Concrete, Vinyl, or Fiberglass: Which Pool Type is Right for You?

Choosing a pool type is a big decision—and not just for summer fun. It’s a long-term investment in your home and lifestyle. The three most common inground pool types are concrete (including gunite and shotcrete), vinyl, and fiberglass. Each comes with its own strengths and challenges.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key differences, but since Carlton Pools specializes in concrete pools, we’ll also explain why we believe concrete is the right choice for most homeowners.

Note: For simplicity, we’ll use the word concrete to refer to both gunite and shotcrete pool systems.

Key Takeaways

• Concrete pools offer unlimited design options and unmatched durability. They require more maintenance but are built to last for decades with the right care.
• Vinyl pools are more affordable upfront, but the liners must be replaced every few years, adding to long-term costs.
• Fiberglass pools install quickly and need less upkeep but offer limited shapes and sizes and can’t be fully customized.

Concrete Pools: Fully Custom, Fully Carlton

Concrete pools are the most flexible and long-lasting option. At Carlton Pools, every concrete pool is a custom creation—designed to match your space, your vision, and your lifestyle.

With concrete, you’re not limited by shape, size, or depth. You can create anything from a traditional rectangle to a resort-style lagoon with beach entries, infinity edges, sun shelves, swim-up bars, and more.

Price Range: $60,000 to $100,000+
Installation Time: 3–6 months
Longevity: 30+ years with proper care

Why We Build Only Concrete Pools at Carlton

• Concrete offers total design freedom—and that’s something no pre-made pool shell can match.
• We can fully integrate features like custom tanning ledges, tile mosaics, waterfalls, and automation systems.
• Concrete pools are built into the ground, not dropped in—which means a more natural, seamless finish.

Vinyl Liner Pools: Affordable, But With Trade-Offs

Vinyl liner pools are known for their low upfront cost. They use a metal or polymer frame and are finished with a vinyl liner that comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Price Range: $35,000 to $65,000
Installation Time: 3–6 weeks
Lifespan: 5–9 years per liner; 20–30 years overall

Consider This:

• Liners need to be replaced every 5–9 years (around $4,000 each time).
• The liner is vulnerable to tears, fading, and algae buildup.
• While you can choose the shape, options are still more limited than with concrete.

For homeowners focused on short-term savings, vinyl is appealing. But over the long term, ongoing liner replacements add up, and the look and feel can’t match the elegance of a concrete pool.

Fiberglass Pools: Fast Installation, Limited Customization

Fiberglass pools are pre-fabricated shells delivered to your home and set into the ground. They have a gelcoat surface that’s smooth, non-porous, and easy to maintain.

Price Range: $75,000 to $85,000
Installation Time: As fast as 2–5 days
Lifespan: 20–30 years

Consider This:

• Fiberglass pools come in fixed shapes and sizes—what you see is what you get.
• The largest models top out around 40 feet long and 16 feet wide.
• You can’t add custom features like integrated tanning ledges, unique depths, or swim-up bars unless the shell already includes them.

While low maintenance is a plus, the design restrictions make fiberglass a tough fit for homeowners who want something special or need a pool tailored to their space.

Installation Timelines

Here’s how long each pool type typically takes to build:

Pool Type	Install Time
Concrete	3–6 months (custom process)
Vinyl Liner	3–6 weeks
Fiberglass	2–5 days

Maintenance and Longevity

Pool Type	Long-Term Needs	Expected Lifespan
Concrete	Brushing, acid washes, resurfacing every 10–15 years	30–50+ years
Vinyl Liner	Liner replacements every 5–9 years	20–30 years
Fiberglass	Minimal upkeep, occasional polishing	20–30 years

Customization & Design Flexibility

If you’re dreaming of a backyard masterpiece, here’s how each pool stacks up.

• Concrete: Unlimited design. Any shape, depth, size, or feature. Your vision, your way.
• Vinyl Liner: Moderate flexibility. Various shapes/sizes, limited edge detailing.
• Fiberglass: Fixed shells only. Limited options, no structural customization.

Final Thoughts: Why Concrete Wins

At Carlton Pools, we believe that a backyard pool should be as unique as the people who swim in it. That’s why we specialize in custom-built concrete pools.

Concrete is the only pool type that offers:

• Unlimited design freedom
• Long-term durability
• Seamless integration with your home and landscape

Whether you want a simple geometric design, a freeform natural retreat, or a luxury resort-style build, concrete gives you the power to create it—and we’ll bring it to life.

FAQs