Fiberglass vs. concrete · An honest comparison
Fiberglass Pools in Phoenix, AZ
Researching a fiberglass pool for your Arizona backyard? Here is a straight comparison of fiberglass and custom concrete — what each is good at, who fiberglass suits, and why we build custom concrete and gunite pools.
A fiberglass pool is a factory-molded shell that is dropped into an excavated hole, where a custom concrete (gunite) pool is built in place and can be any shape or size. Both are real options for an in-ground pool — they simply suit different goals. We Fix Ugly Pools® specializes in custom concrete and gunite pools, and we think the most useful thing we can give you is an honest comparison so you choose the right pool for your yard, not just the one a salesperson leads with.
Fiberglass vs. concrete pools: an honest comparison
A fiberglass pool arrives as a single pre-made shell manufactured in a factory. Because the shell is prebuilt, installation can be fast, the surface is smooth, and ongoing maintenance is often lower. The trade-off is that you are limited to the manufacturer’s catalog of shapes and sizes, the shell has to be trucked in and craned into place (which can be hard on tight or hillside Valley lots), and you cannot customize the design freely.
A custom concrete or gunite pool is built on site, so it can be any shape, size, and depth, with vanishing edges, tanning ledges, attached spas, and water features designed around your yard. It is the most durable and customizable way to build, and the interior finish can be chosen for longevity. The trade-off is a longer build and, typically, a higher upfront investment than a small fiberglass shell. For most Arizona homeowners who want a pool designed for their space, that flexibility is exactly what they are after.
When a fiberglass pool can make sense
Fiberglass is a legitimate choice in the right situation. It can be a good fit when you want a faster install, prefer a lower-maintenance smooth surface, are happy with a standard shape and size from a catalog, and have good access for a crane and truck to deliver the shell. For a simple, smaller backyard pool where customization is not a priority, those can be real advantages.
Where fiberglass struggles is customization and access. If you want an unusual shape, a specific size, a true vanishing edge, a large or deep pool, or a design shaped to a tricky lot, a molded shell will not get you there — and craning a large shell into a tight Phoenix backyard is not always possible.
Why we build custom concrete & gunite
Any shape or size
Built on site in gunite, so the pool is designed around your yard, not a catalog mold.
Finish choices
Plaster, quartz, or pebble interiors — chosen for look and for how long they last.
Spas & water features
Attached spas, spillovers, tanning ledges, and sheer descents designed in from the start.
Fits tricky lots
No crane access required for a shell — we build in place on tight and sloped yards.
Built to last
A rigid, reinforced shell made for decades of Arizona heat and heavy use.
Repairable & resurfaceable
Refinished and remodeled over time rather than replaced as one molded piece.
Custom concrete, designed for your yard
From compact courtyards to resort-style backyards, a gunite pool is shaped to the space you have and the way you want to use it — with the spa, ledges, and features designed in from day one.
What does a new pool cost in Phoenix?
Pricing depends on the type of pool and the design. A fiberglass pool’s cost is tied to the catalog shell you choose plus delivery, crane, excavation, and decking. A new custom concrete in-ground pool in the Valley generally runs $38,000 to $60,000 and up, depending on size, finish, and features. A smaller custom pool — such as a plunge pool — is a smaller footprint than a full build and a lower-cost way into a new concrete pool.
One factor homeowners often overlook is the interior finish. On a concrete pool, plaster typically lasts 5–7 years, quartz 12–18 years, and pebble 25–30 years, so the finish you pick shapes the pool’s long-term value. We will walk you through the numbers honestly — see our Arizona pool cost guide for more.
“They completely transformed our backyard. The crew was professional, the finish is gorgeous, and it’s held up beautifully in the Arizona heat. Worth every penny.”
Why homeowners build with We Fix Ugly Pools®
- Custom concrete specialists. Gunite pools in any shape or size, designed around your yard.
- Licensed, bonded & insured. Arizona ROC KA5-275609 and KA5-353555 (KA-5 swimming pools, commercial and residential), and KB2-304269 (KB-2 residential and small commercial general contractor).
- Since 2001. A Phoenix family-owned builder with 20,000+ pools built and renovated.
- Honest advice. We help you compare pool types and recommend the right fit, not just the easy sell.
- 700+ projects a year. Deep experience with every kind of Valley yard and lot.
- 4.9 stars from 305+ homeowners. Serving the entire Phoenix metro.
As seen in the news
Recognized across Arizona & national media
We Fix Ugly Pools and owner Brian Morris, “the Ugly Pool Guy,” hold a world record for the fastest pool build and have been featured by national and Arizona outlets, including as expert pool columnists for The Arizona Republic.
Not sure which pool is right for you?
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