Pool Cues

What you need to know before building an inground pool. Learn the differences between concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl-lined pools and how they are installed.
By Terri Shields

When choosing to have a backyard pool built, there is more to the decision-making process than giving the green light to construction. Since a number of variables must be considered before the dig begins, knowing what type of pool is best suited for your home is the most important step. No matter what type of pool you choose, you can create your perfect backyard oasis by first developing a well-thought-out plan that covers every possible scenario and budget restriction.

There are three basic kinds of inground swimming pools: concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl-lined. Based on the proposed size and shape of the pool, how it will be used, and where it will be built, one type can be more appropriate for your backyard than the others.

Concrete Pools

If a truly custom look is the desired effect, a pool made of concrete will deliver more options because just about any shape, size, and style can be accommodated. From negative-edges, beach entries, and lap pools to tropical lagoons and contemporary masterpieces, concrete’s compliant nature makes it the go-to material for one-of-a-kind pools.

Building any pool begins with digging a hole. With concrete, the next step is to install the plumbing and  line the hole with a framework grid of steel reinforcing rods, or rebar. Secured together with wire, the rebar is then covered with a thick layer of concrete that is sprayed onto the grid and troweled to reflect the shape of the pool shell. Typically, the concrete bond beam surrounding the perimeter is 12 to 14 inches thick, while the pool floor and walls are 6 to 8 inches.

Shotcrete is the method of spraying concrete; it can be done with a dry mix that is injected with water as it exits the hose (sometimes referred to as “gunite”), or using a wet, premixed concrete that is pumped from a truck.

After curing for up to four weeks, concrete pools need to be finished with a finishing material; the most common choices are plaster, tile, and stone aggregate. Plaster can be colored almost any hue and is troweled over the concrete to create a smooth, waterproof surface. Over time, however, it can degrade and may need to be acid-washed or redone. Tile, which can be the most costly option, is also the easiest to maintain as algae has a difficult time adhering to the ultra-smooth surface. Stone aggregate offers a natural look and is available in numerous color combinations. Smooth and polished pebbles are mixed with clear epoxy and troweled into the concrete, creating a waterproof surface.

Ideal for any climate, most concrete pools can be completed in about six to 12 weeks, although complex designs can take longer. Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000, but size and customization can drive the price much higher.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools are one-piece shells made from a mold. They come in a wide variety of models, including vanishing edges and perimeter overflows that can be enhanced with accessories such as factory-installed ceramic tile, custom jets, mosaics, and water features. In the past, fiberglass pools were found commonly in warmer climates, but they’re starting to gain popularity in colder climates due to the material’s extremely flexible and adaptable nature. The smooth surface of fiberglass pools also helps defend against algae and other contaminants, decreasing the amount of chemicals needed to keep the pool clean.

Normally the shell is brought to the job site and is lifted into place by a crane. Before that happens, however, a construction crew will dig an aptly sized hole and lay the necessary plumbing. Once the rigid pool structure is lowered into the hole, the crew will level it, hook up the plumbing and fill in around it with sand. The whole process is very quick, taking only a few days to complete. Fiberglass pools generally cost between $25,000 and $40,000, but can be more depending on which accessories you choose.

Vinyl-lined Pools

When vinyl-lined inground pools were first introduced to consumers, there was very little flexibility in both look and design. But, over the years, tremendous advancements in the use of this smooth material have made it easier to configure all types of shapes and styles.

A vinyl-lined pool usually consists of steel or polymer walls lined with a 20- to 30-millimeter-thick vinyl liner on a bed of sand or concrete. The smooth liner helps keep algae at bay, but over time sun and harsh pool chemicals can degrade the liners, causing a need for replacement. But, with proper care, a liner can last 10 to 15 years.

Additionally, vinyl-lined pools can incorporate special features like waterfalls and in-pool barstools, while remaining budget-friendly. Most vinyl-lined pools can be installed in just a few weeks, and since they flex with temperature drops, these pools are ideal for freeze/thaw climates. Renovations are fairly simple, too: just have the builder change the liner for a new look! Most vinyl-lined pools can be built for between $30,000 and $35,000, but extras like real ceramic tile at the waterline will increase the price.

Other Considerations

In the early stages of planning your inground pool, a soil engineer should be consulted to perform a soil conditions test. You’ll also need to contact your local building and zoning department to understand restrictions on how close a pool or its construction can be to a neighbor’s property, main road, etc.

Once the logistics are figured out, it is time to think about amenities like waterslides, rockwork, grottos, and water features. Some of the enhancements you want could influence what kind of pool you should build, and your professional designer will give you spot-on advice on what works and what does not. Landscaping can also play a part in the decision. The environment that borders your home and spreads out across the proposed construction site could shape the outcome of the project.

Photo courtesy of Gib-San Pools

Note: In the 2011 Buyers' Guide issue, the pool pictured above was incorrectly attributed to Geremia Pools, Inc. The pool was actually built by Gib-San Pools. We apologize for the error.

Color Spectrum

So you want your pool water to be the same color as the Caribbean Sea? Note that achieving that color is not as simple as using an aquamarine-colored paint. Skilled pool designers and builders know that they must turn to color theory to create a certain effect—and amazingly, a pool finished in beige can bring about the perfect shade of aqua.

It’s all in the reflection. One of the pool’s primary functions is to reflect, and since darker colors reflect more than lighter colors, combining a beige aggregate with the blue reflection of the sky and depth of water creates green—providing the look of a tropical lagoon. But as the day fades and light turns to dark, the aqua color will fade from one hue to another, keeping the pool ever-exciting and vital.

Because colors also change as the pool deepens, many designers subtly force a gradation by using different colors of aggregate as the levels descend. They exploit slight distinctions to make the design pop with drama. The designers realize that by utilizing the many hues, tones, and shades found within a palette of five to seven colors, they will able to achieve an effect that is just right for their design.

Many designers also use highlights to craft a desired look. Using a deep black color to edge a pool creates a darker tone that at night—when lighting is minimal—allows the pool to take on a more mysterious vibe. Color can also create two different moods. For example, glass tile mimics the iridescent hues of a seashell as it sparkles vibrantly in the sun; when night descends, these hues twist and turn to recreate the glow of the moon on a romantic beach. 

Photo courtesy of CWT Caribbean Pools, Ltd.