When we decide to transform our garden, adding a swimming pool to it, the first big question that comes to mind is what exactly should it be? There are countless options on the market, but today we will look at some of the most popular and affordable options, namely ready-made structures, which more and more owners are choosing over traditional concrete pool construction, attracted by the cleaner and faster process, saving months of complex construction work, dust and mud on their property.
The ready-made solution types are mainly of two kinds – pools of Fibreglass, known for their aesthetic plastic (polypropylene) inground pools that offer an excellent price-to-practicality ratio. In this article, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of both materials in detail, follow the process of professional installation step by step, and explain which factors determine the final price. In the end, you will be able to make an informed choice for your dream pool.
Why choose an in-ground pool?
- First and foremost, for aesthetic reasons. An in-ground pool blends harmoniously with your garden landscape. It doesn't feel like an addition, but rather becomes the heart of the garden, as if it has always been there. Around it, you can build a beautiful relaxation area with sun loungers, decking, or elegant tiles.
- Secondly – durability. Quality Inground swimming pools an investment for decades to come. They add significant value to your property. And last but not least – the convenience of entry and exit, as well as the possibility of greater depth, make swimming a real pleasure.
In both variants of in-ground pools, whether made of fibreglass or plastic, we're talking about ready-made Swimming pool troughs, which are produced in advance and delivered to your home whole, saving months of construction work in your garden.
Fibreglass (GRP) swimming pools
When you hear Fiberglass pools (Fibreglass swimming poolsyou can easily imagine aesthetics, smoothness and exceptional durability.
Fibreglass is an incredible material made up of many layers of strong glass fibres bonded together with special resins. The result is a seamless, incredibly flexible, yet strong trough that has no seams or joints – like the bathtub in your bathroom, but considerably larger.
Advantages of fibreglass pools
- Exceptionally smooth surface, which is perhaps their biggest advantage. The surface not only looks shiny and beautiful, but it also prevents dirt from sticking to it, which means that algae and bacteria have a much harder time „grabbing on“ to the walls. Accordingly, you will use fewer cleaning products and clean your pool much more easily.
- Durability and sustainability Fibreglass swimming pools They are designed to stand the test of time. They are flexible, which means they can withstand slight shifts in the earth's layers or temperature fluctuations without cracking.
- Quick setup, as this type Swimming pool troughs They arrive fully assembled from the factory. With this in mind, the time our installers will spend in your garden is kept to a minimum. Thus, literally, within a few days (after digging the hole) the pool can be ready for its first use.
- Built-in extras – most models come with pre-cast beautiful steps, seating areas (benches) and even places for hydromassage jets.
Disadvantages of fibreglass (GRP) pools
- Limited options in shape and size, as they are cast from a mould in a factory. The customer chooses from a catalogue of ready shapes and sizes. In other words, you can't sketch an unusual shape on a piece of paper and expect it to be produced especially for you, as is the case with concrete pools, for example.
- Transport As the trough travels whole, its size is limited by road traffic regulations. Very large sizes require specialised (and more expensive) transport.
- Higher initial investment, compared to their plastic counterparts.
Plastic in-ground pools (polypropylene)
Plastic inground swimming pools They are made from high-quality polypropylene – thick, strong sheets of material which are bonded together using a special technology.
Advantages of plastic pools
- Lower price – if budget plays a major role in your decision-making, Built-in plastic pools an excellent alternative, offering great value for money.
- Quick assembly identical to that of Fibreglass swimming pools.
Disadvantages of plastic pools
- The presence of lightly visible seams across the bottom and the walls, as they are made from separate sheets welded together. Although sturdy, they can be a place where dirt more easily accumulates.
- Scratch resistance Polypropylene is slightly more susceptible to mechanical damage (scratches) than fibreglass. Accordingly, more care must be taken with the type of equipment used to clean the walls.
- Effect of UV rays – with the years, strong sun rays can slightly lighten the colour of the plastic at the waterline level.
Summary
To make things even easier for you, we'll do a quick summary. If you want uncompromising quality, the easiest possible maintenance, a luxurious appearance, and have the financial means to invest a little more at the beginning, then a fibreglass pool is exactly for you.
However, if you are looking for the most rational and budget-friendly solution, want a beautiful and functional pool, and are willing to dedicate a little more time to its maintenance, modern in-ground plastic pools will serve you wonderfully.
Whichever option you choose, the most important thing is to trust company for the construction of swimming pools with proven experience, which will help you choose the most suitable solution according to your terrain, budget, and requirements.
In both cases, you choose In-ground pools, which will transform your outdoor space and bring years of fun and coolness for the whole family.
How does the installation of an in-ground swimming pool proceed?
Step 1: Design and positioning – We come to your location, assess your space, and together we decide on the best spot for your new swimming pool. We discuss where the equipment will run and where the technical room (the place for pumps and filters) will be.
Step 2: The excavation – now it's the excavator's turn, which is used to dig a hole slightly larger than the trough itself. The excess soil is removed.
Step 3: Preparing the “bed” – a special base is made at the bottom of the excavation (most often of felt, gravel or lean concrete, depending on the soil and the type of trough), which must be perfectly levelled. If the bed is crooked, the pool will also be crooked.
Step 4: Lowering the cradle – using a crane, the completed trough is carefully lowered into the hole.
Step 5: Installing pipes and backfilling – all pipes are connected – drains, skimmers, jets. The simultaneous filling of the pool with water and backfilling (compaction) from the outside of the walls with suitable material begins. This is done in parallel to equalize the pressures from the inside and outside and to keep the trough perfectly straight.
Step 6: Final Touches – Connecting the filtration system, testing that all systems are working correctly, and finishing the area around the pool (with tiles or decking).
The entire process takes from a few days to a week or two, depending on the weather conditions and the specifics of the terrain.
The price of inground swimming pools depends on what?
Every project is strictly individual, and the price is not just the value of the components themselves Swimming pool troughs.
This is what determines the final price of In-ground pools:
- Material and Size: Fibreglass swimming pools they hold a higher price than plastic ones. Logically, the bigger the pool, the more expensive it is.
- Excavation and hauling Depending on the type of soil you have and how far the soil needs to be transported.
- Equipment You can choose basic filtration, but you can also add extras – a heat pump for warming the water (to extend the pool's usage period), LED lighting with changing colours, a salt electrolysis system (for water without a chlorine smell), a counter-current for swimming, and more.
- Transport and access: If your garden is in a hard-to-reach location, hiring a large crane with a specific boom may make installation more expensive.
Comparison of construction costs for different types of pools.
Advice from the Aquatec experts: “For the most accurate and correct pricing Contact our consultants by phone or on-site in one of our offices in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas or Bucharest. We will prepare a detailed offer for you, including all the components listed above, with no hidden fees or conditions.”
Care and maintenance of in-ground pools over the years
Whether you have chosen Fiberglass pool or plastic, their maintenance is similar. Since both materials are relatively smooth, your main task is to maintain the chemical balance of the water (pH and disinfectant) and to ensure sufficient operating hours for the filtering pump.
At Fibreglass swimming pools the bottom is cleaned a little less often and more easily, thanks to the shiny coating of the top layer.
Advice from the Aquatec experts: “We recommend purchasing cleaning Pool robot as a modern solution for regular cleaning of the walls and bottom without the need for your intervention.”
Earthing in-ground swimming pools is also an important process. Since they are dug into the ground, the water in them does not drain completely during winter. A certain level is left, special „compensators “ice", wintering preparations and the system is wintered. This way the trough remains protected from the pressure of, possibly, frozen ground from the outside.
Why trust Aquatec?
Building a swimming pool is a construction process that requires trust. We at “Aqua Tech” don't just sell Swimming pool troughs. We are with you from the first sketch and the first dig to the moment we show you how to start the pumps. And furthermore:
- We have many years of experience in building all types of swimming pools.
- We work only with verified European Manufacturers of fibreglass and polypropylene.
- We provide both warranty and out-of-warranty servicing, so you can rely on us even years after installation. If a problem arises with the equipment, our team will respond and resolve it.
- We adapt to your specific needs and budget.
Take the first step towards the garden you have always dreamed of. Browse our completed projects, get inspired by the different solutions, and contact us for a professional consultation. The AQUATEC team is on hand to answer all your questions and help you choose the most suitable solution for your future pool.
