Fibreglass Pools

A good quality fibreglass swimming pool can be absolutely excellent. However, quality fibreglass pools are not cheap and the ones that are cheap tend to lead to so many problems they are a false economy.

There are many manufacturers of fibreglass pools, most offering pools that seem to be the same. The reality is that the differences between different types of fibreglass pools can be as dramatic as that between chalk and cheese!

Low quality pools may look the same as the more expensive options, but the difference is in the build strength and therefore longevity. Can you imagine taking all the time and effort to install a pool, only to find a few short years later it either delaminates, cracks or the surface just looks faded and milky where the chlorine has affected the pigment? If you are tempted by what seems a bargain price when compared to other types of pool system, do be careful.

As in many areas of life, with fibreglass pools, you normally get what you pay for. Good quality top end fibreglass pools like the Certikin Riviera range of pools are great pools, but they come at a price that’s not much different to other types of pool construction. A good quality 24ft (7.3mts) pool shell will cost around £25-30,000 and a good quality 30ft (9.2mt) shell £30-35,000. For this sort of price lots of other options are available, including a conventionally built and insulated pool.

Fibreglass pools do come in a range of really attractive colours and finishes, including rich azure blue and a crystalline quartz finish. They also come in a variety of attractive shapes. However, unusual shaped pools are often difficult to cover effectively, which can lead to high running costs.

One of the advantages of a fibreglass pool is speed of installation, as so much of the work has effectively already been done. If the housing for the pool is already prepared, a fibreglass pool could be installed and ready for use in as little as a week or two.

Nearly all fibreglass pools are constant depth, so if you would like a deep end, you will need to look at other options. If you are considering a fibreglass pool you will need to bear in mind access, as due to their weight, larger fibreglass pools often need delivering not just to the roadside outside your home, but often over the roof and into the hole! This can be a challenge, as in many urban areas cranes may not be able to get close enough to lower the pool where it’s needed. Crane costs and delivery can easily swallow up another couple of thousand of pounds.

To avoid future issues with movement or the pool literally floating out of the ground during the winter, as can happen with a high water table, very careful preparation of the pool hole is needed, usually involving lots of concrete round the pool. Beware of companies who tell you it’s simple to install the pool and you can do so cheaply, particularly companies that are not specialist in building conventional pools with the expertise and understanding that requires.