How Long Does a Fiberglass Pool Last? Diving Into the Answer
According to some recent studies, as many as 130 million American homes have pools. With as much as 8% of the nation having pools, how can you explore your pool options in Maryland?
One of the best ways is to have a pool installed, but picking the material is tricky. How long does a fiberglass pool last, and is it a good material to make your pool with?
If you’re curious about inground pools or other types of pools, we’re here to help. Read on to learn about what sort of materials are best for a variety of different pool design choices. We’ll also see the benefits of fiberglass as a versatile, effective material.
How Long Does a Fiberglass Pool Last?
To jump to the most important part: fiberglass pools are long-lasting. In many estimates, you can get about 40-60 years out of a fiberglass pool.
Fiberglass is a long-lasting material that’s favored for its durability. Made of glass fibers and polymer resin, the waterproof material is woven together for a hardy material.
How long a fiberglass pool will last depends on a variety of factors. How well it was constructed, how well you care for it, and other such variances will affect its duration.
Crucially, fiberglass pools don’t carry the same risks as other sorts of fiberglass. Many people associate fiberglass with the itchy, hazardous pink material or broken surfboards. When handled correctly, fiberglass is perfectly safe.
Competing Pool Types
How do fiberglass pools measure up against the competition?
There are many materials to make pools out of, but the most common are fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl. Here’s how fiberglass stacks up against its competitors.
Concrete
Concrete is undoubtedly the most common material for inground pools.
Concrete will last about as long as fiberglass pools. However, during that duration, you’ll have more costs appearing.
For example, it’s important to use chemicals to control algae and bacteria. Concrete is porous, so the material can help these hazards grow. As such, you need to acid-wash the concrete every three to five years.
Replastering and resurfacing every decade or so is also necessary. You’ll add tens of thousands to your maintenance bill with these issues.
Vinyl
Vinyl pools don’t last as long and require significantly more maintenance.
Vinyl pools use vinyl liners that surround the interior of the pool. These liners need to be replaced every six to twelve years, depending on how well you maintain the pool.
Regardless of replacing the liner, most estimates put a vinyl pool at about two decades. While this is an excellent lifespan relative to most things, it’s inferior to concrete and fiberglass.
Benefits of Fiberglass Pools
Now that we understand more about the types of pools, what makes fiberglass better? There’s more than just longevity at play. Here are some of the dozens of benefits of fiberglass pools.
Low, Easy Maintenance
One of the first benefits is how low-maintenance these pools are.
While vinyl pools and concrete pools require frequent cleaning, fiberglass pools require almost none. You’ll want to give the pool a cursory cleaning every few years and make sure you’re taking care of it.
But as far as major maintenance goes, there’s very little necessary for your fiberglass pool. You can focus on enjoying the pool instead.
Minor Costs
Along with the low maintenance comes minor costs.
Concrete pools will add tens of thousands in cleaning over the years. Replacing the vinyl liner of a vinyl pool will also quickly magnify your costs.
The upfront cost of installing a fiberglass pool is certainly high. But once this cost is taken care of, you won’t have to worry about maintenance costs adding too much to the price.
Exceptional Durability
Needless to say, the durability of the pool is also excellent. But durability doesn’t only mean how long the pool will last.
Fiberglass pools are resistant to strikes, scratches, and falls. It’s also unlikely that any animals will ruin the fiberglass.
Vinyl pools, by contrast, are easily scratched. The vinyl liner may become damaged, needing immediate replacement.
Concrete pools are also exceptionally durable. However, cracks or breaks in the concrete can require spot repair or replacement. These cracks also give algae a place to bloom.
Simple Installation
Another excellent benefit of fiberglass is the simple installation of the pool. Fiberglass pools are as easy to install as they are to maintain.
That said, that does not mean that homeowners should take on fiberglass pools as a DIY job. Inground pools are exceptionally dangerous to construct and can quickly lead to injuries.
Additionally, the benefits of fiberglass pools are mostly earned through a correct installation. If a fiberglass pool is incorrectly installed, most of the benefits will fail immediately.
Instead, look into professional pool installation services. Here at Splash Fiberglass Pool Company, we’re experts at giving you the best pool anywhere in Maryland.
Versatility
Finally, one benefit that many homeowners enjoy is the immense versatility of fiberglass pools.
Have you considered having a saltwater pool? Saltwater pools are ideal for keeping microbial and algae growth under control. They also have a unique aesthetic and crystal-clear water as a result.
However, not all types of pools can use salt water. Inground pools are best suited to the design, but other pool options can often struggle.
Concrete can corrode when exposed to high amounts of salt, for example. As such, using saltwater in a concrete pool may quickly ruin your property.
Fiberglass is resistant to salt and chemicals. Due to this resistance, you can feel free to experiment with new types of pools without fear.
Managing Your Inground Pool
How long does a fiberglass pool last? While the lifespan can depend on how well the pool is maintained, you can expect to get decades of enjoyment out of your fiberglass pool.
While the upfront costs of installing a fiberglass pool are high, the maintenance costs are extremely low. As such, fiberglass is cheaper than other types of pools in the long run.
Are you a Maryland homeowner interested in sprucing up your property? Be sure to contact us at Splash Fiberglass Pool Company for professional installation.
Sean Locklear spearheads Splash Fiberglass Pool Co., where his passion for creating the perfect backyard oasis drives the company’s success. Specializing in high-quality fiberglass pools, Sean’s approach combines innovative design with functionality, ensuring each pool installation enhances outdoor living spaces. Under his leadership, Splash Fiberglass Pool Co. is dedicated to delivering dream pools that are durable, low maintenance, and beautifully crafted, providing expertise on the benefits of fiberglass pools and customized design options.