ABOVE GROUND FIBERGLASS POOLS
Contrary to popular belief the Above Ground Fiberglass Pool is nothing new. In fact Compass Pools of Australia ran this add featuring their Above Ground Fiberglass Pools over 8 years ago. San Juan Fiberglass Pools the inventors of the fiberglass pool from the United States also has several above ground fiberglass pools models to choose from as well. So while you might here news about the Above Ground Fiberglass Pool being a new invention, trust me when I say it is not. The above ground fiberglass pool has been around for quite some time and its not going anywhere.
WHAT IS AN ABOVE GROUND FIBERGLASS POOL?
Its exactly as it sounds, a fiberglass pool that is designed to be installed above ground. Typically these are small rectangular pools that feature fiberglass ribs and reinforcement along the sides of the pools to help prevent the fiberglass pool from bowing out when filled. Fiberglass Above Ground Pool are typically quite a bit thicker than a traditional in ground fiberglass pool as well.
POPULARITY OF THE ABOVE GROUND FIBERGLASS POOL
While the Above Ground Fiberglass Pool has been around for quite some time it has never really been a big seller for a few reasons. Number one they are typically small pools and they are flat bottom. So the size and depth are limiting factors to its use. The demand for above ground fiberglass pools may be on the rise due to the current trend of shipping container pools. Shipping container pool sales seem to be on the rise in recent years and an above ground fiberglass pool could be a good alternative which may lead to a rise in above ground fiberglass pool sales.
FIBERGLASS POOLS VS SHIPPING CONTAINER POOLS
Shipping container pools are in a nut shell a large empty rectangle steel box. A steel box that was never intended to be a pool. To create a pool out of a shipping container it will need to be reinforced with more steel in a schedule provided by an engineering firm to ensure the shipping container can hold up to the pressure of the water and the swimmers. Then it needs a specialized coating to make it water tight and corrosion resistant. The limiting factor ultimately is the steel of the shipping container and the interior liner or coating. Inevitably it will rust and inevitably the interior surface will need to be replaced. This all adds up to alot of extra expense and long term cost of ownership. Why go though all of that when a fiberglass above ground pool can give you all of the benefits with out the need to replace a liner or interior coating and no need to worry about corrosion. An above ground fiberglass pool seems like it has the edge over a shipping container pool to me.
MANUFACTURER MADE OR RETRO FIT ABOVE GROUND FIBERGLASS POOLS
There are truly 2 types of above ground fiberglass pools that we are seeing on the market right now. The first is an above ground fiberglass pool made for use as an above ground pool directly from the fiberglass pool manufacturer. The second is a fiberglass pool that is manufactured for use as an inground pool then modified by an installer to be installed above ground. In my humble opinion the above ground fiberglass pool that is 100% created and built by the original manufacturer is the only way to go and for a few reasons. The fiberglass pool manufacturer engineered and designed the pool for this specific use and offers a warranty for the product. If you purchase an inground pool from a pool installer and they retrofit an in ground pool model to go above ground it will in most cases void the manufactures warranty. That's a big red flag for me.
ABOVE GROUND FIBERGLASS POOL INSTALLATION
In the video below the crew from River Pool shows how a fiberglass pool is manufactured to allow for installation above the ground. The thickness of a fiberglass pool is increased and special ribs are manufactured into specific locations on the pool to properly support the weight of the water inside the pool. Check out this quick video its pretty cool.
Here is another quick video showing buttressing of an above ground fiberglass pool. This video is brought to us from complete fiberglass pool kits youtube channel.
WHICH FIBERGLASS POOL MANUFACTURERS HAVE AN ABOVE GROUND FIBERGLASS POOL?
In America the only fiberglass pool manufacturer we could find that offers a true Above Ground Fiberglass Pool is San Juan Fiberglass Pools. In fact San Juan Pools offers 3 Above Ground Fiberglass Pool Models and 1 Fiberglass Above Ground Spa. They are the Canyon Beach, Canyon Lake, Sedona and the Scottsdale Spa. Check them out here: https://sanjuanpools.com/models/above-ground . River Pools and Spas does not have a dedicated above ground fiberglass pool model but they are able to create one on demand in their plant as seen in the above ground fiberglass pool installation video above.
In Australia there appear to be several fiberglass pool manufactures that have above ground fiberglass pools. Compass Pools has the Maxi Rib technology they use to allow their fiberglass pools to be installed above ground. Check them out here: https://www.compasspools.com.au/above-ground-pools/ . The Plunge Pool Factory website says it offers Above Ground Fiberglass Pools on the page link below but we could not find much else on their site about them. https://www.plungepoolfactory.com.au/
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ABOVE GROUND FIBERGLASS POOLS
Lets dive into the pros and cons of above ground fiberglass pools.
PROS
Above Ground Fiberglass Pools are generally small pools which are ideal if you have limited space.
Above Ground Fiberglass Pools are generally flat bottom pools and are on the shallow side of the spectrum. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Above Ground Fiberglass Pools are a great option if you have a high water table in your area and are unable to install an inground pool
You can outfit an above ground fiberglass pool with any accessories and upgrade you can install on any in ground pool. Automatic Pool Covers, Pool Heaters, Lights, Water Features, etc.
CONS
Small Size: If you are looking for a massive above ground pool the above ground fiberglass pool may not be a great option for you. Most pools are in the 10'x18' size range with a flat bottom.
Flat Bottom: No jumping or diving into these pools!
MORAL OF THE STORY
If you can avoid it, stay away from an above ground fiberglass pool that is modified by a pool builder and buy an above ground fiberglass pool model directly from the offerings of the manufacturer. It will come with a genuine warranty and likely cost less since the manufacturer is able to produce these at scale to keep the cost down versus a pool builder that is customizing a pool themselves. For me what it comes down to is the warranty and an above ground fiberglass pool built by a manufacturer will have a full warranty and a retro fit above ground fiberglass pool will likely have no manufacturer warranty at all since the pool is installed out of spec. So if you are looking for an above ground fiberglass pool stick with one pre made from the manufacturer.
SHAMELESS CALL TO ACTION
If you are considering an above ground fiberglass pool, give Pool Pros a call at 920-771-0107. Our in house pool designers are ready and waiting to help you create the outdoor living area of your dreams. When Quality Counts, Count on Pool Pros.
DISCLAIMER: Pool Pros is has not been compensated for writing this article and does not own any images or videos used in this article. See source links below for more info.
SOURCES
San Juan Fiberglass Pools: https://sanjuanpools.com/models/above-ground
Compass Pool Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fHIzRf7jqs
Complete Fiberglass Pool Kits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSaMzHNj_Vg&t=60s
River Pools and Spa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbx4rcXYJ4g
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