Fiberglass, Gunite, and Poured Concrete Swimming Pools

Fiberglass swimming pools are a popular choice for pool owners who wish to enjoy an in-ground style, but don’t want to wait as long to have it installed as compared to other in-ground styles. Fiberglass swimming pools are molded and built as one whole basin-shaped unit in a factory.  This is what saves you time on installation.  It is delivered to your home in one piece.  All that is left for the installers to do is dig a hole, insert the pool, level it and add water.  They are made of fiberglass and finished with a gel coating – much like the hull of many boats today.  Owners of fiberglass pool usually decide to install a concrete deck around the pool.

Gunite pools can be the most costly option when choosing a pool design.  They can also be the most elaborate when pool owners add design options and accessories, such as custom benches and steps, waterfalls, tiled designs and other creative additions. They can be built in any shape and size, and are highly durable.  A material called gunite, which is actually a mixture of cement and sand is sprayed around the rebar framework. These types of swimming pools can be finished off in a style of the pool owner’s choosing.  Most people finish it off with a mixture of marble sand and cement called plaster.  Many people choose to finish it off with a concrete paint.  Other pool owners wish to customize their pool in original ways such as tile patterns or fiberglass finishes.

Poured Conrete Swimming pools are much like gunite swimming pools, but more difficult to build than gunite swimming pools.  In a poured concrete pool, concrete is actually poured into conventional wooden forms, whereas with a gunite swimming pool, gunite is sprayed around the rebar.  Poured concrete pools are not as popular anymore with gunite swimming pools being considered by pool owners.