FIBERGLASS

"Cocoa Beach," a 12-foot by 24-foot in-ground pool with horseshoe seating in shallow end, is available from San Juan Fiberglass Pools of Lakeland, Fla. A fiberglass pool is factory-manufactured and then installed in one piece in your back yard when your excavation is completed. Basically, a fiberglass pool resembles a giant bathtub.

Points to Ponder:

Price:
Fiberglass pools are generally more expensive to purchase than concrete inground pools, but can save you money over the life of the pool. This is because they typically will require fewer chemicals than concrete pools. You also avoid future replastering and liner replacement costs.

Maintenance:
Unlike a plaster finish, a fiberglass shell does not change the chemistry of the water, so you often will use less acid. Because of the non-porous surface, you don't need to brush the pool nearly as often as a plaster-finished concrete pool. However, you typically do not need to brush a pebble-finish concrete pool as often as a plaster-finish pool, so when discussing this option with a dealer, be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Installation:
Once your yard has been excavated, the pool is delivered in one piece and installed. Construction time is generally about two weeks.

Shock Absorbent:
What happens if the earth moves? Fiberglass has a shock-absorbing ability that allows it to flex up to 2 feet. However, there also are new concrete construction techniques that allow concrete to flex. So, it's important to remember that if you live in an earthquake-prone area, be sure and have your dealer explain the features and benefits of fiberglass and concrete construction.