Concrete pool, prefabricated pool with liner or fiberglass pool- which is the most suitable for me?

The most common types of pools are concrete pool coated with glass ceramic, pool made of fiberglass and pool with PVC membrane (liner).

If you go to three different companies that offer different types of pools, each of them will tell you that their pool is the best. And they are maybe right for themselves, because they only see the positive side of the pools offered by them.

The truth is that any type of pool has advantages and disadvantages, which you should know before making the decision what type to select.

Below I have made a comparison between the three most common types of pools.

If you still hesitate which pool to choose I hope the comparison will help you.

Concrete pool coated with glass ceramic

Advantages:

• Possibility for making all sizes, shapes and depths

• Possibility to integrate to the design of the corresponding property as a work of art

• Large variety of designs- pool with overflow channel, pool with shallow section for relaxation, swimming pool with a separate area for hydro massage etc.

• Solid and long lasting construction- built with no compromise the concrete pool is extremely strong and durable

Disadvantages:

• High costs with the time- concrete pools need to be repaired every 10-15 years. This includes replacement of the coating and other activities depending on the model of the pool.

• Concrete pool needs more products for the maintaining of the water, because the surface of the concrete pools is very absorbed. That is why you will need much more chemicals and longer filtration of the water to avoid the appearance of algae.

• The content of alkaline base in the concrete permanently increases the values of acid in the water. That is why it is necessary to use a large amount of chemical (pH-) which reduces the acidity of the water.

• Concrete pools need more maintenance- the walls should regularly be cleaned with brushes to remove the algae in the gaps of the glass ceramic.

• The building of the pool lasts long- between 2 and 4 months.

• They are not compatible with the use of salt electrolysis- salt damages the concrete. The salt dissolved in the water destroys faster the inner coating of the pool. As a result of this the time to replace the coating will come faster.

• There is a danger of cracking of the concrete bed in case of earthquake.

• The rough surface of the inner coating irritates the feet especially by children who regularly use the pool.

The concrete pool is suitable for people who:

• Are looking for a pool with very irregular shape or very deep pool.

• Want to build a pool, work of art, for example to have natural rock formations, waterfalls etc.

• Don’t worry about the expensive repairs with the time.

• Don’t worry about the time or the money they will spend weekly for the maintenance of the pool.

• Don’t worry about the rough surface, which irritates the feet.

Prefabricated pool with PVC membrane (liner)

Advantages:

• Low initial costs- the price of a prefabricated pool with liner is several times lower than the price of a standard concrete pool. The pools with liner are the cheapest way to have an in ground pool.

• Short time to construct- together with the excavation and the preparations the time for building the pool doesn’t take more than 20 days.

• Easy maintenance- the smooth surface makes the cleaning easier and prevents the appearance of algae on the walls of the pool.

• Thanks to the smooth surface of the liner you will use less chemicals for the water compared to the concrete pool.

• The possibility to build a pool in a various shapes- it comes to the concrete pools coated with liner or the Styropool pools. This isn’t valid for the prefabricated pools with steel walls. They have strictly defined shapes and depths.

• Easily replacement of the liner- when it comes the time to replace it, usually after 10-12 years, it is very easy.

• Thanks to the flexible construction there is no danger of cracking of the pool in case of earthquake

Disadvantages:

• Strictly defined shapes by the prefabricated pools with steel walls- round, oval and eight shaped. The Styropool pools and the concrete pools coated with liner enable a large variety of shapes and depths.

• The liner lasts 10 to 12 years, after that it should be replaced.

• By the pools with liner isn’t possible to make additional benches or steps into the pool. There is an option to put a Roman step, but this is very expensive, because this step is made of fiberglass.

• When you use the pool you should be careful not to damage the liner with sharp objects. In case of broken liner, there is special glue which glues under the water.

• When you use the chlorine improperly (throwing the tablets directly into the water) the liner fades. This doesn’t influences on its water tightness, but damages its appearance.

Pool with liner is suitable for people who:

• Want to have a real pool at a reasonable price.

• Don’t want to turn their property into a building site for a long time.

• Don’t want to spend much time and money for cleaning and maintenance of their pool.

• Can choose a model or size from the offered on the market pools with liner.

Fiberglass pools are also called polyester pools.

Advantages:

• The maintenance of the pool is very easy- the smooth surface prevents the formation of algae and reduces the amount of chemicals used for the maintenance of the water.

• There is no need of changing the coating after years- in contrast to the concrete pools with glass ceramic and the pools with liner, where the inner coating should be changed after a certain period, for the fiberglass pools this is not necessary.

• Built-in steps and benches- most models of fiberglass pools have built-in steps and benches.

• Fast installation- fiberglass pools are delivered in their final form. They only should be installed into the provided excavation and around the pool should be made a backfill with drier concrete.

Disadvantages:

• High price – high initial price and additional expenses for transportation of the pool with a big truck make the investment more expensive.

• Limitations on the terrain where you will install the pool- because of the fact that the fiberglass pools are transported by a big truck, some terrains won’t be suitable for access of the truck with an unloading crane.

• In case that the inner coating damages, the repair is considerably more expensive than the repair of the swimming pools with PVC—liner.

• Strictly defined shapes and sizes - fiberglass pools are produced with specific shapes and sizes.

• Danger of osmosis- by these pools there is a danger of osmosis; this is the formation of small bubbles on the surface of the coating. The bubbles contain a liquid which tends to dilute itself and attracts the water. The water penetrates into the bubbles in form of water vapor, condenses and leads to the enlargement of the bubbles. Once started, this process is irreversible and should be stopped as soon as possible.

Fiberglass pools are suitable for people who:

• Are willing to pay more than for the pool with PVC-liner.

• Can find a pool with the shape and size that meet their needs.

• Want to have a pool that is easy to maintain.

• Want quick installing process.

• Have a property suitable for the access of a large truck with unloading crane.