Concrete and fibreglass are the two main construction methods for residential swimming pools in the UK. Fibreglass pools are manufactured off-site as pre-formed shells and installed into an excavated void. Concrete pools are built in situ, on site, to a bespoke specification. The construction method has significant implications for design flexibility, cost, durability and the long-term ownership experience.

Concrete pools offer complete design freedom. The shape, size, depth profile, step configuration and internal finish are all chosen to suit the specific site and the homeowner's requirements — not constrained by the dimensions and shapes available from a manufacturer's catalogue.

This matters for homeowners with non-standard garden shapes, specific size requirements, or a desire for a pool that truly belongs to the property rather than being a standard product inserted into it.

Concrete pools are also significantly more durable. A well-built concrete pool will last the lifetime of the property. The internal finish will require periodic renewal — typically every 10 to 20 years depending on the finish type and water chemistry — but the structure itself is permanent.

Fibreglass pools are installed more quickly than concrete pools and are typically less expensive at the entry level. The shell is manufactured in a controlled environment and craned into an excavated void, with installation typically taking a few weeks rather than several months.

The limitations are significant, however. Fibreglass pools are available only in the shapes and sizes produced by the manufacturer. They cannot be genuinely bespoke. The finish is fixed — typically a coloured gel coat — and cannot be changed without significant cost. Fibreglass shells also have a finite lifespan — typically 15 to 25 years — and will eventually require replacement.

Valerian Pools builds concrete pools. We take this approach because we believe it is the right choice for homeowners who want a pool built properly, to last, with the design and finish that genuinely suits their home and garden.

For homeowners who are genuinely interested in a quality, lasting result — rather than the lowest possible cost in the short term — concrete is almost always the better investment.