Choosing Between a Fiberglass and Gunite Swimming Pool

the problem

Overwhelmed by Pool Choices?

Choosing the right pool type can feel daunting. Homeowners often worry about:

• Installation timelines disrupting their lives.

• Maintenance requirements consuming too much time.

• Whether their chosen pool will truly match their vision for the space.

These concerns can make pool ownership seem like more of a burden than a dream. That’s why Outdoor Dreams helps simplify the process, providing expert guidance to ensure you make the right decision with confidence.

simplified elegance & efficiency

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools are pre-fabricated shells installed in a single piece, offering a straightforward and streamlined solution.

Pros:

1. Quick Installation

   • Fiberglass pools can often be installed in just 1 to 3 weeks, minimizing disruption to your daily life.

   • Faster installation reduces the risk of missing a swim season due to extended construction.

2. Low Maintenance

   • The non-porous surface resists algae and bacteria growth, making cleaning and balancing chemicals easier.

   • No resurfacing is required, which lowers long-term maintenance costs.

   • Learn more about Fiberglass Swimming Pool Maintenance

3. Smooth Texture

   • The smooth finish provides a bathtub-like comfort underfoot, which many homeowners enjoy.

Cons:

1. Limited Customization

   • Fiberglass pools come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, but customization is restricted to pre-designed molds.

2. Size Constraints

   • Pool sizes are limited to about 16 feet in width and 40 feet in length, as shells must be transported by truck.

Customization & Luxury

Gunite Pools

Gunite pools are constructed on-site with a sprayed concrete mixture, allowing for nearly endless customization.

Pros:

1. Limitless Customization

   • Gunite pools can be built in any shape, size, or depth, tailored to your exact vision.

   • Unique features like infinity edges, beach entries, and integrated spas are all possible.

   • Choose from stunning finishes like Wet Edge products, offering vibrant colors and textures backed by a 20-year warranty.

2. Premium Aesthetic Appeal

   • Gunite pools are often the top choice for luxury designs, creating breathtaking, high-end outdoor spaces.

Cons:

1. Higher Maintenance

   • Gunite’s porous surface requires more frequent brushing, cleaning, and water chemistry management to prevent algae growth and staining.

   • While Wet Edge finishes installed by Outdoor Dreams come with a 25-year warranty, improper maintenance and unbalanced water chemistry can significantly reduce their lifespan, potentially requiring resurfacing every 10 to 20 years.

   • Learn more about Gunite Swimming Pool Maintenance

2. Longer Construction Time

   • Building a gunite pool takes 10 to 12 weeks or longer, due to curing times and the complexity of custom designs. While the timeline requires patience, the result is a fully customized, one-of-a-kind pool.

your plan

Simplify Your Decision with Outdoor Dreams

Choosing between fiberglass and gunite doesn’t have to be overwhelming—especially when you have the right guide. At Outdoor Dreams, we don’t just build pools; we walk with you through a thoughtful design process that helps you make the most informed decision possible.

Here’s how we simplify the journey:

1. Understand Your Priorities Share your vision, timeline, and budget with us. Whether you have a clear idea or need help getting started, we’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you.

2. Explore the Possibilities Our design process includes three fully developed concepts, allowing you to explore both fiberglass and gunite options side by side. Each design highlights the strengths, limitations, and layout potential of each pool type—so you can compare options not just by cost, but by how well they fit your space and lifestyle.

3. Lean on a Full-Service Design Team With dedicated designers, architects, modelers, and estimators all in-house, you’re never left guessing. We provide you with detailed renderings, budget projections, and expert insight—ensuring you have the tools, visuals, and knowledge needed to move forward with clarity and confidence.

4. Choose the Perfect Pool, with Confidence Whether you select fiberglass or gunite, we’ll guide you through every step—from initial sketches to the final swim—with a seamless, turnkey approach that delivers the outdoor space of your dreams.

Why It Matters That We Offer Both Pool Types

One of the biggest advantages of working with Outdoor Dreams is that we install both fiberglass and gunite pools. Many companies specialize in just one type—and as a result, they tend to steer every client toward that option, regardless of whether it’s truly the best fit.

At Outdoor Dreams, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Our commitment is to you, not the product. Because we build both styles of pools, we can focus entirely on helping you choose the one that best matches your vision, property, priorities, and budget—not what’s easiest or most profitable for us to install.

That’s the difference when you work with a true design-first, client-centered company. We're here to educate, empower, and walk with you toward a decision that feels right for your home—not ours.

avoid failure

The Risks of Choosing the Wrong Pool Type

A swimming pool is one of the most significant investments you can make in your home—and getting it wrong can be devastating.

• It’s not just about pool type. Choosing a pool that doesn’t align with your lifestyle often means you simply won’t use it as much. And when a pool goes unused, the financial cost is compounded by lost moments, missed memories, and years of enjoyment that never happen.

• The cost of failure is high. Whether you choose fiberglass or gunite, a custom pool is a major financial investment. When that investment doesn’t meet expectations—due to rushed decisions, improper planning, or biased advice—it can feel gut-wrenching. You don’t just lose money. You lose confidence, momentum, and trust in the process.

• You can’t just “try again.” Unlike a sofa or a patio set, a swimming pool isn’t something you can easily replace. If you make the wrong decision, the cost to demo and remove the original pool—on top of building a new one—makes a second attempt even more expensive than the first.

• The wrong pool can hurt your home’s value. A poorly planned or mismatched pool can actually devalue your property. If the layout feels forced, the materials feel cheap, or the style clashes with the home, it could turn off future buyers and limit your return on investment.

The bottom line? Choosing the wrong pool doesn’t just cost money—it costs time, happiness, equity, and peace of mind.

what success looks like

A Pool That Fits Your Life Perfectly

When you choose the right pool—designed with your priorities, property, and lifestyle in mind—success doesn’t just happen on paper. You feel it every time you step outside.

• Visual Success: A pool that looks like it’s always belonged. Imagine walking out onto your patio and seeing a pool that feels like a natural extension of your home—perfectly proportioned, beautifully framed by your landscaping, and effortlessly tied into your deck, porch, or pavilion. Guests comment on how “right” it looks. It doesn’t just impress—it belongs.

• Emotional Success: Peace of mind and pride in your decision. Picture sitting by the water in the early evening, watching the lights dance across the surface, feeling nothing but pride and contentment. You’re not second-guessing your choices. You’re enjoying them—because you took the time to get it right and were guided by a team who had your best interest at heart.

• Lifestyle Success: A space that brings your family together. It’s summer. Your kids are swimming until sunset, their laughter echoing through the yard. You’re grilling nearby, chatting with friends under the pergola. The pool is being used—really used—and it’s adding joy to your everyday life. That’s what happens when the pool fits your lifestyle—not just your lot size.

• Practical Success: Beauty without the burden. You’re not overwhelmed by upkeep. You’re not hit with surprise costs or unexpected limitations. You have the tools, systems, and support in place to maintain the pool easily—and it continues to add value and enjoyment to your home without draining your time or energy.

• Long-Term Success: A backyard that increases your home’s value. Fast forward ten years. You’re listing your home, and while everything inside is well-kept, it’s the backyard that steals the show. The pool is timeless, the layout is purposeful, and the entire outdoor space feels like an extension of the home. Buyers don’t see a “project”—they see a lifestyle already built, waiting for them to enjoy. In a hot market, it sparks a bidding war. In a slower market, it makes your home the one that still stands out. Because when your pool and outdoor living space are designed the right way, they don’t just add value—they become the reason someone falls in love with your home.