If you’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in a swimming pool, you’re probably wondering whether to go with fibreglass or concrete. It’s one of the most common questions we hear from Melbourne homeowners, and for good reason. Both options have their merits, but they suit different needs, budgets and lifestyles.
With over 30 years of experience installing pools across South East Melbourne, Bayside and the Mornington Peninsula, we’ve helped thousands of families make this decision. Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right pool for your home.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick snapshot of how fibreglass and concrete pools stack up against each other.
| Factor | Fibreglass | Concrete |
| Installation Time | 1-2 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Upfront Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Ongoing Maintenance | Minimal | Resurfacing every 15-20 years |
| Surface Feel | Smooth, family-friendly | Can be rough (pebble, plaster) |
| Customisation | Wide range of shapes and colours | Unlimited shapes and finishes |
| Warranty | Lifetime (shell and colour) | Varies by builder |
Aesthetics: What Will Your Pool Look Like?
First things first, what do you want your pool to look like? This is often where people start, and rightly so. Your pool will be a focal point of your outdoor space for decades to come.
Concrete Pool Aesthetics
A concrete pool can be built to almost any shape or size you can imagine. Want a freeform lagoon shape? No problem. A geometric lap pool that fits a narrow side yard? Done. The interior finishes are equally flexible, with options including ceramic tiles, glass mosaics, pebblecrete, quartzon, and painted plaster.
This level of customisation means you can create something truly unique. However, it’s worth noting that visualising how a small sample tile or pebble finish will look across a large pool filled with water can be tricky. The colour can shift dramatically depending on the depth, light conditions and surrounding landscaping.
Fibreglass Pool Aesthetics
Fibreglass pools have come a long way from the limited options of years past. Today, there’s a huge range of shapes and sizes available to suit almost any backyard. With over 40 pool designs in our range alone, you’ll find everything from compact plunge pools to large family pools with built-in seating, swim-outs and spillways.
Colour options have expanded significantly too. Our 11 Crystallite Colour Guard finishes range from deep blues and tropical aquas to sophisticated greys and coastal whites. And here’s a big advantage: many manufacturers now warrant the colour as well as the shell, meaning your pool will look just as vibrant in 30 years as it does on day one. No fading, no discolouration.
The only real limitation is width. Because fibreglass shells are manufactured off-site and transported by road, the maximum width is typically around 4.5 metres. For most Melbourne backyards, this is more than adequate, but if you’re after something wider, concrete may be your only option.
Installation Times: How Quickly Can You Be Swimming?
If you’re keen to be swimming sooner rather than later, installation time is a major factor to consider.
Fibreglass pools are manufactured in a controlled factory environment, which means the shell arrives at your property ready to install. Once the excavation is complete, the pool can be craned into place, connected and filled within a matter of days. From start to finish, most fibreglass installations are complete and swim-ready within one to two weeks.
Concrete pools are a different story. Because they’re built on-site from scratch, the process involves excavation, steel reinforcement, concrete spraying or pouring, curing time, waterproofing, tiling or finishing, and filling. All up, you’re looking at three to six months before you can jump in, sometimes longer if weather delays or complex designs are involved.
Of course, both options require lead time for contracts, council permits, fencing compliance and equipment orders before construction begins. If you’d like to understand the full timeline, have a read of our guide on how long does it take to build a pool.
Cost: What’s the Real Investment?
Budget is often the deciding factor for many families, and it’s important to look at both the upfront cost and the long-term expenses.
Upfront Costs
In broad terms, fibreglass pools are generally more affordable than concrete pools of a similar size. The quicker installation process means lower labour costs, and there are fewer variables that can blow out the budget.
According to realestate.com.au, fibreglass pools typically range from $55,000 to $100,000 depending on size and features, while concrete pools start around $70,000 and can easily exceed $100,000 for larger or more elaborate designs.
Long-Term Costs
This is where fibreglass really pulls ahead. Concrete pools require resurfacing every 15 to 20 years, which can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the size and finish. Over the lifetime of the pool, that adds up.
Many fibreglass pool shells, including those from our partner Aqua Technics, come with a lifetime structural warranty. The smooth gelcoat surface doesn’t deteriorate the way concrete finishes do, so you won’t be facing major resurfacing bills down the track.
Day-to-day running costs tend to be lower too. The non-porous surface means you’ll use fewer chemicals to keep the water balanced, and cleaning is quicker and easier.
Swimming Experience: Comfort and Safety
For families with kids, the in-pool experience matters just as much as how the pool looks from the outside.
Fibreglass pools have a smooth, non-porous gelcoat surface that’s gentle on skin and feet. Kids can play for hours without coming out with grazed knees or stubbed toes. It’s also more comfortable for sitting on ledges and steps.
Concrete pools with plaster or pebble finishes can feel quite rough, especially as they age and the surface becomes more textured. Those rougher surfaces can also harbour bacteria, mould and algae in the tiny pores and crevices, making them harder to keep clean and hygienic.
Melbourne’s variable weather means your pool will be used year-round if you add heating. For information on extending your swimming season, check out our pool heating options, including our partnership with Sunlover heating systems.
Maintenance: The Long Game
Nobody wants to spend their weekends scrubbing pool walls. Maintenance requirements should be a key part of your decision.
Fibreglass Pool Maintenance
Fibreglass pools are the clear winner when it comes to ease of maintenance. The smooth, non-porous gelcoat surface resists algae growth and doesn’t harbour bacteria the way textured concrete finishes can. This means less scrubbing, fewer chemicals and lower ongoing costs.
Our Aqua Technics pools feature Graphene Nano-Tech technology, which adds an extra layer of durability and makes the surface even easier to clean. Pair it with a quality robotic cleaner like the Maytronics Dolphin range and your maintenance time drops to almost nothing.
Concrete Pool Maintenance
Concrete pools require more attention to keep in top condition. The porous surface means algae can take hold more easily, requiring regular brushing and higher chemical doses to keep on top of it.
Calcium levels need to be carefully managed to prevent pitting, etching and scale buildup on concrete surfaces. If you’re using a salt chlorinator, be aware that salt can accelerate wear on concrete, potentially shortening the time between resurfacing jobs. For more on this, check out our guide to salt chlorination.
Calcium staining can occur in both pool types, but it’s more common and more visible in concrete pools, particularly those with lighter plaster finishes.
So, Which Should You Choose?
After weighing up all the factors, here’s our take.
Consider a concrete pool if: You have a very specific custom design in mind that can’t be achieved with a fibreglass shell, you want particular finishes like mosaic tiles, or you need a pool wider than 4.5 metres. Just be prepared for a longer build time, higher upfront costs, and ongoing maintenance and resurfacing expenses.
Consider a fibreglass pool if: You want a quality pool that’s quicker to install, easier to maintain, safer for the family, and backed by a lifetime warranty. With the range of shapes, sizes and colours available today, most families find a fibreglass option that suits their space perfectly, without the compromises they might have expected.
As SPASA-certified pool builders with over 2,000 installations under our belt, we’ve seen firsthand how the right pool choice can make all the difference for a family. The best way to decide is to see the options for yourself.
Ready to See the Difference for Yourself?
Visit Victoria’s largest family-friendly pool display centre in Cranbourne West. Walk around our range of fibreglass pools, see the colours in person, and chat with our team about what would work for your backyard.
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