Your fiberglass pool with your own design!
FAQ's
There are 3 types of Inground Swimming Pools: Concrete Pools, Vinyl Liner Pools and Fiberglass Pools. It is important to understand the basic features & benefits between them.
Fiberglass Pools
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In-ground fiberglass pools are highly coveted for many reasons. They are built to last and they arrive at your home ready to be installed. Fiberglass pools are the quickest to install and weather does not affect the installation process as much as vinyl or concrete pools. Fiberglass pools can be installed in a few weeks from concept to completion. With a fiberglass pool, you don’t have to worry about repairing damaged concrete or replacing pool liners. Virtually any type of impact damage can be repaired easily on site. Generally, the only way damage could occur is from a significant impact or improper installation. Many swimming pool experts claim fiberglass pool shells are 10-15 times stronger than concrete pools due to their flexibility and are lighter than concrete pools which helps alleviate ground impact. Think about how flexible and strong a fiberglass fishing pole is.
The interior gelcoat finish of the fiberglass pool surface is less porous and does not harbor algae as easily. This helps resist the growth of algae far better than vinyl liners or concrete pools resulting in significantly less money having to be spent on chemicals to keep the water clear. Fiberglass pools have round corners making it much easier to clean. This also contributes to easier vacuuming and water line cleaning to help keep dirt and debris from adhering to the surface of the pool which means less time and effort being spent to keep the pool clean and more time enjoying your pool. With no potential for corrosion, the fiberglass swimming pool is the best choice for today’s salt purification systems making pool ownership a breeze. Combined with lower operating costs and longer life span, fiberglass pools are the greener choice.
Fiberglass pools have the best feel on your feet when you are in the water. The shells feel very solid and the surface is not abrasive like concrete. Sore or skinned feet are not an issue with the gelcoat finish. Non slip steps and floors are a nice addition on the fiberglass swimming pool, the manufacturer can easily add non slip texturing to the swimming pool steps and floor. Don't worry, the texture is not rough. This makes the entry steps very safe and gives the user confidence while entering or exiting the pool. Fiberglass pools also have very smooth sides which result in no more snagged bathing suits or skinned elbows from rubbing up against the sides of the pool. Fiberglass pools have molded steps, benches, coves, and sun deck configurations for added benefits. When you invest in a fiberglass pool, you’re building a pool that can last a lifetime and remain a constant source of relaxation, fun, beauty and delight year after year.
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Because of the high cost of quality resins and fiberglass reinforcement materials, the cost to construct a fiberglass swimming pool is higher than a vinyl liner pool. Only one swimming pool can be constructed per day from a mold and the crew building the swimming pool can include many employees. Fiberglass pools are not easily customized and can only be duplicated by the mold. Sizes and shapes are limited to the manufactured molds that are custom built in the factory. Limited bottom configurations and limited diving pool options are a factor in fiberglass pools; the flat bottom design is not easily changed. The advertised depth is all that is available in each design and normally ranges from 4’ to 6’ in depth. Just like a fiberglass boat the swimming pool surface may become dull over time. If this maintenance is required in your particular situation, it may need to be performed every 15-20 years with several hours of labor and buffing equipment but is generally much less expensive than repairing/resurfacing a concrete pool or replacing a liner in a vinyl liner pool.
Fiberglass swimming pools are handcrafted pools that are transported to your home ready to be installed in your backyard. The fiberglass is created from millions of interwoven glass threads covered with a polyester resin. It is an incredibly strong, flexible and lightweight material that is ideal for an in-ground swimming pool. In comparison, a concrete pool requires a wooden or steel framework that needs to be covered by a mixture of cement, sand and water making this type of pool very heavy. Fiberglass is the material of choice for exotic automobiles, airplanes, helicopters, boats and many other performance products. Consequently, fiberglass is one of the best material options for your in-ground swimming pool.
Manufacturing Process
Our in-ground fiberglass swimming pools are constructed using only the highest quality gel coats, vinyl ester resins, fiberglass and related materials available. Our pools are built in climate-controlled manufacturing facilities by trained technicians. Because we have 22 years of in-ground fiberglass swimming pool manufacturing experience, this allows us to produce one of the strongest and most reliable pools available on the market.
Mold Preparation
Mold preparation must be kept to the highest standards in order to have consistent quality control. We clean and buff our mold in a clean environment to ensure we remove any imperfections and debris.
Gelcoat Surface Layer
The entire surface of the pool that we see and touch is a layer of gelcoat. Because fiberglass pools are built from the inside out, gelcoat is the first layer applied during the manufacturing process. The gelcoat is applied by spray to ensure even thickness and is measured throughout the spraying process. The gelcoat provides the rich color and smooth finish that make fiberglass pools beautiful and user-friendly.
Vinyl Ester Resin Application
The vinyl ester resin application helps prevent an unwanted process called osmotic blistering. A phenomenon where the gelcoat surface forms blisters and separates from the next laminate layer. This layer is sprayed onto the gel coated mold to give the pool its waterproof quality and to build up wall thickness. Precisely measured and accurately applied to match the surface area of each pool being made. The product is then left to cure before being checked again to ensure consistent quality control.
Fiberglass Lamination
The two first layers of fiberglass are applied as a “skin”. Once the skin stage has been completed, the pool then undergoes a reinforcing stage. Specific areas of the pool shell are subject to higher levels of flex stress. Think where the pool floor meets the walls, tanning ledges, steps, and benches. We reinforce these areas with this added layer of woven roving fiberglass for additional strength. Lifting lugs are then applied. Lifting lugs enable the pools to be lifted by crane for transportation.
Structural Honey-Comb Supports
Fiberglass is naturally flexible. In fact, its tensile strength is many times that of concrete. But there are times where we want it to stay put. Consequently, we use structural comb ribs along the side walls of the pool and supporting layers throughout the pool shell which allows us to obtain a much higher strength in these areas with very little material or labor cost.
The Pool is Ready for Shipping
Once each stage has been completed and quality control measures have been verified, the build process is complete and ready to ship to its new home. Princess Pools is committed to maintaining the highest standards for manufacturing in-ground fiberglass swimming pools in order to create your ultimate backyard tropical oasis.
It’s hard to believe that a heavy in-ground pool weighing many tons can rise out of the ground, however it does happen. In reality a pool is like a large ship which weighs many tons yet is still able to float.
With an in-ground swimming pool, the pressure of underground water pushing up is what can cause the pool to float up or “pop up” in most cases (also known as hydrostatic pressure). It generally happens when there’s a change in the water table such as a major flooding event or hurricane in the area which saturates the ground creating a higher than nominal water table. Pool pop up can also happen when the pool is emptied for repair and the water underneath the pool is not managed properly creating a differential in pressure. Also when there are expansive soils like those with very high clay content, there is a risk of significant pressures being generated that could push a pool upward. Expansive soils can exert pressures on a pool shell of 5,000 to 10,000 pounds per square foot or more. Although this is not a common occurrence, it is important to understand that it can happen and take measures to help prevent it.
Benjamin Franklin famously quoted in 1736 that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. One of the most useful devices that pool builders use today to help prevent pool pop up is to install a hydrostatic pressure relief valve when they build a pool.
The valve is usually located in the deepest part of the pool body between the ground and the pool. When the water table rises to a certain level, the valve opens and relieves the pressure which helps alleviate the hydrostatic pressure being exerted on the bottom of the pool.
Princess Pools understands that preventative measures are imperative and requires your pool installer provide a good game plan for hydrostatic pressure management in order to maintain the 25 year warranty against manufacturing defects.
There are several methods to manage excess hydrostatic pressure and it is imperative that you and your pool installer have a plan in place before your pool is installed in order to help prevent pool pop up.
Princess Fiberglass Pools Factory
Pascal Rodney
309 NE Buddy Ave
Lake City, FL 32055
+1 (386) 222-3964
pascal.rodney@princessfiberglasspools.com
Princess Fiberglass Pools Display Location
Steven Ulloa
4181 W US Hwy 90
Lake City, FL 32055
+1 (386) 222-2906
steven.ulloa@princessfiberglasspools.com
Princess Fiberglass Pools has a legacy of more than 20 years of being a Fiberglass Pool manufacturer.
Expertise
Our fiberglass swimming pools are constructed using only the highest quality gel coats, vinyl ester resins, fiberglass and related materials available in the market.
Quality
Any design you like from marble, granite, images or symbols... We make it all possible with our innovative technology.
Customize your own pool!
Customizable
Our Fiberglass pools are manufactured in Lake City, Florida, USA
Made in USA
It take us less than a day to manufacture a sheel.
The pool will be ready to install in less than a week!
Short Manufacturing Time