Glasfiber or PP poolWhich pool should you choose?

Fiberglass Pool

25+ years

mixing of materials in multiple layers, harmful materials in production.

installation 1-2 weeks

risk of bubonic plague and cracks

lower insulation capacity than a PP pool

Vores fiberglass pools

PP pool

45+ years

homogeneous polypropylene sheets harmless and more environmentally friendly materials

installation 1-2 weeks

no risk of bubonic plague and cracks

Energy efficient due to its high insulation capacity

Our PP pools

Fremstilling and materials

Fiberglass pools are manufactured in carefully controlled factories, as fiberglass is a hazardous material, and safety must be considered during production. Pool manufacturers use protective masks and gloves to protect themselves from inhaling fiberglass particles.

During production, a mold is used where the gelcoat itself is sprayed on, giving the pool its color. Then a type of water barrier is applied in the form of vinylester or epoxy, followed by the application of a "core" that gives the pool its strength. The core can be made of composite, ceramic, kevlar, or basalt fiber mesh, and its purpose is to hold the pool together and protect it from cracks; and to provide its elasticity. Outside this core, a layer of polyester is then applied.

Once this is done, the fiberglass pool is lifted off the mold, and due to the shape of the mold, the pool's corners are rounded. Fiberglass pools are often perceived as a large bathtub because of this.

A fiberglass pool has a varying number of layers, usually ranging between four and nine layers. Depending on how many layers the pool has, the pool walls are somewhere between five and eight millimeters thick, and the different layers typically consist of polyester and vinylester.

Glasfiber or PP pool?

Fiberglass pools have long been a popular choice in Sweden for those buying a pool. They are popular among families with children because of the smooth lines and the sparkling material. Another reason for the popularity of fiberglass pools is that it takes no more than a week to have the pool installed and ready for use.

There are many different manufacturers of this type of pool, ranging from American and Australian producers to Polish and more local manufacturers. This means that the quality (and the pool's lifespan) can vary between different manufacturers.

The lifespan of a fiberglass pool is affected by the materials used and how the pool is made. A cheap fiberglass pool can last about 4-5 years before problems start to occur, while a more expensive fiberglass pool can last up to 25 years before problems arise.

The most common problems that most fiberglass pools suffer from over time are (also called osmosis) and cracks that occur when water penetrates the pool's different layers.

A PP pool, on the other hand, has a lifespan of at least 45 years and is not affected by blistering or cracks.

Mere About PP-Pools

  • Polyester

    Polyester is a material that slowly allows water molecules to penetrate over time, and it is generally estimated that it takes about a year for water molecules to pass through one layer of polyester and then begin to penetrate the next layer. A cheap fiberglass pool is often made from this material.

  • Vinyl ester

    Vinyl ester is a material that also allows water molecules to pass through, but this process takes much longer than for polyester. It is estimated to take 20 years for vinyl ester to allow water molecules to pass through. A more expensive fiberglass pool is often made from this material. The innermost layer in a fiberglass pool is called gelcoat and is what gives the pool its color. Gelcoat is produced both in Europe and Australia, but the best gelcoat is made in Australia.

Lifetime of fiberglass pool

What is the lifespan of a fiberglass pool?
The lifespan is partly determined by how many layers the pool has and what material it is made of. Vinylester has a significantly longer lifespan than polyester, but is also five times as expensive, which is reflected in the pool's price.

If you buy a cheaper fiberglass pool, it is probably made of polyester, and there are pools made of polyester that cost as little as around 20,000 SEK, but where the lifespan is only four to five years. This type of budget pool is often made in Poland or Estonia.

Fiberglass pools with a longer lifespan (25 years and up) are often made of vinylester and usually cost from around 100,000 SEK and are often manufactured in Australia or the USA. Fiberglass pools made of vinylester are sometimes also called composite pools.

There are pools on the market today that contain both polyester and vinylester, where the materials have been mixed to extend their lifespan. How long such a pool lasts depends on the number of layers, how many of the layers are made of polyester/vinylester, and how careful they were when manufacturing the pool.

Which pool should you choose?

Delivery and installation

Fiberglass pools are delivered just like PP pools as a "one-piece shell" – which means that the pool is delivered in one piece, with the pool's bottom, walls, and stairs complete. Nowadays, "one-piece shells" are preferred because the installation time for the pool is very short, resulting in a lower installation cost.

The installation of a fiberglass pool is roughly the same as for a PP pool. The installation of a fiberglass pool is carried out as follows:

  • First, you need to dig a hole where the pool will be installed.
  • Then you install the bearing layer, the drainage pipe, and the drainage well.
  • Next, a base slab is cast.
  • When the pool is lowered in, you start filling it with water while simultaneously filling the sides with dry mortar and concrete.

The above procedure takes at most 1-2 weeks from delivery until the fiberglass pool/PP pool is ready for use.

  • Glasfiberpool Victoria 4,70m x 2,70m x 1,30mGlasfiberpool Victoria 4,70m x 2,70m x 1,30m
    Glasfiberpool Victoria 4,70m x 2,70m x 1,30m
    15% off

    Glasfiberpool Victoria 4,70m x 2,70m x 1,30m

    107 000 kr
    107 000 kr 127 000 kr
  • Glasfiberpool Saba 500 5,00m x 3,00m x 1,45mGlasfiberpool Saba 500 5,00m x 3,00m x 1,45m
    Glasfiberpool Saba 500 5,00m x 3,00m x 1,45m
    16% off

    Glasfiberpool Saba 500 5,00m x 3,00m x 1,45m

    124 000 kr
    124 000 kr 148 000 kr
  • Glasfiberpool Jamaica 11,25m x 3,75m x 1,50mGlasfiberpool Jamaica 11,25m x 3,75m x 1,50m
    Glasfiberpool Jamaica 11,25m x 3,75m x 1,50m
    16% off

    Glasfiberpool Jamaica 11,25m x 3,75m x 1,50m

    271 000 kr
    271 000 kr 324 000 kr
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Byldepest (osmose) in fiberglass pools

A fiberglass pool consists of different layers of polyester or vinylester. These materials are not waterproof, and polyester, for example, allows water to penetrate after just one year. When water molecules have penetrated a layer and are located between two layers, mold growth occurs. The mold fungus, in turn, produces a gas that pushes the sides of the fiberglass pool outward, and this is the reason why fiberglass pools suffer from blistering (osmosis).

The most common cause of a fiberglass pool suffering from blistering is that the material is of poor quality, or that there has been insufficient quality control during the manufacturing of the pool. If your pool has suffered from blistering/osmosis in one spot, unfortunately, there is a high risk that your pool will soon be affected in multiple areas.

Another problem with water molecules penetrating the different layers in a fiberglass pool is that when winter and cold arrive, the water molecules freeze into ice and cause cracks in the pool.

These problems are avoided if you instead buy a PP Pool, which consists of a homogeneous material and therefore is not affected by blistering or cracks in the material.

Repair of a fiberglass pool that has developed blistering or cracks

It is often possible to repair a fiberglass pool that has been affected by blistering. The repair is done by sanding away some of the material and then filling the hole with gelcoat.

This type of repair is unfortunately quite expensive and is performed as a spot-on intervention on the affected area of the pool. Since a fiberglass pool that has been affected by blistering once usually develops it in several places, the repairs often end up being a costly affair.

To avoid costly repairs to your pool, you should therefore choose a PP pool that is not at risk of blistering or cracks caused by water molecules penetrating the different layers. Another advantage of a PP pool is that if other types of damage occur to the pool, the damage can easily be welded back with an extrusion tool.

PP Pool – Manufacturing and materials

A PP pool is made of the material polypropylene. Unlike fiberglass, polypropylene is not harmful to humans and is an environmentally friendly material, which is also approved for various types of food containers and drinking water containers.

During production, homogeneous sheets are welded together with a welding machine, where the ladder is also welded in using extrusion tools. The sheets that make up the pool are between 8 mm and 12 mm thick, creating a stable and durable construction.

The material in a PP pool comes in different colors, allowing you to choose the color that suits you best.

  • The lifespan of a PP pool

    The material in a PP pool is UV-protected and very durable. The lifespan of the tiles in a PP pool is about 40-45 years, and the only thing that happens to the material over time is that the shiny surface becomes a bit more matte after 10-15 years. If you are going to invest in a pool, it is recommended that you choose a PP pool, both because of its lifespan and its durability.

    Good insulation properties


    A PP pool has good insulation properties and can withstand high temperatures. Polypropylene is an insulating plastic, and the material is provided with 30 mm insulation on the outside. Since both sides of the pool are insulated, only 6% of the heat is lost through the pool's walls and bottom. This means lower heating costs, as 94% of the heat remains in the pool. To further reduce heating costs, it is recommended to get a pool cover, as heat rises, and with the help of a pool cover, the heat stays in the water.

    Many people want a warm pool to enjoy, and then a PP pool is perfect. This type of pool can handle temperatures over 33 degrees, and if you like the idea of taking a dip in a warm pool, then a PP pool is the right choice for you.

  • Which pool should you choose?

    If you want worry-free ownership, we recommend choosing a PP pool. PP pools have a long lifespan, are not affected by bubonic plague or cracks, and are energy-efficient due to their high insulation capacity.

    It is preferable to buy a high-quality pool when investing in a new one. Since a pool is a significant investment, it is important to carefully consider the decision before deciding on the type of pool and construction you want.

    If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at Pooltime, and we will answer all your questions.

    We offer turnkey contracts, and with our help, you only need one contact person, and we handle everything from delivery to installation. We help you tailor a pool package that includes all the parts and products you need for a complete pool experience beyond the ordinary.

    If you want to know more about how much it costs to build a pool, you can visit our guide where we go through the costs associated with building a pool.

    Read more about our pools and see which models we offer here.
    For more tips on what to consider when buying a pool, click here.

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