Is a Gunite Pool Better Than a Fiberglass or Vinyl Pool?~3 min read
The question of gunite pools versus fiberglass or vinyl pools has come up many times in my 50-year career. My experience at Pleasure Pools is unique, since I have built all three types, and I know all the installation techniques and the pluses and minuses. Often to validate my position that gunite is the best option, I will ask the client to find out what types of pools are most prevalent in their area. If the area is relatively flat, high ground, with a low water-table, there could be a fairly even mix of all three types. If, on the other hand, the water-table is high, water intrusion makes installation of fiberglass and vinyl much more complicated. If there are considerable differences in elevation, pools out of the ground for any distance create structural challenges that are better answered by using gunite. Of course, the promoter of each of these types of pool construction will present at length why their product is the best. In each there will be compelling, very plausible reasons, making the decision very difficult for the new pool buyer. Fiberglass and vinyl are often much cheaper, but with swimming pools. It is never wise to make the decision strictly on price.
It is a fact that vinyl pools, whether they are steel walled, wood walled, or plastic walled, cannot stand up to the tremendous inward forces created when the pool is empty. Fiberglass is pretty much the same and in many cases the pool perimeter wall has to be back-filled as the pool is filled with water so that the pressure is equalized. This presents a very precarious situation should the pool ever need to be drained for whatever reason (dog falling in and scratching a hole in the liner).
There are other reasons of course. In the case of fiberglass, the gel-coat that is the interior finish of a fiberglass pool, is prone to developing small hair-line cracks if there is ever sufficient pressure placed on the walls. These cracks are difficult, and in most cases almost impossible to repair and conceal. Vinyl liners can “float” if the water on the outside of the pool gets any higher than the water on the inside. If the pool is ever drained completely, there is a good chance that the soil pressure could deflect or entirely collapse the wall.
SUMMARY: Gunite is not perfect and has its own issues, but Gunite is the only pool type that is strong enough to withstand the soil pressure if it is ever drained, and, in my professional opinion, is the only “permanent” swimming pool installation. In my career, I have converted many vinyl and fiberglass pools to Gunite by building a pool inside of the existing pool. I have never had a client that wanted to convert a Gunite pool to vinyl or fiberglass.
For more information on what pool type would be best for you please call (985) 626-1283.
We are located at 68470 Tammany Trace Drive, Mandeville, LA 70471.
Charles Elfert is the President of Pleasure Pools – a New Orleans pool company since 1994. Pleasure Pools designs and builds custom pools as well as helping pool owners maintain their pools through education and teaching.
