Ask Sharp Pools
Dear Sharp Pools,
We’re getting quotes for a pool and keep hearing two different pitches. One company says fiberglass is faster and easier, and another says gunite is the only way to go in Florida. What’s the real difference between gunite and fiberglass?
— Mark from Melbourne
Reader questions are based on the ones we hear most often from Brevard homeowners.
Dear Mark,
Both can make good pools, but they are built very differently, and those differences affect what you can design, how long it takes, and how the pool holds up over time. We build custom gunite pools, so we’ll say up front that we believe gunite is the better choice for most Brevard homeowners. We’ll also explain where fiberglass does well, so you can make your own decision.
How Each Type Is Built
A gunite pool is built on site. The crew excavates the shape, ties a grid of steel rebar, and sprays a concrete mix under high pressure to form the shell. An interior finish such as plaster, quartz, or pebble is applied afterward.
A fiberglass pool is a one-piece shell made in a factory mold. It is trucked to your home, set into an excavated hole on a prepared base, then plumbed and backfilled.
Advantages of Gunite
Any shape, size, or depth. Because the shell is formed in your yard, a gunite pool can be designed around your lot, your house, and how you plan to use it. Long lap lanes, freeform curves, geometric lines, uniform “sport” depths, and deeper areas are all possible. That matters on irregular lots, narrow yards, and properties with setbacks, which are common across Brevard.
Built-in features. Tanning ledges (sun shelves), benches, swim-outs, raised walls, and attached spillover spas can be formed as part of the shell. You decide where they go and how big they are.
Durability. A steel-reinforced concrete shell, engineered for your site and built with proper permits and inspections, is a long-lasting structure. The interior finish will need resurfacing over the years, but the shell itself is built to last.
Finish choices. You can choose plaster, quartz, or pebble finishes in a wide range of colors. Waterline tile and coping can match your home’s style.
Easier to update later. A gunite pool can be resurfaced, retiled, and remodeled. Sun shelves, new finishes, and automation can be added in a future remodel.
Where Fiberglass Does Well
Faster installation. Because the shell arrives finished, the on-site build is generally shorter than for a gunite pool. For homeowners on a tight timeline, that is a real advantage.
Smooth surface. The gelcoat surface feels smooth underfoot and tends to resist algae, which can mean slightly less brushing.
Less chemical effect on the surface. A gelcoat surface does not affect water chemistry the way a new cementitious finish does during its early curing period.
The Limits of Fiberglass
Size limits. Fiberglass shells must travel on highways, so their width is limited by what can legally be shipped. Shells are generally no wider than about 16 feet, which limits larger pools.
Preset shapes. You choose from a manufacturer’s catalog of molds. Features like steps, benches, and ledges are where the mold puts them. If a model doesn’t fit your yard well, there’s little room to adjust.
Fewer remodeling options. You can’t easily change the shape or add a built-in feature to a fiberglass shell later. Gelcoat can be repaired or refinished, but it requires specialized work.
Florida-Specific Considerations
High water tables. Many Brevard neighborhoods, especially near the Indian River Lagoon on Merritt Island and in Rockledge, have high groundwater. Any inground pool can be affected by groundwater pressure, so no pool should be drained without professional guidance. A gunite shell is engineered for your site’s conditions.
Storms and heat. Florida’s heat, sun, and heavy rains are hard on every outdoor surface. A well-built pool of either type, properly maintained, can handle the climate. What matters most is quality construction, good drainage around the deck, and balanced water.
Year-round use. Brevard pools are used much of the year, so it’s worth investing in a design that fits how you’ll actually use it, including features like a sun shelf or an attached spa.
Which Is Right for You?
Fiberglass may be a fit if you want a standard-size pool, like one of the available shapes, and want the shortest possible installation. Gunite is the better choice if you want a pool designed around your yard, need a specific size or depth, want built-in features, or want the flexibility to remodel in the future.
Key Takeaways
- Gunite pools are built on site and can be any shape, size, or depth.
- Tanning ledges, benches, swim-outs, and spillover spas can be built into a gunite shell.
- Fiberglass installs faster and has a smooth gelcoat surface.
- Fiberglass shells are limited by shipping width and preset mold shapes.
- Gunite pools can be resurfaced and remodeled as your needs change.
Talk to a Gunite Pool Builder
Call (321) 343-2606 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and estimate with Sharp Pools.