Should You Want a Fiberglass Pool for Your Backyard?

If you start thinking about different ways you could renovate your patio it won’t be long before you consider adding an in-ground swimming pool. And once you start researching different types of pools, you are bound to come across fiberglass swimming pools. For that reason, I want to devote today’s post to a question I hear at least once or twice a week…

Should you want a fiberglass pool for your backyard?

I’ve been in the patio renovation business long enough to know that no product or answer applies to every situation. What works for one homeowner or situation might not be right for another. I can tell you that my company is one of the best fiberglass pool installers in Massachusetts, and that many of our customers ultimately decide to choose one.

To help you narrow down your options, let’s look at a few of the things you need to know.

First, the Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Swimming Pools

Fiberglass pools are great products, but naturally they aren’t right for every homeowner. You should always weigh the benefits and drawbacks against your own needs.

On the positive side, fiberglass pools look great and are incredibly durable. They require less maintenance and upkeep than traditional concrete pools, and can hold saltwater (which is preferable for many homeowners). Additionally, they take a lot less time to install.

As for negatives, fiberglass pools tend to cost more upfront – although they become less expensive over time. Because they are molded prior to installation, they are only available in a set number of sizes and shapes. You have to choose a color that is offered by the pool manufacturer, and there are restrictions on size and depth.

Most of the customers we work with find that the positives outweigh the negatives. However, in some cases fiberglass might not be the right material for you.

The Big Question Around Fiberglass Pool Installation

In a vacuum, most homeowners would be better off installing a fiberglass pool than they would a traditional in-ground concrete pool. It almost always makes more sense when you consider how much faster it is to get the pool ready, along with the decreased expenses and upkeep.

The biggest thing to remember, though, is that no pool is installed on its own in someone’s backyard. There is always a bigger plan and more design elements. Recognizing that, you always want to ask yourself how the pool will actually be used, and whether certain elements fit in with the bigger plan you have for the space.

Before you start making plans or creating budgets, you should ask yourself questions like:

• Who will be using your swimming pool, and what matters most to them? 
• How much time do you want to spend cleaning your pool or adjusting chemical levels? 
• Do you need the pool to fit an unusual space?
• Do you need the deep end of your pool to be deeper than normal, or for the shallow to be very shallow?
• How important are certain colors or finishes to you?
• Are you planning on using salt or freshwater? Or do you know?
• And how long do you want your pool to last?

Each of these issues is important, and none of them even gets to the biggest question we usually have to address as a fiberglass pool installer. That’s because homeowners want to know about the costs before they really dig into the benefits and drawbacks.

Let’s dig into that topic before going any further.

Getting to the Bottom of Budgets and Costs

It won’t take too much research for you to discover that fiberglass pools generally carry a higher cost than traditional pools. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more expensive. I understand this can sound like a bit of a riddle, but getting to the truth is all about understanding the details.

You might pay slightly more to have a fiberglass pool installed than you would a concrete pool of a similar size. In that way, the upfront costs will possibly be higher.

However, fiberglass pools are made from durable synthetic materials that are less likely to crack or break. Additionally, fiberglass pools can hold water that requires less treatment and regular cleaning. And finally, a fiberglass pool will last you longer, so it won’t need to be repaired or replaced anytime soon. In fact, the pools we sell come with a lifetime guarantee.

When you put all of that together you find that fiberglass pools tend to be the more cost-effective option over the long run. In fact, the more years you own your home, the bigger the advantage gets. It’s also the case that you could sell your home for a higher price because you’ve installed a modern, attractive swimming pool that requires less upkeep.

For these reasons, the initial costs of a fiberglass pool installation can be deceiving. What initially seems like the higher-priced choice is often the smarter option when you take the time to consider what you’ll pay today, tomorrow, and in the years to come.

The Real Issue With Patios and Fiberglass Pools

Ultimately, the question we want every one of our customers to ask themselves is: What do I really want to do with my backyard? When you have the answer to that – including budgets, timelines, and other factors – you can probably figure out pretty easily whether a fiberglass pool is the right option.

Of course, it gets much, much easier to figure things out when you have a design professional on your side who can provide accurate quotes and information. So, if you’re located in or around the Saugus area, contact the Stefano’s patio construction team today. We’ll be happy to arrange a free consultation on your property to answer questions and walk through your options.