Fiberglass pools are not new, but have been in production since the 1950’s. The concept of fiberglass pools came from the revolution of the fiberglass boat industry.
A fiberglass boat is the very closest comparison there is to a fiberglass pool.
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ATLANTIS
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A fiberglass pool and high quality fiberglass boats
and/or yachts, are very similarly manufactured, using many of the same resins and fiberglass materials. A high quality boat or yacht does not have an “expected lifespan.” It should be expected to perform for as long as you own it. A fiberglass pool will perform for a lifetime as well, just as the very first fiberglass pool ever made still does today.
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KEY WEST
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Fiberglass composites have revolutionized nearly every
industry we know today. The inherent lightweight strength and flexible quality of composite products have made fiberglass the product of choice to manufacture medical equipment, the aviation industry, the storage tank industry and many household items you may already be familiar with.
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One of the attractive benefits of fiberglass is that a manufacturer can tailor the material and resins to accommodate the expected usage of the fiberglass part.
A
race car body can be manufactured to be inexpensive, lightweight and flexible, while
both an airplane body and helicopter rotors must be manufactured to withstand constant pressure change, temperature changes, stress, and wind velocity to perform as expected. A fiberglass boat must safely withstand the stress, pressure and torque of skipping quickly across the waves, carrying precious human cargo. A fiberglass pool is manufactured to withstand temperature changes, freeze-thaw of the water inside and maintain its beauty for a lifetime.
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ISLANDER |
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ROMAN |
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KIHEI |
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The technology in the fiberglass composites industry has come a long way since the first fiberglass pools were made. Over the past decades, specialized resins have been formulated for permanent underwater use in boats and pools; allowing fiberglass pool owners to be free from the burden and expensive costs of resurfacing or relining the pool surface.
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Compare
The Differences Between
Fiberglass, Gunite and Vinyl Lined Pools
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FEATURES |
ALOHA
FIBERGLASS POOL |
GUNITE
(Concrete) |
VINYL
LINER
Above & In Ground |
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WARRANTY |
Limited
Lifetime
Warranty
By Manufacturer |
1-5
Years
by Contractor |
Liner
Seams Only |
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INSTALLATION
TIME |
3
- 5 Days
Ready for Decking
Using few if any subcontractors.
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8
- 12 Weeks
Using many different subcontractors.
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2
- 3 Weeks
Using few subcontractors.
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ESTIMATED
CHEMICAL USAGE |
Surface
does not alter waters' chemical balance.
Substantially fewer chemicals are used.
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Plaster
reacts with water to raise pH levels.
Gunite pools use substantially more acid &
chlorine to counterbalance this chemical
reaction. |
No
change.
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ENTRY
& EXIT |
Slip
resistant stairs and floor surfaces.
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Stairs with
ladder in deep end.
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Ladder
inside & out.
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ESTIMATED
ELECTRICITY USE
Pump
Circulation Time |
Circulation
Time
4 - 6 Hours Daily
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Circulate
Water
8 - 10 Hours Daily
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Circulate
Water
5 - 7 Hours Daily
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SURFACE
TEXTURE |
Smooth,
non-abrasive to skin or swim suits.
Walking/seating area is textured for slip
resistance. |
Rough,
causes skin abrasions to feet, hands and swim
wear. |
Slippery,
easily punctured or torn by toys, pets, or
surfacing rocks. |
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ALGAE
PENETRATION |
Algae
sweeps off with wall brush. |
Algae
grows and is harbored in pores of gunite.
Acid baths and scrubbing required to remove
algae. |
Seams
of liner harbor algae. |
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ESTIMATED
MAINTENANCE TIME |
15
Minutes
Per Week
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4
- 5 Hours
Per Week
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2
- 3 Hours
Per Week
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MAJOR
RENOVATION |
None
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Re-marcite
or re-plaster at
5 - 7 years.
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Vinyl
Liner
replace at
3 - 7 years.
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STAIRS
&
SEATING |
Built
into pool shell. Many models with entry and
exits at both ends. |
Optional
&
Additional Cost
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Optional
&
Additional Cost
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QUALITY
CONTROL |
Manufactured
in environmentally controlled factory under
stringent quality control standards. |
Manufactured
on-site. No environmental control. |
Kit
manufactured in factory. Quality of
assembly varies by installer. |
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TYPE
OF
COPING |
Fiberglass
or
Concrete.
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Concrete
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Aluminum
(which easily corrodes)
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LOAN
ACCEPTANCE |
Excellent
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Good
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Fair
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