Concrete vs Vinyl vs Fiberglass: Choosing Between Different Pool Types

You made up your decision: you’re finally ready to build the pool of your dreams that you’ve been thinking about for years. The excitement is real, but so is the confusion. As soon as you start looking into it, you have a lot of choices: concrete, fiberglass, vinyl, and everyone appears to have a different perspective.

Nationwide Pool has helped thousands of homeowners make this choice after building and servicing pools in Las Vegas for more than 40 years. What is the truth? There isn’t one “best” sort of pool, but there is one that is best for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

This guide will show you how to build three different kinds of swimming pools: concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl. You’ll know how they stack up against one another, what each one has to offer, and which pool would work best for your home, so you can make this choice with full confidence.

Quick Overview: The Three Main Types of Swimming Pool Construction

• Concrete (gunite/shotcrete) — Ultimate customization. Built on-site, shaped any way you want.
• Fiberglass — Factory-built shells; fast install, low maintenance.
• Vinyl liner — Cost-effective and flexible; liner replacement is part of the lifecycle.

There are pros and cons to each choice. Read on for honest, real-world benefits and disadvantages, expenses, timelines, and the optimal pool type for each person.

Concrete Pools: The Custom Powerhouse

Concrete pools are built entirely on-site by spraying a mixture of concrete and sand (gunite) over steel reinforcement. They are like the fully bespoke home of the pool world: they can build anything you can think of.

Why people choose it: Concrete gives you complete freedom with freeform shapes, infinite edges, built-in bars, and custom stairs. It is poured and finished on-site, which gives designers a lot of freedom.

Pros

• Unlimited design and depth options
• Strong, durable structure — can last 50+ years with proper care
• Best for large or highly customized projects

Cons

• Highest price tag up front (typical range: $80,000–$120,000+)
• More maintenance: acid washing every few years, replastering every 10–15 years
• Rougher surface (can wear swimwear faster) and higher chemical usage

Timeline: Expect the whole thing to take 3 to 6 months, although weather, curing, and bespoke work can increase time.

If you want a unique centerpiece for your backyard and are willing to pay for and keep up with the upkeep, this is a good choice.

Fiberglass Pools: The Low-Hassle Winner

Fiberglass pools come as one complete piece, made at a factory and then sent to your home. They’re like buying a high-quality prefab home: well-designed, easy to put up, and built to last.

Why people choose it: Want to swim quickly? They make fiberglass shells and then put them all together as one piece. They are smooth, don’t grow algae, and are soft on skin and suits.

Pros

• Quick install: usually 2–3 weeks
• Low maintenance and lower chemical use
• Smooth, non-porous gelcoat resists algae
• Great for salt systems (no corrosion worries)

Cons

• Less design flexibility — preformed shapes and size limits (transport constraints)
• Higher initial cost than vinyl but often lower lifetime cost (typical install: $30,000–$100,000 depending on model and features)
• Repairs may require specialist materials.

Who it’s for: Families with a lot going on who want to keep things simple and get things done quickly, as well as homeowners who want to know how much things will cost in the long run.

Vinyl Liner Pools: Budget-Friendly and Flexible

Vinyl pools have a structure made of steel or polymer walls and a bespoke vinyl liner that creates the waterproof barrier. They’re the best balance between customization and pricing.

Why people choose it: If initial cost is the main constraint, but you still want shape flexibility, vinyl is compelling. The lining makes the surface pleasant and lets you make a lot of different footprints.

Pros

• Lower initial cost: $27,500–$45,000 typical
• Smooth surface that’s comfortable to walk on
• Good customization for shape and features
• Faster than concrete (usually 4–8 weeks)

Cons

• Liner replacement every 8–10 years (cost ~$4,500–$6,500)
• Vulnerable to punctures from sharp objects
• Structural walls (steel or polymer) can have long-term corrosion risks

Best for: People who want a nice-looking pool but don’t want to pay extra for concrete or a greater upfront fee for fiberglass.

Vinyl Pool vs Fiberglass vs Concrete: The Complete Picture

After 40 years in the business, this is what we tell homeowners when they are deciding between vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete pools:

Initial Investment Comparison:

• Vinyl: $35,000-$50,000
• Fiberglass: $45,000-$75,000
• Concrete: $60,000-$100,000+

10-Year Total Cost of Ownership:

• Vinyl: $58,000-$94,000
• Fiberglass: $63,000-$112,000
• Concrete: $99,500-$147,500

Surface Comfort Reality

This doesn’t get enough attention, but it really does matter. A lot of our customers have said that concrete’s abrasive roughness hurts their feet and wears out their swimwear. Kids who play on the steps all day get scratched knees.

Vinyl and fiberglass both have smooth surfaces; however, vinyl can feel a little slippery at times. Fiberglass is smooth but not slippery, which is just right.

The Las Vegas Factor

Our desert environment dramatically impacts the types of swimming pool construction performance:

Temperature Extremes: When the water in the pool reaches 90°F or higher, chemical reactions and biological growth happen faster. Fiberglass’s smooth surface works better than concrete’s rough plaster. Extreme changes in temperature can make vinyl fragile.

Hard Water: The calcium hardness in our city’s water is between 300 and 400 ppm. In this area, concrete pools get calcium scaling faster than practically anywhere else in the country. This means that acid washing will happen more often, and replastering will happen sooner.

Dust and Debris: The fine particles that desert winds blow into the concrete’s rough surface need to be brushed hard once a week. It is significantly easier to clean smooth fiberglass surfaces.

The Decision Framework That Actually Works

This is how we help consumers choose between different styles of swimming pool construction:

Step 1: Honest Budget Assessment. Include not only the initial cost but also realistic estimates for upkeep. If you’re having trouble paying for the pool installation, the regular maintenance for concrete can push the budget over the over.

Step 2: Lifestyle Evaluation: Travel frequently? It makes sense that fiberglass doesn’t need much care. Home every weekend with time to take care of the pool? Concrete might be the answer. Want to make things as easy as possible? Fiberglass again.

Step 3: Design Priority Check Be honest: do you really need that bespoke cave feature, or would you be just as content with a stunning design that was already made? Most homeowners think they need to make more changes than they really do.

Step 4: Timeline Reality. When do you want to start swimming? If it’s this season, concrete generally isn’t possible until you start in the winter.

Step 5: Long-Term Vision How long will you own this home? If it’s your forever home, investing more upfront might make sense. Moving in 5-7 years? Maybe reconsider that $100,000 concrete pool.

Common Mistakes We See (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Choosing on Price Alone The cheapest pool isn’t cheap if you’re replacing liners or replastering prematurely. Consider the total cost of ownership.

Mistake #2: Overbuilding for Resale. In most Las Vegas neighborhoods, you won’t recoup the full cost difference between a $50,000 fiberglass pool and a $100,000 concrete showpiece.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Maintenance Reality. If you hate yard work, you’ll probably hate aggressive pool maintenance too. Be honest about your maintenance tolerance.

Mistake #4: Letting Contractors Upsell Unnecessarily. Some contractors push concrete because margins are higher. Get multiple opinions from builders who offer all three types.

Ready to Build the Right Pool? Talk to Nationwide Pool Today

Nationwide Pool has been in the Las Vegas pool business for over 40 years and has learned one simple truth: the best pool is the one that fits you. The best decision for you is the one that fits your lifestyle, budget, and needs. For example, vinyl is flexible, fiberglass is easy to care for, and concrete is custom-made.

Since 1981, Nationwide Pool has grown from a small service department into one of Las Vegas’s most trusted pool construction and remodeling companies. We have worked on every part of pool upkeep, from weekly cleaning to whole backyard makeovers. That’s why people in the valley trust us to make their dreams come true with skill and honesty.

Are you ready to build the pool of your dreams? You can reach Nationwide Pool at (702) 435-6060 or come see us at 3111 S Valley View Blvd, Suite B 208, Las Vegas, NV 89102. Our specialists will help you pick the best pool type, whether you’re building a new one or updating an old one. This will make you happy for many years to come.

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