Don't Get Ripped Off - Is Your Fibreglass Pool Shell Built to Last?

Quick Overview

Q: What are the key indicators of a high-quality inground fibreglass pool shell?
A: Look for flat, non-reinforced walls (often called “safety ledges” to trick you), a structural warranty of at least 30 years, deep pool depths (e.g., 8m pool with 1.90m depth), and rounded floor-to-wall joins (radius corners).

Quick Tips:

• Flat Walls: Ensure the pool doesn’t have a structural reinforcing ledge (marketing folk call this a “safety ledge”) as this typically compensates for weaker walls.

• Warranty: Go for pools with a 35-year structural warranty. The warranty length speaks to quality materials and manufacturing processes. Problems with cheaper pools with 25-year warranties usually start in the first 5 years.

• Rounded Corners: Rounded joins add strength and make cleaning easier.

• Independently Certified: Choose a company with an international standard independent quality control and auditing program such as ISO9001 or PASMARK.

Choosing an in-ground fibreglass pool can feel like wading through a sea of promises and shiny brochures. Every pool looks good on the surface, and every supplier claims their pools are the best. But how do you know for sure? If you're feeling sceptical about all the marketing spin, you're not alone. I've been there too, before I had the insider knowledge I do now.

The truth is, the real quality of a pool often shows up after installation—and usually not in the way you'd hope. Facebook groups are full of stories from frustrated homeowners whose pools with “25 year lifetime warranties” started to crack, blister, or severely fade within a few years. So, how do you make sure your pool won’t become one of those stories?

Today, I’m going to give you the exact tools you need to figure out if your in-ground fibreglass pool shell is built to last, cutting through all the sales talk. By the end of this, you’ll know exactly what to look for to avoid regret and make sure you’re getting a pool that will stand the test of time.

❗Full disclosure: This article is specifically for in-ground fibreglass pools. Above ground fibreglass pool walls are not held in place by backfill and most require additional reinforcing and will have near 90-degree corners to manage weight distribution.

Why Quality Really Matters

Have you ever bought something that seemed great at first, only to start falling apart when you needed it the most? I once bought a fancy-looking outdoor lounge—sturdy, comfortable, looked the part and came with a 12 month warranty. It wasn’t cheap either. It sat out on my deck through rain, sun, and everything in between, and for the first year, it was brilliant.

But as the second summer rolled around, things started to go south. The cushions were sagging and the material picked up every permanent stain imaginable. Every time we sat down, you could hear creaks. I realised it wasn’t built to handle the harsh Aussie weather over the long run. Sure, it held up fine for a while, but it didn’t have the quality to go the distance. When buying the replacement, I did my homework on the manufacturer and the tell tale signs of quality workmanship (the replacement is now 6 years old and still looks great!)

The same goes for fibreglass pools. You might grab a slightly cheaper option with a “25 year lifetime warranty”, thinking “they are all the same”. But a few years in, if you’re battling cracks or blisters, you won’t be smiling. Unlike couches, you can’t just send a pool back to the shop— once it’s in the ground, it is not easy to replace. Best to get it right the first time, rather than face years of regret and repair costs. As Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus said “prevention is better than cure”.

The Risks of Cheap Fibreglass Pools

Fibreglass pools with 25-year “lifetime” structural warranties often have cut corners or the quality of materials during production. This leads to nightmares like osmosis (fancy word for the gelcoat blistering), cracks, or the colour fading. Yep, you can patch up cracks, but trying to match the colour is near on impossible. If you don’t mind your pool reminding you of the spots on a giraffe, it’s nothing to worry about.

If you pool ends up with severe fading or osmosis, this can be repaired. You pool will need to be ripped out and replaced. And it’s not just the pool. We’re talking your fencing, landscaping, and paving getting torn up too, while machinery wrecks your lawn. It’s a headache you don’t want. A good question to ask is if the shell manufacturer will pay for the paving and landscaping to be replaced or just the work directly related to the shell being replaced?

Not too long ago, a bloke rang me about his three-year-old pool that was falling apart. He told me his suction cleaner pulled the gelcoat off in clumps. one side of his pool was filled with osmosis blisters and the colour had faded over 50%. I couldn’t believe this was possible, so I drove four hours to Hervey Bay to see it for myself. It was all true. He thought the 25 year structural warranty would save him, but nope—the manufacturer refused to replace the shell and has now gone out of business. Granted, this is an extreme example so let’s talk about how you can tell if you are buying a quality fibreglass swimming pool just by looking at it.

Why a Quality Pool Pays Off:

• Durability That Lasts: High-quality fibreglass pools are built to last in Australia's harsh weather. It is very rare for correctly installed shells with 35 year structural warranties to crack.

• More Pool For Your Money: A well-made pool that is deep and has flat walls has more swimming area for family fun and your hard earned dollar.

• Aesthetic Longevity: Quality pools that are correctly maintained won’t fade and certainly will not blister.

• Better Resale Value: If you decide to sell your home, a well-maintained pool can add serious value if it is still looking bright and sparkly.

How to Spot a High-Quality Fibreglass Pool

So, you've done your research – you've checked out how long the manufacturer has been around, read reviews, and made sure they meet Aussie Standards. Now let's break down the specific signs that'll give you the confidence that you're investing in a quality pool.

Structural Reinforcing Beam (AKA "Safety Ledges")

Here’s a little secret: when you’re looking at fibreglass pools, one of the biggest red flags is something they’ll proudly advertise—a “safety ledge”. Sounds like a great feature for the kids, right? Nope. It has nothing to do with safety. That so-called safety ledge is a structural reinforcing beam. It is there to hide the fact that the pool walls are not strong enough and need to be reinforced.

Think of it like buying a chair with wobbly legs, but the seller says, “Don’t worry, we’ve added an extra brace for support.” A high-quality pool doesn’t need this kind of structural crutch because the strength is in the materials and design from the get-go. So, if you’re shopping around and notice a “safety ledge,” take a closer look. It’s a dead giveaway that the pool’s walls aren’t as strong as they should be.

Simple summary, look for pools with flat walls that do not have a structural reinforcing beam.

Q: Why should I avoid fibreglass pools with a safety ledge?

A: If a pool has a safety ledge, it's often a sign that the walls aren't as strong as they should be. High-quality fibreglass pools have enough built in strength not to need them.

Why It Matters:

A flat pool wall with no safety ledge is a big tick for quality. Plus, the reinforcing beam (usually 75mm to 125mm wide) catches dirt – lots of it. If you are looking for an easy to maintain a pool, having a dirt colleting ledge is the opposite of “easy”. The beam is too narrow for suction cleaners and robot cleaners to properly remove the ring of dirt. That means you or the magical pool cleaning fairy (Let me know if you find it. I’ve been looking for 20 years!) will be doing a weekly broom down. It’s not the ideal way to be spending your weekend is it? Think of it like buying a vacuum cleaner that only sucks up half the dirt—and you need to sweep up the rest with a dustpan and brush! Don’t believe me? Check in with friends and family who have owned a pool with a dirt collecting “safety ledge”. Ask whether they would buy a pool with this ledge in the future.

Not So Fun Fact:
A pool with a 125mm safety ledge actually reduces your swimming area. An 8m x 4m pool with a safety ledge is more like a 7.75m x 3.75m pool in terms of usable space, which means you're missing out on around 2m² of swimming fun.

Pool Depth – It's More Than Just a Number

Let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked – pool depth. The depth of a fibreglass pool varies just as much as the prices do, and it’s one of those details that can tell you a lot about the quality of the pool. 

When you’re shopping around, you’ll notice plenty of 8m x 4m pools. But if you look closely, you’ll find that some are 1.70m deep, while others go down to 1.90m. Often, they are the same price.

You might be thinking, “Does 20cm really make a difference?” That 20cm difference in depth might seem small, but it’s actually about 7% less pool for your money. Plus, if it has a dirt collecting reinforcing “safety ledge”, you will have even less swimming area. It’s a case of pool “shrinkflation” – paying the same as a deeper pool but you’re getting less for your hard earned cash.

Let’s Break it Down:

• A pool that’s 1.90m deep holds 48,000 litres of water.

• A pool that’s 1.70m deep holds 44,800 litres of water.

Why Does Depth Matter for Quality?

Depth isn’t just about how much water your pool holds – it’s also a key indicator of how well the pool is built. Deeper pools experience more water pressure, which means the pool shell needs to be made from stronger materials to hold up over time. Manufacturers who offer deeper pools without adding a reinforcing ledge are usually using better construction methods and materials, which means you’re getting a higher-quality pool.

If you’re tempted to save by going for a cheaper, shallower option, just remember: you’re not really saving—you’re just getting less pool.

Key Questions to Ask:

When you're checking out fibreglass pools, these questions will help you figure out whether you’re looking at a pool built to last or has the potential to cause you problems:

1. Is the pool shallower than others of the same size, and does it have a structural reinforcing “safety ledge”?

   • Shallow pools with those so-called “safety ledges” are often a sign of lower quality materials and weaker strength. Ask the manufacturer if their lifetime structural warranty is 25 years or 35 years and how long the cosmetic warranty (which covers osmosis and fading) is. This should be at least the industry standard of 6 years. If the answer is 25 years and less than 6 years, you’re rolling the dice.

2. Is the pool deeper but still has a structural reinforcing ledge?

   • A deeper pool with a ledge is on the right track however there will be a reason why it needed to be reinforced. Plus, you’ll be out cleaning the ledge off every weekend (or not if you don’t mind looking at a ring of dirt around your pool).

1. Is the pool deeper, with flat walls, and no structural reinforcing ledge?

   • Now we’re talking! A deeper pool with flat walls and no structural reinforcing ledge? That’s the hallmark of a well-built, high-quality pool that’s designed to last. You’ll find all of these pools have 35 year structural warranties and a minimum 6 year cosmetic warranty.

Minimum Pool Depths by Length (for pools built to last):

Why These Stats Matter:

When you see an 8m pool that’s 1.90m deep with no reinforcing ledge, you’re looking at a pool that’s been manufactured to a high standard. Sure, it might not be the cheapest option, but it’s a good indicator that the pool shell is made to last. If you go with a cheaper, shallower option, you might be saving a few bucks now, but in the long run, it could end up costing you more in maintenance and repairs.

Final Deep Thought:

The depth of your pool is more than just a number – it’s a clue to the overall quality. The deeper the pool, the more confidence you can have in its durability and performance.

Tell-Tale Indicators – Large, Curved Floor-to-Wall Joins

I don’t know about you, but I love the look of sharp, crisp joins – like the 90-degree corners on modern kitchen sinks. That sleek, square look had me hooked… until I had to clean it! Those tight corners are a nightmare to scrub. That’s when I found myself wishing for a more traditional sink with smooth, rounded edges that are so much easier to clean.

And guess what? The same thing applies to fibreglass pools. Just like my troublesome kitchen sink, fibreglass pool shells with right-angle corners where the walls meet the floor might look sharp, but they come with a couple of issues.

Why Right-Angle Corners Are a Red Flag

Firstly, if your pool has sharp 90-degree corners or very small curves (called radius), automatic pool cleaners are going to struggle to do their job properly. The cleaner’s brushes and suction simply can’t get into those tight spots, leaving you with extra manual brushing work. Over time, dirt, leaves, and grime build up in those corners, turning your pool maintenance routine into more of a chore than it needs to be.

But there’s an even bigger issue with right-angle corners – they can tell you a lot about the pool’s structural integrity. If a pool has sharp corners or small radius where the walls meet the floor, it’s often a sign that the manufacturer is cutting costs by using less material. Why? Because it’s cheaper to produce a pool with sharp joins that act as reinforcement than it is to create wide, curved radius joins.

The Benefits of Rounded Corners (Radius Joins)

If you see a pool with wide, rounded corners, you’re looking at a pool that’s been made using undiluted fibreglass resin applied at the right thickness. Creating these smooth radii isn’t easy – it takes more time, skill, and material – but the result is a stronger pool shell that’s built to last.

Let’s Break It Down:

• Strength: Rounded corners provide better structural integrity. The wider radius helps distribute the stress that the pool’s walls and floor endure over time. In fact, achieving those wide curves requires using more fibreglass layers, which directly contributes to the pool’s strength.

• Ease of Installation: Chat with any pool installer, and they’ll tell you that rounded corners make the backfilling process much easier. Backfilling around sharp right angles is tricky and can lead to gaps or uneven packing, which could cause issues later on. Rounded corners eliminate this problem.

• Reduced Maintenance: Remember that hassle with cleaning? Rounded corners allow automatic pool cleaners to glide smoothly across the floor and up the walls, giving your pool a consistent, thorough clean without the manual effort from you (or the Pool Cleaning Fairy).

But Wait – Are Right-Angle Corners Always a Bad Sign?

Not necessarily. Just like with square kitchen sinks, some manufacturers design pools with sharp corners intentionally to meet specific market demands. Perhaps they’re catering to a trend or aiming to offer a more budget-friendly product.

However, it’s important to understand that these sharp joins can indicate a compromise in quality. If you’re seeing right-angle corners, shallow depths, dirt collecting reinforcing “safety ledge” and a 25 year structural warranty, the odds are against you.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a high-quality pool that’s going to last, rounded corners are a clear indicator of superior construction. When you see those smooth, wide joins, you can be confident that the pool shell was built with durability in mind. Sure, a pool with sharp corners might come with a lower price tag, but it’s worth considering the long-term benefits of opting for a pool with radii that ensure strength, easier cleaning, and hassle-free installation.

Pro Tip: When inspecting a fibreglass pool shell, check whether the sides of the pool remain straight under their own weight. A strong, well-made pool shell will hold its shape, while a weaker shell may bow or sag when unsupported. This is another clue to the pool’s overall quality.

If a shell bows when being lifted, the risk of the gelcoat layer cracking significantly increases along with your level of concern. As a pool owner, you don’t want to see your expensive new pool smiling at you.

Final Thoughts – Making an Informed Decision

If you're looking for a pool that will stand the test of time, pay attention to these indicators:

• Look for pools without a structural reinforcing beam, as this is a sign of superior construction.

• Deeper pools with flat walls and rounded corners are your best bet for durability and ease of maintenance.

• Always choose Australian-made pools with a 35-year structural warranty for peace of mind.

While a higher-quality pool might come with a bigger price tag, it's worth considering the long-term savings in maintenance, repairs, and hassle. For example, spending an extra $1,500 upfront could save you thousands in repairs down the track.

Now that you know what to look for, make sure you're getting the best value for your investment. Don't settle for a subpar pool – make an informed decision and enjoy years of hassle-free swimming with a high-quality fibreglass pool.

For more information or help choosing the right pool for your needs, get in touch with us today!