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WHAT TYPE OF POOL LASTS THE LONGEST?

When considering the durability of your pool, you’ll likely be comparing concrete or gunite pools, fiberglass pools, and vinyl liner pools. Out of those three, concrete and fiberglass tend to last longer with proper care. Let's explore why.

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HOW LONG DO CONCRETE INGROUND POOLS LAST?

Some concrete (or gunite) pools last longer than others based on care and upkeep. Like fiberglass pools, they can hold up for a long time, but you’ll likely have to replace or repair the surface throughout the years.

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HOW LONG CAN A FIBERGLASS POOL LAST?

How long a fiberglass pool lasts depends on how well it’s maintained. Several factors come into play, like regular maintenance, environment, weather, and manufacturing quality.

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HOW CAN FIBERGLASS POOL INSTALLATION IMPACT THE LIFE OF YOUR POOL?

When a fiberglass pool is installed correctly, it will help you build memories that echo into eternity. We’re proud to be supported by an independent dealer network and provide them with the latest innovations to help make installation easier.

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WHAT TYPE OF POOL LASTS THE LONGEST?

The honest answer is, “it depends” and has a lot to do with the owner’s care and maintenance of the pool. Think of owning a pool a bit like owning a car. If you keep the car’s oil changed regularly and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations at various mileage points, your vehicle will last a long time. If you skip routine maintenance, it won’t be long before you look for a new car. It’s the same with your pool; however, the raw materials used to create your pool also have an impact.

Thanks to a more dependable structure, inground pools tend to last longer than above-ground pools. Above-ground pools can be prone to leaking, especially if rust forms on the pool wall under the liner.

On the other hand, you’ll have to change your vinyl liner pool lining at some point if you’re in your house for many years. Let’s take a closer look at the longevity of the different types of inground pools.

HOW LONG DO CONCRETE INGROUND POOLS LAST?

We’ve seen a few concrete pools that have lasted for long periods of time . These pools are a mixture of sand, water, cement, and coarse aggregate such as gravel. High-quality surface finishing such as plaster, tile, or aggregates (quartz, river stone, granite, etc.) are applied to create an exceptional finish on the pool. It is important to note that while the pool’s structure can last incredibly long, you’ll likely have to resurface a concrete pool about every ten to fifteen years on average.  

By the way, if you’re also wondering “how long does a gunite pool last,” you should know that often gunite and concrete are interchangeable. Gunite is the dry mixed form of concrete and contains fine particles, whereas concrete will have larger particles in addition to fine particles in the mix.

Let’s turn our attention to fiberglass pools’ durability and longevity. 

We could speak in generalities about how long a fiberglass pool could last, but let’s be real, we have specific experience and expertise in this area. Therefore, we’ll give you our take on why fiberglass pools can last so long. Like concrete pools, fiberglass pools can last a long time with the proper maintenance and care. Fiberglass pools have become increasingly popular through the years due to the wide variety of sizes and shapes, but why are they built to last?

The care taken to source the raw materials that go into each pool and the manufacturing process makes Thursday Pools fiberglass pools durable and strong. Our pools use a combination of resin layers, chopped fiberglass composites, and hand-laid woven fiberglass with a honeycomb core. Believe it or not, due to the strength of our pools, we’ve been called “the cast iron of fiberglass pools.”

Our ISO 9001 certification shows our attention to quality, and our ISO 14001 certification speaks to our care for the environment. We’re the only ISO 9001 certified fiberglass pool manufacturer in the industry, and it’s renewed regularly.

We’ve covered resurfacing a concrete pool, so do you need to worry about how often you need to re-gelcoat a fiberglass pool? Again, proper maintenance and a little tender loving care go a long way to protect the finish of your fiberglass pool. Like anything, there are times when a fiberglass pool may need a new gelcoat, but it’s not typically a part of routine fiberglass pool maintenance. Fiberglass pools’ lower maintenance character qualities relative to other types of pools continue to be one of the reasons customers choose fiberglass. We’d like to emphasize, though: “lower maintenance” doesn’t mean “no maintenance.” Fiberglass pools very much require time, care and energy on a regular basis in order to maintain their beauty. Understanding proper fiberglass pool maintenance and committing to it is key.

Okay, but what about the longevity of a vinyl liner pool?

To answer this question, you must distinguish between the pool’s structure and the liner covering the pool. The structure can last for quite some time, but most pool dealers will tell you that a liner will need to be replaced after so many years. Vinyl liners come from a reasonably durable, economical, and easy-to-manufacture material known as colorized chlorinated PVC thermoplastic vinyl. The vinyl is flexible, allowing it to stretch into nearly any shape. You’ve also got to be a bit more careful about maintaining your vinyl liner to make sure you don’t create any tears or ribs on the vinyl floor. 

HOW CAN FIBERGLASS POOL INSTALLATION IMPACT THE LIFE OF YOUR POOL?

Let us start by saying Thursday Pools manufactures fiberglass pools and sells them through an independent network of dealers. When you’re making a significant investment to create an outdoor living space that leads to moments you’ll cherish and remember for a lifetime, choosing the right dealer is critical and can impact the durability of your pool.

Let’s use a fiberglass pool with a tanning ledge as an example. These pools require the right amount of backfill for a solid, sure-footed surface as you work on bronzing up in the summer. With Thursday Pools, you get an extra protection layer if you add a Backfill Eliminator® (US Patent 10,450, 766) ​​to your tanning ledge. This unique patented innovation is only available from Thursday Pools, and it helps eliminate human error in the backfill process while making it safer for pool installers.

During installation, your dealer will need to cut out the holes for accessories such as lighting, the skimmer, and returns. If the holes aren’t cut properly, they could impact your pool’s durability and the clean look of luxury you desire. Another innovation solely available through Thursday Pools is our Lucky 7® and Double-O7® skimmers. Most pool dealers know that a fiberglass pool has a unique seven-degree angle, making skimmer installation difficult. Our skimmers account for this angle, making them easier to install and cutting down on issues that might affect the durability of your pool walls.

The best pool dealers will also help guide you on pool maintenance and water chemistry. We always recommend that you lean on a professional pool installer or service company to maintain your pool regularly. Regular care is critical to ensuring your fiberglass pool lasts as long as possible.

Now that you know how long a fiberglass pool can last, let’s start making some memories. Check out our latest designs here.