Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each in ground pool type along with general pricing.
Gunite or vinyl liner.
The vinyl liner is easily repaired and replaced with very little or no down time.
Each one has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages but here at elite pools spas hardscapes we specialize in fiberglass for a few specific reasons.
Gunite pools will require replastering and there is never a warranty on plaster.
The three basic types of in ground pools are fiberglass vinyl liner and gunite.
Many vinyl liner manufacturers have a 20 year pro rated warranty.
Vinyl now offers the same selection.
The industry named this type of construction a package pool most families found the vinyl liner package pool to be the best value over the more expensive custom concrete gunite swimming pools that were also available and fiberglass swimming pools were not accepted or readily available in most of the country.
The surface of vinyl is not as porous as a plaster finish on a gunite pool which means vinyl liner pools use less sanitizer than a gunite pool roughly around 25 less on average the non porous surface leads to less chemical usage during the season and therefore less money spent on chemicals.
This generally involves resurfacing of the gunite itself at a cost upwards on 10k.
Except the vinyl will be printed with photographs of tile or rocks instead of the real thing.
Many liner manufacturers will not even make a liner if it is intended for a concrete pool which they can often tell just from the internal dimensions of the shape of the pool because of how fast they wear out.
The smoothest concrete pool surface is a cheese grader compared to vinyl.
Construction techniques do vary.
For these issues you have to drain the pool and remove the liner for repairs.
On average a vinyl liner will last between 7 and 15 years with a replacement cost of 3 000 00 5 000 00.
Surface is rough all you need to do is stick your hand in a concrete pool then a vinyl pool to feel the difference yourself.
Gunite pools too will need to have a makeover at least once in their lifetime.
Vinyl liner pools do come with a warranty.
Be sure to read the fine.
Obviously i am partial towards vinyl liner pools and not just because we install them but for the overall ownership experience.
Like with concrete pools you need to test.
The liner will not last long when you install a vinyl liner into a concrete pool the liner will typically not last very long.