Fiberglass vs Gunite in Florida

One of the most important choices when putting in a new pool in your Florida backyard is between gunite and fiberglass. To help you decide which inground pool is best for your yard, we’ll compare and contrast the two: Fiberglass vs gunite. The happiness you experience in the future directly results from the choices you make today.

What is a fiberglass pool?

A fiberglass pool is essentially a prefabricated fiberglass shell. It is then erected as an above-ground or inground pool at your chosen site. The gel coating often put over raw fiberglass gives fiberglass pools their renowned smooth sheen.

What is a gunite pool?

Gunite pools are concrete pools that professionals apply with a high-pressure hose. This is where they use a mixture of water, cement, and sand. You can have a pool built to your specifications in any shape or size with a sturdy and long-lasting material like gunite.

Here are some differences between fiberglass vs gunite

Fiberglass

Fiberglass pools are assembled at the factory and delivered to the store, where homeowners can buy them as one unit. A fiberglass pool is less expensive and just as long-lasting as a concrete one, but it comes in a considerably narrower range of shapes and sizes. This is because the walls feature small glass fibers, making them exceedingly smooth. They also provide no hiding places for algae or bacteria like a gunite pool. Thus, fiberglass pools are considerably easier to maintain than gunite pools.

Durability and Look

You can use a wide variety of colors to paint a fiberglass pool. But it can’t compete with the natural beauty of a gunite pool. While concrete pools eventually need resurfacing, fiberglass pools last forever without maintenance or repair.

Maintenance and Safety

The main problem with fiberglass pools is that they are so light. They can easily be displaced from the ground. This can happen if the water level in the pool drops too low or the surrounding groundwater rises too high. A severe downpour might cause your pool to suddenly emerge from the earth, no matter how full of water it may be. Gunite pools can reach the depths needed for a diving board to be safe and effective, but fiberglass pools can’t.

Money and Time

Due to their smaller size, fiberglass pools are significantly easier to install and cost far less than gunite pools. As a bonus, you can fill a fiberglass pool can with water within a few days after construction has begun. The pool will also fit nicely into a smaller yard.

Gunite

Pool professionals use a special kind of concrete called gunite to construct pools. You can create any size or shape of pool you can imagine by spraying gunite over wireframes. You can use a diving board because the concrete and rebar allow a deeper pool than a fiberglass pool. Compared to a fiberglass pool, the appearance of a pool made of natural-looking gunite is matchless. Gunite pools can have sophisticated pool tile surfaces or a gorgeous pebbletech interior. This will also make them more attractive and prolong their longevity.

Durability

If you’re thinking about installing a gunite pool, you should know that the cement surface will eventually need resurfacing. This is due to the effects of the pool’s water chemistry, sunshine, and other environmental conditions. Though most pools have a lifespan of seven years or more before resurfacing, the total expense can build up over time.

Safety and Maintenance

One potential drawback of gunite is the possibility of bacterial and algae growth. This happens through microscopic holes in the material. Because of these openings, constant washing and brushing of the walls will help prevent contaminants’ buildup. In addition, the surface is rougher and harder than fiberglass. This increases the risk of serious injury.

Time and Money

It may take many weeks to finish the laborious process of digging the entire area. Planning, putting up the wireframe and spraying the wireframe with gunite take time. The time and effort required to construct a gunite pool make its installation significantly more expensive than a fiberglass pool. Even if the water level in the pool drops to dangerously low levels, a gunite pool is extremely heavy and is unlikely to lift out of the earth.

Fiberglass vs Gunite-Which is better for your backyard?

Both fiberglass and gunite are great choices for Florida, and your family will enjoy them for many years. However, you’re also certainly thinking about how the pool and patio area dimensions would work in your outside space.

Get all the facts you can before deciding to build a gunite pool. The next step is to hire a reliable pool builder, such as Southern Poolscapes, to get the job done. Southern Poolscapes employs only the most qualified pool professionals. We are ready to go above and beyond to fulfill your every need. Contact us today!