Fibreglass vs Concrete Pools: Costs, Timelines & Upkeep
Fibreglass and concrete pools compared for Australian buyers: installed price, build time, surface, upkeep, lifespan, heat, salt and design limits.
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The main difference between fibreglass and concrete pools is how they are built.
A fibreglass pool is moulded and cured in a factory. The finished shell is transported to the site and installed in the excavation.
A concrete pool is built on-site. The process includes excavation, steel reinforcement, spraying or pouring the concrete, curing, and applying the interior finish.
These construction methods affect cost, installation time, surface, maintenance, and lifespan.
What is the difference between a fibreglass pool and a concrete pool?
The main differences are how the pool shell is made and how the interior surface is applied.
A fibreglass pool is a single shell made from glass fibre and resin. It is moulded and cured in a factory, delivered as one piece, and lowered into a prepared excavation. The interior surface is gelcoat, a coloured resin layer moulded into the shell. The shell provides both the structure and the finished surface.
A concrete pool is built on site. The shape is excavated, a steel reinforcement framework is installed, and concrete is sprayed or poured over the steel. After the concrete cures, a separate interior finish is applied. The structure and finish are separate components with separate service lives and costs.
A fibreglass shell is installed in one piece and is typically in the ground within two days of excavation starting.
Are gunite, shotcrete and pebblecrete all concrete pools?
Yes. Gunite and shotcrete describe how the concrete pool structure is built. Pebblecrete describes the finish applied after the structure has cured.
| Term | Structure or finish | Where you hear it |
|---|---|---|
| Gunite | Structure: concrete sprayed over a steel reinforcement framework | The US term for the sprayed method |
| Shotcrete | Structure: the same sprayed method | The term used by Australian builders |
| Cast-in-place concrete | Structure: concrete poured into formwork on site | Describes a poured, formed shell |
| Precast concrete | Structure: concrete poured into a factory mould | Describes a shell poured off site |
| Plaster / marbelite | Finish: cement-based render over the structure | "Plaster" is the US term for the render |
| Pebblecrete / exposed aggregate | Finish: pebble set in cement render | The Australian term for a pebble interior |
| Pebble Tec | Finish: a pebble interior | A US brand name |
| Tile | Finish: tiles laid over the structure | The same term in both markets |
For a fibreglass pool, the shell and surface are the same object.
What does each pool cost, installed, in Australia?
Our installed fibreglass pools cost between $46,175.64 and $109,590.30. The median price is $62,861.11. Crystal Pools, a Sydney concrete pool builder, lists concrete pools from $75,000, excluding additional features and accessories. This starting price is higher than our median installed price.
Our price range covers 173 model and colour combinations. The Malta size 1 is at the lower end, and the Saint Azur size 3 is at the upper end. The installation component, excluding the shell, ranges from $29,335.64 to $61,376.45. The median installation cost is $38,060.41.
Our median signed contract is about $79,200. This figure is based on contracts that customers sign, rather than an average of list prices.
| Pool size | Length | Depth | Installed from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round pools | 3m to 4m | 1.45m level | $47,233 |
| Small pools | 4m to 5.5m | 1.0m to 1.78m | $46,053 |
| Medium pools | 6m to 7m | 1.0m to 1.88m | $55,003 |
| Large pools | 7.2m to 8m | 0.98m to 1.96m | $60,475 |
| Family pools | 8.25m to 11m | 1.0m to 2.0m | $69,428 |
Live all-inclusive installed pricing for standard site conditions in South East Queensland — updated straight from our quoting system.
These figures are installed prices, not shell-only prices. The amount a fibreglass pool costs installed depends on the selected shell and the work required to install and finish the pool.
Plungie, an Australian precast concrete manufacturer, publishes two price ranges. Its total project cost is $75,000 to $150,000 and above. This includes the installed pool, fencing, equipment, and landscaping. The shell alone costs $50,000 to $100,000 and above. Crystal Pools prices large, fully tiled concrete pools above $200,000.
Site conditions affect the cost of both pool types. Site access affects how the fibreglass shell or concrete equipment reaches the excavation. Excavation depth affects the amount of spoil that must be removed. Sloping blocks may require retaining on the lower side. Coping, paving, and required pool fencing are separate costs for both materials.
Over ten years, a concrete pool may require resurfacing. Its interior finish is a wearing layer that must be replaced at the end of its service life. A fibreglass pool uses the shell’s gelcoat as its finished surface, so it does not have a separate interior layer to replace.
Pool Advisor lists the following costs for full concrete pool resurfacing:
- 6m x 2.5m pool, about 15m²: $2,500 to $3,800
- 9m x 4m pool, about 36m²: $6,000 to $9,000
How long does each pool take to build?
A fibreglass pool has a shorter installation timeline. We set the shell within two days after excavation starts. A standard build takes 6 to 7 weeks from excavation to handover. The pool is ready to use about 11 weeks after contract signing.
Published timelines for concrete pools vary. Plungie, an Australian precast concrete manufacturer, states that on-site construction takes 8 to 16 weeks. Blue Pools and Spas states that a concrete pool usually takes about 3 to 6 months.
These figures cover different periods. Plungie measures the time that trades and machinery are working on the property. Blue Pools and Spas measures the full project from start to completion.
Curing accounts for part of the difference. A fibreglass shell cures in a factory before delivery, so curing does not affect the on-site schedule. A concrete shell is sprayed or poured on site and must cure before later work can begin. Rain can also stop concrete work.
The fibreglass pool installation process takes 6 to 7 weeks from excavation to handover. Installing the shell takes the first two days.
What does the inside surface feel like, and which one grows algae?
A cement-based concrete interior is porous. Algae can take hold inside the pores. A cured gelcoat is non-porous, so algae has no surface pores to anchor into.
A gelcoat interior feels smooth and hard. It is the outer resin layer of the moulded shell. Plaster and pebblecrete interiors have more texture. Plaster is a cement-based render with a sanded feel. Pebblecrete consists of pebbles set in cement render, so the pebbles are noticeable underfoot.
Fibreglass shells are not smooth in every area. Steps and tanning ledges have a slip-resistant texture to reduce the risk of slipping underwater.
A fibreglass pool has a coloured gelcoat interior, usually with shimmer. Our shells are available in a range of gelcoat colours. Gelcoat does not provide a stone or pebble appearance. Choose a concrete pool if you want a pebble or fully tiled interior.
Which pool costs less to run on chemicals, filtration and salt water?
Leisure Pools Australia, a fibreglass manufacturer, states that concrete pools require more chemicals because their interiors are porous. It also states that cement-based interiors increase water alkalinity, requiring regular acid treatment to maintain a stable pH. Fibreglass gelcoat is inert and does not affect pH or alkalinity.
General annual running costs are estimated at $3,000 to $7,000 with professional maintenance, or $1,500 to $3,500 with self-maintenance, according to What's The Damage. No published source provides separate running costs for fibreglass and concrete pools.
Fibreglass shells are compatible with salt chlorination because salt does not affect the gelcoat. The choice between salt water, magnesium and chlorine is separate from the choice of pool shell. The sanitation system can be changed on an existing pool without modifying the structure.
Which lasts longer, and what actually happens after 25 years?
After 25 years, a fibreglass shell is usually still structurally sound. The gelcoat may have lost gloss or faded. This is called chalking. It affects the surface, not the structure.
Other surface problems include:
- Colour loss
- Blistering, where the gelcoat forms small raised spots
- Crazing, where fine cracks appear across the surface
These conditions do not necessarily mean that the shell has failed.
A concrete pool has a different maintenance cycle. The structure can outlast the interior finish, which requires periodic replacement. Livin Construction Co estimates that a well-maintained pebblecrete interior lasts 15 to 20 years. After this period, the pool may need resurfacing.
| Resurfacing a pebblecrete interior, per Pool Advisor | Cost |
|---|---|
| 6m x 2.5m pool, about 15m² | $3,100 to $4,600 |
| 9m x 4m pool, about 36m² | $7,400 to $11,000 |
Livin Construction Co also publishes a general rate for resurfacing across all interior finishes:
- Most resurfacing specialists, 2025: $180 to $280 per square metre
Neither material has a fixed lifespan. Water chemistry, sunlight and maintenance affect when the surface needs repair or replacement. At 25 years, a fibreglass pool may have a faded surface, while a concrete pool may already require replacement of its interior finish.
Which pool is warmer, and which costs more to heat?
A fibreglass pool warms faster than a concrete pool of the same volume. Its shell is a thin laminate of glass fibre and resin with low thermal mass. This allows the water to respond quickly to sunlight and heating.
A concrete shell has more thermal mass and is in direct contact with the ground. The shell changes temperature with the water, so the pool takes longer to warm.
In South East Queensland, this difference is most noticeable during the cooler weeks before and after summer. During summer, sunlight warms both pool types. In cooler periods, a fibreglass pool responds faster to several warm days.
There is no fixed heating cost for either material. Heating equipment and heat retention are the main factors. A heat pump can maintain a set temperature in either pool, and a pool blanket reduces overnight heat loss. A fibreglass pool reaches the set temperature sooner because its shell has less thermal mass.
How much design freedom does each pool give you?
Concrete pools are built on site. They can be made in any shape, depth or size. Steps, ledges, swim-outs, beach entries and built-in spas can be placed as required.
Fibreglass pools are selected from factory-made moulds. Their dimensions are limited by what can be transported by truck and lifted by crane.
Many fibreglass moulds include benches, entry steps, tanning ledges and swim-outs as standard. These features do not add to the price. For a concrete pool, each feature must be formed and finished during construction. Our range includes 173 model-and-colour combinations. The largest model, the Kensington, measures 11.4m x 4.4m.
Concrete pools can have plaster, pebble or tile interiors. Fibreglass pools are available in the gelcoat colours offered by the manufacturer.
Choose concrete when the design requires a shape that is not available as a fibreglass mould or a depth that cannot be transported.
Bellagio
From $60,475At 7.5m x 2.5m, the Bellagio offers a long, narrow swimming corridor for tight side yards, deepening to 1.8m for a satisfying end-to-end lap.
View pool
Terazza
From $63,135The Terazza stretches a comfortable 7.2m x 3.3m, easing from 1.2m to 1.76m so there's space to swim laps and a shallow end for the little ones.
View pool
Sheffield
From $63,500The Sheffield's roomy 8m x 3m design deepens to 1.96m, giving keen swimmers a long, satisfying lap while the 0.98m shallow end stays family-friendly.
View pool
Castello
From $65,206The Castello's elegant 7.5m x 3.6m form deepens to 1.92m, blending a safe 0.98m shallow end with proper depth for confident, end-to-end swimming.
View pool
Bedarra
From $68,207The Bedarra's bold 7.5m x 3.8m shape runs a deeper 1.3m-1.8m throughout, an island-resort-style pool built for serious swimming and entertaining.
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Valentina
From $69,405The Valentina's grand 8m x 4m footprint is a true entertainer's pool, with a 1m-1.8m depth offering space to swim, play and gather all summer.
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Saint Remy
From $83,332The Saint Remy fits the full Resort Series pool-and-spa experience into 7.6m × 3.6m — a six-seat spa, spillway and swim zone on a standard suburban block.
View poolPrices are live all-inclusive installed prices (pool, standard installation, filtration and handover) for standard site conditions in South East Queensland.
Which pool adds more value when you sell?
A swimming pool can add value to a house. Buyers are more likely to consider the condition of the interior surface than the pool’s construction material.
A concrete interior with stains, patches, or worn areas may require resurfacing. A chalked fibreglass gelcoat may require less work because the faded surface is part of the shell rather than a separate layer.
Fibreglass pools can look cheap when they are poorly maintained. The same applies to concrete pools. A well-maintained gelcoat in a current colour can present as well as a maintained pebble or tiled interior.
During an inspection, buyers are likely to focus on the surface condition, coping, and paving rather than the shell material.
Should you choose a fibreglass pool or a concrete pool?
Choose a concrete pool if you need a custom design. Choose a fibreglass pool if installation time, price certainty, or reduced disruption is more important.
A concrete pool may be suitable when:
- The required shape is not available as a mould, such as a curve that follows an existing wall.
- The required depth or length is greater than a truck can deliver and a crane can place.
- The design includes structural features such as a raised wall, an integrated spa, or a custom-sized beach entry.
Concrete pools are formed on site, so they can support these requirements.
A fibreglass pool may be suitable when:
- A standard pool shape meets your needs.
- You have a fixed budget and need a known installation cost.
- The yard cannot remain a construction site for months because of small children, a home-based business, or a settlement date.
- The pool will use salt chlorination, which does not affect the gelcoat.
Vinyl-liner pools are the third type of inground pool.
Which pool suits your block — reactive clay, a slope, or tight access?
Three site conditions affect the choice: reactive clay, slope, and site access.
On South East Queensland's reactive clay soils, the ground moves as moisture levels change. A fibreglass shell can flex with this movement. A rigid concrete structure resists movement and may crack if the movement is strong enough. Reactive clay generally favours fibreglass.
A sloping site does not favour either material. A pool built into a slope requires retaining on the low side, whether the pool is concrete or fibreglass. The slope affects excavation volume and retaining wall height, not the choice of shell.
Site access can limit fibreglass installation. A fibreglass shell is delivered as one rigid object and must reach the excavation. If side access is too narrow for a truck, a crane can lift the shell over the house. This changes the excavation and delivery plan but does not necessarily rule out fibreglass.
A concrete pool is formed on site using materials carried into the backyard. If neither a crane nor a truck can access the site, concrete may be the suitable option.
What do owners say after living with each pool?
Owners report different issues with each material.
Common fibreglass complaints include:
- Limited shape options
- Surface colour chalking
- Problems with older shells built to earlier specifications
Common concrete complaints include:
- Periodic resurfacing
- Higher chemical demand from the porous interior
- Longer construction times that limit access to the yard
Some fibreglass complaints relate to older products. Shell laminates, resin systems, and gelcoat colour ranges have changed since 2017. Our completed installations use current shells.
Concrete complaints are less dependent on product age. Resurfacing and the chemical demand of a cement-based interior are properties of the construction method.
How can you tell whether the pool you already have is concrete or fibreglass?
You can identify the pool material without draining the pool. Check these four areas:
-
Coping-to-waterline junction
- A fibreglass pool has a continuous moulded lip around the pool. The lip is part of the shell.
- A concrete pool has a tiled band or rendered edge with visible grout lines and joins.
-
Skimmer throat
- In a fibreglass pool, the skimmer is a moulded plastic box integrated with the shell. The wall opening is smooth.
- In a concrete pool, the skimmer is a separate unit installed in the concrete, with render around it.
-
Step edges
- Fibreglass steps have rounded, continuous edges without joins between surfaces.
- Concrete steps have defined edges because they are formed and rendered.
-
Wall
- Tap the wall with your knuckle. A fibreglass shell sounds hollow and may move slightly.
- A concrete wall sounds solid and does not move.
The pool material determines its maintenance requirements. A concrete interior needs resurfacing according to the lifespan of its finish. A fibreglass gelcoat is maintained rather than replaced.
FAQs
What happens to a fibreglass pool after 25 years?
After 25 years, a fibreglass pool shell is usually still structurally sound. Most visible changes affect the gelcoat. The gloss may dull, and the colour may fade. This condition is called chalking and does not indicate a structural problem.
Blistering and crazing can also affect the gelcoat. These conditions are not linked to a specific pool age.
By comparison, a concrete pool’s interior finish may require attention by this time. Livin Construction Co gives pebblecrete surfaces a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
What is the downside of a fibreglass pool?
Fibreglass pools are limited to available moulds. Our range includes 173 model and colour combinations. The largest design, the Kensington, measures 11.4 m x 4.4 m. Custom shapes and larger sizes are not available.
The shell must also be transported to the excavation site. If side access is too narrow, a crane may need to lift it over the house. Interior finishes are limited to gelcoat colours rather than pebble or stone.
What are the disadvantages of a concrete pool?
Concrete pools have longer build times, require periodic resurfacing and need ongoing chemical adjustment.
Plungie, an Australian precast concrete manufacturer, estimates an on-site build time of 8 to 16 weeks. During this period, the yard remains a work site.
The interior finish wears over time and requires resurfacing. Leisure Pools Australia, a fibreglass manufacturer, states that concrete interiors naturally increase alkalinity, requiring regular acid addition to maintain a stable pH.
Which pool is better, concrete or fibreglass?
The better option depends on the project. Choose concrete when the pool requires a custom shape, depth, or built-in structural features. Concrete pools are formed on site. Choose fibreglass when the project has a fixed budget, requires a shorter installation period, or uses salt water. Our installed prices range from $46,175.64 to $109,590.30, with a median of $62,861.11.
What is the cheapest type of inground pool to put in?
Fibreglass pools generally have the lowest entry price. Our cheapest installed pool is the Malta size 1. Our installed prices range from $46,175.64 to $109,590.30. Crystal Pools, a Sydney concrete pool builder, lists concrete pool prices starting at $75,000. These figures are starting prices, not typical prices for a completed project.
