Swimming is a great way to relax after a tiring day and it is also a good form of exercise and fun. Up until the mid 20th Century, having swimming pools at home was a luxury only the very wealthy could afford. But that is not the case anymore. Having swimming pools at home is now affordable and homeowners can choose from fiberglass pools or concrete pools. This choice should be made wisely keeping in mind the advantages and disadvantages of both types.

Assess Your Requirement

If you only require a pool that is 16 feet by 40 feet or less, with a maximum depth of 8 feet then fiberglass pools will be fine. But if you want a pool for high dives, then an 8 feet deep pool won't suffice. You'll have to go for a concrete pool. They can be built to your specifications in the desired shape, size and depth.

A concrete pool can be built even on a thin strip of land. It can be designed with rocks and waterfalls that will blend in with the landscaped surroundings. For such settings, fiberglass pools may not look very good. They are built in a factory and only come in a limited number of shapes and sizes. A concrete pool can be designed to suit your yard but in case of a fiberglass pool, the yard has to be designed to fit the pool.

Installation and Maintenance

Concrete pools are built on site to fit the design of the yard and it normally takes about twelve weeks. On the other hand, fiberglass pools are built in factories and installation time is less than three weeks. Fiberglass is a better option if there is the problem of ground stability, as they can flex when there are minor vibrations. A concrete installation will have the tendency to crack at the sign of minor vibrations.

In the long run, concrete pools are more expensive than fiberglass ones as maintenance is higher for the former. Concrete reacts with the chemicals in the pool water and also leaks alkali into the water, which is why it requires constant cleaning and chemical treatments. Fiberglass has an inert resin tank that stops it from reacting with the water. Also a concrete pool requires pumps and filters to work for a long time for cleaning but the fiberglass option can be cleaned easily with a brush. Also when the concrete cracks, the repairing costs are very high.

The Surface Issues

The fiberglass pools have a very smooth surface whereas the concrete one has a rough surface unless it is covered by tiles. The rough surface of a concrete pool causes cuts and scrapes on the body. The concrete material itself is harmful to the body and a day in the pool might cause reddened fingertips, scars and sometimes even bleeding toes. It also causes wear and tear to the swimsuit. Fiberglass pools don't have these problems as it is a non reactive element and does not cause damage to skin or clothes.

Installing a swimming pool is a big investment and it is good to look at the options available for you. Research about the pros and cons of both the fiberglass and concrete pools, and decide on the right type keeping in mind your requirements.