Web Analytics Made Easy -
StatCounter

I would like to make a reservation – it is not worthwhile to say unequivocally that a composite pool is somehow better or worse than a reinforced concrete one – both have both advantages and disadvantages over each other. However, among customers, pools made of composite materials are becoming increasingly popular due to a number of undoubted advantages that are inherent in them:

Pools made of composite materials have high strength, they are not subject to corrosion and decay, are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, alkalis and acids, and have high thermal insulation properties. Composite pools are also durable because they are a one-piece bowl without seams, which will not be destroyed by fungi, mold or algae. The guarantee of serious manufacturers for composite pools is tens of years. Thus, when installing an outdoor outdoor pool, a composite bowl is by far the best option.

Another advantage of a composite pool is that installation takes significantly less time (two to three weeks) compared to building a concrete pool.

Among other advantages of composite pools, one can point out the fact that their models are characterized by a modern, practical design and an extensive color range for every taste. The pool bowl has a spacious swimming area and a seating area, a convenient and safe entrance thanks to the anti-slip surface of the steps and the bottom.

It should be added that it is possible and necessary to install water treatment equipment in composite pools, as well as in concrete ones. Which one? – Read our article about pool equipment .

Having told about the advantages of composite pools, it is advisable to note some of their disadvantages :

Transportation and installation of such structures requires the use of special equipment – large trucks and crane installations.

The dimensions of a composite pool are limited by its transportation capabilities and, as a rule, are no more than 12 meters in length and 3.7 meters in width.

A composite pool cannot be installed in a built house; its installation should be carried out at the stage of construction, when overlap (roof) has not yet been made over the pool room.

The choice of the type of pool is yours. However, we recommend that you pay attention to a technologically advanced modern composite pool that will delight you and your loved ones for many years.

In conclusion, we will give you a couple of recommendations for choosing a composite pool and installing it:

Decide on the size of the pool bowl. There is a large selection of these products in different sizes, shapes and depths.

Pay attention to the manufacturers of composite pools. Well-known manufacturers that have been on the market for a long time are the most preferred, because their products have passed the test of time.

If you are planning to install a pool on the site, then you need to choose a place that will be well lit by the sun, and no objects will cast a shadow on the pool. It is also better to mount the pool bowl away from trees, as their roots can damage the integrity of the structure.

Consider the design of the beach area – the area around the pool bowl, the lining materials for which have a large number of variations. The design of the pool shore will make it more attractive and will also help to strengthen the structure in the pit.

Composite pools and fonts made of fiberglass have a number of advantages over other types of pools. These advantages are the result of the use of modern technologies in the manufacture of composite bowls. The same technologies are used in the manufacture of fiberglass boats, premium marine yachts, skin elements and power parts of modern aircraft, chemical resistant containers, pipes and other products.

Advantages of fiberglass pools:

  • Durability.  Composite pools last for 20-30 years, while maintaining their appearance and performance.
  • Low cost of ownership . The water in such pools cools down more slowly, the consumption of reagents to maintain the purity and transparency of water is less, surface contamination is easily removed, and expensive bowl maintenance is not required.
  • Speed, cost and ease of installation . Installation of the pool takes 5-10 days, is easy to do on your own and does not require high qualifications.
  • Reliability . The surface of the composite pool / hot tub has high resistance to ultraviolet (solar radiation), acids and alkalis, shock loads. The one-piece bowl has no seams to ensure no leaks. The pool itself consists of one piece that cannot be broken. Minimum parts – minimum breakdowns.
  • Appearance and aesthetics . Composite pools and hot tubs look much more attractive than pools made of other materials and are easy to clean if dirty. The color of the composite bowl can be almost any, as well as imitate natural stone or take on unusual colors (sparkles, blotches).
  • Adapting to our climate . The ability to withstand low temperatures without loss of properties. Composite pools hibernate without any problems, filled with water, easily tolerate frosts down to -40 o C and heat up to +50 o C.
  • Advantages of composite pools over polypropylene pools
  • (We produce polypropylene pools, so we know what we’re talking about)

Ease and simplicity of installation . Installation of the composite bowl takes 5-10 days and is easy to install on your own. Installation of a polypropylene pool takes 1-1.5 months and includes pouring a concrete bottom slab, making external and internal formwork, and stage-by-stage pouring of concrete walls.

The cost of a finished composite pool is comparable to the cost of a finished polypropylene pool (10-20% more expensive), despite the fact that the bowls differ in price by 2-3 times. The thing is that a composite pool does not require additional investments during installation and large labor costs, while a polypropylene bowl requires obligatory pouring of a reinforced concrete slab and walls, costs for reinforcement, manufacturing and installation of formwork, and large labor costs. 

At the same time, a composite pool looks like a very expensive and high-quality structure, in contrast to a polypropylene pool with its joints, seams and an inconvenient staircase.

Composite bowls can easily withstand low temperatures , while a polypropylene pool can burst in severe frosts. This is due to the large coefficient of thermal expansion of polypropylene (it significantly lengthens when heated and decreases when cooled). Pools made from recycled polypropylene (from waste reused in the manufacture of polypropylene sheets) are susceptible to this. These pools are very low cost.

The composite bowl has no joints or seams , no weak points, which reduces the risk of leaks and cracks. The polypropylene bowl is welded from sheets, the joints are their weak point.

The composite pool will not fade over time from exposure to sunlight. Polypropylene can turn white in welded seams and open areas that are not filled with water. The color difference is striking and negatively affects the perception of the object.

The reliability of a composite pool is much higher, since it consists of only one single piece, which easily transfers all loads. Due to their design features, polypropylene pools often have many unpleasant problems (water leakage between the bowl and the concrete, separation from the stiffeners and from the walls, delamination of the top edge of the bead from the concrete edge, etc.). Little things, but unpleasant.

The smoothness of the surface of the composite pool is comparable to the smoothness of polypropylene. But the hardness is much higher. Therefore, polypropylene pools are easily scratched, although scratches do not impair their properties in any way.

The shape of the composite pool already includes comfortable steps and seating or lying in the water. A polypropylene pool requires the installation of a stainless steel ladder or welding of a special ladder descent. Both of these elements add value to the pool and require maintenance.

The injury safety of the composite pool is higher due to the absence of sharp corners and the smoothness of the bends of the internal shape, as well as the possibility of applying special anti-slip coatings to the stairs and sides. The polypropylene pool has an acute angle along the upper edge of the side, and in the case of welding a staircase, along the edge of the steps. It is easy to slip on wet polypropylene. This feature of the pools is relevant when there are small children in the family.

With high groundwater levels, the composite bowl will easily withstand prolonged exposure to water outside the bowl, and this will not affect operation in any way. 

The maximum that can happen is squeezing the pool out of the ground in the absence of water in the bowl itself. No breakage occurs. In this case, a polypropylene pool will require expensive external waterproofing of the concrete slab and walls, which will significantly increase the cost and installation time. If water gets between the walls, the bottom plate and the polypropylene bowl, water bubbles form, which tear off the polypropylene from the stiffeners, the bottom swells, which can lead to rupture of the polypropylene, especially in winter.

The color design of composite pools is not limited, and includes both solid colors and imitation of natural stone or shiny surfaces. The color of the polypropylene bowls is limited to only two colors – light blue and blue. This is due to the peculiarity of the manufacture of UV-resistant polypropylene.

The maintainability of the composite pool is higher. Any defects (chips, cracks) are easily repaired on site, while the color of the coating is easily matched, the place of repair is polished and becomes invisible. Polypropylene, on the other hand, loses its weldability property over time and becomes brittle. If a crack appears, you have to cut out a large area, and weld on new material in its place. In this case, the seam will be very noticeable, and the color of the welded sheet will differ.

The composite pool easily tolerates heat from the sun’s rays . A polypropylene pool, if left without water in the sun, can overheat, bend inside the bowl, peel off the concrete walls, and retain this defect when filled with water.

The ability to dismantle the composite bowl without significant costs. This feature is relevant if you need to install a larger pool in the same place, or build a new facility on the site of the pool. The dug up bowl can be sold at its residual value, or simply thrown away. When dismantling a polypropylene pool, you will have to carry out expensive and labor-intensive work, while the pool bowl breaks and is disposed of.

Leakage warranty for composite pools Compolite and Kupelya in the most affordable minimum set Mini is 7 years. Manufacturers give a guarantee for polypropylene bowls not exceeding 1 year.

Advantages of composite pools over concrete pools

  • Simplicity and speed of installation. The composite pool is installed in 5-10 days on our own. The construction of a concrete pool takes 2-3 months, with the involvement of qualified specialists. It is almost impossible to build a concrete pool on your own in the absence of construction experience, and in case of mistakes, the consequences for the object can be fatal.
  • The cost of a ready-made composite pool of  comparable dimensions is 30-70% lower than the cost of a ready-made concrete pool.
  • Understandable and measurable costs . Before buying a composite pool, you can calculate in advance all the costs associated with the purchase, delivery and installation with 90-95% accuracy. During the construction of a concrete pool, unforeseen costs often arise associated with insufficient quality, control of the work of installers and deliberately misleading inexperienced customers (curved walls after pouring, formwork movements, rejects, increased consumption of materials, their tacit replacement with cheaper counterparts or their theft, understatement estimates followed by the requirement to increase funding, etc.)
  • Serviceability . The composite bowl is virtually maintenance free. It is enough to wipe the surface 1-2 times a year with ordinary detergents. Mosaic-coated concrete bowls require regular surface cleaning due to the presence of a large number of tile joints in which dirt accumulates, bacteria and fungi multiply.
  • More low operating costs to maintain water purity due to the glossy surface, and heating due to low thermal conductivity of the composite.
  • Higher reliability due to the lack of many parts, construction errors, waterproofing, tile laying, film welding.
  • High maintainability . Any problem arising from the operation of the composite bowl can be easily solved by quick and easy repairs (chips, cracks). Repairing a concrete bowl requires a qualified technician and time consuming.
  • Low cost of repairs compared to expensive repairs to a concrete bowl (repairing cracks, falling off tiles, restoring or replacing a torn film).
  • The possibility of dismantling if necessary. Dismantling a concrete bowl is more difficult, longer and more expensive.
  • Resistance to deformations and ground movements , seismic resistance. Due to the fact that the composite bowl is elastic and capable of changing geometry, it transfers small movements of the soil without any consequences. In this case, the concrete bowl will crack immediately.

The disadvantages of composite pools include:

  • Impossibility of installation inside finished premises.
  • High cost of delivery to remote regions.
  • Limiting the size and shape of composite bowls.
  • Possible manufacturing defects associated with the use of the cheapest materials (gelcoats and resins) in the production, which will appear only after a few years of operation.

Despite these disadvantages, in terms of the totality of properties, composite pools significantly benefit in comparison with pools made of other materials.

Design Pool Installation