When considering the right pool type for you, you may come across concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl liner pools. However, there is a subtype of concrete pools, prefabricated concrete pools, that are also popular for their quick installation, and they are similar to fiberglass pools in this regard. So, which one is better? Prefab concrete pools or fiberglass pools? Below is a guide, but it’s recommended to consult a swimming pool builder for assistance.
Prefab Concrete Pools Vs. Fiberglass Pools
Below, we will compare prefabricated concrete and fiberglass pools.
What Are They?
Prefab Concrete Pools
Prefab concrete pools, or precast concrete pools, are different from regular concrete pools. Regular concrete pools are poured, finished, and set on-site, while prefab concrete pools are pre-made shells, manufactured in facilities in standard sizes and shapes.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are also pre-made shells manufactured in facilities in standard sizes and shapes, and then shipped to the location where they need to be installed, but they are made of fiberglass material.
The reason why fiberglass pools are not called prefab fiberglass pools is that, unlike concrete, they don’t have the option of pouring and setting on-site. The only way they are made is in facilities. So, they are simply called fiberglass pools.
In fact, even if you hear someone say prefab pool, they are most likely mentioning a prefabricated concrete pool, not a fiberglass pool.
Shapes And Sizes
Prefab Concrete Pools
Concrete pools are known to be highly customizable and that holds true for prefab concrete pools as well. Even though the customization freedom is less in the prefab option because they have to be transported to the site as a single pool shell and there are transportation regulations on shell sizes, the customization options are still way more than fiberglass pools.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are limited by the molds that are used for manufacturing these shells. That being said, there are still a wide variety of shapes and sizes of fiberglass pools you can choose from, though fewer than prefab concrete pools. Both of these both types are considered excellent for smaller pools.
Appearance And Surface Texture
Prefab Concrete Pools
After installation, prefab concrete pools look and behave like cast-in-place gunite (concrete) pools. This means their appearance is highly customizable. You can choose from many types of finishes, such as plaster, pebble, or tile finishes.
The finish determines how the pool looks and feels to the touch. Plaster is fairly smooth but can still be textured, pebble is always textured, whereas tiles have many kinds of textures. They can be smooth or textured, as you want.
As there are many finishes, the appearance can be anything you want. Be it classic blue or any unique or high-end tile finish.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools have a gelcoat that makes them appear very smooth and sleek. They give off a modern appearance with soft-looking edges. However, they can sometimes look pretty standard, as there aren’t many finish options in fiberglass pools. But if you’re going for a modern appearance with a smooth texture, they are excellent.
Installation Time
Prefab Concrete Pools
They are pre-made pool shells, so you don’t need them to be poured, finished, and cured. The shell will be installed on the excavated soil. So, they take considerably less time to install than traditional cast-in-place concrete pools, and can be installed within 2-5 weeks. For comparison, cast-in-place concrete pools need 8-12 weeks for installation.
So, if you’re dead set on installing a concrete pool but don’t want to wait this long, your best bet is getting a prefab concrete pool. However, for pool deck or patio, you may have to wait a bit longer. Your pool contractor will install a patio as well. If this is an afterthought, consult a patio contractor Long Island.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are known to be the quickest-to-install pool type. They are also pre-made pool shells transported and installed wherever required. They only take 1-3 weeks to install and are ready for you to take the plunge.
Durability
Prefab Concrete Pools
They are made of concrete, so they are considered the most durable type of pool. With proper maintenance and upkeep, they can last for 50+ years.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are fairly durable and strong, but not as much as concrete pools. The typical lifespan of fiberglass pools is 25-30 years. This is still a decent lifespan considering they are low maintenance and cost-effective.
Maintenance
Prefab Concrete Pools
Concrete pools are highly durable, but they are high-maintenance. You need to perform a bunch of tasks to keep your pool in good shape:
Running The Pump (Twice A Day)
To keep your concrete pool’s water clean and free from debris, you have to run the pump twice a day. Other pool types require it once a day.
Maintain Pool Chemistry (Weekly)
This is a task you need to perform for any pool type: to check and maintain pool water chemistry. For concrete pools, especially with a plaster finish, it’s better to add acid daily to keep the pool chemistry optimum.
Prevent Algae Growth With Scrubbing (Weekly)
Algae growth is common in concrete pools, so you have to perform steel scrubbing once a week to keep the pool’s surface spotless. If you don’t want to scrub the pool frequently, opt for a tile finish. However, its upfront cost is much higher than plaster or pebble finishes.
Acid Washing (Once In 3-5 Years)
Every 3-5 years, you will have to hire an expert for acid washing the pool to thoroughly remove algae growth and stains.
Resurfacing The Pool (Once in 7-20 Years)
The finish of the pool degrades over time, so you have to refinish the pool every 7-20 years. The frequency depends on the finish of the pool, the climate, and maintenance.
Fiberglass Pools
They require much less maintenance than concrete pools. They don’t stain as much and the gelcoat resists algae growth, so no weekly scrubbing is needed. Moreover, the surface of fiberglass pools doesn’t need to be refinished. However, when it degrades, you have to replace the entire pool. You just need to do these things:
Run The Pump (Once Daily)
The filter needs one circulation per day for a clean pool when it comes to fiberglass pools.
Maintain The Water Chemistry (Weekly)
Every pool type requires you to maintain pool chemistry, so you have to perform this task weekly for your fiberglass pool as well.
Climate Suitability
Prefab Concrete Pools
Concrete pools are more prone to extreme weather conditions, especially extreme cold. In very hot regions, the surface can be very hot.
Fiberglass Pools
They fare much better in most weather conditions. The surface doesn’t crack in cold and doesn’t become too hot to touch in hot regions. However, they are prone to floating in regions with a high water table.
Cost
Prefab Concrete Pools
Precast concrete pools can be 10% to 30% cheaper than cast-in-place concrete pools, but they are still expensive compared to other types of pools. Apart from the upfront cost, concrete pools are high maintenance, so their maintenance cost is higher as well.
Fiberglass Pools
They cost much less than both prefab and cast-in-place concrete pools. In some cases, they can be 40% to 50% cheaper than concrete pools. On top of that, their maintenance costs are also lower than concrete pools.
Conclusion
Choosing between prefab concrete and fiberglass pools can be difficult because both are pre-made pools, so give this guide a read. You can also get in touch with a pool contractor Long Island for personalized suggestions based on your needs, location, and climate.
