When deciding what kind of swimming pool or spa to invest in for your home in Southampton, NY, the number of options can be overwhelming. Construction material is one of the most important factors to consider. Which material are you going to use? Vinyl liner, gunite or fiberglass?
Selecting the kind of material to be used is critical as it is going to determine:
- the lifespan of your swimming pool or spa,
- flexibility of customization and design elements,
- amount of maintenance it will require, and
- the durability and strength of the swimming pool or spa.
A fiberglass pool holds the reputation of an easy-to-install, faster alternative to conventional concrete and gunite pool construction. It might come as a surprise to some homeowners that fiberglass pools are gaining traction as a high-quality option for higher-end installations.
What Exactly is a Fiberglass Pool?
Imagine the hull of a sleek fiberglass boat. A fiberglass pool is made out of the same material. Multiple fabrication methods are used in the making of the material—some structurally independent and some requiring support. Fiberglass is composed of free standing units designed with layers of resin, gelcoat enclosed around a balsa wood core, and fiberglass.
Fiberglass pools have become one of the fastest growing segments of the pool industry. And with the advancements in gelcoats and resins, suppliers have produced a modern day swimming pool that is extremely strong, UV resilient, easy to install, and versatile.
Faster Installation
Ask anybody who has been involved in the installation of fiberglass pool, and they will tell you that one of the biggest attractions of this kind of pool is the faster installation time. A gunite and concrete pool can take up to two months to install, while fiberglass pools generally take around half that time or quicker.
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Reduced Maintenance
This kind of feature resists algae growth better than concrete and gunite pools, thanks to its smooth gel coat. Therefore, cleaning times are faster and repairs fewer.
Attractive Designs
A fiberglass pool is every bit as attractive as a concrete or gunite pool, given the wide range of shapes and designs available. One of the factors that has played a huge role in the growing popularity of the fiberglass pool is the fact that it has broken away from the conventional rectangular shape. Although less customization is possible with a fiberglass pool, the ranges offered by various manufactures provide ample variety for even the adventurous homeowner. Perhaps the only disadvantages as far as design goes is the fact that the depth and size of a fiberglass pool is limited to around 8’ deep and around 16’ wide.
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Important Considerations of a Fiberglass pool
Finding a professional contractor who is experienced in installation is crucial, as most in the market are only experienced in installation of conventional pools. It is critical that the pool is installed by a professional to avoid future problems caused by poor installation.
Maintaining proper water quality is another important aspect of fiberglass pools as an imbalance in pH levels, as well as excess calcium, can cause the gel coating to fail over time.
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