Which Is Right for You?
Choosing between fiberglass and concrete pools isn’t about one being better than the other, it’s about finding the pool that matches your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Both are excellent investments that can transform your backyard, but they offer very different experiences in terms of design, maintenance, and cost.
Fiberglass Pools: Efficiency Meets Low Maintenance
Fiberglass pools are built off-site as a solid, pre-molded shell and then lowered into an excavation in your yard. That construction method changes everything about the process.
Key Advantages of Fiberglass:
- Fast Installation – Because the shell is pre-manufactured, installation can take as little as 2–3 weeks once the site is prepped. Compare that to concrete pools, which often require several months.
- Low Maintenance Surface – The smooth, nonporous gelcoat layer means algae and bacteria have a hard time sticking. You’ll use fewer chemicals and spend less time scrubbing compared to concrete.
- Durability Without Resurfacing – With proper care, fiberglass pools can last 25+ years without needing resurfacing.
- Energy Efficiency – The insulating surface tends to retain heat better, helping to lower energy bills if you heat your pool.
- Modern Designs – Fiberglass pools now come in a variety of sleek shapes, sizes, and built-in features like tanning ledges or bench seating.
Considerations:
The biggest limitation is customization. Since the shells are made in molds, you can’t freely design the exact shape and depth like you can with concrete. Transport size also puts limits on how large the pool can be.
Who it’s best for: Homeowners who want a stylish, long-lasting pool that’s easy to care for and want to enjoy it sooner rather than later.
Concrete Pools: Fully Custom & Built to Impress
Concrete pools (also known as gunite or shotcrete pools) are built on site, layer by layer, which opens the door to unlimited design potential.
Key Advantages of Concrete:
- Complete Customization – Shape, size, depth—you can design anything you dream of, from geometric modern rectangles to natural-looking freeform lagoons.
- Luxury Finishes – Choose from pebble, tile, quartz, or aggregate finishes that give your pool a one-of-a-kind look and feel.
- Depth & Features – Unlike fiberglass, concrete pools can be built as deep as you want and are perfect for diving boards, swim-up bars, or large attached spas.
- Longevity – If you resurface every 10–15 years, your concrete pool can last for decades, making them a long-term investment in your home.
Considerations:
Concrete pools require longer build times (3–6 months, sometimes more) and have higher upfront costs. They’re also more porous, which means they need more chemicals and maintenance to control algae growth. Resurfacing is another future cost to plan for.
Who it’s best for: Homeowners who want a pool as the centerpiece of their backyard and don’t mind waiting for a custom build or taking on higher long-term upkeep.
Fiberglass or Concrete: How to Decide
Both fiberglass and concrete are premium pool types—they just serve different needs.
- Choose fiberglass if you want a pool that installs quickly, is easy to care for, and offers a modern, streamlined look.
- Choose concrete if you value complete design freedom, want a luxury finish, and see your pool as a fully customized extension of your outdoor living space.
At the end of the day, both options deliver the same promise: a backyard retreat where family and friends can gather, relax, and create memories. It comes down to whether you prefer the efficiency and simplicity of fiberglass or the unlimited creativity of concrete.