A Comparison Of Gunite And Fiberglass Pools

2007-12-02 Word Count: 587 Category: Landscaping

It may seem much too wintry outside to be thinking of the lazy days of summer, but it's never too early to start planning for your very own poolside paradise. Most people like swimming throughout the summer, be it in the ocean, a river, or the neighbor’s pool. Now is a great time to start thinking about having a swimming pool of your very own, installed in your back yard. Considering this, let's examine the two most frequently used materials for building pools: fiberglass and gunite.

Traditionally, fiberglass pools are more conventional, but you might be surprised by the strides major builders have made in making fiberglass pool designs more contemporary. Manufacturers mold the pool, made out of fiberglass resin, into the desired shape.Then, the pre-shaped pool is lifted and fitted into the existing hole, where the plumbing is already waiting. The pool is back filled with sand and dirt after it is correctly placed, and to finish the job a deck of concrete is poured around the pool.

The price is the advantage of the construction of a fiberglass pool. Manufacturers have streamlined their processes to efficiently design and construct pools in a warehouse environment. To those people seeking a standard looking pool to add a touch of fun and class to their home, this can be a godsend. A fiberglass pool is extremely durable, which adds to its easy maintenance. Although a fiberglass pool has many advantages, it also has some drawbacks. When you design a fiberglass pool, you don't have flexibility regarding shape and depth; most pools are a standard rectangular shape. If you like to think out of the (rectangular) box and seek a more distinctive design that reflects your personality, a gunite pool would be a better choice.

Swimming pools made from gunite are the most popular in the United States. The pool company will dig a hole in the shape and depth of your preference as well as install the necessary plumbing. They also add a grid using rebar along the bottom and sides for reinforcement, during this construction process. In the next step, the gunite, a blend of concrete and sand, is discharged around the rebar and fashioned appropriately, similar to concrete poured in a particular shape. The gunite pool surface is completed with a top layer of plaster that will give the entire pool a smooth finish. A wooden or concrete deck is built that encircles the pool to finish it off nicely.

Using gunite, you can design any shape of pool. In luxury homes, gunite is simply the best material to work with, since it lends itself to custom pool design. Gunite is the material associated with luxury when a homeowner wants that natural look to their pool. However, the biggest problem with those beautiful looking pools is their cost. A gunite pool in most cases lasts a long time, but the plaster layer does need replacing periodically.

It is always best to discuss your options with a professional pool design firm, before committing to a pool that you will have for years. Always remember the space that the pool will occupy, and base your selection on what pool will best fit and compliment the space you have available. Think about what kind of price you can afford, because custom pools are not one of the cheapest. Since you are going to own a fabulous area that the whole family will take pleasure in during the entire year, enjoy the process.

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Doing your homework first is a wise strategy and that’s exactly what Gunter Walderon did before hiring a California swimming pool contractor to create the multi-tier Gunite Pool for his estate. Award winning designs for infinity pools and infinity edge pool plus a reliable record as a contractor convinced him to choose California Pools out of Southern California. For more information about please visit www.californiapools.com/