The Perks of Being a Fibreglass Pool
Building a pool is an exciting step for any homeowner; a sweet slice of Australian luxury in your very own backyard. A swimming pool is the perfect way to enhance your lifestyle and existing outdoor landscape, but there are many factors to consider before building, including installation time, cost, maintenance and longevity. Here, Tegan Lyon speaks with managing director of Narellan Pools Macarthur, John Gardiner, about why many homeowners are opting to build a pool using fibreglass.
Fibreglass is a strong, lightweight material constructed from reinforced plastic and thin glass fibres that have been layered, flattened and transformed into a composite substance. Fibreglass is a safe, reliable choice for homeowners, offering flexural and tensile strength. Narellan Pools has been a consistent leader in the Australian Pool industry for more than 40 years, using that time to perfect their unique fibreglass formula. “The fibreglass composite material is applied to our patented moulds by hand and finished off with our ultra-smooth gel coat finish,” Gardiner explains. This formula ensures that each layer is of the utmost quality with optimal thickness, maximum interlaminate adhesion and reinforced durability. The gel coat finish is one of fibreglass’ standout features – one that keeps drawing homeowners back time and time again. Not only does the shiny finish have a distinct visual appeal, but the non-abrasive surface makes it gentler on feet. Being a natural insulator, fibreglass pools also retain more heat than their concrete counterparts.
Some homeowners are reluctant to install a swimming pool because the process seems so time consuming, however, one of the chief benefits of building with fibreglass is a swift installation. “The speed of installation is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a fibreglass pool – which can happen within weeks,” Gardiner says. During the design phase, Gardiner stresses the importance of working closely with your pool builder. “Plan, design and scope out the full extent of your dream swimming pool and backyard,” Gardiner recommends. This is also where you will discuss other requirements including pool fencing, landscaping, paving and any potential council regulations that may affect building.
Installing your own swimming pool will always present upfront and ongoing costs, but choosing a fibreglass pool guarantees lower long-term expenses. The cost of a fibreglass pool is dependent on the shape and size of the shell, as well as the site conditions and requirements of your backyard. Depending on the size of your backyard, a builder may have tight or limited access to your site, which could affect the installation process. “Specialised equipment such as a crane may be needed to lift the pool shell into place,” Gardiner adds. “However, the additional time, labour and materials required to build a concrete pool quickly negates the cost of this equipment.” Narellan Pools offers its customers a completion guarantee, lifetime structural warranty and a build proposal without hidden costs.
Once your design has been signed off, your pool builder can begin excavating the area where your inground fibreglass pool shell will be installed. After excavation, building will officially commence. “Your fibreglass swimming pool shell is delivered to your site and carefully placed in the ground, with all pool plumbing and pool filtration equipment installed and tested,” Gardiner explains. Following this, the final installation component is laying the structural beam on top of the pool’s edges, locking the swimming pool safely into the ground. This short installation time minimises the disruption to your household and ensures that your family can start swimming in time for summer.
Due to the tough, durable nature of fibreglass, homeowners can look forward to a long, happy life with their swimming pool. Unlike other materials used to construct pools, fibreglass is less prone to damage incurred through weather, namely fading caused by UV rays. One of the leading benefits of fibreglass is that it does not require re-lining or resurfacing like vinyl-lined or concrete pools. Of course, your fibreglass pool will still require basic care in order to stand the test of time. Gardiner instructs fibreglass pool owners to test their water regularly, keep their water level above the skimmer and operate their filtration system correctly by running one circulation per day. It is vital that you closely follow the instructions in your pool owner’s manual to keep your fibreglass pool in optimal condition and ready for daily use.
Keeping your pool clean is necessary to maintain a healthy swimming environment for your family. The surface material of your pool will directly affect how often you will need to clean it. “Concrete pools often have rough and porous surfaces that have small crevices where dirt can become embedded, allowing algae to grow,” Gardiner says. Concrete surfaces require ongoing maintenance and cleaning over the years, while the non-porous, smooth gel coat finish of fibreglass pools are hygienic and easily cleaned with fewer harsh chemicals. “Gel coats protect your inground pool against algae and bacteria growth, UV damage and fading,” Gardiner adds. As fibreglass pools require less cleaning, chemicals and heating, energy usage is reduced, offering a greener alternative for pool owners.
There are numerous practical reasons to invest in a fibreglass pool, including reduced costs, lower maintenance, durability and quick installation. However, Gardiner explains that at the core of your decision to build a swimming pool is the desire to boost your lifestyle. “Fibreglass pools provide a daily opportunity for you to improve your overall wellbeing.”
