Gunite vs. Fiberglass Pools in Jacksonville

Gunite vs. Fiberglass Pools in Jacksonville: Which Is Right for You?

The two most popular inground pool types in Jacksonville are fiberglass and gunite (concrete).

The short version: fiberglass pools are faster to install (about half the time), lower-maintenance, and cost less up front — but they come in fixed, pre-made shapes and sizes. Gunite pools can be built in any custom shape, size, or depth and are the choice for luxury and fully custom designs — but they cost more, take longer to build, and need more ongoing maintenance.

For many Jacksonville homeowners, fiberglass is the practical winner if a shell fits what they want; gunite wins when you need a fully custom or high-end pool a shell can't deliver.

Quick comparison

Factor Fiberglass Gunite (concrete)
Upfront cost ~$55,000–$110,000 Lower ~$65,000–$120,000+
Build time ~2 months (shell is pre-made) Faster ~3–4+ months (built on site)
Shape & size Fixed, pre-made shells Fully custom — any shape or size Advantage
Maintenance Low — smooth, non-porous surface Easier Higher — porous surface, more chemicals
Chemical use Less (stable chemistry) Lower More (needs regular balancing + acid)
Resurfacing Not needed Lower cost Every ~10–15 years
Lifespan Decades; strong shell warranties Very long; resurfaced periodically
Best for Faster, easier, lower-cost builds Custom shapes & luxury designs

Both are quality options built successfully across Jacksonville. Fiberglass wins on speed, cost, and maintenance; gunite wins on full customization. The right choice depends on the pool you want.

Cost: fiberglass usually wins upfront

Fiberglass pools generally cost less to install than comparable gunite pools, and they save money over time thanks to lower maintenance (see below). Gunite costs more upfront because it's built entirely on site — more labor, more materials, more steps.

That said, cost overlaps at the edges: a large, feature-loaded fiberglass build can cost more than a small, simple gunite pool. The pool type sets the starting point; the size and features set the final number.


See full pricing in our Jacksonville pool cost guide and where each fits in the budget tiers.

Build time: fiberglass is about half

This is one of fiberglass's biggest advantages. The shell is manufactured off-site and set in place — so once the hole is dug and the shell is leveled, it's mostly finishing work.

A fiberglass build runs about 2 months; a comparable gunite pool is typically 3–4 months or more, because it's excavated, steel-reinforced, sprayed, cured, tiled, and finished all on site. Gunite's curing step alone adds time fiberglass doesn't have.

Full breakdown in our pool build timeline and build process guide.

Maintenance: fiberglass is the lower-maintenance choice

Fiberglass has a smooth, non-porous surface that resists algae and keeps water chemistry stable — so it needs far fewer chemicals and less day-to-day attention. Gunite's surface is porous and naturally raises pH, so it needs more regular balancing (including acid), and it must be resurfaced every 10–15 years. Fiberglass doesn't need resurfacing at all.

In our own 4 seasons owning a fiberglass pool in Jacksonville, upkeep has been genuinely light — a few bags of salt a year, occasional shock, and a robot cleaner that handles the walls and floor. The water stays clear almost all the time.

Real numbers in our monthly cost to own guide.

Customization: gunite's big advantage

Here's where gunite wins decisively. Because it's sprayed over a steel frame and shaped by hand on site, a gunite pool can be any shape, size, or depth — infinity edges, custom geometry, integrated spas, tanning ledges, vanishing edges, whatever you can design. Fiberglass is limited to the shapes and sizes the manufacturers make (though today's selection is wide, with many high-quality multi-layer shells and strong warranties).

So if you want a truly custom or luxury pool — an unusual shape, an extra-large footprint, a resort-style design — gunite is the way to go, and the higher cost and longer timeline come with the territory.

Which is popular in Northeast Florida?

Both are common here. Fiberglass is especially popular in Jacksonville because our sandy soil and high water table make for wet, tricky digs — and a pre-made shell installs faster in those conditions than pouring concrete. It anchors a lot of Essential and mid-range builds.

Gunite is what most Custom and Luxury backyards are built from, when homeowners want a shape or scale a shell can't match.

So which should you choose?

A practical way to decide:

  • Start by looking at fiberglass shells. Today's fiberglass pools are high-quality, come with strong warranties, install in about half the time, and are far lower-maintenance. If one of the available shells fits the pool you want, it's usually the smarter, easier, more economical choice. CLICK HERE TO FIBERGLASS SHELLS PAGE TO START

  • Go gunite if a shell can't deliver your vision — a fully custom shape, an extra-large or unusually deep pool, or a luxury design. You'll pay more and wait longer, but you get complete design freedom.

Neither is "better" in the abstract — it's about matching the pool to what you actually want. The best next step is talking to builders who work in both and can price your specific project.

Gunite vs. Fiberglass FAQ

Is a fiberglass or gunite pool better?

Neither is universally better — it depends on what you want. Fiberglass is faster to build (about half the time), lower-maintenance, and usually cheaper upfront, but comes in fixed shapes. Gunite can be any custom shape or size and is the choice for luxury builds, but costs more, takes longer, and needs more maintenance. If a fiberglass shell fits your vision, it's often the practical winner; if you need full customization, choose gunite.

Is a fiberglass pool cheaper than gunite?

Usually yes, both upfront and over time. Fiberglass generally costs less to install and needs fewer chemicals and no resurfacing, while gunite costs more to build and requires periodic resurfacing every 10–15 years. Costs can overlap at the extremes — a larg

Which lasts longer, fiberglass or gunite?

Both last for decades. Gunite is extremely durable but needs resurfacing every 10–15 years. Fiberglass shells are strong, come with long manufacturer warranties, and don't need resurfacing, though the gelcoat surface can eventually show wear over many years.

Is fiberglass or gunite better for Florida's soil?

Fiberglass is often preferred in Northeast Florida because the sandy soil and high water table make excavation wet and tricky, and a pre-made shell sets in faster than pouring and curing concrete on site. Both are built successfully here, but many local homeowners lean fiberglass for that reason.

Can I get a custom-shaped fiberglass pool?

No — fiberglass pools come in fixed shapes and sizes set by the manufacturer, though the selection is wide. If you want a fully custom shape, size, or depth, you'll need a gunite (concrete) pool, which is shaped on site and can be built to any design.