Fiberglass Pool FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Fiberglass installs in 7-10 days (concrete takes 3-6 months), costs $3,750 over 10 years to maintain (vs $27,400 for concrete), requires 90% less weekly upkeep, and comes with a lifetime structural warranty. The non-porous gel coat surface resists algae, meaning fewer chemicals and less scrubbing. Fiberglass is also 17 times stronger than concrete and flexes up to 12 inches with soil movement. This is particularly important in Jacksonville's clay soil.

No. This is a myth, usually spread by concrete pool companies. A pool with water in it cannot float. It's basic physics. Think of it like a bathtub: as long as there's water inside, the weight holds it firmly in place. The only scenario where any pool (fiberglass, concrete, or vinyl) could theoretically shift is if it were completely drained during a flood. That's why we always advise: never fully drain your pool.

No. Properly installed fiberglass pools will never crack. Unlike rigid concrete that fractures under soil movement, fiberglass flexes up to 12 inches. It's the same material used in boats, aircraft, and race cars. Our pools are backed by Barrier Reef's lifetime structural warranty against cracking.

A fiberglass pool will last a lifetime with proper care. The gel coat surface never needs resurfacing (unlike concrete which needs it every 10-15 years), and there's no liner to replace (unlike vinyl which needs replacement every 5-9 years). Barrier Reef has been manufacturing pools since 1984. Their earliest pools are still going strong after 40+ years.

We offer 25+ pool models ranging from 16'6" compact plunge pools to 40' entertainers. Shapes include rectangles (Whitsunday, Grande), freeform/kidney (Oyster, Billabong), beach entry (Bondi), sport pools with swim lanes (Sydney Harbour), and models with built-in spas and tanning ledges (Castaway, Coral Sea Lounger). We also offer standalone spas, plunge pools, and tanning ledges.

Every pool comes in 6 Shimmer Finish gel coat colors: Aquamarine (deep tropical teal), Arctic (crisp icy blue-white), California (classic pool blue), Evening Sky (deep navy), Ocean (rich marine blue), and Sandstone (warm sandy tan). The Shimmer Finish creates a beautiful sparkle in sunlight and is UV-resistant to prevent fading. We bring color samples to your consultation so you can see and touch them in person.

Yes. We offer standalone spas (Horseshoe, Oval, Cube, Capri, Resort) that can be installed at pool level or elevated for a spillover effect. Tanning ledges (Horseshoe, Pixie, Cube) can be added to any pool. Several models also have built-in tanning ledges. Like the Whitsunday Lounger, Coral Sea Lounger, and Outback Lounger.

Absolutely. Fiberglass and saltwater are an ideal combination. The non-porous gel coat surface isn't affected by salt the way concrete is (salt accelerates concrete degradation). Most of our customers choose saltwater systems. They're gentler on skin and eyes, and the Barrier Reef gel coat is specifically engineered to be compatible.