Pool Prices: Vinyl Vs. Gunite
If you are looking to install a pool, your finances will help to answer the question, "Should I have Vinyl or Gunite?" Gunite is essentially a cement/sand/water mix pumped to a pool's structural frame.
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Types
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Above ground pools are much easier to install and can be moved. In-ground pools are more popular and can be associated with better re-sales for one's home. There are four types of in-ground pools: fiberglass, vinyl, gunite, and concrete.
Features
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Fiberglass pools are pre-made shells made of fiberglass. A plus for having this type of pool, is that waiting time for completion is usually shorter than for a concrete or vinyl pool.
Vinyl-lined pools are used to protect and reinforce the steel and other materials from damage. A plus for having this type of pool, is that it is fairly easy to maintain.
Gunite is concrete that is pumped, with a gun, into the pool's structural frame. A plus for having this type of pool, is that it is highly durable and does not stain.
Concrete is poured into conventional wooden frames and is not a common option when building a in-ground pool. -
Prices
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Depending upon the size, vinyl pools are generally less expensive. According to a representative from Bluehaven Pools, a national chain, a vinyl pool will cost about half of a gunite/concrete pool. A general range for Vinyl is approximately $15,000 to $20,000 whereas a gunite one may range from $20,000 to $40,000.
Benefits
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If price is no matter, then having a gunite pool maybe the way to go. Gunite is highly durable, it does not discolor or stain the way a Vinyl liner will over time, and gunite pools can be built into any shape, which many customers consider a bonus. Aside from price, the advantages of getting a vinyl pool are that it uses less chemicals because of its non-porous surface and vinyl tends not to harbor algae growth.
Problems
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While a vinyl pool is less expensive initially, the owner will have to replace the liner every 8 to 12 years at a cost of $4,000 on average, when labor is included. This is a result of the fading of the liner over time due to using bleach.
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