Pool comparisons
Most pool decisions come down to three comparisons: shell material, inground versus above-ground, and how you heat the water. On 2026 figures from This Old House, fiberglass costs $175-$330 per square foot installed against $200-$350 for concrete, and fiberglass runs $5,000-$15,000 over ten years against $27,000-$40,000 for concrete. Above-ground is far cheaper but, per Opendoor, rarely adds resale value.
Fiberglass vs concrete. Concrete wins on shape freedom and structural longevity. Fiberglass wins on price and, decisively, on running cost - a ten-year gap of roughly $12,000 to $35,000 based on This Old House's figures. If you do not need a custom shape, that gap is hard to argue with.
Vinyl vs fiberglass. Vinyl is cheapest to build at $130-$240 per square foot but you buy a liner again every 5 to 15 years at $3,000-$7,500, per Thursday Pools, and ten-year upkeep is $11,000-$17,000 versus $5,000-$15,000 for fiberglass. Over a long ownership the two often converge.
Inground vs above-ground. Above-ground is dramatically cheaper up front and can be removed. It also, per Opendoor, rarely adds appraised value and is often treated as personal property. Note that CPSC's barrier guidance still applies: the ladder or steps must be securable, lockable or removable, or the access surrounded by a barrier.
Heating. Thursday Pools puts standard heaters at $1,200-$6,000 and solar or heat-pump systems at $2,000-$6,500. Heating is also the main reason a cold-climate pool costs more to run than a warm-climate one.
Choosing pools between the options
The judgement calls that decide the bill, before anyone quotes you.
- Compare over ten years, not at signing Every honest pool comparison is a total-cost comparison. Build price plus a decade of upkeep is the only fair basis.
- Let your lot break ties Access for a crane and a one-piece shell, soil type and water table can make one material impractical regardless of price. Have builders assess the site before quoting.
- Ask what happens at year 12 Vinyl needs a liner, concrete needs resurfacing, fiberglass needs neither on a fixed schedule. Know which bill is coming.
- Do not compare a bare quote to a complete one Decking, fencing, electrical and permits can add tens of thousands. Normalize the scope before you rank bids.
All pools comparisons
Fiberglass vs Concrete Pool
Vinyl Liner vs Fiberglass
Inground vs Above Ground Pool
Saltwater vs Chlorine Pool
Gas Heater vs Heat Pump
Plunge Pool vs Full Size Pool
Pool Remodel vs New Build
Automatic vs Manual Pool Cover
Where these figures come from
Sources last checked
- This Old House - Inground Pool Cost (2026 Guide) · retrieved 2026-07-25
- Thursday Pools - Inground Pool Cost in 2026 · retrieved 2026-07-25
- Opendoor - Does a Pool Add Value to Your Home? · retrieved 2026-07-25
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools · retrieved 2026-07-25
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