Fiberglass vs. Concrete: Which Is Right for an Inground Pool in a Maryland Backyard?

Choosing between a fiberglass and a concrete pool is the first real fork in the road for most Maryland homeowners planning a backyard project, and it’s a decision that shapes everything downstream: cost, timeline, design options, and how much upkeep you’ll be doing years from now. LAZO Outdoors has been designing and building custom in-ground pools throughout Maryland, southern York and southern Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania, and Delaware since 2003, and we build both fiberglass and concrete pools, so this comparison isn’t slanted toward pushing you into whichever type happens to be easier for us to sell.

Fiberglass and concrete pools differ mainly in how they’re built: fiberglass shells are manufactured off-site and installed in one piece, while concrete pools are custom-formed and built on-site. That single difference drives most of the gap in cost, timeline, design flexibility, and long-term maintenance between the two.

Fiberglass vs. Concrete Pools: Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Fiberglass	Concrete (Gunite/Shotcrete)
Cost	Generally lower than concrete of a comparable size, since the shell is mass-manufactured. Custom pools with LAZO Outdoors start at $85,000+.	Generally higher, due to on-site construction and a higher level of customization. Custom pools with LAZO Outdoors start at $85,000+.
Timeline	Shorter. The shell arrives pre-built and is set in one piece.	Longer. Excavation, steel reinforcement, shotcrete, curing, and finish work all happen on-site.
Design flexibility	Limited to manufacturer shapes and sizes.	Virtually any shape, size, or depth, including infinity edges, tanning ledges, and integrated spas.
Maintenance	Smooth, non-porous gelcoat resists algae, which generally means fewer chemicals and less scrubbing.	More porous surface, more prone to algae, and needs closer attention to water chemistry.
Resurfacing	No resurfacing on concrete’s schedule. The gelcoat can be refreshed if it dulls.	Interior finish typically resurfaced every 10 to 15 years, depending on the finish.
Lifespan	Decades with proper care.	Decades with proper care, with periodic resurfacing.

What’s the Actual Difference Between Fiberglass and Concrete Pools?

A fiberglass pool starts as a pre-manufactured shell, built off-site to one of a set number of shapes and sizes, then delivered to your property and set into an excavated hole in a single piece. A concrete pool, sometimes called a gunite or shotcrete pool, is built entirely on-site: crews excavate the hole, install steel reinforcement, spray high-strength concrete over that structure to form the shell, and then apply an interior finish once the shell has cured.

That construction difference is the root of nearly every other distinction between the two, from how long the project takes to how much creative freedom you have in the design.

Fiberglass Pools: Benefits and Considerations

Fiberglass pools have become a popular option for homeowners who want a faster project and lower ongoing upkeep:

• Smooth, non-porous surface: The gelcoat finish resists algae growth better than a porous concrete surface, which generally means fewer chemicals and less scrubbing.
• Faster installation: Because the shell arrives pre-built, the on-site construction timeline is considerably shorter than a comparable concrete project.
• Lower long-term maintenance: Less algae resistance work and no resurfacing on the same schedule concrete requires.
• Design limitations: Fiberglass shells come in a set range of manufacturer shapes and sizes, so if you want a fully custom footprint, an unusual shape, or specific built-in features like an attached spa in an exact configuration, concrete offers more flexibility.

Concrete Pools: Benefits and Considerations

Concrete pools remain the choice for homeowners who want maximum design freedom:

• Unlimited customization: Because the shell is built on-site rather than selected from a catalog, concrete pools can be built in virtually any shape, size, or depth, and can incorporate features like infinity edges, tanning ledges, and integrated spas in nearly any configuration.
• Longer construction timeline: Excavation, steel reinforcement, shotcrete application, curing time, and finish work all add up to a longer build than fiberglass.
• Ongoing maintenance: Concrete’s more porous surface is more prone to algae, which generally means more attention to water chemistry, and the interior finish (plaster, aggregate, or pebble) typically needs resurfacing every 10 to 15 years depending on the finish chosen.
• Design flexibility extends to finishes: From classic plaster to premium pebble aggregate finishes, along with a wide range of tile and coping options, concrete pools offer more room to fully customize the finished look. We work with interior finishes from NPT and Pebble Tec, so you can see and compare actual finish samples before making a decision.

Cost and Timeline Comparison

Nationally, fiberglass pools tend to cost less than concrete pools of a comparable size, largely because the shell is mass-manufactured rather than custom-built, and the shorter installation timeline reduces labor costs as well. Concrete pools generally cost more, both because of the labor-intensive construction process and because the level of customization tends to be higher.

At LAZO Outdoors, custom in-ground pools, whether fiberglass or concrete, start at $85,000 and up, with the final price depending on size, shape, site conditions, decking, and added features. For a fuller breakdown of what drives pool pricing in Maryland specifically, see our guide on how much an in-ground pool costs in Maryland.

On timeline, fiberglass projects typically move from excavation to a finished pool considerably faster than concrete, since there’s no steel reinforcement, shotcrete application, or extended curing time involved. Concrete projects take longer in exchange for the added customization.

Long-Term Maintenance and Design Considerations

Beyond the initial build, a few practical differences are worth weighing:

• Chemical and cleaning costs: Fiberglass’s smoother surface generally requires less chemical treatment and less manual scrubbing over the life of the pool.
• Resurfacing: Concrete pools need their interior finish redone periodically; fiberglass shells don’t require the same kind of resurfacing, though the gelcoat finish can be refreshed if it dulls over time.
• Decking and coping still matter either way: Whether you go fiberglass or concrete, the decking around your pool is a major design and cost factor. We work with paver and hardscape lines including Techo-Bloc, Nicolock, Belgard, Cambridge, and Unilock, along with natural stone, for both pool types.
• Design ambition: If your vision includes a fully custom shape, an infinity edge, or a specific integrated feature set, concrete is generally the better fit. If you want a proven shape with faster installation and less ongoing upkeep, fiberglass is worth serious consideration.

There’s no universally “right” answer between the two. The better fit depends on your priorities around budget, timeline, design ambition, and how much long-term maintenance you’re willing to take on.

Why Choose LAZO Outdoors for Your Fiberglass or Concrete Pool

LAZO Outdoors has designed and built custom pools throughout Maryland, southern York and southern Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania, and Delaware since 2003, and we build both fiberglass and concrete pools rather than steering every customer toward one material. Our work is self-performed by our in-house crews, and on the rare occasion we bring in a specialty subcontractor, they’re vetted and qualified by our team and supervised directly by us from start to finish. We hold a HomeAdvisor Elite Service and Top Rated distinction, and a licensed structural engineer prepares the construction plans for every project we build, regardless of shell material. No company is perfect, but we stand behind everything we build and make it right when something goes wrong, even after the warranty period ends.

Request Your Design Consultation

Fiberglass and concrete pools each have a real, legitimate case, and the right choice comes down to your budget, timeline, and how much design customization matters to you. LAZO Outdoors builds both, throughout Maryland, southern York and southern Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania, and Delaware, with pricing starting at $85,000 and up and financing available through HFS Financial and VistaFi. Request Your Design Consultation to talk through which option fits your backyard.

FAQs

1. Which lasts longer, fiberglass or concrete?

Both can last decades with proper care. Fiberglass shells are highly durable and generally don’t need the structural resurfacing concrete does, though the surface finish can be refreshed over time. Concrete shells are also long-lasting but typically need the interior finish resurfaced roughly every 10 to 15 years depending on the material chosen.

2. Is fiberglass or concrete cheaper over time?

Fiberglass generally costs less to maintain year to year due to lower chemical use and less scrubbing, and it avoids the periodic resurfacing cost concrete pools require. Concrete typically costs more upfront and in ongoing maintenance, but offers more design flexibility in exchange.

3. Can I get a custom shape or infinity edge with a fiberglass pool?

Fiberglass shells come in a set range of manufacturer shapes and sizes, so fully custom shapes and features like infinity edges are generally better suited to concrete construction. Ask your builder which fiberglass shapes are available if a specific look is important to you.

4. Does LAZO Outdoors build both fiberglass and concrete pools?

Yes. LAZO Outdoors designs and builds both fiberglass and concrete in-ground pools throughout Maryland, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Howard, Carroll, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties, along with southern York and southern Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania, and Delaware. We can walk you through which option fits your project during a design consultation.

5. How long does each type take to build?

Fiberglass installations are generally faster since the shell arrives pre-manufactured. Concrete pools take longer due to on-site excavation, steel reinforcement, shotcrete application, and curing time before finishing work can begin.

6. Do I need a permit either way?

Yes, Maryland requires a permit for in-ground pool construction regardless of shell material, along with a compliant safety barrier or fence. LAZO Outdoors manages this process for both fiberglass and concrete projects.