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Topic: Fiberglass Pools

How Fiberglass Pool Delivery Works: Your Pool’s Journey from Factory to Backyard

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A fiberglass pool shell arrives at your home in one piece, up to 41 feet long and 16 feet wide, riding on a specialized wide-load trailer. Getting it from the factory to your backyard requires permits, site preparation, access planning, and in some cases, a crane. Here is exactly what that process looks like, from the day your dealer places the order to the day the water goes in.

What Happens Before Your Fiberglass Pool Shell Is Delivered?

Delivery doesn’t start with the truck. It begins with a site visit. Before Thursday Pools ships the shell, your authorized independent dealer visits your property to assess site conditions, confirm access routes for the wide-load trailer and installation equipment, mark utility lines, and verify that excavation can proceed safely.

Fiberglass pool installations also require local building permits in most jurisdictions, and the approval timeline varies by municipality. Your dealer should know the local processes and manage the application on your behalf. Work cannot legally begin until permits have approval, so proactive submission is essential for maintaining desired project timelines.

Once permits are in hand and the site is ready, the dealer coordinates the excavation schedule and the shell shipment. 

How Does a Fiberglass Pool Shell Get Transported to Your Home?

Thursday Pools manufactures fiberglass pool shells at our facility in Fortville, Indiana. Each completed shell loads onto a flatbed trailer permitted for wide loads and travels to the customer’s property, sometimes hundreds of miles away. Wide-load transport follows state and local routing rules that restrict which roads a vehicle of that size can use. 

What Happens When the Route Gets Complicated?

Most deliveries make it to their destination without incident. Some require an innovative approach to get there. One delivery to a home on Geist Reservoir near Indianapolis required something entirely unique. The homeowner’s street couldn’t accommodate a wide-load truck, so their local Thursday Pools dealer coordinated with Geist Marina personnel to lower the buoyant pool shell into the water and tow it across the reservoir to the customer’s backyard.

 

That story isn’t an outlier as much as it is an illustration of what delivery logistics actually require. Tight alleys, narrow gates, dense suburban streets, overhead utility lines, and sloped driveways all present real access challenges. Your dealer will assess these conditions during pre-delivery site visits and plan accordingly, whether that means alternative rigging, crane placement, or phasing access differently.

What Happens When the Shell Arrives? How Is the Pool Set?

Once the shell arrives, the installation crew uses a crane or specialized equipment to lift it from the trailer and place it in the excavated hole.

With the shell on its gravel base, the crew begins the simultaneous backfill and fill process. Backfilling material goes in around the outside of the shell at the same rate water goes inside, with the equalizing pressure preventing the fiberglass walls from bowing or deforming under soil load. The shell-setting phase typically takes one to two days for a standard residential installation, depending on site conditions and pool size.

What Does Fiberglass Pool Installation Include After the Shell Is Set?

Pool delivery and placing the shell in the ground are parts of a longer process. After the shell is set and backfilled, installers connect plumbing and electrical systems, complete a local inspection, install coping and decking, and balance the water chemistry before the pool is ready to use.

A complete fiberglass pool installation project typically takes two to four weeks, depending on site conditions, permit inspection scheduling, and the scope of surrounding decking and landscaping. For a detailed walkthrough of every phase, see our complete Fiberglass Pool Installation Guide.

What Affects the Pool Delivery and Installation Timeline?

Several factors influence how long the full process takes from order to water:

Permit Approval Speed: Some municipalities approve pool permits in a week. Others take four to six weeks or longer, particularly in jurisdictions with backlogged building departments or additional HOA review requirements.

Site Conditions: Rocky soil, high water tables, limited access, or significant grade changes all extend the excavation and installation timeline. 

Weather: Heavy sustained rainfall can delay excavation, backfill, and concrete work. Most installers can work through light rain, but saturated ground requires a pause until conditions stabilize.

Decking and Landscaping Scope: The pool itself installs quickly. A large custom patio, retaining walls, or extensive landscaping can extend the overall project timeline independent of how smoothly the shell installation goes.

Talk to a Local Thursday Pools Dealer

Pool delivery and installation details vary by site and geographic location. A yard that looks straightforward may have a buried utility, HOA setback restrictions, or access restrictions that change the logistics.

The best way to understand exactly what delivery looks like for your specific property is to talk with an authorized Thursday Pools independent dealer in your area. They will assess your yard, walk you through the delivery and installation sequence, review design options, and give you an accurate project estimate based on your site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fiberglass Pool Delivery

How is a fiberglass pool delivered to my home?

Your fiberglass pool shell travels from Thursday Pools’ manufacturing facility on a specialized flatbed trailer permitted for wide loads. The trailer delivers the shell to your property, where a crane or rigging equipment lifts it off the truck and into the excavated hole. Your local independent Thursday Pools dealer coordinates the route, timing, and access logistics for each delivery.

How big is a fiberglass pool shell for transport?

Thursday Pools fiberglass pool shells are up to 16 feet wide, the practical limit set by wide-load transport regulations, and up to 41 feet long. The shell ships as a single one-piece unit, which is why transportation dimensions set the upper size limit for fiberglass pools. A pool that large requires a wide-load trailer permit and, in some states, requires the truck to follow specific state-approved routes.

What if my yard doesn’t have enough access for pool delivery?

Limited yard access is one of the most common delivery complications, but it rarely prevents the project from moving forward. Your dealer will assess access during the initial site visit. Solutions include using smaller specialized equipment, adjusting the trailer approach angle, or bringing in a crane with a longer reach to clear an obstacle. In unusual cases, installers map an alternative delivery method before the truck leaves the factory.

What permits are needed before a fiberglass pool can be delivered?

Most jurisdictions require a building permit before pool excavation or installation can begin, and separate electrical and plumbing permit may also apply. Your dealer will help with managing the permit application and knows the local requirements. Permit approval timelines vary significantly by location, from one week to six weeks or more in some municipalities. Scheduling by early spring helps avoid delays that push delivery deep into summer.

How long does fiberglass pool delivery and installation take in total?

The shell-setting phase typically takes one to two days, while the full installation from excavation through final water balancing usually runs two to four weeks. Site conditions, local inspection scheduling, and the scope of surrounding decking and landscaping all affect where the project lands within that range.

Does the homeowner need to be present during pool delivery?

While your presence is not legally or logistically required for the installation crew to proceed, most homeowners choose to be present for the delivery. Your dealer will advise you on this. The delivery and shell-setting process is one of the more visually dramatic stages of a pool project. That said, your dealer will fully manage the crew and the logistics.

What is a wide-load trailer, and why does fiberglass pool delivery need one?

A wide-load trailer is a specialized flatbed permitted to carry cargo exceeding standard highway width limits (typically 8.5 feet), which is necessary for one-piece fiberglass shells. Because fiberglass pool shells can reach 16 feet in width and 41 feet in length, standard trailers can’t carry them legally or safely. Wide-load transport requires special permits, sometimes requires escort vehicles, and follows routes that accommodate the oversize dimensions.

The Goliath Fiberglass Pool Design

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Your family just called, and you’ve been summoned. For what, you wonder? Other than working harder than usual and needing a vacation, nothing major has happened that would require you to immediately return home. But, wait. There is something, and it’s big – as in gigantic, and it’s guaranteed to make everyone happy. Best of all, it’s calling your name.

So you leave work and head home where you’re immediately greeted by your kids who have finally convinced you that it’s time to invest in a fiberglass pool, and the Goliath from Thursday Pools is what they’ve been seeking. Just as you’re being whisked away in thoughts of your own backyard paradise, questions start swirling inside your head.  Why this fiberglass pool over another? How much does it cost and how long will it take for installation? What are the benefits of this pool?

As your mind wanders and your heart races, you suddenly stop and say something to the effect of, “Now, kids. I want this as much as you do, but before we jump in too deep, we need to learn a little more.”

Although feeling defeated, they reluctantly agree.

Because we realize that there’s a delicate balance between pleasing your family and knowing you’ve made the right decision, we offer this blog post about the Goliath in hopes that it reassures you and the decision you’re making to invest in one of our most popular pools.

What is the Goliath?

The Thursday Pools’ Goliath series are large rectangular, fiberglass pool shells with one gradual expanse. Sizes will vary by length, but with three different options to choose from, there’s sure to be a size perfect for your backyard.

Why this pool over another?

Thursday Pools offers many sizes and types of fiberglass pools, but if size is important, you won’t regret investing in the Goliath. This open design provides plenty of swim area, a center swim lane and corner benches for lounging.  Add in that every Thursday Pool is designed with master craftsmanship and you can feel good about the investment. What’s more, by promoting efficient use of raw materials, all Thursday Pools will leave a small environmental footprint.

How much does a 16’ x 41’ Fiberglass Pool cost?

Although it’s difficult to provide an exact timeline and quote without seeing the installation site and factoring in specific equipment and accessories, it’s a good idea to consider the fiberglass pool length, and to figure that every foot will cost approximately $1,800. For instance, the Goliath fiberglass pool shell design of 16’ x 41’ will be around $73,800 for a basic installation package. Maintenance costs will also vary, but it’s important to know that upkeep and chemicals for a fiberglass pool are far less than the cost of maintaining and owning a concrete or vinyl pool. In the end, if saving money is important, a fiberglass pool is the right decision.

What are the Goliath features and benefits?

Beyond its size, craftsmanship, and eco-friendliness, the Thursday Pools Goliath fiberglass pool shell is made with advanced technologies and multiple layers of strength. The Goliath also features dual corner entry steps that accommodate most backyards, and the design easily accommodates an automatic safety cover. The elongated benches make for a great adult gathering spot without taking up too much swim space. The open center lane allows for the recreational swimmer to swim laps. The deep-end swim-outs and bench seats provide an alternate entry and exit point, perfect for younger children or your furry and four-legged family members.

The Thursday Pools Goliath fiberglass pool is a true mark of beauty, and with its added functionality, it will provide you and your family with many years of fun and happiness in your own backyard paradise. For more information about the Goliath fiberglass pool, or to learn more about Thursday Pools, find a local dealer today.

POLYCOR® Shimmer® gel coat proves to be the ideal surface for inground swimming pools.

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Daydreaming of that quick dip in the pool? Making that dream into a reality has now been made even easier by the folks at Thursday Pools®! Combining 26 years of experience in fiberglass pools and spa design with manufacturing across multiple industries, Thursday Pools® edge innovations to the pool world. Thursday Pools® builds some of the highest quality fiberglass pools in the industry, all starting with the finest grade of gel coat available for pool producers: CCP’s Shimmer® gel coats. With a coatings history that dates back to 1913 (then known as Cook Paint and Varnish) and later as the first gel coat producer in the late 1950’s, CCP Composites has produced market inspired gel coats for some of the most demanding applications and industries, including:

  • Marine boat hulls and decks where constant impact, toughness, UV, blister and water protection are demanded
  • Gel coats for tub shower units, where moisture resistance, impact, and cleaning chemicals are used
  • Fatigue and moisture resistance for wind energy blades
  • Truck hoods, air deflectors and sidewall panels where moisture, impact, fatigue, UV and heat all come into play

CCP Composites aggressively researches market needs and expectations, offering only the finest materials that will stand up to demanding industry needs. With pools in particular, only certain colors like white and light blue gel coats were suggested to s, mainly due to the nature of the chemicals needed to keep pool water healthy. These included adding acids or caustic materials to adjust pool pH, certain metallic salts chlorinated chemicals to control bacterial of the gel coat surface, either through mineral deposits or bleaching of the surface through chlorine attack.

Fabrication of a Thursday Pool starts with Shimmer®
Fabrication of a Thursday Pool starts with Shimmer®

Surprisingly, ambient temperature,chemically‐treated pool water is more aggressive chemically than salt water from the ocean. The lack of color options is often cited as one of the main reasons for choosing cement/tiled finished in‐ground pools over the superior performance of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) pools.

Vinyl lined pools were also more popular because beyond the  increased color range, vinyl pools offer a smooth floor (unlike the bottom of cement pools, which have a tendency to cut up customer‘s feet as they walked or played in the pool). All that changed in 2002, when one of the first pools was fabricated with a break‐through, deep colored gel coat specifically formulated by CCP’s sister company, CCP Composites Australia (FKA Cray Valley) for the rapidly growing pool industry in Australia. This product was heavily researched for blister, water uptake, color fade (bleaching) and for UV resistance. This new, ISO/NPG high performance gel coat proved to be far superior in all respects when compared to conventional pool gel coat products available at the time. Within 3‐4 years of product launch, the CCP Composites gel coat, known as POLYCOR® Shimmer®, became the dominant pool gel coat used in Australia. CCP Composites US brought this gel coat technology to the North American market, where it is now rapidly becoming the pool industry’s “go to” gel coat. Several years ago, Thursday Pools® found the benefits of Shimmer® for their pools, just as the Australian pool manufacturers did in 2002.

Bill Khamis, CFO of Thursday Pools, has seen immediate benefits of the Shimmer® products, such as “reduced air pressure for reduced styrene emissions,” along with “better transfer efficiencies that have resulted in a 30% savings in gel coat materials consumed.” “25% labor savings” have also been utilized in that it “takes less time to spray a mold, cleans up faster and spray gun set up is significantly faster.” Improved lay down of the gel coat has also been noted in a “better and more uniform surface quality that customers have noticed.” Bill is a very strong advocate for the Shimmer® product, sharing that customers not only love the color range, but also the depth of color, made even greater by the glittering particles included in the Shimmer® products.

In addition to color range and the advantages of fiberglass pools over concrete, Thursday Pools require 70% less chemicals usage, have cleaner surfaces and reduced maintenance that are significantly less abrasive to the skin and feet, and are far less prone to cracking. The only advantage to vinyl linings is the lower initial installed cost; however, ongoing maintenance costs increase every time the liner tears as it must be repaired or replaced. As you can see, FRP pools are clearly the way to go. With over 5 million in ground pools installed in the US (and over 53,000 installed in 2012 alone) and 5 of the top 10 pool states (Source: APSP 2013) within driving distance of their central Indiana location, Thursday Pools is well located, well suited and well-organized to capitalize on the growth potential of the Midwest FRP pool market.

Ed Vondell, COO of Thursday Pools®, noted the valued technical and product support that CCP Composites has provided with Bill Bannow, Technical Services Engineer and Jason Baranowski, Account Manager. Both have spent long hours in specialized support staff training in the use of the Shimmer® products, and more recently, introducing the CCP Composites rapid mold manufacturing technology that utilizes the OptiPLUS® mold making materials for a brand new Thursday Pools® design launching in 2014. The outlook for Thursday Pools® and Shimmer® gel coat looks quite promising in 2014 and beyond.

The Evolution of Fiberglass – Thursday Pools, from Auto and Marine Fiberglass Parts to Awesome Fiberglass Swimming Pools

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Fiberglass Pool History

The creation of Facebook, Apple and Windows are well-known business success stories which garnered unprecedented media coverage, captivating the general public worldwide. Some of the Internet companies seem to have been created overnight, attracting job seekers and Wall Street investors to the glamor and fame of high-tech companies. Thursday Pools on the other hand started over thirty years ago in the garage of Bill Khamis, founder of the company. The company wasn’t incorporated thirty years ago but the foundation, technical know how and expertise was born in Khamis’ garage in Indianapolis, Indiana.

fiberglass pool history
Bill Khamis, Co-Owner of Thursday Pools, LLC

Khamis started learning and making race car parts out of fiberglass for a local race car company while he was still in high school. To make the specialized parts he teamed up with resin and fiberglass suppliers to learn tool making and production techniques. The tooling he developed was much smaller than Thursday Pools pool molds but met the high standards of the auto and race car industry.

After graduating from high school and during college Khamis was asked to make bigger parts and diversify from auto parts. He founded a new company called Fabri-Tech with a high school friend, Dave Camp, and started building huge fiberglass outdoor scenes for the family entertainment centers, zoos and parks. This was his stepping stone for building large molds and parts.

After selling Fabri-Tech he moved into the marine industry and built molds for his new company, KamKraft Boats. The precision molds he built using steel substructure and part tolerances, unknown in the pool industry, were a precursor for things to come. If boat building wasn’t enough, Khamis teamed up and started making carbon fiber parts for auto and the precision measuring machine industry. The parts Khamis made out of carbon fiber had even more exact tolerances which again honed Khamis’ tool making skills. Not only did it improve his tool making skills; it also gave him hands on experience with laminate schedules and materials needed for different applications.

In parallel, Khamis began high-end custom home building along with gunite pool building. He remembers the early days when gunite was 90% of the market for the high-end, million dollar plus homes. Over the years the homeowners started requesting fiberglass swimming pools so he started hiring contractors to do the installs. During this time he compared the installation time and effort of gunite versus fiberglass. He was amazed when a fiberglass pool was installed and complete in only a few short days versus the weeks his gunite crews worked on the pools.

Fast forward to 2010 and the birth of Thursday Pools. Khamis purchased an inground fiberglass pool and when it was installed, he was seriously disappointed in the quality. However, he didn’t send the pool back to the manufacturer and ask for his money back. Instead, he decided he could do better and that’s how Thursday Pools came to be.

Is There a Fiberglass Pool Near Me?

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Is there a fiberglass pool near me? Because Thursday Pools Trucking delivers high quality pools safely and professionally, there sure can be.  We deliver so our customers can get the job done quickly but safely.  Thursday Pools are delivered top side up with unloading straps attached.  A pool can be unloaded and in the hole within fifteen minutes of arrival.  Can you ask for a more efficient way of unloading?

Contact us at 877-929-7665 or at www.thursdaypools.com.

Thursday Pools LLC designs and manufactures one-piece fiberglass swimming pools and spas.  We are located in Fortville, Indiana, part of the greater Indianapolis area.

Goliath 1641 Fiberglass Swimming Pool – Laps and Luxury

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Come swim laps in Thursday Pools 41 foot Goliath fiberglass pool.  Our Goliath 1641 has an open swim lane perfect for doing laps and staying in shape.  Stairs and sitting ledges are symmetrically located on both sides of the pool, allowing for an open swim lane the entire length of the pool.  Our selection of five ultra-durable and visually striking gel coat colors makes swimming laps in a Thursday Pool an optical paradise.Goliath Pool

Thursday Pools LLC designs and manufactures fiberglass pools and spas.  We are located in Fortville, Indiana.  You can contact us at 877-929-POOL or www.thursdaypools.com.

Thursday Pools Sets the Standard for “Hospital Clean” Production

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“Hospital Clean” is how we gel coat and manufacture our pools. Thursday Pools only gel coats using custom scaffolding so we never touch the mold when applying gel coat. Extra care and cleanliness is one of the techniques used to set the quality standard for fiberglass pools.

Thursday Pool designs and manufactures one-piece fiberglass swimming pools and spas.  We are located in Fortville, Indiana.  We can be contacted at www.thursdaypools.com or 877-929-7665.

Gel coating at Thursday Pools production facility.

Thursday Pools Continues Investment Into Quality Molds

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Coming from the boating industry, we learned a thing or two about perfecting the fit and finish of fiberglass parts.  In order to make the boat deck and hull fit together perfectly we had to have quality molds as strong and rigid as steel, so that is what we used to make our molds.  Thursday Pools adopted this and applied it to our pool molds.

Thursday Pools constructs fiberglass swimming pool molds using all steel substructure.  Our larger molds, such as the Goliath 1641, have 4000 pounds of steel for the substructure.  Steel versus wood makes our molds rigid, strong and dimensionally stable.  Temperature and humidity can cause dimensional instability with wood substructure molds.  This is the reason why Thursday Pools invested the extra money to make the very best quality molds in the industry.  This translates into straight, level and dimensionally precise pools.  Why is this important?  It provides you a pool that can be installed quickly, easily and when it is installed…the pool will look level, straight and fit perfectly with an automatic pool cover and your preferred decking.

Thursday Pools LLC designs and manufactures one-piece fiberglass swimming pools and spas.  We are located in Fortville Indiana.  To contact us please call 877-929-7665 or www.thursdaypools.com.  Remember at Thursday Pools, your weekend starts early with us…

Thursday Pools®Textured Surfaces for Fiberglass Pools

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We have learned a thing or two throughout the years in the fiberglass manufacturing industry.  Boat building and fabrication of automotive components has been very beneficial for our fiberglass pool manufacturing.  One of the takeaways is our fiberglass texture for pools.  Thursday Pools® uses a proprietary process to produce our fiberglass texture surfaces on each pool.  The steps, seats, tanning areas and safety ledges all have this proprietary surface finish.  This fiberglass texture provides a non-slip surface while at the same time is easy on the skin.  The surface is smooth to the touch but provides an excellent non-slip area to walk on.

Is the technique to produce this surface patented?  No, but it is one of Thursday Pools® trade secrets which differentiates us from other pool manufactures.  With thirty years in the fiberglass industry: marine, automotive and pools, what would you expect?

…your weekend starts early with us…™ImageImage

Thursday Pools Delivers a University of Kentucky Blue and White Pearl Spa

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Indiana Backyard Living and Judd Pools (www.juddpoolsandspas.com) teamed up with Thursday Pools to provide a Southeastern Conference winning spa to The Collegiate on Angliana student housing development at the University of Kentucky.  The Collegiate on Angliana will have the luxury amenity of a Thursday Pools Pearl Spa.  The White Pearl Spa will accommodate a grand total of 20 Wildcat students and have a total of 20 jets throughout the spa as well as pushing over 450 gallons per minute …Party On!  This particular model has a large tanning area, just in time for spring.  The color of the spa is Blue and White.  Go Wildcats!