Which Type Of Swimming Pool Offers The Most Design Flexibility?

What is Your Main Reason for Getting a Pool?

Relaxation, Family Time, or Increasing Home Value? Alright, let’s kick things off with the big question—why do you want a pool? Are you dreaming of a resort-style escape where you can float around with a drink in hand? A backyard water park for the kids, complete with cannonballs and Marco Polo tournaments? Or maybe you’re thinking about boosting your home’s value before selling up?

If family time and relaxation are high on your priority list and you’re working with a budget, fibreglass pools are your best mate. They’re cost-effective, comfy to swim in (thanks to their smooth surface), and require way less maintenance than concrete or vinyl liner pools. That means more time floating, less time scrubbing.

But if your heart’s set on a one-of-a-kind, custom-shaped masterpiece—and you don’t mind splashing the cash—concrete pools are the way to go.

And what about property value? Both fibreglass and concrete pools are solid choices that appeal to homebuyers. On the other hand, vinyl liner pools might be cheaper upfront, but their frequent liner replacements can turn off potential buyers when it’s time to sell. If you’re thinking long-term, choosing a pool that adds value, not extra maintenance, is a smart move.

How Much Space Do You Have For A Pool?

Pool Size 

You might think that if you’ve got the space, you should go as big as possible—but that’s not always the smartest move. Sure, a massive pool looks impressive, but it also means more cleaning, more chemicals, and bigger running costs.

Whether you are in Gundagai, the Sunshine Coast or Perth, for most families, a 7m x 3.6m fibreglass pool is plenty of space for splashing, floating, and teaching the little ones to swim—without turning your weekends into a full-time maintenance job.

💡 Pro Tip: Family fibreglass pools max out at around 11m x 4m. If you want a 15m lap pool or something 5m wide, concrete is the best option. But remember—more water doesn’t always mean more fun!

Use That Extra Space Wisely

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make? Filling up your entire backyard with a pool and forgetting about everything else.

You can’t cook a steak or serve dinner for 6 in a pool. If your pool takes up all the space where your BBQ, outdoor dining table, or fire pit should be, you’ll be kicking yourself later.

By choosing a practical pool size, you can:
✅ Free up room for a BBQ area, a fire pit, or a shaded alfresco setup.
✅ Invest in lush landscaping for that resort-style backyard feel.
✅ Add pool heating and lighting for year-round enjoyment.

Moral of the story? A well-designed outdoor space beats a giant pool that leaves you with no room to entertain.

Pool Depth: The Hidden Cost Factor

Depth matters more than most people realise. While a 2.5m deep pool sounds fun in theory, here’s what many homeowners often don’t consider:

• Higher heating costs – More water takes longer (and costs more) to heat.
• More chemicals – A larger water volume means more cost to maintain your water chemistry.
• Stronger equipment is needed – A bigger filter, larger chlorinator and more powerful pump are required which immediately increases electricity costs and the cost of replacement down the track

Whether concrete, vinyl liner or fibreglass, an 8m pool should have a depth of at least 1.85m which is plenty deep enough for safe family fun. So, unless you’ve got a family of Olympic divers and want a custom-depth concrete pool, sticking to standard depths is usually the smarter, more affordable choice. 

📌 Want more size recommendations? Check out our guide: Buying Pools Direct - How to Choose the Right Size Pool for Your Family.

Read more on pool sizes: Buying Pools Direct - How To Choose The Right Size Pool For Your Family

Water Features And Spas

Ever watched a fancy pool ad and thought, “I need that water feature in my life”? You’re not alone. Water features and spas instantly level up a backyard, but here’s the catch—they take up space.

So, before you commit to a water feature or spa that rivals a Balinese resort, ask yourself:

• How much swimming space do you actually need?
• Will a water feature make your pool feel crowded?
• Are you willing to spend extra on installation and maintenance?

Not All Pool Types Handle Features the Same Way

Some pools are better suited for spa jets, waterfalls, and fountains than others:
✅ Concrete Pools: The king of customisation—add whatever features you like, wherever you want them.
✅ Fibreglass Pools: Many fibreglass pool designs come pre-designed with built-in spa areas or spots for spa jets and you can install water features anywhere you like.
❌ Vinyl Liner Pools: The walls are not strong enough for spa jets however a water feature spilling into the pool is definitely possible

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re dreaming of a built-in spa, fibreglass is a great option. Many designs come with pre-moulded spa sections or the option to add a separate spa, giving you luxury without the high customisation cost of concrete.

Do You Need a Custom Design?

Not all backyards are perfectly flat and spacious. Some are compact, some have awkward angles, and others come with trees, decks, or slopes to work around. So, what happens when your dream pool design doesn’t fit into a standard shape?

This is where customisation comes into play. Some pools can be tailored to your space, while others require you to work within pre-set designs.

How Flexible is Each Pool Type?

Some pools are built for full customisation, while others come pre-moulded:
✅ Concrete Pools – The king of customisation. If you can imagine it, you can build it.
✅ Vinyl Liner Pools – More flexible than fibreglass but still has limitations.
❌ Fibreglass Pools – Limited to pre-made shapes and sizes

💡 Pro Tip: If your backyard has odd angles, a heavily sloping landscape, or existing structures the pool needs to wrap around, concrete pools are better suited than fibreglass or vinyl liners.

Concrete Pools: The Ultimate Custom Choice 🏗️

Concrete pools offer the most design flexibility. Whether you want a luxury resort-style pool with an infinity edge or need something that fits an unusual backyard layout, concrete is your go-to.

✔️ Best for: Large, sloped, or uniquely shaped yards where a fully custom pool is required.
❌ Downside: High cost & long installation time—customisation takes months, not weeks.

Fibreglass Pools: Faster, But Less Flexible 🌊

Fibreglass pools come in a large range of pre-moulded designs, meaning you’re limited to what’s available from manufacturers. However, smart landscaping, decking, and tiling can make a fibreglass pool feel more custom than it is.

✔️ Best for: Homeowners who want a stylish, low-maintenance pool quickly.
❌ Downside: No shape customisation—you’re choosing from a fixed selection.

Vinyl Liner Pools: A Budget-Friendly Middle Ground 🏊

Vinyl liner pools fall between concrete and fibreglass in terms of flexibility. You can customise shape and size more than fibreglass, but they don’t have the durability of concrete. They’re a good option for semi-custom designs on a budget.

✔️ Best for: Homeowners who want a degree of customisation without the high cost of concrete.
❌ Downside: Liners need replacing every 8-10 years, which adds long-term costs

How Much Time Do You Have for Maintenance?

Love Swimming but Hate Cleaning? Read This First

No one gets a pool because they love scrubbing algae and testing water chemistry. But maintenance is part of the deal, so before you commit, ask yourself:

👉 How much time are you actually willing to spend keeping your pool clean?

Different types of pools come with different levels of upkeep, so it pays to know what you’re signing up for before you part with your hard-earned dollars.

Fibreglass Pools: The Low-Maintenance Champion

If you want to spend more time floating and less time faffing around with chemicals, fibreglass is your best mate. These pools have a smooth, non-porous surface that resists algae, meaning:

✔️ Less scrubbing—algae can’t grip onto the surface
✔️ Fewer chemicals—water stays balanced more easily.
✔️ No resurfacing needed—the gelcoat finish on well-built fibreglass pools lasts 25+ years

Aside from the usual water testing and vacuuming, there’s bugger-all maintenance to worry about. That’s why fibreglass is hands-down the easiest pool type to look after.

Vinyl Liner Pools: Mid-Level Maintenance

Vinyl liner pools sit somewhere in the middle. They’re pretty easy to care for, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

✔️ Smooth surface means less algae build-up than concrete.
✔️ Chemical balancing is still important to prevent liner damage.
❌ Liner replacements every 8-10 years—and they don’t come cheap.
❌ Leaks & tears—liners can get punctured, and if the frame is metal, rust can become a problem.

Vinyl liner pools are a decent option if you want some design flexibility without the heavy-duty maintenance of concrete. But keep an eye on liner wear and tear, or you could be up for a replacement sooner than expected.

Concrete Pools: High Maintenance for High Customisation

Concrete pools give you complete freedom of design, but they also come with the most maintenance. The porous surface means algae loves to cling to it, which means:
❌ More scrubbing—you’ll be spending plenty of time brushing walls.
❌ Higher chemical use—to keep algae under control.
❌ Resurfacing is required every 10-15 years—and that’s not a cheap fix.
If you’re happy to put in the effort for a fully custom pool, concrete might be worth it. But if weekend pool maintenance sounds like a nightmare, fibreglass is the way to go.

Final Thoughts – Making the Best Decision

Picking the right pool isn’t just about going for the flashiest one on the block—it’s about making sure it actually works for your lifestyle, budget, and backyard. Maybe you’re dreaming of a lazy arvo floating around with a drink in hand, a splash zone for the kids, or something to impress the neighbours and boost your home’s value. Whatever the goal, getting the right pool means less stress, fewer regrets, and more time enjoying it.

If you want a low-maintenance beauty that’s quick to install and easy to keep clean, fibreglass is the way to go. Want absolute design freedom and don’t mind a bit of elbow grease? Concrete’s your best bet. And if upfront cost is your biggest factor, vinyl liner pools might work—just remember, you’ll be swapping that liner out every 8–10 years.

So, what now? Think about what actually matters to you. Do you want to spend your weekends relaxing or scrubbing algae off the walls? Are you happy with a pre-made design, or do you need something one-of-a-kind? And most importantly—how much cash are you willing to splash?

💡 Still unsure? No worries! Check out our fibreglass pool designs or have a chat with us. We’ll help you find a pool that ticks all the boxes—without blowing the budget.