When the weather begins to warm up, the first thing that is stuck in the mind is getting a pool for your place. Having a swimming pool installed in your backyard can be a great idea. When it comes to selecting a type of pool for your home or building, it’s not going to be easy. To help you out we have done a complete comparison of the two most common materials for swimming pools, concrete or fiberglass pools.
Which pool to select, Concrete or fiberglass?
Both of these have their own assets and liabilities. So before you make your choice for the plunge pools, you need to go through a couple of things which are mentioned below :
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Fiberglass vs Concrete Pool Installation Costs.
We really can’t choose concrete or fiberglass on the basis of the amount as they both cost roughly the same to install. No doubt, Both are high quality and long-lasting materials.
We can make the choice on the basis of how cheap it is to maintain.
Concrete pools tend to be more prone to algae and they require more regular cleaning plus chemical treatment whereas Fiberglass is more resistant to algae and will generally be cheaper to maintain than concrete, so if you prefer a pool that is easy to maintain and right for your pocket then fiberglass might be a better option.
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Appearance and Design
For the appearance and design factor, both concrete or fiberglass is a good choice as they both give a great look after the work is finished. But a point to remember is that fiberglass gives you lesser varieties of shape and size as they come only in pre-made models from the factory. A gel coating applied over the raw fiberglass tends to give it a very smooth finish.
But this is not the case if you go with concrete pools. Here you get a huge range of customization options. You can customize the size down to the last inch, make use of Plasters, choose different tiles, and add Pool islands, walkways, spill-overs, or fountains to give the pool a masterpiece look.
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Durability Comparison
If you think you can go without maintenance after making the choice between concrete or fiberglass. Then you are wrong. They both have their own terms and conditions.
Fiberglass is generally more resistant to long-term wear and tear as compared to concrete, but its downside is that it is more susceptible to damage and cracking due to soil and ground movement. A fiberglass pool can last between 20–25 years and the interior gel finish may need to be reapplied every 10 years.
A concrete pool can form cracks and its finishes can fade from the sun. Thus, every concrete pool will need major renovation to fix pool leaks and redo finishes. Whatever you choose between the two, you can expect a long enjoyment. A concrete pool can last up to 40 years or more if it is properly maintained during its lifespan
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Surface of pools
Concrete pools are either tiled or plastered, which gives them slightly rougher underfoot than fiberglass. Due to its rough surface, it requires a chemical sealant to prevent moisture absorption. Additionally, this rough surface easily traps bacteria, which leads to algae growth.
The surface of a fiberglass pool is smooth due to the gel applied on its outer surface. It is nonporous to bacteria or algae growth but because of its smooth surface, there is a chance of slipping or other injuries.
The bottom line
Making purchases for the pool can be a big consideration. You must research widely and spend what you feel comfortable spending – it will be a long-run investment if done correctly. Consider all the above-listed points to make a correct choice for your between concrete or fiberglass pools in Sydney. Do share your experience with us in the comment box!