Why Choose A Fiberglass Pool?
Fast Install – A fiberglass pool is made in climate-controlled factory and arrives at your job site in one piece, ready to be installed in as little as 3 days.
Environmentally Friendly – Fiberglass pools are built to last a lifetime. They do not require liner replacements, keeping used vinyl out of landfills. The smooth non-porous surface is less likely to harbour algae than vinyl lined or concrete pools, reducing chemical use and water wasted when draining or cleaning the pool.
The Magic Series
The Magic series is designed to be the quick and easy path to pool ownership. Available in a 20′ length and either 8′ or 10′ wide, this pool can be installed in just about any backyard either in ground or partially in ground. This modern and functional design is the perfect place to lounge and play on a hot day. Now you can have a pool without compromising your backyard, your budget or your free time. With so many installation options including a “DIY” package, this hybrid pool is a beautiful alternative to a swim spa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just like any major home renovation, you will need to speak with a qualified installer to get an accurate quote based on the conditions of your yard and what you want to have installed. The following questions will help you to recognize what can affect the price of a pool installation.
What size pool do you want? The cost to excavate, landscape and equip your pool will be largely determined by the size of the pool shell. If you look at the cost of water, chemicals, covers, additional underwater lighting and larger equipment needed for higher water volumes, you can start to see how many factors really go in to determining the price of your pool. Choose size and shape based on how you plan to use the pool.
What equipment and accessories do you want in the pool package? Do you want upgraded equipment like a variable speed pump or salt water chlorinator? Water features like deck jets or a waterfall? There are many options to choose from when planning your pool, and your pool installer will be able to help you choose the package that it right for you.
Is your backyard easy to access with excavation equipment? Easy access means a faster install and a lower excavation cost. Most installers need at least six to eight feet of unobstructed access to get their equipment into the yard, otherwise they may need to rent smaller equipment or use conveyors to remove the excavated dirt.
Are you only looking for a pool installation, or are you also looking for landscaping? Many pool installers offer landscaping services like the installation of decks, fences and retaining walls. The convenience of having your pool builder coordinate landscaping may come at a cost – many companies sub-contract landscaping work and pass costs off on to you at a higher rate. Doing some or all of the landscaping yourself can save a lot of money but will require your time and effort. If you lack the time or ability to do any of the landscaping yourself, consider dealing directly with a local landscaper.
Does your yard present any special restrictions or challenges? A sloped yard may require additional landscaping or a retaining wall, very rocky conditions can make excavation difficult, and existing features like trees and decks may need removal.
Deciding how you plan to use your pool will be very important when determining what size, shape and depth to install.
If you plan on using the pool to cool down, relax and lounge, then you probably don’t need anything longer than 20’ or deeper than 4’. There are many fantastic benefits of owning a smaller pool – significantly less maintenance, less water to treat, lower cost to operate, faster and cheaper to heat, more free space in your backyard, plus the lower cost of installation. We believe strongly in the advantages of smaller pools, and endeavor to create the most functional small designs possible.
If you have a large family or plan to entertain people in your pool, you will likely want your pool to be at least 25’ long, but not necessarily any deeper than 5’ or 6’ in the deepest areas. We have found that the majority of people get more enjoyment in water that is shallow enough to touch the bottom, yet still deep enough for cannonballs, slides and shallow diving. It has been shown that swimmers spend up to 90% of their time in water where they can touch the bottom. This depth is perfect for games like volleyball, basketball and Marco Polo, which provide hours of entertainment especially with young swimmers. A pool with a deep end large enough to accommodate a diving board is going to have a very small shallow end, significantly reducing the number of activities you can use the pool for. This is why we have chosen a gradually sloped floor with a deep end of 6’ or less for all of our pool designs.
You should ultimately choose the pool shape that embraces the overall vision you have for your backyard. It is important to note that landscaping will have a significant impact on the finished look of your pool, so getting a design done before committing to a shape can be immensely helpful. There are excellent 3D backyard design programs available through pool installers for this purpose.
The cost to maintain a fiberglass swimming pool is based on several factors. The first cost is for operation, which consists of running the pump and heater. Lighting, salt water chlorinators, UV systems and any other electronics will also add to the cost to a smaller degree. Expect to spend between $150-$250 on electricity if you run your pool June through September. The most economical way to reduce electricity costs is to run your pump on a timer, but investing in a good dual or variable speed pump will also reduce your ongoing electricity usage (though it will cost more initially). Remember that your pump must run a minimum number of hours per day to circulate all the water through the filter and distribute chlorine, otherwise the pool can develop algae.
Natural gas heating is common in residential pools because it is cost effective and fast when compared to other options. The cost to heat your pool will vary depending on many factors such as pool volume and turnover rate in relation to heater size, outdoor temperatures, the desired temperature of the pool water, and whether a pool cover is used. Most of your heating cost will be incurred in the spring and fall when temperatures can fluctuate and cool night air will cause the warm water in your pool to evaporate. Many people think using a solar blanket will heat your pool but they are really designed to prevent heat loss due to evaporation. Having a gas heater means you can be swimming earlier in the spring and later into the fall, with the trade off being higher natural gas bills.
The second cost is for water maintenance. The most common way to maintain the water in a swimming pool is with chlorine pucks, an oxidizing shock treatment and a preventative algae treatment. Most people will also require additional chemicals to periodically treat the pH, alkalinity and hardness of the water. On a 16×32 in ground pool, expect to spend between $200 to $300 per year to keep the water clear and algae free. This cost will vary depending on how clean you keep the water, whether you use a salt water chlorinator, UV or ozone system, and if you have any algae blooms through the season. The cleaner you keep the pool and the longer you circulate it though the filtration system every day, the less chlorine or bromine it will require to keep the water clear and free of algae. Many people find a salt water chlorinator, UV or ozone system will help keep the pool more sanitary and less likely to get algae because the treatment is automated, so even though these systems cost more, they help alleviate some of the regular maintenance. Once algae have appeared, the pool will require extra chemicals and extra cleaning, which can costs anywhere from $15 to $75 per treatment depending on severity. You will also need to run your pump continuously until all algae are gone, contributing to higher electric costs. Fiberglass pools are less likely to have difficult algae blooms, mainly because of their non-porous gel coat surface finish, but still expect to spend extra money if you allow the pool to get green.
The third cost of maintaining your pool is related to maintaining equipment. You will need to replace items for your pool periodically, including maintenance equipment (brushes, poles, vac heads, thermometers, automatic vacuums, leaf skimmers, winter covers, etc) and the pool equipment itself (pump, filters, salt cells, UV bulbs, ozonators, heaters, etc.). With a fiberglass pool, you don’t have to worry about replacing liners like a vinyl pool, which is a significant benefit over the lifetime of the pool. Expect pumps to last last 5-10 years, filters housings 10+ years, filter sand 5-8 years, filter cartridges 3-6 years, salt cells 3-6 years, UV bulbs 4-5 years, and heaters 5-15 years. ALL of these items will be susceptible to damage from imbalanced water chemistry, so it is very important to pay attention to your sanitizer, pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness levels.
The fourth cost related to your pool involves service. Some people choose to pay a service company to open and close their pool every year to ensure it is done correctly (or simply for convenience). A pool opening or closing will cost anywhere from $200-$400 per service. Other service might be needed to replace equipment or troubleshoot a problem.
You might notice one common thread between these costs – they can all be kept down with proper water balance. Maintaining your pool properly will preserve your investment for many years to come.