Fiberglass Pools Archives - Page 7 of 11

Five Reasons You and Your Family Will Love a Beach Entry Fiberglass Pool

Posted on November 27, 2018May 24, 2024 by riley

You could really use a getaway. Your days are a jumble of soccer games, dance lessons, lunch-packing and chauffeuring. A break sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? Where would you go? Picture your whole family at a magnificent resort. Palm trees are swaying gently in the breeze and you’re hangin’ with the rich and famous next to a magnificent fiberglass beach entry pool (Patent US 10,472,839). The kids are splashing in water–just deep enough to play, but not so deep that you have to worry– so you’re at the water’s edge, soaking up some rays, with pool boys waiting on you hand and foot. Sounds pretty great, right? If only you had your own private jet…

Well, guess what? Fiberglass Beach entry pools aren’t just for the rich and famous anymore and you don’t have to get away to a high-end resort to experience one. You can have the luxury of a resort getaway every day in your own backyard. Thursday Pools offers inground fiberglass pools, two of which are beach entry designs– a fun and flirty freeform or a stately and classic rectangle with gracefully curved edges. Either way, you can enjoy the extravagance of a fiberglass beach entry pool at a more affordable price– considerably less than a private jet! From grandparents to toddlers, the whole family will love it (including your four-legged kids!) There are so many reasons why your family will love a fiberglass beach entry pool— here are just a few:

Ease on in. Fiberglass beach entry pools provide easy access to the pool, especially for toddlers who are just learning to love the water and may need to slowly acclimate themselves. The kiddos can gradually work up the courage to enter the pool a few steps at a time. And with a beach entry, you can walk right into the water with the kids, hand-in-hand, which is a lot easier than getting in first and trying to coax them to follow.
The beach without the hassle. You love the beach, but you might not love the hassle of preparing and packing all the stuff that has to go into spending a day at the beach— chairs, towels, sunscreen, a cooler and an umbrella– for starters! A fiberglass beach entry pool in your own backyard gives you all the fun of a day at the beach just steps from your back door (with a bathroom and fridge just inside.) Plus, you’ll never again have to worry about a swimsuit full of sand!
A depth for all. Fiberglass beach entry pools take you gradually from a zero water depth all the way to the deep-end with lots of options in between. The varying water depths provide everyone in the family the ability to wade in, hang out and swim at a water depth that’s comfortable for them. Whether your family is comprised of toddlers, tweens or teens, everyone will find a spot they love, all while being safe at the pool. Fur babies will love the ease of entry and exit too, because fiberglass pools are pet-friendly. So everyone in the family can get in the swim.
A spot to chill. Sometimes a busy parent just needs a time-out. With your own fiberglass beach entry pool, you can chill out on a ledge lounger with a beverage and book while still being just an arm’s reach away from the kiddos. Talk about the best of both worlds.
A place to party. An inground pool provides a place for the whole family to bond and the ideas for beach-themed parties are endless. You’ll never run out of reasons to celebrate at the beach in your own backyard.

There’s no better time than right now to talk to your local, independent inground fiberglass pool dealer about bringing the beach home next year. If you act now, you could be living the resort life by the time the warm weather returns in your new beach entry fiberglass pool. However, please note: pool boys are not included.

Thursday Pools designs and manufactures fiberglass pool shells that are handcrafted with the highest standards and craftsmanship. Our one-piece, inground fiberglass swimming pool manufacturing facility is based out of Fortville, Indiana. At Thursday Pools, we aspire to be the world’s most respected fiberglass pool manufacturer. Our innovations, commitment to quality, and beautiful designs set us apart. Thursday Pools is known for its innovations within the fiberglass pool industry, such as the beach entry (zero entry) fiberglass pools (Patent US 10,472,839). Get an estimate on a beach entry fiberglass pool of your very own today and bring the vacation home.

Host a Backyard Beach Party at Your Home’s Pool

Posted on November 15, 2018October 24, 2024 by riley

The beach is a special place—it’s a “shore” thing! There’s nothing quite like a day at the beach to ease away stress, recharge your batteries, and soothe your soul. Beach living is easy living. Meals are grab and go, schedules are merely a suggestion, and make-up is definitely optional. Read on to discover tasty inspirations for your next backyard beach party around your beach entry pool.

Have you ever wished you could live right at the beach? Now you can thanks to Thursday Pools’ patented (US Patent 10,472,839) fiberglass beach entry pools. With the Sandal or the Grace in your backyard, you’ll have the freedom to enjoy a day at the beach with the conveniences of a full kitchen and private bathroom just on the other side of the door.

Landscapes and hardscapes can help create a sense of place at the beach, too. And once you’re living on the beach, there’s no limit to how many different beach-themed parties you can host. Easy beach party menus help you bring the shore to your door, whether it’s just a casual weeknight dinner or a celebration full of family and friends. Where would you like to party this week?

Bring on a bit of Florida flair.

Grouper, crab cakes, and hush puppies are the de rigueur on Florida menus. Shrimp cocktails and ceviches will enhance the Florida beach feel, too. Serve a chilled seafood buffet or blacken some grouper and throw it on the grill. For dessert, key lime pie is, of course, a must.

Mix up a little Mexican cuisine.

Beach pool parties should be casual and easy. Set up a build-your-own-taco or nacho bar poolside complete with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro to garnish. Scatter baskets of chips and salsa around the tables for easy snacking, then sit back and relax at your own private beach.

How about a taste of the Caribbean?

Tropical fruits like papaya, mango, and guava paired with fresh-grilled fish, jerk chicken, shrimp, pork, or steak are the epitome of Caribbean cuisine along with Jamaican-influenced dishes like red beans and rice. Throw some kabobs on the grill to pair with a fresh fruit salsa and side of seasoned rice and beans and your Caribbean beach party is ready to go.

Or, perhaps, a Thai-Inspired Meal?

Satays are everywhere in Thailand, including on the beach. They’re similar in style to the kabobs of the Caribbean, but with a completely different flavor profile. Marinate chicken, shrimp, pork, or steak in coconut milk and Asian spices for an hour or so, thread onto wooden skewers (soaked in water first so they won’t burn), and throw them on the grill. Serve with a quick and easy peanut sauce on the side, and maybe a chilled cucumber salad or noodle dish, and you have a deliciously

authentic Thai dinner ready for your beach party.

When you decide how to throw a beach party around your backyard’s zero entry pool, you can enjoy the casual luxury of beachfront living any night of the week. Fiberglass beach entry pools are now available in both a stately rectangular design and a curving, flirty freeform. Choose the design that best fits the vibe you want to create in your backyard beach oasis and get an estimate today!

Create Your Own Private Backyard Beach Pool Oasis

Posted on November 8, 2018October 24, 2024 by riley

Beach vacations create family memories you’ll cherish forever—from building sandcastles with the kids and lounging with a good book to simply putting down your phone and reconnecting with the people you love. But beach vacations can also create memories you may not find as heartwarming, like dragging enough sand into the car to build a sandcastle in the backseat, fighting crowds for the best spots, or realizing you forgot the sunscreen as soon as you settle into your lounge chair. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have the beach all to yourself, enjoying the water in a beach entry pool and staying sand-free in your backyard beach pool oasis?

Top that off with the creature comforts of a clean bathroom, stocked refrigerator, and unlimited sna cks and supplies just steps away in the house, and you’ve got the best of both worlds.

But how is this possible?

Beach entry pools, once only available to high-end resorts and hotels, are now available for residential installations in durable and low-maintenance fiberglass in both rectangle and freeform shapes. With a zero entry pool, you can experience the feeling of a lazy day at your backyard beach pool every day, without the travel time, expense and hassle of getting there. Once you’ve installed your new beach entry fiberglass pool, you can evoke the ambiance of the beach in even more ways.

Check out these fun tips to enhance your “day at the beach” experience in your own backyard.

Surround your beach entry pool with tropical plants. There’s no better way to recreate the tropical feelings of the beach than with trees and plants you might typically find there. In the Midwest, you may have to plant tropicals, like palms, in pots and bring them indoors for the winter, but it’s worth a little extra effort to be able to listen to the palm leaves rustle in the wind on a breezy summer day.
Add tanning ledge loungers to your backyard beach pool. Sitting in a lounge chair on the shore with the waves gently lapping at your toes is heavenly. You can replicate that experience with tanning ledge loungers that allow you to enjoy the cool, refreshing water on your feet (and bottom!) while enjoying a good book or soaking up the sun.
Choose decor that feels like a beach resort. Choosing furniture, throw pillows, outdoor rugs, and lighting in cool shades of sandy tan, blue, and white will help create that posh, upscale-beach-resort feeling that transports you thousands of miles from home.
Throw a beach party. Once your new backyard beach pool oasis is installed, landscaped, and furnished, what else is left to do but throw a beach-themed party? Whether it’s a casual cookout with a few friends or a more elaborate waterside celebration like a wedding, anniversary party, or rehearsal dinner, your new backyard beach will become the focal point of your parties and the envy of the neighborhood.

Finding ways to create quality time with family and friends is a perfect solution to reduce stress and unleash more joy in your day-to-day life. Discover all the fun that awaits!

Ask the General: New Pool Owner FAQs

Posted on November 6, 2018June 17, 2025 by riley

Dear General-

I think our family is finally ready to take the plunge and get an inground fiberglass pool. We’re excited! But we have so many questions. When should we buy? How should we finance? What should we be thinking about when we’re choosing the features for our pool? What do we need to learn in terms of pool safety and maintenance? Help us be a new pool owner, dear General!

Signed-

Excited in East Chicago

Dear Excited-

Yes, getting a pool IS a very exciting time and yes, there is a lot to think about. I could go on for hours about all the fun you’ll have as a new pool owner. I could also go on about the responsibilities of owning a pool, like assigning pool maintenance chores, pool safety and common pool maintenance mistakes to avoid. But let’s just dip our toes in the water for now… I’ll try to tackle some new pool owner FAQs. You should definitely tune in to my regular posts to learn as much as you can about pool ownership.

When is the best time to buy a pool? Well, I was a pool salesman for years, so I’m tempted to answer “RIGHT NOW AND I’LL BE RIGHT OVER.” But since I’m retired I’ll just give you a little advice. If you live in the Midwest, pool builders near you are already booking (or booked!) for spring installs, so you need to get on the list now for next season. An early start will enable you to finish your landscaping so you have the most time to enjoy the pool. Most reputable pool builders will have a pretty full schedule come spring, but once the season starts, you might get lucky and squeeze onto their schedule for an early summer installation. If the weather gets nice really early and installs run ahead, pool companies may even offer discounts to help fill in gaps in their schedules, but that’s a gamble. My best advice, if you want to be in the swim by summer, is BUY NOW. Fall and winter are the best times to make your decisions and get your pool installation scheduled for the spring.
How should we finance our new inground swimming pool? There are lots of financing options for your new pool project. Just like any other major purchase, you need to do some research and get the best possible deal on your investment. Check out home equity lines of credit (HELOCs.) They allow you to borrow only as much money as you need for your pool project against the equity in your house.
What should we be thinking about when choosing the features for our new pool? Inground pools offer a lot of great benefits: quality family time, exercise, increased social activity with fun pool parties and relaxation, to name a few. Think about which of those add-on features are most important to your family. If it’s exercise, choose a large and deep pool with wide-open swim lanes. If it’s relaxation, think about a pool with a tanning ledge that allows you to lounge in the water while soaking up some rays. If your kids are just learning to swim, consider one of the fiberglass pool industry’s newest innovations– beach entry fiberglass pools (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). It’s just a like a day at the beach! Your kids can play on the “shore” and ease their way into gradually deeper water while the big kids swim farther out. Think of all the money you’ll save on vacations when you bring the beach to your own backyard! And don’t forget to add in some add-on features– extras like a slide and water features will make your new pool truly your own.
What about swimming pool safety? While we’re on the subject of kids and pools, seize the window between the time you order your pool and the time your pool is installed to teach your kids the rules of pool safety. Spend some time over the winter helping them learn the rules. You might even come up with some fun games or quizzes to make sure they’re sinking in. Then, by the time summer swim season comes around, the kids will be well-versed in the do’s and don’ts of safe swimming.
What do we need to know about swimming pool maintenance? Your pool builder will give you some great information about maintaining your new pool after it’s installed and you should look for a reliable pool maintenance pro near you. In the meantime, read up on water chemistry and decide if you want a salt or chlorine-based system. There are some misconceptions about pool ownership and pool maintenance that need to be debunked and some common mistakes you can avoid. The biggest trick is to stay on top of daily maintenance from Day One. Split up the tasks amongst all the family members to keep everyone engaged.

Every family has different needs, wants and reasons for getting a pool. For my family, being a new pool owner was all about togetherness. My wife worked for the school corporation, and had summers off. We wanted the kids to have a place to bring their friends so we could keep an eye on them and know who they were hanging out with. We had a place for family cookouts, little league teams, church groups, a wedding reception, many pool parties and a fun, safe place for our children and their friends to hang out.

Your family will find a million ways to enjoy your pool too. Don’t get too bogged down in worrying about maintenance. You’ll figure it out. And your local pool maintenance pro will help you as well. Remember how you felt when you took your first kid home from the hospital? If you can raise kids, you can take care of a pool. It will be wonderful and you’ll have experiences that your kids will remember forever. I know mine do.

Well, these leaves aren’t going to rake themselves. I’d better get to it.

Until next time-

The General

Who is The General?

The man, the myth, the legend….we just call him The General. His organized, systematic approach to pool installations over the years had his crew members calling him “The General” and it stuck. The General has over 30 years’ experience in the pool and spa industry, working for one of Pool and Spa News’ “Top 50 Pool Builders.”

Over that time, he designed, sold, project-managed and installed over a thousand inground swimming pools. As a pool owner himself, he’s the perfect authority to give you the inside scoop, with amazing tips and tricks to make pool ownership a breeze!

October Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Akins Excavating; Middlebury, Indiana

Posted on October 31, 2018October 24, 2024 by riley

Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Tabby Bratt, co-owner of Akins Excavating in Middlebury, Indiana.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

We’re family owned. We started out solely as an excavating business in 1998. My parents owned it first, and my husband, Justin, and I took it over in 2006. We started doing pools about ten years ago, and it’s now about one-third of our business.

What geographic areas do you serve?

We serve most of northern Indiana and parts of southern Michigan, so our customers are based in and around Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, Wawasee, Warsaw, Laporte and Syracuse, Indiana as well as Three Rivers and Niles, Michigan.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

Since we also do excavating, the pool end of our business is the fun side! While excavating is something people need, pools are something our customers really want! Plus, it’s nice to get to see the finished project. We know how much fun people will have in their pools with their families. Since family is so important to us, that means a lot.

What fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Our top seller is the Aspen. Our customers love it for the shape, the fact that it’s auto-cover ready and the built-in tanning ledges. I think families love it because the kids can play on the shallow tanning ledge while the adults swim and visit. There’s a spot for everybody.

As far pool colors go, Maya and California are for sure our most popular. I’d say 80% of the pools we sell are Aspens in the Maya finish.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

We sell lots of slides and games, like basketball goals. Almost all of our customers choose an automatic pool safety cover. And people really like salt water systems–I’d say about 90 percent of our customers are choosing salt water systems.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve had several customers ask about the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). Personally, I would like it! I’m interested to learn more about how they work with automatic pools covers, but I think they’re going to be very cool.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

Well, we have a lot of sandy soil here–not a lot of clay or bedrock–so that makes things easier. Probably our biggest challenge is the fact that we serve some fairly rural and heavily wooded areas, especially as we get into Michigan. So we sometimes face a challenge of getting into sites, past trees, or getting our backfill materials in.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is around $92,000. That will include excavation, 4 feet of concrete, plumbing, wiring, pump, heater, lights, typically a salt system and an automatic pool safety cover.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

Some of the best trends in the fiberglass pool industry have come from Thursday Pools! Their Backfill Eliminator® is amazing. We use it on every pool with a tanning ledge that we install. It’s a major time saver (and a major back saver!) The tanning ledges themselves are huge. I don’t see those going away anytime soon.

I also feel like the structural integrity of fiberglass pools has improved over the years. And for sure, Thursday Pools’ fiberglass pools are about the strongest we’ve seen.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Our pool buyers are all over the place in terms of demographics. Most of our customers are in their 40s, with kids in middle school, who are investing in their homes and creating something for their families that will last a lifetime. But we also see grandparents adding pools to their homes, even if they’ve downsized, to give the grandkids something fun to do when they visit.

What works for Akins Excavating in terms of marketing?

We just basically don’t market. We’re currently booked through 2019. We used to do the home shows, but we don’t even do that anymore. Our business comes from word-of-mouth. And through the excavation end of our business, we work with a lot of home builders who refer people to us.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools is a great company that makes a great product. They’re business savvy, and they’re great communicators. They deliver every time. They do what they say they’re going to do. I just think they’re the best we’ve worked with.

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything. Anytime we need them, they’re there. I would say just keep doing what they’re doing.

What’s the secret to the success of Akins Excavating?

Our world revolves around our family, our church and our community. We have two kids, and we want to teach them about hard work and caring for others. So, we just try to lead by example and do the right thing for our customers.

About Akins Excavating

Akins Excavating has served northern Indiana and southern Michigan for over 30 years. They offer excavation services for residential and commercial customers as well as septic system hook-ups and full-service fiberglass pool installation. They serve much of Elkhart County, Kosciusko County and Saint Joseph County in Indiana as well as Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan.

You are by this NOTICE advised that pools manufactured by Thursday Pools are sold by independent dealers and dealerships. Each dealer is an independent business entity, that is completely separate from the manufacturer, Thursday Pools. Each dealer is an independent contractor, and no dealer is an owner, agent (in fact or law), or employee of Thursday Pools, the manufacturer. Thursday Pools, the manufacturer, hereby disclaims any liability for an intentional or negligent act by any dealer, dealership, or installer, or any damage to any Thursday Pools pool caused by an act of any dealer, dealership, or installer.

Some of the content in this blog may reflect prices, perspectives, processes, entities, and names that were relevant at the time but may not be accurate today.

September Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Royal Pools and More, Dyer Indiana

Posted on September 26, 2018August 1, 2024 by riley

Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Frank DeBartolo, Jr. of Royal Pools and More in Dyer, Indiana.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

Well, we couldn’t be more of a family affair. My dad, Frank, Sr., started the Royal Pools and More around 2001. Now, we have cousins, uncles, brothers and just about every other relation at some level of the business. And we’ve got 15-20 seasonal employees.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

I love that we’re in the business of creating fun. I know that sounds corny, but we take a place that’s just basically a patch of grass and we create a space where families will have fun together for many years. That makes me happy. I was in the restaurant business in Chicago for a long time, working in the kitchen. As a chef, you don’t get to see the satisfaction on people’s faces when they’re enjoying what you’ve done. In the pool business, you do. I dig that.

What are the most popular features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

A lot of pool builders will tell you the same thing– built-in tanning ledges for sure. I can’t stress enough how much people love tanning ledges. Thursday Pools really hit the nail on the head when they started adding them to several of their designs.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

Fiberglass pool owners are going for automation, for sure. We’re installing bubblers, laminars, deck jets, waterfalls, and even waterfalls with fire in them. Customers love that they can turn these things on and off from their phones, and they are loving the resort look and feel of these kinds of add-ons. We’re putting this kind of stuff into about 80 percent of the pools we sell.

What fiberglass pool colors are the most popular among pool buyers in and around northeastern Indiana and the southern suburbs of Chicago?

Maya and California for sure. There are a few customers out there who are starting to be interested in the grays, but most folks just want their pools to be blue. For me personally, I miss white, but I don’t think that’s coming back any time in the near future!

What fiberglass pool designs are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Lil Bob and Aspen. Again, people love the built-in ledges. Also, people want pools that are auto-cover ready. Because we cross state and city lines, some of our installs require fences and some don’t, if the customer has an automatic pool cover. Whether it saves them from having to get a fence or not, people love automatic pool covers for the enhanced safety and convenience.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve started to have some people interested in the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). They appeal to a very high-end clientele. No other fiberglass pool manufacturer can touch this trend. It gives us something to sell that no one else has.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

For us, it’s groundwater. So that’s why I believe Thursday’s fiberglass pools are the best bet. Thursday Pools are the only fiberglass pool shells we sell. The shells are strong. Fiberglass pools are a way better choice than vinyl liner pools around here.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

I’m a big believer in video, particularly blogging and educational videos. I think that if you help people understand your product, they’ll choose you when they’re ready to buy because you’re their expert. Video has really helped us get more visitors to our website.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Buyers, in general, are getting younger. Couples in their late 30s and early 40s are buying pools. Also, the home building business is booming here. This area used to be nothing but cornfields 20 years ago. Now we’re doing tons of new build installs. I’d say that new builds were about 40 percent of our business last year.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is between $70,000 and $95,000. That’s going to include excavation, 4 feet of concrete, colored lights, heater and a standard winter cover. Almost all of our customers are going to add an automatic pool cover onto that.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools has personality, heart and soul. They started around the same time we did. And they’re growing so fast, but you can still get a hold of Ed or Bill whenever you need them. If they make a mistake, they go above and beyond to make it right. I’ve tried every brand of fiberglass pools out there, and nothing compares to Thursday Pools.

The other thing about Thursday Pools is their innovation. I show their designs to customers and they’re like, “Wow. These are so cool.” The designs are exactly what they want. The people at Thursday Pools listen. Then they design. They set the bar. They are literally making the rules in the fiberglass pool business.”

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Their support is fantastic. The website is great. I love their dealer portal–I use it all the time. I also like the videos. They’re so helpful to show customers. The only thing I could use from them is more literature! I sell so many of their pools that I always run out of brochures.

What’s the secret to Royal Pools and More’s success?

There are lots of pool businesses in northwest Indiana and the southern Chicago suburbs that are bigger than we are. But we’ve got family values and we’ve got personality and heart. We like to put fun facts about us on our website so that people will know us before we get to their houses. We have fun and we put a personal touch on everything we do. People like that.

About Royal Pools and More

In addition to building pools, Royal Pools and More offers a retail store and weekly pool maintenance. They serve northwest Indiana as well as the southern Chicago suburbs. Some of the communities in which they offer pool building services include: Frankfort and Tinley Park, Orland Park and Mokena, Illinois as well as Dyer, St. John, Schererville, Valparaiso and Crown Point, Indiana.

Some of the content in this blog may reflect prices, perspectives, processes, entities, and names that were relevant at the time but may not be accurate today.

Large Fiberglass Pools

Posted on September 14, 2018March 28, 2024 by Karen

Pool owners love fiberglass pools for many reasons. And everyone loves deep and large fiberglass pools. Fiberglass pools are low-maintenance, quick to install and require fewer chemicals. Because fiberglass pools don’t have liners to replace or concrete that will eventually need to be replastered, they have the lowest lifetime cost of ownership over vinyl and gunite pools. They also have a smooth, durable finish that’s totally pet friendly, making them a sure bet for everyone in the family to love. So why would anyone choose anything other than fiberglass? Well, there really aren’t too many reasons! However, for pool buyers looking for large fiberglass pools, the options are somewhat limited. Whereas gunite and vinyl pools are built on-site, fiberglass pools are made in a factory, out of a mold, and then transported in one piece to the home of their lucky new pool owners. There’s a limit to the size of what can be safely loaded, unloaded and transported, and on-site physical barriers like fences and trees also have to be taken into consideration when delivering large fiberglass pools.

Alas, there are several large fiberglass pools that allow swimming pool owners the best of both worlds–big and low-maintenance. For your convenience, we have created a comparison chart of deep and large pools by various manufacturers. While there are many similarities, certain aspects may be more appealing to you.

Large fiberglass pools certainly offer more than ample swim area for families, but not everyone needs that much depth. If you want a pool that’s still generously sized but maybe not quite so deep, check out Thursday Pools models like Goliath, Aspen, or the Cathedral LX. With so many amazing options, you’re sure to find the best large fiberglass pools to chose from for you!

Will an Inground Swimming Pool Add to my Home’s Resale Value?

Posted on September 7, 2018August 17, 2022 by Karen

When considering buying a pool, a popular question people ask is, “Does a pool add value to a home?” The short answer is “yes, it can.” However, it’s essential to acknowledge that while some home buyers see a pool as a huge asset, some buyers would never consider purchasing a home with a pool. In this post, we’ll consider some factors that help determine whether a pool (including a fiberglass pool) increases home value.

THE POOL TYPE

Above-ground pools will likely not increase your home value, so we will only consider inground pools. Remember that not all inground pools are created equal. A durable, shimmering blue fiberglass pool that is maintained and cared for will help resale more than a faded-out vinyl-lined pool with an obvious need for repair. Also, a lower maintenance pool will be more attractive to home buyers.

Gunite pool maintenance includes steel brushing the surface every week, acid washing every three to five years, and resurfacing every 10 to 15 years. For vinyl liner pools, you will need to replace the liner every five to nine years. Both gunite and vinyl require more chemicals and maintenance time. With fiberglass pools, there is no need to resurface and they require fewer chemicals, so a fiberglass pool provides less maintenance and longest-lasting finish.

YOUR LOCATION

Climate is essential when considering the value-added relative to resale value. Generally speaking, homes with a longer swim season will garner a higher selling price from adding a pool versus a home in a colder, northern climate.

Your neighborhood is also a factor. If many homes have pools in the neighborhood, homebuyers may expect you also to have a pool. Even in neighborhoods that don’t have a lot of houses with pools, home value can increase because it’s considered a unique selling proposition. A home with a pool is attractive in neighborhoods with a lot of school-aged children.

YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Choose a pool size that’s in balance with the rest of your yard. While you might want as much pool as possible, future buyers may not. Plus, a large pool in a small yard won’t be as aesthetically pleasing. Fortunately, modern inground pools come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs, so you can be sure to choose the right-sized pool.

More and more home buyers are looking for outdoor multi-purpose spaces. It’s important that your pool complements the other activities that people want to enjoy outside. Choose a pool that will also give your backyard the feeling of an outdoor living room by adding lounging, cooking, dining and entertainment areas.

HOW MUCH VALUE DOES A POOL ADD TO AN APPRAISAL?

While above-ground pools will likely not add value to your home, inground pools can add 5% to 8% in value to a home on average. That said, how much value does adding a pool add? With a five to eight percent increase in home value, a $400,000 home might see an improved valuation of around $420,000 to $432,000.

BENEFITS OF A FIBERGLASS POOL

We believe that a fiberglass pool can add to your home value, but aside from that, there are other perks to owning a fiberglass pool by Thursday Pools.

Quick to install – Fiberglass pools usually take days or a few weeks to install versus other pool types, which can take up to 6 months to install. This choice can mean the difference between capturing a swim season or being forced to wait until next year. Busy seasons may increase this install time, but a conversation with your dealer can let you know what your pool’s timeline will look like.
Attractive – The gel coat finish of fiberglass pools combined with clean, balanced water and sunlight makes for a stunning view. They look pretty great when paired with accent lighting at night, too.
Feel – Some inground pool types can have a gritty surface that might scratch you. Others will have a much smoother surface and might cause you to slip and slide. Modern fiberglass pools feel solid and look slick but are neither slippery nor prone to snag your swimsuit.
Beautiful shapes, sizes, and colors – For pairing a pool with your backyard, climate, and location, Thursday Pools offers pools in shapes, sizes, and colors that match practically every need.
Durability – The durability of fiberglass pools is unparalleled. With vinyl, you will have to be careful to avoid rips or tears, and you’ll need to replace the liner about every 8 to 10 years. Gunite requires a heavier chemical regimen and periodic resurfacing. A fiberglass pool can last years without resurfacing or replacement.

Built-in features – Fiberglass pools now have built-in features you might have only found in costly custom resort-style pools. Tanning ledges, beach entries, and wrap-around benches are among the features you can find in the Thursday Pools designs.

Ask the General- How Much Water Fits in my Inground Fiberglass Pool?

Posted on September 4, 2018March 28, 2024 by Karen

Dear General-

Our pool is fairly new. One of our neighbors recently asked me how much water fits in my inground fiberglass pool and my answer was, “Um… a lot.” I realize that’s probably not the level of detail I should know about my own pool. But math is really not my strong suit. Can you help?