Both fiberglass and vinyl pools are excellent choices for a Minnesota backyard, and we install both. The short version: fiberglass gives you a smooth, durable, low-maintenance surface and a fast install but comes in set shapes and sizes, while vinyl costs less up front and can be built to almost any shape or size, with the liner refreshed every 10 or so years. We do not build concrete or gunite pools.
Here is how to choose.
Fiberglass vs. vinyl at a glance
| Fiberglass | Vinyl-liner | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Higher | Lower |
| Surface | Smooth, durable gel coat | Soft vinyl liner |
| Maintenance | Very low | Liner refreshed about every 10 years |
| Shapes & sizes | Set shapes and sizes | Almost fully customizable |
| Install speed | Fast | Moderate |
| Installed by | Blaiser Pools (Latham) | Legacy Pools (Latham) |
When fiberglass makes sense
Choose fiberglass if you want the lowest-maintenance pool and a quick install, and one of the available shapes and sizes fits your yard and style. The smooth surface is easy on feet and resists algae, and there is no liner to replace. We install fiberglass through our sister company, Blaiser Pools, a Latham dealer.
When vinyl makes sense
Choose vinyl if you want to keep the up-front cost down or you need a custom shape or size to fit a specific space or design. Vinyl pools are highly flexible in their layout, and the liner is a routine, planned refresh roughly every decade, which also lets you update the look. We install vinyl through Legacy Pools, also a Latham dealer.
The part that matters most either way
Whichever pool you pick, the space around it is what makes it a place you love. As a design-build company, we plan the pool, patio, grading, plantings, and outdoor living together and show it to you in 3D before we dig. For a full cost breakdown, see our guide on how much an inground pool costs in Minnesota.
Let’s find the right pool for your yard
We design and build pools and full backyards across the Twin Cities. Get a free quote and we will walk you through fiberglass and vinyl options and what each would look like in your space.