Why a Fiberglass Pool?
Fiberglass Pools offer many advantages that concrete and vinyl pools cannot. They are actually more permanent than the other two types and do not require the maintenance and remodeling that is necessary to keep concrete and vinyl pools looking great. Fiberglass is more resistant to stains than plaster finishes, and it never needs painting. It is also impervious to algae, 17 times stronger than concrete and quickly installed onsite
Fiberglass Pools are Impervious to Algae
The non-porous gel-coat surface of a Fiberglass pool greatly simplifies water maintenance procedures. The gelcoat is a resin that is chemically inert (so it will not affect the chemical balance of the pool water) and is extremely resistant to acids and oxidizers.
Algae cannot penetrate the gelcoat finish, which is the beauty of a fiberglass pool. In concrete pools, algae can grow right through the walls of the pool, destroying the plaster finish and causing damage to the pool. The only way to remove it is to acid wash the surface, which can make the pool very rough and does not always eradicate all of the algae that have penetrated the walls of the pool.
You would then have to sandblast and re-plaster or repaint the pool, a very costly resolution. In vinyl pools, the algae destroys the flexibility of the liner and causes costly replacement. It is not uncommon to see enormous amounts of black algae behind a vinyl-lined pool. Extensive and costly measures are required to clean or replace the damaged liner.
Fiberglass Pools are More Flexible and 17 Times Stronger than Concrete Pools
A Fiberglass Pool can flex substantially without breaking and is 17 times stronger than a concrete pool. Concrete is rigid and inflexible so minor ground movements can cause it to crack. Fiberglass pools have a tensile strength of 28,346 pounds per square inch. This means that a pressure of 28,346 pounds is required to fracture even one square inch of a fiberglass pool. This toughness allows fiberglass pools to expand and contract with expansive soils, earthquakes and freezing temperatures without damage.
Quick Installation Time
Because Fiberglass Pools are manufactured in a controlled environment, quality control is much higher than that of concrete pools. The pools come to job sites in one piece and can be installed in a matter of weeks with a small crew. The continuous parade of sub contractors, messy yards and long waiting periods that are common with concrete pool constructions are virtually non-existent with a Fiberglass swimming pool.
No Acid Washing, Painting or Re-plastering
Due to the smooth, non-porous, permanent finish of a Fiberglass pool, acid washing, sand blasting, re-plastering and re-painting are not required. In a concrete pool, the plaster finish actually deteriorates and has to be re-painted, resurfaced or re-plastered. This is not necessary with fiberglass pools. Over the life of the pool, fiberglass will save you thousands of dollars in maintenance and remodeling costs, not to mention the aggravation and loss of swimming time.
No Liner Replacement
Fiberglass pools will not degrade due to exposure to sunlight. Vinyl liners are very susceptible to ultraviolet degradation and even with the best of care, require periodic replacement at a cost of $2,500 or more. In addition, fiberglass is not susceptible to pinholes or tears from children or animals, which means no unsightly patches.
Energy Savings on Electricity
Fiberglass pools do not leach any material into the water, (i.e., alkaloids and other materials from concrete and plaster finishes), making long periods of filtration unnecessary. A fiberglass pool can reduce your electric costs by over 30% because less filtration is required.
Warranty
Fiberglass pools are installed in all climates, from areas with heavy rains to severe freezing temperatures to the heat of the deserts. Fiberglass pools are extraordinarily tough. This toughness, along with the growing demand and successful use of other fiberglass products, gives San Juan Fiberglass Pools the confidence to warranty – San Juan Pools offer a 25 year structural warranty and a 10 year surface (gel coat) warranty; San Juan Fiberglass Pools has been in continuous business for over 55 years. *Caution: Some companies offer a lifetime warranty (that means 7 years in most jurisdictions).
Difference between Fiberglass Pools and Concrete Pools
If you look in any telephone directory under the category “Swimming,” you will commonly find more pool service companies than builders, which illustrates the tremendous need for the service and repair of concrete pools. Concrete pools have an abrasive finish, which can cause reddened toes and fingers. You won’t get that from the skin-soft smooth finish of fiberglass pools. With a Fiberglass Pool being comparable in cost with concrete, the question is, “with all the benefits of fiberglass (low maintenance, flexibility, strength) why would anyone choose the problems that come with building a concrete pool?”
Difference between Fiberglass Pools and Vinyl-Lined Pools
Even though most vinyl-lined pools are built into the ground, their construction is very similar to above ground types. A vinyl-lined pool’s walls have rigid sides made of concrete block, pressure-treated wood, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or fiberglass. These walls are nailed, glued, screwed or bolted together in sections to make a frame, to which a thin, usually 20-mil. sheet of plastic, is attached to the inside. This is what holds the water in the container.
Fiberglass gelcoat alone is thicker. A wood or concrete deck can be placed around the pool. Inground vinyl-lined pools may appear similar to permanent pools like fiberglass and concrete. However, vinyl-lined pools require continued replacement of liners over the years, as do aboveground pools, only at a much greater expense.
Vinyl-lined pools initially cost less than most concrete or fiberglass pools; however, the cost of frequently replacing deteriorated, punctured or torn liners will make the overall cost of a vinyl-lined pool considerably higher than a fiberglass pool. People who invest in a permanent pool will add value to their properties.
Difference between Tropical Fiberglass and Other Fiberglass Pools
No fillers are used in the construction of the pools we sell. This is a huge advantage and something to do your homework on. Composite, ceramic and other fillers actually make the walls more brittle and inhibit the flexural strength of the fiberglass, which goes against one of the main reasons to buy fiberglass in the first place. In independent laboratory tests, our pools outperformed fiberglass pools that used a composite ceramic core.
With over 40 years of experience, quality, and integrity is the difference that sets us apart from others. Nobody has installed more fiberglass pools in Southern Utah than Tropical Fiberglass Pools.
After 4 decades of being in business, Tropical Fiberglass Pools is here to stay!