Either a gunite pool or a pool with a vinyl liner is an excellent choice for your new swimming pool. Which is “best” is really a question that can be answered only by you. In order to determine which pool is best for your specific space and circumstances, you need a little bit of information. That’s where we come in! Read on to understand the reasons that a gunite pool or a vinyl lined pool might be preferable, and then weigh those against your own needs and desires.
Considering Construction
The construction process is quite different, depending on the type of pool you choose. Typically, a gunite pool is built by a general contractor who subcontracts the various aspects of the job. Individual subcontractors will be hired in order to perform various tasks, including excavating the area, installing steel reinforcement, spraying the gunite, installing the plumbing, adding electrical, working with plaster and tile, and building the deck. In order to allow for potential delays, the timeline for a gunite pool usually ends up being at least a month.
By contrast, most companies that install pools with vinyl liners use the same crew to perform most or all aspects of the job. (Some may outsource electrical and deck building.) Since they don’t have to worry about including time for potential overlap of contractors, installation of a vinyl pool can take much less time: typically about a week.
Selecting Style
While the amount of time it takes for your new pool to be built will only be an issue for a short time, the style you choose for your pool has much more far-reaching implications. Gunite pools offer the potential for unlimited customization. Any size or shape can easily be dug out and sprayed with gunite, allowing you to create a truly custom work of art. With gunite, free form shapes are actually simpler to install than a rectangular design.
If you select a vinyl lined pool instead, you can still choose from a variety of shapes and sizes — even a free form one! However, the more unusual the shape you choose, the more difficult it will be for the builder to coordinate the walls with the pre-made liner.
Measuring Maintenance
A third aspect of your pool is tied to the materials you’ll be dealing with: maintenance. Gunite pools use finishes like plaster that are actually “alive.” That means the color and surface can be altered by water chemistry — as well as vice versa. Pitting, scaling, and discoloring can easily occur. Without careful pool maintenance, you may need to have your gunite pool re-plastered, or at least given an acid bath.
With vinyl liners, you won’t have to worry about pitted or discolored finishes — or the high cost of resurfacing; instead, you’ll have a smooth, non-porous surface that will last just fine with regular residential use. However, for commercial use, the vinyl liner can be easily compromised through high use and vandalism. This low-maintenance option is perfect for most home owners.
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