Comparing and Contrasting Concrete, Vinyl Liner, and Fiberglass Inground Pools

When picturing your dream inground pool, chances are you’re focused on its purpose and aesthetic. Is it for swimming laps or an outdoor entertainment space? Will it be a gathering place for your children? Or a quiet oasis for adults to enjoy quiet time? One of the less exciting things to think about, albeit one of the most important, is what type of inground pool is best for you. We’ll take you through three types of swimming pools: Concrete pools, vinyl liner pools, and fiberglass pools, their advantages, and disadvantages so that you can include this in the conceptual phase of designing your inground pool.

Concrete Pools

Concrete pools are popular among custom inground swimming pool designers because they are the best medium for a truly custom pool. They can be any shape, size and depth but also loan themselves better to popular features like infinity style pools, tanning ledges, and beach entries. Concrete is malleable and therefore the best choice for a pool that is going to be a design point on a property.

With the advantages of a concrete pool come some disadvantages. Its desired malleability and ability to be completely customized means it takes longer to construct, about 2-4 months. Concrete is highly porous which means it requires more maintenance than other types of pools. And the maintenance involves invasive steps like retiling. Expect to invest at least $8-15k every 10-12 years for the lifetime of your pool. Concrete pools also require more attention to chemicals because the shell of the pool is more susceptible to organic changes that can bring on algae and other issues. Brushing, sweeping, and cleaning are required very often to keep algae at bay.

Concrete pools are still an excellent choice for those who plan on the pool as a design centerpiece for their property or a pool that will get a lot of use and therefore needs certain features other pools cannot support as easily. They can also add to the value of the home during a sale.

Vinyl Liner Types of Inground Swimming Pools

Vinyl Liner pools are common and popular for background swimming pools of all lengths, widths, and depths. They are inexpensive initially and are also smooth throughout, unlike abrasive concrete pools which can take some getting used to, especially for children. Inground swimming pools with vinyl liners are good for pools in a smaller yard and those used for exercise and recreation.

One of the disadvantages of inground pools with vinyl liners is the lifetime costs. The liner will need to be replaced every 10-12 years and more often if it gets damaged. The liner is not very thick, at most the thickness of a credit card. It can be torn by pets, limbs, even some pool toys and is expensive to replace — especially since it will also be replaced after 10-12 years of use. When selling a home with an inground pool with a vinyl liner many have found that unless the liner is in its first three years of life the pool will often not increase the sale price and can, in fact, detract from it.

Inground swimming pools with vinyl liners are great for pet-free homes or homes where pets do not enjoy swimming. They are perfect for exercise or enjoyment by adults.

Fiberglass Inground Swimming Pools

Fiberglass inground pools are incredibly popular. They are made in a controlled environment so weather doesn’t affect how long it takes to construct one. They are smooth and the gel coating is non-porous. Unlike a liner it never requires replacement. In fact, lifetime costs to fiberglass pools can be nonexistent. The fiberglass pool shell helps limit the amount of cleaning and chemicals needed so while they are great for lots of use, they don’t require as much attention. They are more accommodating of four-legged swimmers and difficult to damage with toys. They are very quick to install.

The disadvantages of fiberglass pools surround customization. Pools are made from a mold and not customizable. Seating is often available and stairs always included but it is rare to find other features available in their concrete counterparts. They also cannot be wider than 16’ due to shipping regulations.

Fiberglass inground swimming pools are great for high use families looking for an easy to maintain (physically and financially) pool for children, pets, and adults. While they do not bring an artistic or customizable feature to a property they are great for getting a lot of use out of an inground swimming pool.

Depending on your needs and how much use you intend to get out of your pool, any of these options can work — just think about your priorities.