Welcome to our Learning Corner

Enter in to the world of Gunite or shotcrete and let your imagination run wild!

• Custom - These pools are 100% custom and all the options are available.  From swim up bars to infinity edges and sunning shelves, concrete pools can take any shape and size.  
• Cost - With customizability comes an equal price tag.  Adding features like extended benches, coves, waterfalls, zero entry and grotto's will surely come at a cost but the experience is always work it.  
• Like fiberglass your concrete pool will hold up to pets and lots of use.  It's important to monitor your maintenance and pH to ensure a long life for your pool 
• Gunite vs. Shotcrete - Gunite is dry cement fired through a nozzle and water is added right before placing.  Shotcrete is wet concrete fired through a nozzle and water is already incorporated.  Both use pressure to place the mix into the steel mesh walls and floor and then shaped by hand.  

Fiberglass pools come in several colors, shapes and sizes.  

• Many Options - There are plenty of choices but you may find it someone limiting if you want the lagoon style pool with a lazy river.  
• Durability! - Have pets that like to swim?  Well your solution is a fiberglass pool.  Unlike vinyl a fiberglass shell is built to hold up against your pets sharp paws.  
• Less Maintenance - Fiberglass pools are easy to clean and with your new robotic vacuum how can you go wrong.  Weekly maintenance is drastically reduced without the worry of pH imbalance and salt working at your concrete pool shell. 

Overall a win!  Expect to spend more money up front for a fiberglass pool than a vinyl liner. 

Vinyl liner pools are great options when considering these two scenarios.  

• First - The cost to install a vinyl pool is on the lower end so entering into the pool ownership world can be less out of pocket initially.  
• Second - Customizability, a vinyl pool can be any shape with a relatively short lead time.  Accessories like lights, bubblers, waterfeatures, and spa's are all compatible with vinyl. 

The downside is your upkeep.  Plan to replace your liner at least once during your pools life and more often if you accidentally damage or puncture the liner. 

Need Help with your Choices Reach out Today!

A gas heater is your best option for fast heating throughout the season.  Natural gas is generally less expensive when compared to propane but most heaters come in either option.  A 400k btu (British Thermal Units) heater can heat the average pool in roughly 10hrs with out wind considerations.  It's best to cover your pool when using a heater to retain as much heat as possible. 

Heat pumps work like an air conditioner but in reverse.  Can be less to operate on a monthly basis using electricity and take advantage of solar electricity if you home has this option.  If you choose to use a heat pump you will need to allow more time to heat your pool (more than a day compared to gas heaters).  We recommend the use of an automatic or solar cover to keep the heat in the pool.   

Hybrid heaters are available for those looking for both gas and electric heaters.  Though larger than standard heaters these units are great for smaller spaces.  Hybrid heaters provide fast early/late season heating with the option to efficiently heat during the day when temps are warm in the summer helping to reduce your overall cost.    

Gas Heater $$

Heat Pump $$$

Hybrid Heater $$$$

Let's consider all factors are equal and we want to raise our pool temp by 10 degrees, how long will it take and how much will it cost?

• Propane - $60.00 and take 5hrs
• Natural Gas - $45.00 and take 5hrs
• Electric Heat Pump will cost roughly $12 and take 36hrs (at temps above 50degrees)

Gas heaters and heat pumps are roughly similar in price when you consider the extra charge for a gas fitter and electrician on a job to job basis.  Consult with our pool professionals to discuss which option is best for your specific application.