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When it comes to a project as essential as your pool, the last thing you want to do is make a bad decision. After all, a pool is a significant investment, and you desire to be satisfied with your choice for many years to come. If you’re thinking of installing an inground pool in your home, then you might be looking at different alternatives, including the type of pool materials.

Fiberglass pools are quickly gaining prominence as high-quality options for higher-end setups. They’ve long been known as a low-maintenance, quick-to-install option to traditional concrete and gunite pool constructions. 

Notwithstanding, there are several issues associated with fiberglass pools that you simply cannot overlook. Because you’d have to choose what is best for you and your family’s fun, you must have all of the facts before making the decision. So are fiberglass pools too slippery for play? Read on to learn more.

Are fiberglass pools slippery?

If you’re considering installing a fiberglass pool, you’ll undoubtedly want to learn about homeowners’ concerns so you can decide if it’s good for you. Even minor nuances, which may not seem important at first, might become annoyances when you consider the amount of money you’ve spent in a pool.

One of the most common complaints heard about fiberglass pools is their slippery surfaces. This material can be so slippery that it might cause pool users to slip and fall.

This is especially dangerous on pool steps, where a slip-and-fall mishap can be fatal. If you browse through the comments on numerous pool forums online, you’ll see that the slippery surface is a common complaint.

Aside from the slippery surface (which is a defect in the material), the most serious fiberglass pool issues are related to their installation. Because fiberglass pools are delivered as a pre-manufactured product, your contractor must follow proper installation procedures, or the results could be disastrous.

Why you must hire a Competent Custom Pool Builder. 

It’s important to hire a company specializing in a specific type of installation, regardless of your chosen material. While some pool companies provide a variety of materials (and thus a variety of installations), focusing on one style of pool installation would be considered superior.

This is an exciting time for you and your family because your research is bringing you closer to your dream pool.

There’s certainly a lot to consider (and a lot of crucial decisions to make), but taking the time to make sure you’re making the best options possible will pay off when you end up with the pool of your dreams rather than one that falls short.

The truth is that digging the hole is the simple part. Once that’s done, gradually backfilling the space around the pool may mean the difference between a properly supported pool and one that isn’t. You’ve probably seen a fiberglass pool that has settled on one end due to insufficient backfilling.

On the other hand, Incorrect installation can cause far more problems than just unappealing settling. If the installation is done incorrectly, the results can range from poor pool water circulation due to faulty hydraulics to actual walls collapsing due to inadequate support.

If the walls begin to leak, this can result in high repair costs. In addition to resurfacing the pool as a whole, repairs may necessitate excavation.

These main drawbacks may not be a concern for you if you can overlook the slickness of the fiberglass pool material and find a skilled contractor to install it (so there are no installation problems).

Benefits of Fiberglass pools.

There are various reasons for this, including ease of installation, a growing variety of styles to pick from, and an industry that has prioritized the creation of long-lasting, robust products. Here is our list of the “Pros” of fiberglass pools.

Low maintenance cost

Fiberglass pools are coated with a smooth gel layer that resists algae growth better than concrete or gunite pools. As a result, cleaning times are reduced, and repairs are minimized.

Selection

Pool makers, according to Pool & Spa News, “have moved away from the typical rectangle, with some manufacturers boasting as many as 40 forms”.

Because it allows for more customizable designs for high-end installations, this has played a significant part in the growing popularity of fiberglass pools.

Fast Installation

Anyone involved in pool construction will tell you that one of the most appealing features of fiberglass pools is their ease of installation.

A concrete or gunite pool might take up to two months to install, but fiberglass pools typically take one month. Before maintenance and upkeep, the average gunite pool costs over $75,000 to install.

Pool & Spa News claims that it can be done even faster, citing one installation as saying that his reputation is built on his ability to complete “a task in two weeks instead of two months.”

Appearance

The emphasis on the speedy installation has given fiberglass pools a bad appearance. Custom pool designs and tile, stone, and brick copings are just a few of the options that can make a fiberglass pool just as appealing as more traditional alternatives.

Fiberglass pool Drawbacks.

The drawbacks of fiberglass pools are mostly related to their high cost and difficulty in installation. Contrary to common opinion, fiberglass pools are not less expensive than traditional options such as concrete.

Also, hiring a professional with experience constructing fiberglass pools is crucial to avoid future issues caused by improper installation. The following are some of the drawbacks of fiberglass pools:

Poor Installation

Because fiberglass pools are delivered as a pre-manufactured shell, your contractor must install the pool properly. The simple step is excavating the hole.

Following that, your contractor will need to backfill the space around the pool with a mixture of sand and pea gravel while gradually filling the pool with water to ensure it is properly supported.

Incorrect installation can result in a range of issues from improper water circulation due to bad hydraulics to walls collapsing when the installer doesn’t grasp soil conditions.

Poor installation can result in very expensive repairs, like resurfacing if the walls begin to leak, which may necessitate excavation in addition to the cost of resurfacing a pool.

Water Quality

That smooth gel layer that we stated as a plus in the maintenance sector might also be perceived as a disadvantage, depending on your perspective.

Maintaining correct water quality is essential if you want that gel coat to last. Poor pH or alkalinity levels and incorrect calcium balances frequently result in a coating that degrades after a few years.

Conclusion

Yes! Fiberglass pools are slippery. But if you can ignore the slipperiness of the fiberglass pool material and find a good contractor to install it (to avoid installation concerns), then nothing will stop you and your family from playing and having fun.