How to Choose the Right Material for Your Luxury Swimming Pool

 

You decided to take the plunge and add a valuable asset and outdoor living feature to your property – a luxury swimming pool. After spending time on sites like Houzz and Pinterest collecting pool design and spa trend inspiration, you feel prepared with a vision in mind. You can practically hear the lapping sounds of a waterfall cascading from a rock grotto into a resort-like pool already. By using luxury pool materials, you can transform your vision into a stunning reality.

You may not know the difference between gunite, shotcrete, fiberglass, vinyl and coping, but these infrastructural materials are the foundation of a custom pool. Choosing the right one for your project is essential because materials matter for the long-term life of your investment.

The materials you choose for your luxury swimming pool determine how long it will take to install, the durability and longevity, size, and ability to customize the pool with features like sun shelves, grottos and more. And, of course, pool materials costs vary depending on your selections, which impacts the price of your project.

When we sit down with clients to discuss a luxury pool project, we explain the different pool materials available, the pros and cons, and what they can expect during the pool construction process. Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

 

 

Design First: Set the Tone for Pool Materials Selection

What features do you want to include in your dream pool? Do you imagine an infinity edge — a sun shelf where you can lounge, a rock grotto or a waterfall? Perhaps you want all these custom add-ons and a built-in spa, too. When making pool materials selections, we know certain types of pools work better than others, depending on the design. For instance, a vinyl pool is not a candidate for creating an infinity edge; gunite is best for creating custom pool shapes and sizes and incorporating features like a beach entry or integrated spa.

>>The Takeaway: Materials selections largely depend on the luxury pool design and features it will include.

Supply Side: Pool Materials Costs

We’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about the budget. Usually, the first question we answer is, “How much will a pool like this cost?” The answer is, “It depends.” Pricing a pool project involves more planning than simply estimating a cost for a luxury pool based on your initial ideas. Materials play a big part in building a pool that suits your budget. Significant pricing variances exist when deciding between gunite, fiberglass, and vinyl pools. (Those are listed in order of higher to lower cost and depend on variables, including the plan and your property.)

>>The Takeaway: Go into a pool project with a budget and a mindset that it’s a long-term investment that boosts property value and becomes a sanctuary at home.

Pool Construction: What’s Your Timeline?

Taking a contractor’s backlog out of the equation, if getting a luxury pool as fast as possible is your priority, then vinyl and fiberglass pools have shorter construction timelines. Vinyl pools don’t require curing like gunite; it’s pre-engineered and faster to install. Fiberglass pools are also prefabricated.

>>The Takeaway: We recommend looking beyond how long the project will take when choosing pool materials. Remember, this is an outdoor living feature you will live with for a long time. The customized results you want in a luxury pool are worth waiting for when you choose higher-quality materials.

 

 

All the Options: Pool Materials

Now, here’s a rundown of luxury pool materials to choose from. As you consider the options, ask a pool professional questions like these:

• What pool materials last the longest?
• What pool materials suit my property’s needs?
• What pool materials give me the most flexibility to add custom, luxury features?
• What type of pool will boost my property value the most?

Gunite Pools

First, let’s clear up a misunderstanding. Gunite and shotcrete are not the same material. Shotcrete is a wet or dry mix shot out of a hose. Gunite is also installed this way, but the mix is dry and combined with water in the nozzle as it is sprayed into the pool shell. This allows for a more even application and a higher-quality pool surface. For these reasons, we only build gunite pools. They cost more to construct and take longer to install than vinyl or fiberglass. But if you check out our gallery of pools, you’ll see why this is the pool material to choose for luxury results.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Vinyl liner pools are usually priced by square foot, making them the most cost-effective. You can customize the shape and size to a certain extent, but simple shapes are more typical. There is no curing involved, so construction is faster as well. As for maintenance, you’ll need to replace your vinyl liner every ten years. Yes, it costs less, but the design options are much more limited, as is the final product. If budget is your No. 1 concern, a vinyl pool will likely cost much less. Before deciding on this material, you should ask yourself if using it is worth sacrificing the pool you want.

>>Our advice: Talk to a professional about pool financing options so you can invest in a luxury outdoor retreat that suits your lifestyle.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools are durable, pre-engineered, and pre-manufactured, delivered to your property for a pool professional to install correctly. Fiberglass pools are usually 20 feet long because they can be no longer than oversized trucks. There are some customization options, but nothing close to the luxury features you can include in a gunite pool. Factory-made fiberglass pools are long-lasting.

Answering Your Pool Materials Questions

What pool materials last the longest?

Fiberglass and gunite are the most long-lasting pool materials.

What pool materials suit my property’s needs?

Remember, fiberglass pools do not bend and are not built on site, so you need open access to the pool site, and it can be no larger than an oversized trailer that hauls it from the factory to your property. Gunite pools are custom designed and constructed to suit your outdoor space.

What pool materials give me the most flexibility to add custom, luxury features?

Gunite pools allow you to customize the design and incorporate features that aren’t possible with fiberglass or vinyl.

What type of pool will boost my property value the most?

Gunite pools are considered an asset and a necessity to some homebuyers, who view them as part of an outdoor living experience.

 

 

Luxury Results with a Custom Swimming Pool by Neave Group

Building a pool is an investment that will increase your property value and provide years of enjoyment. Check out our FAQs page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your ideas. You can fill out this simple contact form, and we will contact you about your luxury pool project.