Cost of Vinyl Liner Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools

Cost of Vinyl Liner Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools
Once you’ve made the initial decision to put in a new pool, you’ll be faced with the next step in the decision making process: should you put in a vinyl liner pool or a fiberglass pool? They each have their own costs associated with installation, material and upkeep. Let’s take a look at the typical costs:

Vinyl Liner Pools
This is the most affordable option if you’re looking to spend the least amount initially. The price tag usually hovers in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, making it a very attractive choice for many homeowners on a budget. However, while the initial outlay is low, you also have to consider the cost of liner replacement down the road.
Vinyl tends to rip and tear easily; yes, some small rips you can patch up yourself. But when those tears are very large or there are too many of them, you are forced to replace the liner. This can cost upwards of $4,000 each time. While the structure of the pool can last up to 40 years, you’ll likely have to replace the liner at least every decade.
You may also face replacement after many years when you notice your vinyl liner has faded so much from the sun that it looks unsightly. Vinyl liner pools may not fetch as much money if you go to sell your home in the future as, say, a fiberglass or gunite pool would.
Bottom line: vinyl liner pools are an affordable option at the start, but can cost you money down the road.

Fiberglass Pools
This type of pool is crafted from fiberglass, and is pre-formed before it even gets to your house. It can easily be lowered into the excavated hole on your property, which makes for easy installation.
They cost a bit more than vinyl, usually about $10,000 more – and sometimes up to $15,000 depending on size and region. If you have a bit more to spend initially, a fiberglass pool is a great option due to its high quality and longevity. There are no liner replacements to add to the cost later, either.

That said, you may have to spend more on maintenance, specifically cleaning the algae growth from the sides of the pool. That’s because fiberglass’ porous nature can harbor such growth, which can build up over time and look unsightly.

Fiberglass pools, recognized as a permanent home improvement, usually fetch more money when you go to sell your home. Homebuyers would rather take on the responsibility of a higher quality pool and may pay more for it. Of course, this could backfire and the buyer may not want a pool at all, which turns them off completely. However, that’s a topic for another blog!
If you want to discuss more cost differences between vinyl and fiberglass pools, give us a call at Central Jersey Pools at 732-462-5005. We’d be happy to continue the conversation!

Vinyl Liner Pools NJ  |  Fiberglass Pools NJ