(Newswire.net — April 26, 2019) — From cooling off in the summer with friends to bringing the kids together for family gatherings, pools are where many great memories are made. Aside from the above ground plastic and metal ones, pools can have many different personalities that can be displayed through the many different pool material options and designs. Pool material options can range from concrete, fiberglass and vinyl bases.
Pool Material Options
If you are planning to add a pool to your home and starting from scratch, it is important to keep in mind the circumstances which the pool will be under being in contact with water, salt, and other chemicals. Depending on what kind of impact you want your pool to have on people when lounging or playing in it, your pool material options can be narrowed down,
Concrete or Gunite
Pools made with a concrete (aka gunite) shell have virtually no limitations when it comes to design and size. You can discuss with a pool contractor your wildest pool dreams and they can probably give it to you (or get as close as possible to it).
The problems with concrete or gunite pools are many and can possibly be a deal breaker for some. Besides being costly initially, pools made with concrete have a long installation period which can be anywhere from 3 months to almost a year.
Concrete pools with a rough surface are more high maintenance. Contractors recommend that concrete pools be scrubbed down with a steel brush at least weekly to avoid a build-up of algae. Because algae buildup is common in concrete pools, more chemicals are needed to balance the pH balance and the cleanliness of the pool. In fact, an acid wash is required every 3 to 5 years with a concrete surface, making the overall maintenance of this pool material the most excessive.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a very popular option for pools as it is the least expensive and easy to maintain. You can dress the surface of a fiberglass pool with any design or finish to give it a specific or distinct impression. The smoother surface than the concrete pool makes for better maintenance as algae have a harder time growing and thriving in that environment.
The installation time of a fiberglass pool is much shorter and less of a nuisance since the pool shell is constructed off-site and brought to your home when finished. Installation time for a fiberglass cast can be as short as 2 days, meaning you won’t have to miss swimming season as you may have with a concrete pool.
Vinyl
Vinyl pools are most popular as they have the lowest installation cost of about 35,000 compared to the 50,000 or more you would have to spend on a fiberglass or concrete pool. This may seem like a no brainer choice based on initial cost, buy vinyl pool liners need to be replaced every 3 to 5 years which can leave you to spend anywhere near 5,000 to do each time. Vinyl pools are not as durable as concrete or fiberglass, therefore more maintenance is needed for upkeep.
If you are planning on installing a pool into your home, take into consideration the many circumstances your pool will be in to determine which pool material is the best fit for you and your family. Your budget, time and long term dedication to pool maintenance will all affect your decision on whether to have a concrete, fiberglass or vinyl pool.