Fibreglass versus concrete pools in Cape Town
The two main ways to build a pool in Cape Town are a factory-made fibreglass shell or a concrete or gunite pool built on site. Both work well. They suit different sites, budgets and plans.
How each is built
Fibreglass. The shell is moulded in a factory, trucked to your home and lowered into a prepared hole, usually by crane. The builder levels it, connects the plumbing, backfills around it and adds coping and paving.
Concrete and gunite. The builder excavates, places a steel reinforcing framework, then forms the shell. Gunite is concrete sprayed at high pressure onto the steel; hand-packed concrete is placed by hand. Once cured, the shell gets a finish, most often marbelite in Cape Town, or tiles, pebble or fibreglass.
Shape and size
With fibreglass you choose from the moulds a manufacturer makes. The range is wide, but it is a range. A concrete or gunite pool can be any shape, size and depth the site allows, with custom steps, ledges, infinity edges or a lap lane. On an awkward, sloping or tight plot, an on-site build is often the only way to get the pool you want.
Time on site
Fibreglass installation is usually much quicker, because the shell is already made. A concrete or gunite pool takes longer: excavation, steelwork, the shell, curing and finishing all take time, and winter rain can add delays. If you are working towards a date, such as swimming by December, this matters. See new pool construction on timing.
Surface and upkeep
A fibreglass surface is smooth and non-porous. Algae finds it harder to cling on, and owners often find it easier to keep clean and need fewer chemicals. Over many years the gel coat can fade or chalk, and it can be refinished.
Marbelite has a natural, slightly textured finish that many people like. It is porous, so it relies on good water balance and regular brushing. It wears slowly and will need re-marbelite or relining at some point in the pool's life. Our guide to re-marbelite versus fibreglass relining covers that decision.
Ground and water table
Cape Town's ground varies a lot. Near the coast, as in Table View and Milnerton, sandy soil and a high water table mean an excavation can flood and an empty pool can be lifted by groundwater. Both pool types need to be designed for that, often with dewatering during the build and a hydrostatic relief valve. A lightweight fibreglass shell, in particular, must be installed and backfilled correctly, and should not be emptied without advice.
In clay ground, such as parts of Durbanville, seasonal swelling and shrinking pushes on the shell. A properly engineered concrete shell or a correctly bedded fibreglass shell both cope; what matters is that the builder designs for the ground. On rock, excavation is slower whichever you choose.
Access and delivery
A fibreglass shell has to reach your garden in one piece. That means a truck on your road, and usually a crane that can lift the shell over the house or wall. Narrow streets, overhead cables, steep driveways, estate rules and big trees can make that difficult or impossible. A concrete or gunite build needs access too, for an excavator and concrete or spraying equipment, but the materials arrive in smaller loads.
Cost factors
We do not publish prices. The factors that move the quote for either type are size and shape, ground conditions, access, the finish, paving and coping, safety barriers, and equipment. A fibreglass shell's price includes the factory work; a concrete pool's price depends more on site labour and time. Over the life of the pool, consider maintenance and resurfacing as well as the build. See the guide to what moves a pool quote.
Quick comparison
- Choose fibreglass if: the site has good access, a standard shape suits you, and you want a quicker install and a smooth, low-maintenance surface.
- Choose concrete or gunite if: you want a custom shape or size, the site is awkward or sloping, or delivery of a shell is not possible.
- Either way: plan for building plans, a SANS 10134 safety barrier, groundwater and a pump sized for the pool.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fibreglass pool cheaper than concrete?
It depends on size, site and finish. We do not publish prices. Ask builders to quote both options on the same scope if you are undecided.
Which lasts longer?
Both can last many years when built well. A marbelite finish needs resurfacing at some point; a fibreglass surface can need refinishing after many years.
Can a fibreglass pool be installed where the water table is high?
Yes, with the right installation, dewatering and a relief valve. It should not be emptied without professional advice.