Future of backyard pools
Sponsored Content - Mar 22, 2017 - Think Local

 

With the sun finally starting to once again beam down, pool season in the Okanagan is achingly close.

This year, many homeowners will finally take the plunge and get the pool they’ve been dreaming of for years. If you’re one of them, Sean Colluney’s got one piece of advice: fiberglass.

Colluney works at Valley Pool and Spa, a family-run business that’s been operating in Kelowna since 1972. He’s been in the pool business for a long time, and he says potential pool owners should take a look at the future of pools.

He says the benefits of fiberglass are nearly limitless, but he’s got four main ones he thinks can convince just about anyone.

Eco-friendly

Fiberglass pools are made with a non-porous finish that makes it much harder for algae to latch on with their grubby little tendrils. That means a fiberglass pool needs fewer chemicals for treatment, and you’ll spend less time cleaning, saving additional energy (not to mention time) costs.

Colluney points out that fiberglass also acts as a natural insulator, meaning filters and heaters will run way less, saving even more energy. Those energy savings could potentially save you as much as $225 a month.

Fiberglass pools are also installed without steel walls and footings, meaning there’s no potential to leach chemicals and rust back into the groundwater, like there can be with more traditional steel-wall, vinyl lined pools.

Durable

Fiberglass pools feature a complex formula of layered gel coats, colored flakes, sparkles and colored resins that Colluney says both looks great and is incredibly strong (You can also tile the waterline to give a fiberglass pool a high-end custom look).

Unlike other pools, fiberglass can also flex and bend as the temperature heats and cools, preventing cracking in freeze-thaw climates like we have in the Okanagan.

Built-in features

It’s also really easy, and fairly inexpensive, to trick out a fiberglass pool with a slew of built-in features.

Colluney says Valley Pool and Spa often installs water features like cascades and streams, fibre optic and LED lighting, vanishing edges and fire features.

Affordable

That’s right, affordable. While fiberglass might feel like an option only reserved for the well-to-do, Colluney points out fiberglass pools can be accessible to just about anyone.

Much of what we’ve discussed already funnels into this: with the reduced heating and chemical costs adding up to some serious savings. Tack on the stellar durability fiberglass provides, and you’re looking at a very cool deal.

Not only that, the stunning features that can be added to your fiberglass pool project “can transform the average backyard into a million-dollar looking resort,” Colluney says.

Colluney remembers helping a couple who were initially looking for a traditional, steel wall vinyl-lined pool with some added features. After comparing the cost of their dream vinyl pool with a fiberglass pool, the difference in price was pretty slim.

“Once we were close on price the choice became a no brainer, as they would never have to replace the liner, and by choosing a fiberglass pool they would end up with lower heating costs, better water chemistry and got the features they wanted without additional construction costs,” he says.

For more information on Fiberglass pools, or to talk to an expert about how to make one work for you, email Colluney at [email protected], or visit Valley Pool and Spa’s website.

This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Okanagan Edge.


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