Fiberglass vs Vinyl-liner Swimming Pool?

Even though there are other types of pools in the Dubai market available, for today's article we are going to walk you through some of the main differences between having a fiberglass or a vinyl-lined pool so you can have a better idea in what to choose by the end of it. We are going to compare the differences between the two in the following factors: Durability, Cost, Maintenance-level, and Suitability.

Comparing Fiberglass Pools with Vinyl-Liner Pools

So maybe you just want a simple and quick answer. Well we have one for you. Fiberglass swimming pools can cost more than 40,000 AED than Vinyl-lined pool. However, Vinyl-liners usually require the liners to be replace every 5 to 10 years. Not only are they short-lasting but they look less expensive to the eye as well. So if you are looking to have a long-term pool, then fiberglass type is your pick.

Durability: How well will each type hold up?

With Fiberglass type pools, if the coating is done well, you probably won't ever have to do any repairs on the shell of the pool. Fiberglass is quite flexible and can withstand a lot of force. 

With a Vinyl-Liner, the thickness of the shell is about 70mm, so you can see how it isn't exactly the type to last. It can be damaged and torn from just bugs chewing through the liners. 
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So because the material of a vinyl pool is rather fragile, you could go for it if you are prepared to take good care of it, and change the liners every 8 years or so. Otherwise, fiberglass is your choice for this topic.

Cost: How much does each type cost?

For a fiberglass pool, depending on the size you want, prices can vary up to 300,000 AED for an average residential pool that includes the whole process from manufacturing to installation. And depending on what other features you may require such as landscaping, the price could add up more. 

With a Vinyl pool, you could expect to cut the cost of a fiberglass by at least 30%. And if you are into DIYing, you could build a vinyl pool for less than 80,000 AED. Just keep in mind that a vinyl-liner will require to get the liner replaced every 5-10 years, which costs around 20,000 AED to get it replaced. 

So you can see that vinyl pools have a low initial cost compared to fiberglass, but you'll have to consider the running cost to understand better.

Maintenance-Level: Important things to know regarding maintenance for each type.

All in all, with a fiberglass pool, you could expect to pay no more than 800 AED per year for electricity and chemicals. The coating of a fiberglass pool allows the water to maintain its acidity levels at an optimal state, so you rarely will have to do a PH water test because of that.

As for Vinyl, we already mentioned that you would have to get the liners replaced every 5-10 years, preferably with a professional to make sure you get all the corners. You don't want to end up purchasing it twice. Over time, vinyl pools form wrinkles, which can be smoothed out but takes some work. One major concern about vinyl pools is that the shell isn't exactly strong as it may seem. A scratch or tear from a rock can require you to drain the pool, repair the damage, and fill the water all over again. 

Suitability: Which type of pool suits your needs?

So if you either have a tight budget, are looking to build the largest pool for an affordable price, are not looking to live in the same property for over 5 years, or perhaps you want to build a pool by your own hands, then the vinyl pool is your pick. 

​If you got a bigger budget (over 180,000 AED), looking to do as little maintenance to the pool as possible, looking for a fast installation for a small to medium sized pool, then fiberglass is your obvious pick. 

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