Everything You Need to Know About Inground Pools: Comparing Fiberglass, Vinyl, and Gunite Options

Comparing Inground Pool Types

The more you explore the pros and cons and examine fiberglass, vinyl, and gunite pool options, the more you realize you have much to consider. The right pool for you may be all about upfront cost or how fast you can get it. Let’s compare some attributes of all the pool types.

Which Pool Type Is Cheaper Upfront?

An inground pool is likely a once-in-a-lifetime purchase for most homeowners, representing a significant investment regardless of pool type. Average initial inground pool costs are between  $25,000 to $120,000 or more. That average cost by material is:

• Vinyl Liner Pools: $25,000 to $65,000+
• Fiberglass Pools: $35,000 to $85,000+
• Gunite Pools: $50,000 to $120,000+

As you consider this investment, it’s helpful to understand three inground pool options, how they differ, pros and cons, lifetime costs, and other details to determine your best option.

Which Inground Pool Type Is Easiest to Install?

Easier installation typically translates into a quicker path to pool ownership and your swim season. Here’s a comparison of the different pool-type installation processes.  

Vinyl Liner Pools: 4 to 8 Weeks to Install

A vinyl liner pool may be your best bet if you want an inground pool installation in relatively short order and at the lowest upfront cost possible. However, you’ll sacrifice some features and must plan for long-term maintenance and upkeep costs that are higher than other pool options.

The vinyl liner pool installation begins with excavating and assembling a metal or plastic frame outlining the pool’s design before builders attach prefabricated panels. A concrete footing holds the perimeter panels in place, and builders install the pool’s vinyl liner surface over a smoothed base floor foundation of vermiculite or grout. Installing a vinyl liner pool, on average, takes between four and eight weeks, depending on site conditions and local climate or weather conditions.

Gunite Pools: 8-12 Weeks to Install

Gunite pool installations are the most customizable, complex, and time-consuming of the three options, typically taking three months or longer. Enhanced personalizations and one-of-a-kind customizations come with a higher price tag, however, as well as long-term maintenance to consider.

The installation begins with excavation and placing a rebar framework to form the pool’s skeleton and support the floor and walls. Once the framing is in place, builders spray gunite—a mixture of sand, cement, and water— onto the rebar using a high-pressure hose and shape and smooth it to form the pool’s structure. Gunite must be cured for several weeks after the application, allowing the concrete to harden and strengthen before receiving applications of waterproof plaster and interior finish. A gunite pool takes between eight and twelve weeks to complete.

Fiberglass Pools: Average 3 Weeks to Install

With a smooth gelcoat finish, fiberglass pool surfaces won’t snag swimsuits and are safe and comfortable on family members’ feet, including dogs’ paws. Modern fiberglass pools are algae-resistant, have a non-skid surface to help prevent slips and falls, and are available in many shapes, sizes, and design possibilities. 

Installation time requirements, convenience, and overall cost-effectiveness often help put fiberglass at or near the top of pool shoppers’ shortlists. Instead of the on-site construction activity of vinyl liner and gunite pools, pre-formed fiberglass pool shells come from a mold at a manufacturing facility. Because of this process, fiberglass pools can’t be highly custom, one-of-a-kind creations and can’t exceed size restrictions for safe highway transportation (not larger than 16 feet wide). Fiberglass pool installations can take as little as three weeks.

Which Inground Pool Type Is Best for Durability, Maintenance, & Lifetime Cost of Ownership?

Vinyl, gunite, and fiberglass pools each have unique characteristics that affect their longevity and ongoing maintenance or repair needs.

Vinyl Liner Pool Durability

Lifespan Considerations: Vinyl liner pools rate highly for initial installation costs, size or shape customization, and surface comfort, but they are not as durable as other pool types. According to builders in our network, vinyl liner pools typically last 25 years. 

Repair Considerations: Vinyl liner pools need a complete liner replacement every five to 15 years, which can cost between $3,000 and $7,500 or more if the pool has a larger or more freeform, unique design. Fallen tree limbs, pets’ claws, and other sharp objects can puncture or tear vinyl liners, requiring repairs. 

Maintenance Considerations: As for day-to-day maintenance, vinyl liner pool owners can typically expect to spend four to eight hours per week on their inground pool maintenance. Achieving optimal water balance can be challenging with vinyl liner pools, and imbalanced water chemistry is a common cause of liner issues. Small seams and wrinkles in the liner can become a breeding ground for algae, so maintenance and regular cleaning efforts may require some extra time and attention.

Gunite Pool Durability

Lifespan Considerations: Despite concrete’s strength and popularity as a construction material, gunite pools may not be considered the most durable pool type. Gunite pools are particularly susceptible to environmental factors like soil movement, tree roots, and temperature changes. For instance, freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates can exacerbate cracking, making gunite pools less ideal in regions with harsh winters. Additionally, soil that shifts or settles unevenly can stress the pool structure, leading to cracks or leaks. According to pool builders in our network, the average life of a gunite pool is 40 years or longer. 

Repair Considerations: Because of long-term durability concerns, gunite pools are less prevalent in northern states, where homeowners must contend with a significant freeze-thaw cycle. Even small cracks can allow water to seep in, causing further damage to the pool’s structure. Repairs can be costly and time-consuming, often requiring professional resurfacing or patching. Proper care includes resurfacing, on average, every ten years at a cost of around $6,000 to $15,000.

Maintenance Considerations: Concrete is also highly alkaline, which can cause a pool’s pH levels to rise continually. Regularly adding acidic solutions will help keep the correct pH balance, and gunite pool owners can expect to spend the most of all pool types on chemicals to keep algae and other minerals at bay. In addition to higher chemical costs, gunite pools require about four to eight hours of weekly maintenance.

Fiberglass Pool Durability

Lifespan Considerations: Lightweight fiberglass is incredibly strong and durable, and some fiberglass pools have lasted 60 years without requiring major structural repairs. And fiberglass pool construction has improved since then. Properly maintaining the pool’s water chemistry balance is the most critical maintenance activity with fiberglass pools, which feature a non-porous gelcoat surface that is highly resistant to chemical reactions. 

Repair and Maintenance Considerations: Fiberglass pool shells don’t need regular refinishing or liner replacements like other pool types, require less chlorine and other chemicals, and overall maintenance responsibilities are lower than other pool types. Fiberglass pool owners can generally expect to spend an hour or less on weekly swimming pool maintenance efforts.

Long-Term Investment Outlook

Each pool type has its own pros and cons that impact its overall value and suitability over time. Below, we highlight the key advantages and potential drawbacks that come with owning a vinyl liner, gunite, or fiberglass pool.

Vinyl Liner Pools Pros and Cons

Vinyl liner pools are initially cost-effective but involve recurring expenses that can add up over time. Key considerations include the frequency of liner replacements and the potential for unexpected repairs. Despite the ongoing costs, these pools remain appealing for homeowners seeking an affordable, customizable option that can be updated periodically with new liner patterns and colors.

Gunite Pools Pros and Cons

Gunite pools offer unparalleled design flexibility, making them an attractive option for those who value aesthetics and custom features. However, their higher maintenance requirements and potential for surface wear mean that homeowners should plan for consistent upkeep and periodic resurfacing. The investment is best suited for those willing to balance higher long-term costs with the benefits of unique, one-of-a-kind designs.

Fiberglass Pools Pros and Cons

Fiberglass pools are recognized for their low lifetime costs due to minimal maintenance needs and long-lasting durability. They retain their appearance with less maintenance (although proper water balance is essential) and typically hold strong resale value, making them an excellent choice for homeowners focused on maximizing their investment. Fiberglass pools are ideal for those seeking a balance of upfront investment with minimal ongoing expenses.

Shape & Size Options by Inground Pool Type: Which Has High-End Designs & The Best Built-In Features?

Every homeowner comes into the pool buying adventure with unique life experiences shaping perceptions of what an inground pool could and should look like, the features included, and how the pool should be enjoyed.

Some buyers expect inground pool shape and size options to stick to a kidney shape or flowing freeform design. Some all-inclusive vacationers may count an oversized tanning ledge or sloping beach entry among their necessities. Others hear “swimming,” and their heart rates increase as thoughts shift to their next water workout, while the competitive get amped up for an intense pool volleyball game in a wide-open rectangle. 

The good news is that there truly is something for everyone in this modern age of backyard inground pools. Some pool types can cater to more customization, unique pool shapes, and design possibilities with built-in features.

Across vinyl, gunite, and fiberglass pool types, rectangle swimming pools are a classic and traditional design choice. Because they’re built on-site, almost anything is possible with gunite and vinyl pools, including fully custom freeform pools and complex shapes. Gunite’s flexibility allows for incorporating features such as beach entries, vanishing edges, or swim-up bars. 

Vinyl liner pools also offer a wide range of shapes, and while they’re traditionally more straightforward in design, they can incorporate some built-in features and affordable design customization. 

With fiberglass pools, molding the shell at an off-site manufacturing facility means staying within size and depth limits for safe transportation. However, the variety of fiberglass pool shell design options typically exceeds pool buyers’ expectations, with manufacturing offering more predetermined combinations of shapes, sizes, and built-in features.

Highly desirable built-in features that were traditionally only offered in gunite make fiberglass pools feel custom at a much lower cost. Fiberglass can accommodate cost-effective luxury, from a beach entry or built-in stairs to entire wraparound benches, tanning ledges, and complete Roman or Grecian pool-shaped ends.

Inground Pool Shapes To Match Your Home’s Design

The shape and design of your pool can greatly influence your backyard’s overall look and feel, making it important to select a style that aligns with your home’s aesthetic. Whether you’re aiming for sleek modern lines, classic elegance, or a natural, freeform design, the right pool shape can harmonize with your home’s character and elevate your outdoor space. Let’s explore various home styles and the ideal pool shapes that pair beautifully with each, providing inspiration and guidance to help you create a cohesive and visually appealing backyard oasis.

Mid-Century Modern

Clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic are ideal options for complementing a home’s Mid-Century Modern architecture style. Consider a classic rectangle pool shape, as its symmetrical design should mirror many of the straight lines and simplicity often found in mid-century modern exteriors.

When selecting materials and finishes, consider options like exposed aggregate, natural stone, or smooth concrete surfaces to complement the mid-century modern style. To enhance the overall aesthetic, pay attention to landscaping elements, such as minimalist plantings and strategic lighting.

Modern

A backyard pool should exude sleekness and minimalism to complement a modern home’s architecture. A timeless choice, rectangles and squares work well with the modernist principles of contemporary architecture. The straight lines and balanced design create a sense of order and simplicity that complements the streamlined look of modern designs. 

Circles or squares with clean, simple lines also match nicely with modern home designs. As a split-level addition to a larger pool or a standalone patio element, various geometric shapes, such as a square or round spa pool, blend nicely with modern design principles.

Freeform pools with organic curves can also work with modern architecture. The gentle, flowing lines add a contrasting sense of slight movement and softness for a fluid look that invites a touch of nature’s wonder and serenity into your modern oasis.

Consider incorporating modern-looking materials such as glass tiles and minimalist landscaping to enhance the overall contemporary feel. Lighting features, waterfalls, and integrated seating areas can improve the modern ambiance and create an inviting outdoor space.

Colonial

Colonial architecture evokes a sense of tradition and stately elegance. Accompanying pools should enhance that traditional charm through symmetrical and geometric designs that orderly anchor as the focal point of your home’s outdoor space.

You can’t go wrong with a rectangle or square pool that seamlessly harmonizes against the straight lines and balanced proportions standard in colonial exteriors. Roman or Grecian-shaped pools bring even more elegance, adding shape elements that echo colonial architecture’s neoclassical influences and provide subtle organic contrast to the home and pool’s structured lines.

When selecting materials and finishes, consider options that complement the Colonial style, such as brick, stone, or tile with a classic color palette. To enhance the overall aesthetic, pay attention to landscaping elements, such as symmetrical plantings, trimmed hedges, and traditional garden accents.

Craftsman

With a shared emphasis on natural elements, freeform pools pair nicely with craftsman architecture to create an organic design that embraces nature’s irregularities. A freeform or kidney-style inground pool mimics a natural pond’s flowing lines. Adding water features such as a spillover spa or bubbling fountains invokes feelings of visiting a flowing stream or babbling brook.

Thinking beyond the fiberglass pool shell itself, surrounding landscape design decisions can help enhance the synergy between the pool’s shape and your home’s exterior style. Consider natural stone or bluestone for finishes and pool coping with an earthy, organic, or textured appearance that blends with the ambiance of craftsman-style homes.

Tudor

The elegance and “old world charm” of a Tudor-style home’s architecture can extend into its outdoor living space. Symmetrical rectangle and square pool shapes complement Tudor homes’ geometric lines and can be the balancing focal point of a yard’s formal garden or inner courtyard environment.

Tudor homes have historical, medieval-inspired details and elegance. A design with multiple levels, incorporating a spillover spa or a sunken living area, harmonizes nicely with Tudor architecture’s lines and arches. 

When selecting materials and finishes, consider options that complement the Tudor style, such as natural stone, brick, or tile with earthy tones. To enhance the overall aesthetic, pay attention to landscaping elements, such as traditional English garden features, including box hedges, roses, and ornamental plants.

Farmhouse

If your goal is to create a pool area that feels like a natural extension of your farmhouse-style home, aim for a pool shape and design that fits with the architecture’s relaxed, rustic, and unpretentious nature. Incorporating natural materials throughout your outdoor living space surrounding the pool can help evoke a true sense of serene country living. 

Consider a freeform pool with an irregular shape and curves. When selecting materials and finishes, consider natural stone, brick, or weathered wood to enhance the farmhouse appeal. Incorporating landscaping elements like lush vegetation, flowering plants, and rustic accents can improve the farmhouse-style pool area. You can create your own charming rural farmhouse pond paradise by including a spillover spa, fountain, or other natural landscaping water features.

Victorian

Your Victorian-style home requires a pool design that reflects the architecture’s elegance, intricacy, and historical charm. Rectangle pools accomplish this with classic, simple symmetry, while softened or rounded edges can create a balance between structured lines and an organic feel. 

Curvilinear elements and decorative detailing, such as scalloped edges or a Roman shape, reflect popular motifs of Victorian architecture. These ornate shapes feature geometric lines and symmetrical proportions, evoking a historical sense of elegance, luxury, and romanticism.

Consider incorporating mosaic tiles, intricate patterns, decorative borders, and traditional stone or brickwork around the pool to enhance the Victorian aesthetic. Complementing the landscaping with lush greenery, blooming flowers, and ornamental features can improve the overall ambiance.

Art Deco

Bold geometric forms and streamlined design characterize modern and eclectic Art Deco architecture. For your pool to best reflect the style, consider a rectangular design with rounded corners for a balanced and visually appealing look.

Freeform pools can also work well. These shapes can introduce a contrasting element to the straight lines of the home’s architecture and add a touch of elegance and softness.

Consider incorporating materials such as white or light-colored tiles, geometric mosaic patterns, or sleek and reflective surfaces to enhance the Art Deco style. Pay attention to the surrounding landscaping and decking to ensure they complement the pool shape and overall design.