What are the Pros and Cons of Vinyl Liner Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools?
Vinyl Liner Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools?
Yes, the initial decision to install a pool at your home is one of the hardest to make. However, choosing the type of pool you want can be even more daunting. Which one represents the best value for you? Vinyl liner pools or fiberglass pools? Here is a look at the pros and cons of each.
VINYL LINER POOLS
With a custom made sheet of vinyl between the water and the structure of the pool, vinyl pools are a common type appealing to many homeowners.
Pros
Customization: No matter what size or configuration of pool you want, vinyl liners can fit them all. In addition, you are able to choose from a huge variety of colors and patterns.
Cost: The most affordable type of inground pool, vinyl liner pools feature the lowest cost of installation, material and labor. The total cost is between $20,000 and $40,000, on average.
Feel: The liners are soft and smooth, making it impossible to scratch your toes, legs, knees or arms when grazing the bottom and sides.
Sanitary: These liners are non-porous so they won’t become a breeding ground for algae or other growth like their porous counterparts can. You also don’t have to add as many chemicals, which saves you cash and time.
Cons
Fading: The harsh UV rays of the sun will fade your liner over time.
Need for Replacement: Because of pet and human traffic in the pool, rips can easily occur. Rips lead to leaks, so you’ll have to replace the liner if the tears are too large to be patched. While you can get up to 35 years out of the structure itself, you probably have to replace the liner every eight to 10 years at an average cost of $4,000.
No Resale Value: Vinyl liner pools don’t have as high a resale value as fiberglass pools do. Of course, resale value is dependent on the individual buyer, so what appeals to one won’t appeal to another.
FIBERGLASS POOLS
Crafted of fiberglass material, this type of pool comes delivered to your home pre-formed so that it can easily be lowered into the excavated hole.
Pros
Long-Term Cost: Because there are no replacement liners to contend with, fiberglass pools have a more affordable cost over the long term.
Aesthetics: For many years, homeowners were relegated to boring white, but now there are several colored finishes to choose from.
Low Maintenance: Fiberglass pools come with low maintenance requirements in terms of chemicals and repairs.
Re-Sale Value: Fiberglass pools usually appeal to more home buyers over vinyl.
Cons
Size Limitations: You’re limited in size, as they don’t generally go deeper than 8′ or wider than 16′. Therefore, customization is not as prevalent as with vinyl.
Price: You’ll spend more initially on fiberglass pools, which cost about $4,000 to $9,000 more than vinyl.
