CONCRETEFIBREGLASSLINERRENOVATIONS

Fibreglass Pools

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Since glass fibre laminates were first used to build swimming pools in the late 1950’s, Fibreglass technology has grown by leaps and bounds. Today’s Fibreglass pools are a far cry from the ‘blue plastic tub’ image of the post-war era. Fibreglass now provides exceptional levels of strength, durability and styling! Elegant designs, unique features, such as shelves and ledges, and brilliant colour finishes, combined with easier cleaning, make Fibreglass pools an extremely attractive option. No wonder then that the demand for Fibreglass pools has almost tripled over the last 10 years, growing to around half of the entire new pool market. The popularity of this pool type continues to grow thanks to the long list of benefits that Fibreglass pools offer.

 

GREAT LOOKS

A stand-out feature of modern Fibreglass pools is their synergy of shape, style and awesome finish. Colour has an undeniable impact on how we perceive things, so it’s no surprise that we’re attracted to the rich and shimmering colours on offer. Add to that the option to include decorative tiles, coloured underwater lights and water features, and you have a recipe that’s sure to impress your guests!  The developments in epoxy and polyester resin technologies give new Fibreglass pools amazing strength and resilience, and also helps the Gelcoat finish to retain its great looks for many years.

EASIER TO CLEAN

Molded Fibreglass pools have a super-smooth finish, called the Gelcoat, that is non-porous, making it difficult for algae to find a foothold and colonize. Significantly lower levels of algae growth and that smooth surface makes cleaning much easier for you. Fibreglass is a stable and relatively inert material which has much less impact on water chemistry than concrete pools. All this means fewer chemicals are required to mantain a clean, healthy, pH balanced pool environment. This is very good news for Fibreglass pool owners because they’ll spend a lot less money and time looking after their pool. How much less time? Studies show up to 75% less! That translates to an average of 10 extra days per year for swimming and relaxing, rather than scrubbing and sweating!

 

EASIER ON YOUR SKIN

The Gelcoat is also the reason kids love swimming in modern Fibreglass pools. The super-smooth surface protects skin from scuffs and scrapes, while well rounded edges and corners mean there’s less likelihood of bumps and bruises!  It’s also fun to glide against the smooth sides of a Fibreglass pool. Inversely, the base surface of entry steps and the floor of Fibreglass pools have a non-skid surface for better grip and safety. Added to all this is the fact that Fibreglass pools require less chemicals to clean and maintain – overall, a healthier option for you and your family!

PROS

  • Design options: Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and design options. Morgan+Stone provide 15 styles that cover 62 different sizes
  • Built-in features: Features built into the pool structure include steps, tanning shelves, ledges, lights and cleaning jets
  • Safety ledge: A step ledge around the entire pool adds another level of safety for youngsters and learner swimmers
  • Beautiful finishes: Attractive finishes in a range of colour options, that are stain and chemical resistant
  • Easy on skin: Super-smooth surfaces that are non-abrasive to skin
  • No sharp edges: Rounded corners & edges means less chance of scraping elbows or knees
  • Grip for safer footing: Non-skid base on entry steps and pool floor for safety
  • Thermal properties: Compared to concrete, fibreglass fluctuates less in temperature, plus assists with heat retention
  • Easier to clean: Easy care compared to other pool types, meaning less maintenance time
  • Compatible with salt chlorinators: Salt chlorination has no adverse effects on pool structure, unlike Liner and Conrete pools, which are prone to problems with salt
  • Quick to install: Molded Fibreglass pools are delivered and installed as a completed structure. That means your pool will be ready to swim in much sooner than a concrete pool. Morgan+Stone can complete a Fibreglass pool installation in 7–10 days!
  • Long life: Exceptionally durable and damage resistant for normal day to day use, unlike Liner pools that can be damaged by pets, branches, or rough use and can be costly to repair
  • Flexible structure: Fiberglass pool shells are able to flex, accommodating temperature changes, natural earth movement and most earthquakes
  • Repairs: Minor damage to a Fibreglass pool can be repaired on site
  • Ages well: Modern Fibreglass pools keep their good looks for longer thanks to advances in polyester resins
  • Less expensive to maintain: Lower running costs over the lifetime of your pool ownership
  • Enhances property value: A Fibreglass pool is a more attractive pool type for buyers if you sell your property

CONS

  • Greater capital cost: Higher inital purchase cost compared to a Liner / composite pool
  • Limited customisation: You cannot personally customise size, shape, depth, built-in features or colours
  • Quality concerns: Not all Fibreglass pools are created equal. Poor workmanship can result in premature faults in the pool structure. Check the manufacturer’s standards, quality control measures and guarantees before purchasing
  • Surface dulls over time: The surface of a Fibreglass pool can become dull over time, requiring special buffing to restore that lustre. Thankfully, for a new quality Fibreglass pool, this should not be an issue for at least 15 years
  • Size limits: Because Fibreglass pools are constructed offsite then transported by road, freighting restrictions limit the width of a Fibreglass pool shell to 4.9 metres (16’) for most residential situations
  • Access for installation: Molded Fibreglass pools are taken to the installation site by truck, then lifted into place by a crane. Access for the delivery and installation of the pool may prove challenging, or even untenable

PROS

  • Design options: Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and design options. Morgan+Stone provide 15 styles that cover 62 different sizes
  • Built-in features: Features built into the pool structure include steps, tanning shelves, ledges, lights and cleaning jets
  • Safety ledge: A step ledge around the entire pool adds another level of safety for youngsters and learner swimmers
  • Beautiful finishes: Attractive finishes in a range of colour options, that are stain and chemical resistant
  • Easy on skin: Super-smooth surfaces that are non-abrasive to skin
  • No sharp edges: Rounded corners & edges means less chance of scraping elbows or knees
  • Grip for safer footing: Non-skid base on entry steps and pool floor for safety
  • Thermal properties: Compared to concrete, fibreglass fluctuates less in temperature, plus assists with heat retention
  • Easier to clean: Easy care compared to other pool types, meaning less maintenance time
  • Compatible with salt chlorinators: Salt chlorination has no adverse effects on pool structure, unlike Liner and Conrete pools, which are prone to problems with salt
  • Quick to install: Molded Fibreglass pools are delivered and installed as a completed structure. That means your pool will be ready to swim in much sooner than a concrete pool. Morgan+Stone can complete a Fibreglass pool installation in 7–10 days!
  • Long life: Exceptionally durable and damage resistant for normal day to day use, unlike Liner pools that can be damaged by pets, branches, or rough use and can be costly to repair
  • Flexible structure: Fiberglass pool shells are able to flex, accommodating temperature changes, natural earth movement and most earthquakes
  • Repairs: Minor damage to a Fibreglass pool can be repaired on site
  • Ages well: Modern Fibreglass pools keep their good looks for longer thanks to advances in polyester resins
  • Less expensive to maintain: Lower running costs over the lifetime of your pool ownership
  • Enhances property value: A Fibreglass pool is a more attractive pool type for buyers if you sell your property

CONS

  • Greater capital cost: Higher inital purchase cost compared to a Liner / composite pool
  • Limited customisation: You cannot personally customise size, shape, depth, built-in features or colours
  • Quality concerns: Not all Fibreglass pools are created equal. Poor workmanship can result in premature faults in the pool structure. Check the manufacturer’s standards, quality control measures and guarantees before purchasing
  • Surface dulls over time: The surface of a Fibreglass pool can become dull over time, requiring special buffing to restore that lustre. Thankfully, for a new quality Fibreglass pool, this should not be an issue for at least 15 years
  • Size limits: Because Fibreglass pools are constructed offsite then transported by road, freighting restrictions limit the width of a Fibreglass pool shell to 4.9 metres (16’) for most residential situations
  • Access for installation: Molded Fibreglass pools are taken to the installation site by truck, then lifted into place by a crane. Access for the delivery and installation of the pool may prove challenging, or even untenable

SUMMARY

Fibreglass pools offer many advantages over other pool types, the most talked about being that they require less work and less expense to maintain. This is certainly the experience of people who have previously owned concrete or liner pools, who now appreciate the relatively easy care of a Fibreglass pool. Fast installation is also a significant factor: Fibreglass pools can be installed in a few days, whereas concrete pools can take several months! The disruption to your property and family life is considerably less with a Fibreglass pool.

If you can find a pool size and style that meets your requirements and budget, then this pool type is highly recommended. Fibreglass pools deliver on many levels and have minimal drawbacks, leaving you to enjoy the pleasure and fun of owning your own pool.

A FIBREGLASS POOL WILL SUIT YOU IF…

•  You have a budget of $40K or more
•  You don’t require a customised size, shape or colour
•  Your property has good driveway access
•  You want a fast and hassle-free installation
•  You want a pool that requires lower maintenance
•  You want the least expensive option for running costs
•  You want to avoid costly repairs or refurbishments in the future
•  You want a great looking pool that’s very swimmer friendly

Perfect score for Fibreglass Pool

Morgan+Stone gave me straight, honest advice. A different pool company told me I only needed a very small pool heater. Another company said not to worry about a heater at all. Morgan+Stone provided clear information on pool heaters and told me exactly what I could expect. They also gave us different options and info about the manufacturers. They did not oversell or undersell products. Other pool companies just wanted to sell one brand and weren’t interested in supplying alternatives. One pool company in Auckland came across as arrogant because they already had too much work on, so didn’t need my business. Morgan+Stone were not the cheapest, but the products they provided were really good value for money. They were also willing to work with us, giving us the right advice and were ready and willing to make it happen. I found them to be a good, honest company to deal with. Their follow through was good, they provided the information I requested and they fulfilled what they said they would do.  I would absolutely recommend Morgan+Stone to others. We’re very happy with the final result, which I rate 10/10.

Mark Malloy

Fibreglass pool owner, Waitakere, Auckland.

MORGAN+STONE FIBREGLASS POOLS

We currently source our Fibreglass pools from the largest manufacturer in the southern hemisphere and arguably the industry leader in fibreglass pool technology. Their pools exceed the world standards for strength and thickness, have a marine grade Gelcoat and come with a 25 year structural warranty, plus an additional internal warranty that meets SPASA Guidelines. Based in the Gold Coast, this manufacturer has won multiple awards in the highly competitive Australia market and is the only Fibreglass pool company to be awarded the Australian Standards 5 tick certified product certification. They have a solid 25+ year history and now operate a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which exports pools world-wide.

The above Fibreglass pool designs are a small selection of the 15 styles and 62 different sizes available from Morgan+Stone. Choose from a selection of stunning Gelcoat colours to complement your landscaping. We’re 100% confident that our range of swimming pools deliver the best value available on the market. We’d love to help you choose a pool that’s perfect for your family.

Call us today to see our full range of styles and options.

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