FAQ

Fiberglass Vs. Plaster

Pros of Plaster

  • Plaster is typically the least expensive product available for resurfacing.
  • Newer plaster can be acid washed & sanded when it becomes rough, stained, & develops calcium nodules.

Cons of Plaster

  • Plaster looks old sooner than other surfacing materials (discoloration & roughness) due to the porosity of the final product.
  • When plaster is used in a homeowner association, apartment complex or hotel application, where water is heated & has a high chemical content, it has a very good chance of showing heavy copper stains.
  • Plaster is not flexible & will crack if movement is present.
  • There is no margin for error in chemical balance as staining will occur if water is not balanced properly.
  • Calcium nodules are often present in plaster, especially when used to resurface.

Pros of Fiberglass

  • Fiberglass looks newer longer then most other surfaces due to the nature of the product. It is a very hard, durable, non porous material.
  • The finish coat allows for repairs, is stain resistant & will maintain the uniformity of its color.
  • The surface is flexible & will allow for some movement when shifting occurs.
  • Our product has a 15 year material warranty.
  • Fiberglass will stay smooth and strong over a period of many years & does not have the chipping, bubbling, cracking, and calcium nodule problems that are often present in plaster resurfaced pools.
  • Fiberglass creates a water tight shell that does not allow rebar to show through.
  • The surface maintains a very pristine appearance & is easier to keep clean as well.
  • Fiberglass startup simply requires a stain inhibitor and normal pool chemicals.

Pros of Fiberglass

  • Fiberglass is usually more expensive than plaster due to the materials used and the labor intensive installation process.
  • The time period from start to finish on a fiberglass installation is about 3 weeks

Advantages of Our Fiberglass Application Vs. Plaster

  • Stronger than plaster
  • Superior stain resistant surface
  • Color uniformity (White) / Will stay smooth
  • Algae resistant / Uses less chemicals
  • Superior thermal coefficient (stays warmer)
  • Won’t crack, chip, bubble, blister or delaminate
  • 15 year limited warranty
  • Exclusive lamination procedure
  • Excellent Service Conscious Reputation
  • When using plaster to resurface it is sometimes difficult to adhere to the old gunite (if they remove all of the old plaster) or old plaster surface. A cold joint between the new plaster and the old gunite often causes de-lamination of the two surfaces.
  • When removing old plaster to re-plaster it is common to expose some of the rebar (steel reinforcement) or rebar ties which would then cause the rebar to rust and show through the plaster surface.
  • Plaster start up has a hidden cost and is labor intensive.