ties into Total Costs of Ownership
Based on real-world numbers from Angi projects, the average cost associated with a vinyl pool liner replacement is about $2,349. But in some cases, these projects can come with as high of a price tag as $5,200 — with curved pool shapes and thicker liners adding to this cost, among other variables.
While fiberglass pools may have a higher initial costs, their decreased lifetime costs help balance out these numbers. You’ll not only save yourself liner replacement costs, but the non-porous surface of fiberglass swimming pools saves chemicals and cleaning agent costs over time. That also means spending less time skimming and brushing your pool, and spending more time enjoying it — the way it should be.
Turn to Blue Impressions for Your Fiberglass Pool Installation
While there are many types of inground swimming pools out there, we specialize in fiberglass pool installation for a good reason: we want to install products we believe in.
To this end, we’ve partnered with Latham Pools, a leading fiberglass pool manufacturer, to install high-quality fiberglass pools in various shapes and sizes, with unique features like tanning ledges, underwater seating, and water features built into the pool design. With a background in landscape design, we help create a fully functional space around the inground pool that helps homeowners get the most out of their outdoor living space.
Would you like to arrange a free estimate for your fiberglass pool project? Contact us today.
