Pool Types
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Dreamscapes Pools, Spas & Design offers our clients 3 different Pool Types
Concrete (Shotcrete)
Vinyl Liner
Fiberglass Shell
Description:
Concrete pools are custom constructed on site. This means you can have the pool made in any shape or size you want. You can also choose the depth of the pool and have a diving area. Concrete pools can be left with plain sides or they can be covered with special pool tiles, finishes, and coping.
Advantages of Shotcrete vs. Gunite:
Gunite and Shotcrete are the same thing. They are both a force applied concrete application. The difference between Gunite and Shotcrete is Gunite is dry concrete mixed with water at the site and Shotcrete is concrete mixed with water in a truck and then brought to the site.
Shotcrete has stone aggregate in it for structural strength. Gunite has mainly sand and concrete,
and no aggregate stone to strengthen the cement. Gunite being man mixed at site has much more margin for error. Gunite pools will lose their finish sooner and are more prone to crack because of lack of strength integrity.
The Shotcrete process produces little or no waste (rebound), while the Gunite process produces a lot of rebound with cannot be re-used in the construction of the pool. Gunite rebound which is re-used does not have the bond strength and will cause a weak spot which will cause a future crack.
Maintenance & Long Term Cost: Concrete pools will need to be re-surfaced from time to time. They also use more chemicals such as chlorine than other types of pools because the cement contains alkalis that can leak into the water.
Price Point:
Concrete pools are typically the most expensive pool type compared to fiberglass or vinyl liner.
You should choose a concrete pool if:
- You are looking for a customized shape or size
- You are looking for a pool deeper than 8' or with a diving board
- You prefer a custom finish, tile, coping, and stone or water features for your pool
- You are looking for a beach entry or zero entry pool.
- You don't mind a more abrasive finish
- You don't mind a longer installation process
- If you are looking at a custom pool in a higher price range
Conclusion:
Concrete pools, especially when they are lined with colorful tiles, can be the focal point of a property. You can let your imagination run wild creating any shape and size you want. Installing a concrete pool will increase the value of your property the most when compared to other pool types.
Description:
Fiberglass Pools are pre-made pool shells shipped and installed on site. In their early stages, fiberglass pools were rather ugly, with white being the only finish available and exposed fiberglass coping edges. But with new mold innovations, colored finishes, and cantilevered concrete; fiberglass pools have come to rival the aesthetics
of concrete pools.
Maintenance & Long Term Cost: Fiberglass pools will be lower maintenance in terms of chemicals as well as typical repairs associated with other pool types. Because of their incredible longevity, the cost of a fiberglass pool, over its lifetime, is usually much less than a vinyl liner or concrete pool.
Fiberglass Pool Disadvantages:
Fiberglass pools have certain limitations when comparing to other pool types shape and depth. Most fiberglass pools typically do not go deeper than 8' and no wider than 16'.
Price Point:
Fiberglass pool are typically in the mid to higher price range; typically between the cost of a concrete and vinyl liner pool.
You should choose a fiberglass pool if:
- You are looking for a pool on the smaller end of large. In other words, you are looking for a size that is roughly 16'x40' or less.
- You are looking for the least amount of swimming pool maintenance
- You are looking for a swimming pool that will likely have no major repairs/expenses (structurally speaking) down the road.
- You are looking for a faster pool installation process
- If you are looking at a pool in the mid to high price range
.
Conclusion:
Fiberglass pools are a great alternative to higher priced concrete pools and lower priced vinyl liner pools. They have flexible strength and require less maintenance and repair costs over time. Installing a quality fiberglass pool will increase the value of your property slighlty less than a concrete pool and more than a vinyl liner pool.
Description:
Vinyl liner pools are semi-cusotm constructed on site. Most vinyl pool liners are .20" and .30" gauge and are recyclable when they reach their design life (usually 20 to 25 years in moderate climates). Replacement liners can be installed in one to two days, and a pool may have several new liners over its expected life.
Vinyl Liner Pool Advantages:
Vinyl liner pools are popular with many pool buyers due to lower initial cost, good insulation, moderate chemical costs, many liner patterns and colors available, a child friendly embossed non-slip finish, and that liners are treated to discourage algae growth
Vinyl Liner Pool Disadvantages:
- Liner Replacements
- Bleaching of Liner
- Steps and Benches Don't Match Liner
- Lower Resell Value
- Coping Appearance
You should choose a vinyl liner pool if:
- You are looking for the least expensive initial cost for a pool
- You prefer a soft, non porous liner
- You are looking for a semi-custom shaped pool
- You are looking for a moderate pool installation process
Conclusion:
Vinyl liner pools are a great alternative to higher priced concrete pools and fiberglass pools. Yet, in the overall lifetime, a vinyl liner pool will end up costing as much as a possibly a concrete or fiberglass pool in it's lifetime. Vinyl liner pools are soft on the feet, but asthtically do not look as nice as concrete or fiberglass and have the lowest value on a home.
