Concrete swimming pools were the province of the very wealthy at the turn of the Twentieth Century. The only other people who could afford to buy them at the time were commercial pool proprietors. By the end of World War II, swimming pools were more affordable. Homeowners were able to install them with money made during the post-War prosperity. Many of these pools are still in service today. The pool industry turn a major turn during the mid-1950's with the introduction of fiberglass. First used in the boating industry, fiberglass ended up revolutionizing not only the building of boats, but also the building of swimming pools.
What are the advantages of building a pool with concrete today? The major advantage is flexibility. While most fiberglass pools are pre-made, a concrete pool can be custom designed to fit the contours of your land. Your pool can be built to take advantage of a thin strip of land on a hillside or arch around your home in a peek-a-boo design. If you want a lap pool with a diving area accented by plunging waterfalls, you can have it. A concrete pool may also be less expensive than a comparable fiberglass pool to install. Be sure to compare pricing.
Fiberglass pools have many advantages over concrete pools. While fiberglass pools might be more expensive to install than concrete pools initially, they tend to save owners money over the long haul. Fiberglass pools do not need periodic resurfacing or acid washes. Owners of fiberglass pools typically use less chemicals to keep their pools in balance than owners of concrete pools because fiberglass does not leach alkalis into the water. Electrical bills for homes that have fiberglass pools are usually lower than those that have comparable concrete pools because pumps and filters do not have to work as long and hard to keep fiberglass pools clean. Concrete is porous and tends to hold dirt more stubbornly than does fiberglass. Any algae that grow in a fiberglass pool can be brushed away rather than scrubbed away. Additionally, fiberglass is typically stronger and more flexible than concrete, a real concern for those who live in areas that suffer earthquakes. Also, installing a fiberglass pool is much quicker than installing a concrete pool, roughly three weeks versus about twelve weeks.
Still, people who own or grew up with concrete pools have an issue with fiberglass pools. The surface of a fiberglass pool is smooth. The surface of a concrete pool, unless covered with additional materials, such as tiles, is rough. Because concrete is wearing on skin and on bathing suits, people, particularly those of the child-size, have battle scars after a day in the pool, including red fingertips and an occasional bleeding toe or three. That, in addition to red eyes, indicates that said person spent not just a few measly minutes in the water, but dedicated hours to splashing mayhem. In addition, the rough surface of concrete pools guarantees at least two swimsuits per season. Fiberglass pool owners like the savings in terms of swimsuit costs and body wear-and-tear, but concrete pool owners, particularly children, like the status.
That being said, if you already have a pool in your yard, enjoy. If you are considering building a pool, make sure that you consider not only what type of pool you are interested in, but also the contractors that you will be using. Research, ask questions, and ask for referrals. Above all, remember that regardless of whether your pool is made of concrete or fiberglass, swimming is terrific exercise and splashing is terrific fun.
