Fiberglass vs Concrete Pools: Best Choice for Utah Climate

Fiberglass vs Concrete Pools: Best Choice for Utah Climate

Hot Tub
September 09, 2025•6 min read

Introduction

Choosing the right pool material is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner makes. In Utah, with its hot summers, freezing winters, and shifting soils, what works well in another region might struggle here.

If you’re deciding between a fiberglass pool and a concrete (or gunite) pool for your backyard in Orem, Provo, or elsewhere in Utah County, this guide will walk you through the pros, cons, and key considerations for our specific climate. You’ll finish with a clearer idea of which option is likely to last longer, cost less to maintain, and perform better in Utah.

In this article, you’ll learn:

  • What defines fiberglass and concrete/gunite pools

  • How each material behaves under Utah’s temperature swings

  • What trade-offs to weigh (cost, maintenance, durability)

  • A decision framework to pick what’s best for your home

What Are Fiberglass Pools and Concrete Pools?

Before comparing, it helps to understand the basics of each:

Fiberglass Pools

  • These are factory-molded shells made of fiberglass reinforced with resin, delivered ready to install.

  • The interior is coated with a smooth gelcoat surface.

  • Because they’re one piece, there are no joints or seams in the shell.

  • They often come with built-in features (steps, benches, tanning ledges).

Concrete (Gunite / Shotcrete) Pools

  • Built on site: rebar, steel, and sprayed concrete (gunite or shotcrete) form the shell.

  • After curing, a plaster or aggregate finish is applied to the interior.

  • Highly customizable in shape, depth, and size, because you build it from scratch.

  • Over time, surfaces may need refinishing or resurfacing (e.g. re-plaster).

Concrete and gunite are often used interchangeably in conversation, so I’ll use “concrete” broadly to refer to site-built cement/shotcrete pools in the rest of this article.

Key Differences: How Fiberglass and Concrete Perform in Utah

Here are the main dimensions where fiberglass and concrete differ. These are especially relevant under Utah’s climate constraints.

Heat & Energy Efficiency

  • Fiberglass has better natural insulation because the shell is one continuous piece and contains fewer junctions or cracks where heat can escape. Some sources note that fiberglass pools retain heat better and heat up faster than concrete pools. sonorafiberglasspools.com+2Polynesian Pools+2

  • Concrete is more conductive and more porous (especially plaster finishes), meaning more heat loss and higher energy costs to maintain comfortable water temperature.

Maintenance & Chemical Use

Durability & Climate Stress

  • Utah’s freeze-thaw cycles and soil movement apply stress to pool shells. Fiberglass is more flexible and can handle subtle shifts without cracking, whereas concrete is rigid and more prone to cracks and structural stress over time. Imagine Pools USA & Canada+3Pool Brokers USA+3Pool Brokers USA+3

  • Fiberglass’s nonporous nature prevents water infiltration, which can freeze internally in concrete shells and cause damage. Pool Brokers USA+1

  • Concrete can better absorb customization abuses or extreme shapes, but that customization comes at the cost of long-term structural repair risk.

Installation Speed & Disruption

Flexibility and Customization

  • Concrete wins in pure customization: any shape, depth, contour, integration with hardscape or water features is possible.

  • Fiberglass pools are constrained to molds. While modern molds cover many common and appealing designs, you cannot deviate arbitrarily beyond the shell options.

Long-Term Cost & Value

  • When you factor in resurfacing, extra chemical use, repairs, and energy, many analyses show fiberglass offering lower lifecycle costs. Pool Brokers USA+2River Pools and Spas+2

  • Concrete’s initial seeming flexibility and custom appeal sometimes masks escalating maintenance costs over time.

Decision Guide: Which Pool Type Works Best for Your Utah Home

Here’s a step-by-step approach to decide between fiberglass and concrete for your location, preferences, and goals:

1. Clarify Your Priorities & Restrictions

Decide which is most important to you: low maintenance, energy efficiency, custom design, fast installation, or long-term cost.

2. Assess Soil, Elevation & Ground Movement

Work with a geotechnical or pool installer to understand soil type, drainage, frost depth, and rock content. If your lot is particularly prone to shifting or frost heave, fiberglass’s flexibility may offer a safer bet.

3. Estimate Full Lifecycle Cost

Don’t just compare shell costs. Project energy, repairs, resurfacing, chemical consumption over 15–20 years. Fiberglass often shows better value in the long run.

4. Review Local Code & Permit Constraints

Check what your city or county in Utah allows or requires. Some areas may have structural or insulation requirements for freeze zones.

5. Evaluate Timeline & Disruption Tolerance

If you want to swim sooner, fiberglass offers a faster path. If you're comfortable with months of construction, concrete is viable.

6. Test Pool Surfaces (Comfort & Feel)

Walk surfaces, touch walls, consider how rough or smooth you want the shell to feel. Fiberglass is typically gentler on feet.

7. Confirm Local Support & Warranty

Ensure your installer has experience with your chosen type in Utah climate. Check warranty, repair, and resurfacing support.

8. Make a Balanced Choice

Weigh goals against trade-offs. For many Utah homeowners, the value and practicality of fiberglass outweigh the aesthetic flexibility of concrete. But in custom, large, or uniquely shaped projects, concrete may still be justified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is fiberglass pool safe in cold climates like Utah?
 Yes. Because fiberglass is flexible and nonporous, it resists cracking better under freeze-thaw cycles when properly installed with correct backfill and drainage. Pool Brokers USA+2Pool Brokers USA+2

How often does a concrete pool need resurfacing?
 Typically every 10–15 years, though heavier use, chemicals, or weather stress can shorten that.

Which is cheaper up front, fiberglass or concrete?
 It depends on the design. Fiberglass often has lower installation cost (shell + install) compared to highly customized concrete; but a minimal concrete design may appear competitive initially. Over time, maintenance costs of concrete catch up. River Pools and Spas+2Pool Brokers USA+2

Can you customize a fiberglass pool?
 You can choose among shell designs, colors, and built-in features (benches, steps, tanning ledges). But you cannot deviate from the shell shape itself.

Which is easier to maintain long term?
 Fiberglass typically requires less frequent cleaning, fewer chemicals, and no major resurfacing, making it easier to manage over decades.

Conclusion

In Utah’s climate—with hot summers, cold winters, and soil movement—fiberglass pools often offer a compelling balance of durability, insulation, lower maintenance, and long-term cost efficiency. Concrete pools bring unmatched customization and flexibility, but that comes with the burden of more frequent maintenance, higher energy costs, and potential structural risks over time.

When you choose, let your priorities guide you. If you value ease, longevity, and lower total cost, fiberglass is likely your best bet. If your dream backyard demands a one-of-a-kind shape or feature beyond available shells, concrete may still be worth the extra effort.

If you’re in Orem, Provo, or Utah County and want help comparing real models, estimating costs, or evaluating which pool suits your lot best, we’d be happy to walk you through options and connect you with trusted installers in your area.

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