Lesley Davidson Engineering

10/10/2025

Price improvement.

10/10/2025

I recently showed some pool homes to some customers who asked me what the difference was between the fiberglass shell and concrete in ground pools. I thought I knew the differences, but I thought I would do some research too.

What is the difference between a fiberglass shell pool and a concrete pool?

The main differences between fiberglass shell pools and concrete pools come down to installation, durability, maintenance, cost, and customization. Here's a breakdown:
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🟦 Fiberglass Shell Pool
What it is: A pre-molded, factory-built pool shell made of fiberglass, delivered as one piece and installed into an excavated hole.
✅ Pros:
• Fast installation: Usually 2–4 weeks total (sometimes less).
• Low maintenance: Smooth gelcoat resists algae and staining.
• Less chemical use: Nonporous surface reduces need for sanitizers.
• Durability: Flexible enough to resist minor ground shifts or cracking.
❌ Cons:
• Limited shapes/sizes: You choose from pre-designed molds—no full customization.
• Transport size limitations: Larger models may be difficult or costly to deliver.
• Initial color fading: Gelcoat finish can fade over time with sun/chemical exposure.
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⬜ Concrete Pool (aka gunite or shotcrete)
What it is: A steel-reinforced framework sprayed with concrete and finished with plaster, tile, or pebble.
✅ Pros:
• Highly customizable: Any size, shape, or depth you want.
• Durable and strong: Long lifespan if maintained properly.
• Luxury finishes: Can be finished with glass tile, pebble, or quartz for a high-end look.
❌ Cons:
• Long installation time: Typically 8–12 weeks or more.
• Higher maintenance: Porous surface encourages algae, needs more chemicals and cleaning.
• More expensive: Higher upfront and lifetime costs.
• May crack: Especially if soil shifts or rebar corrodes.
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💰 Cost Comparison (estimates vary by region):
• Fiberglass Pool: $50,000–$80,000 installed
• Concrete Pool: $60,000–$120,000+ installed
Fiberglass often costs less over the long run due to lower maintenance and repair costs.
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🧼 Maintenance Needs:
• Fiberglass: Low (resists algae, fewer resurfacing needs)
• Concrete: High (more frequent brushing, chemical balancing, resurfacing every ~10–15 years)
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🏁 Summary:

Feature Fiberglass Concrete
Installation Time 2–4 weeks 8–12+ weeks
Custom Shapes Limited Unlimited
Surface Smooth, nonporous Porous, rougher
Algae Growth Minimal More likely
Durability Good Excellent (with care)
Long-Term Cost Lower Higher

So depending on what your priorities are, both can be good options.

Got any more questions? Feel free to call Manifest Realty at 904 509-2424

04/02/2025

Will be out of the country and unavailable for work for most of April. Happy Easter

12/27/2024

Happy holidays to all. I’m closed until after the new year. Happy 2025.

12/20/2024

On this day in 2019. President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which established the Space Force, a new branch of the U.S. military. Thank you.

12/09/2024

EasyKnock, which pioneered 'sale-leaseback' deals for struggling homeowners, abruptly closes its doors

12/09/2024

Love watching the Brownstone Boys restore!

Join us as we unveil all of our wood stripping secrets! In this easy to follow three step tutorial, we break down everything you need to know about how to br...

10/22/2024

I get it. Many complain about Trump. But I’m voting for policies over personalities. The Trump Vance Kennedy Musk team is the only competent team capable of fixing our economy, strengthening the border, bringing peace to the world, regaining respect, and making America 🇺🇸 great and healthy again.

10/06/2024

A little learning today - it is architect Le Corbusie’s birthday. Le Corbusier is an 1920-60s architect and city planner who became famous for his avant-garde, functional and severe (if you ask me) designs. Personally, I think many of buildings are harsh and ugly and don’t age well, but some are unique.

Still , his books, whose essential lines of thought were born of travels and lectures hardly changed at all in 45 years, constituted a bible for succeeding generations of architects. Among the most famous are Urbanisme (1925; The City of Tomorrow, 1929), Quand les cathédrales étaient blanches (1937; When the Cathedrals Were White, 1947), La Charte d’Athènes (1943), Propos d’urbanisme (1946), Les Trois Établissements humains (1945), and Le Modular I (1948; The Modular, 1954). He is considered a father of modern architecture.

Personally, his furniture line is my favorite.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Le-Corbusier/The-war-years

09/04/2024

James Gaddis is THE type of Public Servant we need. I donated to help him after FL DEP and Desantis fired him for speaking out about the R**E of our FL State Parks!

04/11/2024

PSA taking time off this year to rest and heal. Will re publish page at such time I am accepting new work.