Are Fiberglass Pools Affected by Cold Weather?

October 4th, 2017 by

“Winter is coming. Can my fiberglass pool handle it?” This is a question we frequently get from potential and existing owners. Consequently, they worry themselves without doing proper research on the subject. Well, in a nutshell, the answer to this question is… yes, your fiberglass pool can handle winter weather with ease!

Fiberglass: Unfazed by Winter

Neither hot nor cold temperature extremes are a problem for fiberglass pools. With proper care (though not much is required), they cycle through season after season, hardly showing any signs of wear. They can do this because of the exceptional qualities of their material:

  • Structural stability. Fiberglass exhibits less expansion and contraction due to heat or cold than other pool materials like concrete and vinyl.
  • Chemical stability. Fiberglass is chemically inert, meaning it doesn’t react with other substances. In other words, it is resistant to pool cleaning solutions, sanitizing chemicals, ultraviolet light, etc.
  • Impressive strength. Fiberglass has a very high strength-to-weight ratio. That’s why that shell that was so easy for the installers to move into place is still very resistant to damage.
  • Tremendous flexibility. Surprising for a substance that is so strong, fiberglass is very flexible compared to other pool materials. This means that while the soil around a pool may expand, contract, and move as it freezes and thaws, a fiberglass pool can handle the changing pressure without cracking.

Searching for Proof? Look North.

If ever there was a great testing ground for the cold weather resiliency of fiberglass pools, it’s Canada. Notorious for its brutal winters, the country has fiberglass pools from coast to coast. And as long as their plumbing is properly winterized, they open up every spring undamaged and ready for action. So, not only do the physical properties of fiberglass suggest it can survive freezing temperatures, real-world “stress testing” confirms it.

Ready to Learn More about Fiberglass Pools?

Fall and winter are great times to do your fiberglass pool research. After you learn all about the great qualities of the material, you can start checking out the many beautiful designs that are available. Then, when you’re ready to move ahead, you can contact the independent Latham Independent Builder near you, who can help you pick the perfect pool and plan your install. From there it’s just kick back, fantasize about your summer pool days, and wait for the warm weather to arrive.

 

Meet Our Expert

Written by

Mike has been in the Pool Industry and with Latham Pool Products for over 11 years. Prior to coming to Latham, his professional career was with Anderson and General Electric (GE) in Finance and Strategy. Mike has two sons, has coached many years of baseball, but now enjoys watching them with a nice IPA.

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