Fiberglass, as a material, is usually only suitable for pre-formed, in-ground pools. Therefore, when discussing the types of fiberglass pools, the only real differentiation between them is in the shape. While there can be many different shapes, otherwise, fiberglass pools generally share similar characteristics.
A fiberglass pool is molded from a single piece of material. The form is chosen prior to delivery by the customer, who will usually already have a hole excavated for the placement of the pool. Once that is ready, there is little other preparation that needs to be done. After the pool is in the hole, it is leveled, and dirt is filled in around it.
There may be some difference between fiberglass pools in the type of gel coating used to protect the fiberglass. However, most fiberglass pool manufacturers use a standard coating that is well accepted throughout the world. Therefore, even this differentiation is rare. Most of the time, this gel coating provides adequate protection, even in extreme weather, as long as the chemicals are properly maintained. As a result, there is little reason to try something different.
Due to the requirements of installation, and the way the pools are made, no fiberglass pool is considered free form. There may be some fiberglass pools that have a flowing shape pattern that will appear random, but this is not a true free-form design. Rather, it is a planned design that looks very similar to a free-form pool. While it may be possible to construct a swimming pool from fiberglass that is free form, it would require making a mold of the area the pool would be in, prior to installation. This would be a very complex and expensive process, especially when other types of materials would be better suited for the job.
Fiberglass pool shapes include everything from the traditional, rectangular, Roman formation to more curved shapes. The buyer will usually make a selection based on personal preference when choosing a shape, though the space and layout of the area where the pool will be located will also play a role. Some more intricate shapes, which may be harder to manufacture and install can cost more, but the pricing is usually more a matter of size than shape. In some cases, because fiberglass pools come in a single piece, the material may not be a suitable choice for very large pools. This type of pool, however, is adequate for most residential pool sizes.
