General Information

Sometimes a swimming pool just isn’t enough. There may come a time when you want to add accessories to your pool. Today there are hundreds of accessories available that you can purchase to enhance your swimming pool fun. Pool owners buy these accessories for different reasons. Some reasons may include, accessories to improve cleanliness, safety, functionality, games and others which enhance the design or creativity of the pool’s layout.

Like all products, some pool accessories have different manufacturers with different prices, so it will be important to do your research before you purchase any products. In this article we will discuss popular accessories pool owners use with their fiberglass swimming pools.

Pool Cleaning Equipment

a. Telescopic Poles

These poles are used in skimming, vacuuming and brushing. Most poles are made from aluminum and fiberglass. These poles often have two to three holes at its end for attachment on butterfly clips.

b. Vacuum Hose and Heads

Vacuum pool cleaners work by sucking in water, while filtering out particles. The head is attached to the hose. There are also robotic pool cleaners that work without human assistance and can be programmed for specific use.

c. Leaf Traps

The leaf trap is connected to a pole or hose to trap and remove leaves or debris. Often the trap has a rectangular or circular shape with a straining net. The net allows you to easily maneuver it through the water as needed. Once full you empty the leaves into the trash.

d. Pool Brushes

Over time, various pool types may develop algae across the surface of the pool. A pool brush is a simple way to remove and clean algae from the pool walls and floor. NOTE: This should be done at least once a week.

e. Salt Chlorine Generators

This equipment regulates the chlorine content into the pool water. Unlike chlorine tablets or liquid, the salt is converted to hypochlorous acid using electrolysis. A salt chlorination system will help you clean and remove algae much more efficiently than traditional systems and works great with fiberglass swimming pools.

Pool Safety Equipment

a. Pool Fences

Fences are created to serve as a barrier to prevent outsiders and animals from attempting to enter the pool. Pool safety fences are also great for keeping smaller children out of the main pool area. There are many types of pool fences. Most common fences include aluminum and steel fences respectively. They often come in different lengths and sizes depending on the total perimeter of the pool.

b. Pool Safety Net

These nets provide an excellent barrier to ensure that small children won’t easily fall through it. Nets are a great way to see in the water without having to remove anything. Most important is to keep the pool net nice and tight so that it serves its purpose effectively.

c. Safety Pool Covers

Similar to nets these covers are applied to protect your pool from objects falling into the pool. Safety pool covers provide full coverage so when the pool is covered you will not be able to see into the water. Two types used for fiberglass pools are mesh and solid covers. These covers are typically made from vinyl and other UV stabilized materials.

d. Pool Alarms

Pool alarms are installed to ensure the safety of people and pets and help to prevent drownings. A pool alarm is an electronic monitoring system that automatically sounds an alarm when children, pets or anything above a certain threshold falls into your unsupervised pool. There are various types of pool alarms to include floating sensors and infrared motion detectors.

Recreational Swimming Add-ons

a. Pool Lighting

The most common type of pool lighting today is LED based. LED lighting can provide many unique colors to your pool experience and allow for better lighting during evening swims. LED Lighting can also be a great addition for your outdoor living areas.

b. Toys and Games

There are many great add on features for your pool. Basketball hoops, volleyball nets and swim jets are all great options for adding exercise options to your pool. You could also buy different pool toys to facilitate fun for the kids. There are unique pool toys available for all age groups.

c. Slides

A pool with a slide provides an additional option for family and friends to have fun while enjoying the pool water. There are many types of pool slides and colors to fit your pool’s environment. Its important to keep your slide clean and free of debris for safe usage.

Conclusion

The add-on pool options you have available are numerous and every year new and innovative products are created and available for sale. Visit your local pool store and speak with different pool installers to get the right add-on products for your pool. Take the time to evaluate your options and consider using the best products that will enhance your overall swimming pool experience. in

One of the first questions we’re asked is what’s the price of a fiberglass pool?

It makes sense that cost would be the first question to arise when a pool shopper begins the research process. Like purchasing a car, they want to know the price range that works within their budget and with what options before they make any final commitments. We’ve been in front of thousands of customers and ultimately the question of cost comes up within the first few minutes of the conversation.

There isn’t much out there describing the costs of fiberglass pools and that’s because there are many variables that change from project to project and from one location to another. Often there are unforeseeable issues that can occur, which is why it’s best to have a good and reputable pool company install your swimming pool. But we understand. The cost of a Pool matters (along with many other factors). It can certainly dictate what swimming pool and additional options you’re able to achieve with your backyard oasis project. A main point for consideration is that you need to develop a budget that plans for future ownership costs, as well as the initial project installation costs and possible over runs.

As you can see the problem with answering this question is the fact that a fiberglass swimming pool has many add on options that it makes giving a cookie cutter price for a completely installed pool project almost impossible to cost out without an onsite visit and estimate by a fiberglass swimming pool contractor.

Regardless, we can provide you an estimate with some realistic price ranges for various phases of a swimming pool installation project. Remember, these prices are just an estimated price range and as mentioned previously can change dramatically from one manufacturer to another, from different installers and in different parts of the country.

In general, most fiberglass pool projects cost between $45,000–$85,000, which typically includes concrete or paver patios, standard pool operating equipment and basic accessories. As with any swimming pool installation project, these costs can increase drastically when you add other outdoor living features like water falls, stone hardscaping, lighting, salt water systems and so on.

A Fiberglass Pool Shell

I just want to buy the fiberglass pool shell! At Barrier Reef we don’t sell our fiberglass pool shells directly to the consumer. We use a dealer network of highly qualified dealers and installers that can maintain the warranty on our pools. However, there are other manufacturers that do sell direct so we’ll cover what those costs might look like. (Keep in mind these price ranges do not include shipping or additional features)

Small pool shell (26 ft. long or less): $12,000–$16,000

Medium shell (27–34 ft. long): $15,000–$20,000

Large shell (35 ft. long or more): $18,000–$30,000

Fiberglass Spa: $4,000–$7,000

Basic Installation Packages

If there were a “basic” package it might typically include:

• Shell
• Shipping
• Excavation
• Backfill
• Pool collar
• 3’ of concrete around pool
• Pump/filter system
• Electrical
• Filling the pool

Most basic pool packages don’t include premium outdoor living options such as fire features, patios, pergolas, bars, kitchens, etc.

Typical price range: $35,000–$50,000

(This, like everything else mentioned in this blog post, is contingent on a variety of factors, so please get a quoted price from a local installer in your region.)

Basic Install plus Pavers

If you start to consider more custom and unique looks for your project you may want to consider adding a paverscaped patio and seating area with a firepit. This includes everything mentioned in the basic installation plus the additional paver projects.

Most hardscape paver patios are 500–1000 square feet with a multi-tiered pit.

Typical price range: $45,000–$60,000

Additional Pricing Options for Consideration

Depending upon brand, capacity and other features, most:

Salt water chlorine systems cost $1,200–$2,500.

Pool security covers cost $2,500–$5,000.

Automatic pool covers cost $8,000–$15,000.

Heat pumps cost $5,000–$6,500.

LED pool lighting cost $800–$3,000.

Security Fencing cost $1,000–$3,000.

Automatic Cleaning Systems cost $500–$1,500.

Get a Closer Look

Many pool installers use a software package called PoolStudio, which is a great tool for building 3-D renderings of your possible pool project. These renderings are great because they can give you an idea of what your pool might look like with additional features, etc. The software outputs video renderings as well for defining the project further and for sharing with friends and family.

In Conclusion

The cost estimates in this blog post are for general purposes and are meant as a guideline to help you during your pool shopping experience. You may notice that costs may vary significantly from one dealer to another so it will be important to check the reputation of the builder.

Our team of sales professionals both in the USA and Canada can help you find the right dealer that can get you into your dream pool and backyard oasis. There are so many options available and financing has never been easier. To learn more please contact us.

A swimming pool installation project requires many considerations. These considerations, among many others, include size, shape, and the materials necessary to build your outdoor living project. These are important when outlining the components of your pool. There are many sizes of pools and with certain types of pool construction methods you really have no limitations to what kind of sizes your pool could be. The most important considerations are the cost, who will build your project, the design and the location of where your pool will be placed in the ground.

In this blog post, we will evaluate what size of pool to choose when building your backyard oasis. We will also provide you with a few smart tips to consider when looking at a swimming pool size for your backyard.

What is your purpose for a pool?

Seems like an easy enough question, but when you delve deeper you may decide that you need a swimming pool in your backyard for many reasons. Constructing a swimming pool doesn’t just happen because you want one. In most cases you have an initial reason why you are having a swimming pool installed. So, it’s important to review all the options a swimming pool can offer you and your family and then from there determine the right size pool for your yard. Here are some ideas to consider:

A. For recreational purposes, pools must have a shallow and, in some cases, a deep end. The shallow end is safe for children while the deep end can be used by older or more experienced swimmers. This is important as you could expect that a person of any age could be utilizing the pool. It’s recommended having a depth fewer than six feet to meet most pool needs.

• For a family of six to eight people, an 18 foot by 36-foot pool is recommended. This should be sufficient to avoid crowding and allow for the playing of games. Rectangle shaped pools look best for this size. Want to see a great model in this size range? See the Grande.
• For a family of less than six, a 16 foot by 32 foot would be a little more compatible. This size would allow for swimming and casual relaxation while staying cool in the pool. Kidney, free form, or bean-shaped pools work best for this pool size. The Coral Sea and Oyster are good options for this size range.
• For smaller backyard foot prints, you will be looking for a pool that offers the ability to just chill and relax. For that kind of pool, you will be looking for a size that’s under the 14-foot by 25-foot size range. You can get a lot of versatility from smaller pools and they take up a much smaller space, which is perfect if you have a smaller backyard to work with. The Outback Escape, Milano and Pixie are good fiberglass pool models in this size range.

B. Swimming laps for regular exercise, this type of pool size should be a rectangular shaped pool. We recommend a minimum of 30 feet in length to provide enough space for lap swimming and exercise. The swim lane is important, but so is the depth and other features. The Coral Sea and Whitsunday offer wide swim lanes for swimming laps.

C. For competitive and athletic swimmers, pool depths should be more than your height and you should have a pool that allows you to practice complete strokes so that you can maximize your efforts. We have two pool models that are 40-foot in length and these pools are also great for entertaining. See all of our pool models here.

How Big is your Living Space?

Not all pool needs are the same and not all backyards are of a standard size. So, the space you must work with in your backyard will dictate the pool size you can install and any other design features you will want to integrate. Nonetheless, not all houses have large outdoor spaces to accommodate wide-ranging pool sizes. Thus, it’s important to maximize the use of your living space when designing your swimming pool project. Because we offer a wide range of pool sizes you will be able to optimize your project accordingly.

How often you will use your fiberglass pool?

Another factor to consider is the frequency of usage. This will have an impact on the amount of pool maintenance your pool will need. Humans, pets, insects and other debris can make your pool unusable, so it’s important to consider maintenance when determining the right pool size for your needs. An in-ground fiberglass swimming pool will provide you with longevity and stability. Using strong and secure materials such as fiberglass rather than concrete will help insure you get the most from your pool while minimizing your pool maintenance efforts.

What kind of budget do you have to work with? Do you need financing?

Long-term financial planning is often an important part when considering the size of your pool project. Pools cost money to install, operate and maintain, so there is no magic number when determining how to plan for maintaining you pool long term. It’s best to gauge your expenses on your usage, location and a maintenance schedule determined with your builder. Other payments to consider include; general pool maintenance, covers, fencing, chemicals, cleaning and more. Your pool size will impact every aspect of the mentioned pool requirements. That is why you should understand what pool size or design will be most convenient for your budget.
To help minimize your upfront expenses from your pool project, there are many finance companies that provide financing specifically for outdoor living and fiberglass installation projects. This type of financing can provide you with the pool you desire while freeing up money for maintenance and other related pool upkeep needs over the long term.

To wrap things up on the right swimming pool size for you

Choosing the perfect swimming pool size and shape for your family may not be as easy as you once thought. You will have to consider many things and it might seem overwhelming at first. This is where a good swimming pool installer can help you out. They can help you explore your swimming pool model options, based on your needs and help you decide the best pool size to meet all the considerations we discussed in this blog post. However, if you’re still uncertain on who to contact, we work with many great dealers across the USA and we can recommend a dealer to you. Contact us today and we can put you in touch with a Barrier Reef Fiberglass Pool dealer and you could be swimming in the perfect size pool to meet your needs this summer.