Choosing between fiberglass and concrete is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make when planning your pool. Both options can deliver stunning results, but they differ significantly in cost, installation timeline, maintenance requirements, and suitability for Pennsylvania's climate.
As pool builders who work with both technologies, we believe in providing honest guidance so you can make the choice that truly fits your needs - not just the option with the highest margin for the builder.
The Fundamental Difference
Before diving into specifics, it helps to understand what makes these pools different at their core:
Fiberglass Pools
Pre-manufactured shells built in controlled factory conditions. Your pool arrives as a single, finished piece that's installed in an excavated hole. Think of it like installing a very large, sophisticated bathtub.
Concrete Pools
Built entirely on-site. A rebar framework is constructed, then concrete is sprayed on, cured, and finished with your chosen surface material. It's truly custom construction that happens in your backyard.
This fundamental difference drives most of the distinctions in cost, timeline, maintenance, and customization between the two types.
Installation Timeline: Weeks vs Months
Fiberglass: 2-4 Weeks
- Week 1: Excavation, setting the shell, backfilling
- Week 2: Plumbing, electrical, equipment installation
- Weeks 2-3: Decking and finishing work
- Week 3-4: Final inspection and pool startup
Concrete: 3-5 Months
- Weeks 1-2: Excavation and steel framework
- Week 3: Gunite/shotcrete application
- Weeks 4-7: Curing period (typically 28 days)
- Weeks 8-10: Tile, coping, and surface preparation
- Weeks 10-14: Interior finish application
- Weeks 14-18: Decking, final equipment, startup
Why Timeline Matters for Main Line Homeowners
Seasonal timing: Order a fiberglass pool in April, and you're swimming by Memorial Day. Order concrete in April, and you might be swimming by August - if everything goes smoothly.
Yard disruption: A 3-week project means 3 weeks of construction. A 4-month project means an entire season of your backyard being a construction zone.
Cost Comparison: Initial and Lifetime
Upfront Investment
| Pool Type | Initial Investment (30' pool) |
|---|---|
| Fiberglass | $85,000 - $100,000 |
| Concrete | $90,000 - $120,000 |
Concrete pools typically cost 10-25% more upfront for a similar-sized pool with comparable features.
The Hidden Story: 20-Year Cost Projection
| Cost Category | Fiberglass | Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | $90,000 | $105,000 |
| Maintenance (20 yrs) | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| Major Repairs | $5,000 | $35,000 |
| 20-Year Total | $121,000 | $186,000 |
This projection shows why many financially-minded homeowners choose fiberglass. The $65,000 lifetime savings often surprises people who assumed concrete was the "premium" choice.
Pennsylvania Climate Considerations
Our region presents unique challenges for pool owners. Understanding how each pool type handles Pennsylvania weather is crucial.
The Main Line experiences approximately 100 freeze-thaw cycles annually
This constant expansion and contraction stresses pool structures significantly.
Freeze-Thaw Performance
Fiberglass Advantage: The gelcoat surface and underlying composite structure flex with temperature changes. Fiberglass pools can expand and contract without cracking, making them exceptionally well-suited to Pennsylvania winters.
Concrete Challenge: Concrete is rigid. While properly built concrete pools can handle our climate, the freeze-thaw cycles contribute to surface degradation over time. Hairline cracks can develop, allowing water infiltration that accelerates damage in subsequent freeze cycles.
Soil Movement
Pennsylvania's clay-heavy soils expand when wet and contract when dry. Fiberglass pools accommodate minor ground movement without structural damage, while concrete is more susceptible to cracking.
Maintenance Reality Check
Fiberglass Pool Maintenance
Weekly Tasks (15-20 minutes total):
- Check and adjust chemical levels
- Empty skimmer baskets
- Quick surface brush if needed (rarely necessary)
Why it's easier: The smooth, non-porous gelcoat surface resists algae growth. Algae has nothing to cling to, so it rarely establishes.
Concrete Pool Maintenance
Weekly Tasks (45-60 minutes total):
- Check and adjust chemical levels (more precise balance required)
- Brush walls and floor (essential to prevent algae in porous surface)
- Vacuum pool
- Empty skimmer baskets
Why it requires more: Concrete's plaster surface is porous. Algae and bacteria can establish in tiny crevices, making regular brushing essential.
Customization and Design Options
Fiberglass Options
- Classic rectangles and geometric designs
- Freeform organic shapes
- Built-in tanning ledges, seating, and steps
- 10-20 color options
- Size range from 12' plunge pools to 40'+ family pools
Limitations: Maximum width of ~16 feet (must fit on a truck), fixed depth configurations.
Concrete Options
- Unlimited shapes and sizes
- Beach entries of any length
- Infinity edges in any configuration
- Custom depths and slopes
- Enormous range of surface finishes
The Practical Reality
About 90% of residential pools can be beautifully accomplished with fiberglass designs. Homeowners who truly need concrete's unlimited customization typically have estate-scale properties with specific architectural or landscape requirements.
Durability and Longevity
Fiberglass Lifespan
Structural lifespan of 25-30+ years. The gelcoat surface may need restoration after 15-20 years (a relatively minor project), but the underlying structure remains sound for decades.
Concrete Lifespan
The concrete shell can last 50+ years structurally, but requires significant interior maintenance: replastering every 10-15 years ($10,000-$20,000 each time).
Bottom line: Concrete shells last longer, but fiberglass pools often look better for longer with less intervention. A 15-year-old well-maintained fiberglass pool can look nearly new. A 15-year-old concrete pool typically shows its age.
Making Your Decision: A Framework
Choose Fiberglass If:
- Timeline matters: You want to be swimming sooner rather than later
- Low maintenance is a priority: You want to enjoy your pool, not constantly tend it
- Budget consciousness extends beyond upfront cost: You're thinking about 10-20 year total cost
- A pre-existing design fits your vision: You've found a fiberglass shape you love
- Your lot is standard: No unusual width requirements or complex terrain
Choose Concrete If:
- You need true custom design: Unusual shapes, extra width, complex features
- Architectural integration is paramount: Your home's design demands specific pool aesthetics
- You enjoy pool maintenance: Or you plan to use a full-service pool company
- You're building for generations: And willing to invest in ongoing maintenance
- Your property presents unique challenges: That only custom construction can address
Not Sure Which is Right for You?
Schedule a free consultation and we'll assess your property and recommend the best option for your specific situation.
Schedule Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
Fiberglass pools perform better in Pennsylvania's freeze-thaw climate. The flexible material expands and contracts with temperature changes without cracking, while concrete's rigid structure is more susceptible to damage from the 100+ annual freeze-thaw cycles in our region.
Over 20 years, fiberglass pools typically cost $60,000-$70,000 less than concrete when factoring in lower annual maintenance, reduced chemical costs, and avoiding major repairs like replastering. While upfront costs are similar, the lifetime savings make fiberglass the more economical choice for most homeowners.
Fiberglass pools can be installed in 2-4 weeks, while concrete pools require 3-5 months. This means fiberglass pool owners who order in April can be swimming by Memorial Day, while concrete pool buyers ordering at the same time may not swim until August.
Choose concrete when you need a pool wider than 16 feet, require a completely custom shape, want a beach entry longer than fiberglass options offer, or your property features demand specific designs like infinity edges. Estate properties with unique architectural requirements often benefit from concrete's unlimited customization.