How much does it cost to resurface your pool?

If you’ve landed here, chances are you already have an inground pool and you are debating whether to get a new pool or to resurface your pool. Like many questions in life, the answer to “how much does it cost to resurface your pool?” is – “it depends.” Let’s break it down by pool type.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass has taken off as the material of choice for builders and homeowners in the know, with its market share more than doubling in the early 2000s. A number of factors account for the popularity of fiberglass including the development of better fiberglass manufacturing processes and the incorporation of attractive pool features like tanning ledges and built-in steps. (Warning: adorable puppy featured at article mentioned in the link above.)

The gel coat and structure of fiberglass are incredibly durable. A fiberglass pool may last as many as 35-50 years without a need for resurfacing – in other words, it can stay in beautiful working order for as long as you are in your home. Fiberglass is not maintenance-free, but it is the lowest maintenance. An added benefit, fiberglass pools are the most environmentally friendly pools.

However, if you should need to resurface your fiberglass pool, you have a couple of options. One is thermoplastic coating. Thermoplastic coating takes just a few days and you can fill the pool right away. It has color match capability and can work for fiberglass and concrete pools. The cost, depending on pool size, can range from $10,000 to $15,000.

The other option for resurfacing your fiberglass pool is epoxy paint. Epoxy paint is relatively simple – it can even be done DIY – and it can deliver a quality look for both concrete and fiberglass. On the minus side of the ledger, it can only work on bare surfaces, might only last as little as five years, and requires around two weeks to cure. On the plus side, it can be done between $2,500-$3,000.

Gunite

Gunite, or concrete, requires the most resources for maintenance. Chemical usage, surface care, and electrical load are the regular maintenance requirements that sit at the high end for inground pools. Gunite pools need to be resurfaced as soon as five to seven years depending on your climate, maintenance regimen, and water quality. The surface is extremely sensitive to algae and the need for chemical use is high.

You may be able to get away with a relatively inexpensive epoxy paint option – if there is no paint on the surface. If not, you probably need to go the route of pool tile, aggregate, or pool plaster. These options can land in the $15,000-$25,000 range with tile generally being the highest cost. Some homeowners are choosing to replace their older gunite pool.

 Vinyl

Vinyl liners are more prone to tearing, which is something to watch closely if you have pets. The seams welcome algae. And liners need to be replaced, typically, every seven to nine years at a cost ranging from $3,500 to $5,500 each time. With a rip, you may be able to patch at a cost of a few hundred dollars. If the presence of algae becomes a problem, you may need to enlist the support of a professional pool cleaner.

This chart gives you an at-a-glance comparison of the maintenance involved with these three choices of pool manufacture.

 

 

Feeling Fiberglass?

Are you leaning toward fiberglass as a replacement or new pool?  If you want to dive even deeper into the comparisons, request a download of our eBook that does just that. The eBook covers not only the question of how much it costs to resurface your pool, but also compares factors like installation time, warranties, available features and environmental impact. Lastly, if you just want to talk to someone about how much it costs to resurface your pool, don’t hesitate to contact us or connect with a dealer in your area.