Should You Get a Fiberglass Pool with a Hot Tub?
Adding a swimming pool-spa combo to your backyard can be a rewarding purchase. It is not only a luxurious addition that elevates the character of your backyard, but it opens up endless possibilities for relaxation, leisure, exercise, and entertainment. You can use it as a zen-like retreat or as a place for play.
Despite this, it is a significant lifestyle change with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. While it may seem appealing to go all out, there are a few things to consider before you get to work building your dream pool spa. Use this guide to weigh the pros and cons to be sure you are fully ready to take the next step.
Pros of Fiberglass Pools with Built-In Spas
Whether you are looking for an attractive addition to your outdoor space or simply needing a quiet place to escape from everyday life, a fiberglass pool with a spa is an excellent home improvement that has benefits for your health, your home, and your wallet.
Health & Wellness Benefits
First and foremost, adding a fiberglass pool with a built-in spa or hot tub is an excellent opportunity for at-home relaxation. The warm water, buoyancy, and pulsating jets combine the effects of a hot bath and a massage. Hopping in for a soothing soak is the perfect way to take time out from the stress of everyday life and recharge your batteries.
They have added health benefits as well. When used regularly, a built-in spa has hydrotherapy-like benefits that can improve your quality of life. This type of aquatic therapy is used worldwide to help people recover from injuries, reduce pain and inflammation, and ease arthritis symptoms. It is also known to improve blood circulation, increase flexibility, and help people obtain a restful night’s sleep.
Individuals who participate in rigorous exercise might also find relief in the warm waters of a built-in spa. The higher water temperature can aid in muscle relaxation and recovery, as well as break up lactic acid that causes muscle soreness after a workout.
Convenient
Gone are the days when you have to schlep to the public pool for a quick dip or spend hundreds of dollars on treatments at the local spa. A pool-spa combo is an at-home convenience that cannot be beaten. It is there in the morning when you want to swim laps, and the spa is waiting to bubble.
Fun for the Whole Family
Pools with spas aren’t just for adults to enjoy. On the contrary, they are ideal spaces for families with young children, inexperienced swimmers, and seniors. Children can perfect their cannonballs in the main pool while the adults swim laps or lounge in the spa with a cold beverage. And because of its cohesive design, older family members will enjoy the ease with which they can move from pool to spa.
The shallow waters of a spa are also perfect for those who are new to swimming. It is helpful for individuals who are uncomfortably submerging themselves in larger bodies of water, such as in a regular pool. A spa also has built-in benches, perfect for those of shorter heights, people with limited mobility, as well as those just looking to enjoy a relaxing soak after a hard day.
Because they are perfect for people of all ages, they are also the ideal backyard entertaining spot. Birthday parties, family gatherings, barbecues, or a quiet night with the neighbors next door can all occur within a pool-spa combo. The versatile and zen environment will help you enjoy quality conversations with loved ones and build strong relationships that last a lifetime.
More Affordable
Many homeowners find themselves wishing they had added in a spa when installing their in-ground pool. However, adding a built-in spa to an existing pool can cost upward of $30,000. Choosing a fiberglass pool model with a built-in spa option is more affordable, lowering installation costs.
A Great Investment
Fiberglass pool-spa models are an excellent investment for your property and resale value.
Fiberglass is a material made of millions of interwoven glass threads covered with polyester resin. This high-performance material outperforms traditional pool materials like vinyl and concrete when it comes to durability, meaning fewer repairs and less upkeep in the long run. Combination pool-spas made of fiberglass are created as a mold and delivered to your home ready to insert, which shortens the overall installation time.
Choosing a fiberglass pool is a more economical choice than less-durable options as well. On average, a fiberglass pool installation costs between $20,000 – $60,000, compared to a $35,000 – $100,000 concrete or gunite pool. It’s hard to ignore those kinds of savings!
An inground pool and spa also add value to your home. While location and climate are factors, the average homeowner can expect to see the addition of an inground pool up their property value between 5-8%. Combine that with the value of a custom-built spa, and you are sitting pretty when it comes time to sell your home.
Easy to Maintain
A combination fiberglass pool and spa is easier to maintain than a standard pool and independent spa. For one, there is less pool equipment to deal with as you can use one set of maintenance equipment interchangeably. They also typically share a filter and pump. It is also unnecessary to test and treat the pool and spa water separately.
A built-in spa also saves the homeowners space. The compact design of a fiberglass pool and spa allows those with smaller footprints to make the most of their outdoor area.
Cons of Fiberglass Pools with Built-in Hot Tubs
There are, of course, a few negative aspects to consider when it comes to building a pool with a built-in spa or hot tub in your backyard.
Limited Design
While there are hundreds of fiberglass molds to choose from, once you make your selection, you are bound to it. You will not be able to alter the shape and size of the spa or the curvature of the pool’s edges. The spa will also be directly next to the pool, which can have drawbacks during the colder months. You will not be able to move the spa closer to the house to avoid walking in the snow in your swimsuit.
Your color choices with a built-in spa model also limit you. To have your pool be one color and your spa another, they would each have to be manufactured and installed separately. This process can deter people with a desire for a truly unique color design.
Smaller Swim Area
Building a spa into your in-ground pool is undoubtedly helpful for small yards looking to maximize their space. However, this addition will cut into the available pool area. A large seven-person spa is approximately 10×10 feet, which is 100 square feet of pool you will not be able to use.
Energy Inefficient
In colder climates, it is necessary to close your pool for the winter, but you may want to keep using your spa. In that case, homeowners must decide if they are willing to incur the higher operational costs of continually heating the connected spa, which results in higher energy usage.
You Cannot Take it With You
Unlike an above-ground spa, which is portable, you cannot take an in-ground pool and spa with you if you decide to move. It becomes a permanent fixture of your current home. Before building a pool with a built-in spa, you should consider whether or not you are in your forever home. If you are not, you’ll need to decide if the temporary benefit is worth an extravagant cost.
Standalone Fiberglass Spa
Adding a separate spa to your yard has its own set of benefits you may want to consider. In addition to being more energy-efficient, they cost less to operate and are much easier to heat than a spa attached to a pool. The separate pump system allows for stronger jets and a deeper massage, and you still have a variety of choices when it comes to size, color, and materials. You also have the flexibility to decide where in your yard you want the spa to be.
The overall cost of installing a separate fiberglass spa can add $15,000-$30,000 to your budget, meaning it may not be the best choice for those on a tighter budget.
Conclusion
Consider a fiberglass pool with an integrated spa if you want to turn your boring backyard into a luxury oasis. It is a lavish addition that provides you with a private space to relax and unwind at the end of a hard day. It will elevate your mood and mental well-being, improve your health, and help create lasting memories for your family and friends.
A pool/spa combo is a financial investment that will require you to spend additional time maintaining it. Ultimately, the benefits far outweigh the cons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Choose Fiberglass over Other Pool Materials?
Because a fiberglass pool is created as a mold and installed in your yard as one piece, the installation time is significantly lower than a vinyl or concrete pool. You can be relaxing poolside in as little as two weeks!
Fiberglass pools are also the easiest to maintain. They require fewer chemicals because their non-porous surface does not allow for algae to grow on them. Unlike a concrete or gunite pool, fiberglass pools do not interact chemically with the pool water either.
How Long Will Fiberglass Last?
If properly maintained, fiberglass pools and spas can last more than 50 years. They are extremely durable and can withstand temperature fluctuations, unpredictable weather, and heavy usage without cracking. That means you will spend less money on repairs and more time enjoying your pool!
Can I Buy a Fiberglass Spa Separately or Without a Pool?
Yes! If you decide an attached pool is not for you, a fiberglass spa can be installed in your yard just as easily. The cost will likely be higher than an acrylic or vinyl model.
Are There Any Benefits to a Fiberglass Model?
Absolutely. In addition to a lower installation time and outstanding durability, fiberglass pool and spa models are smoother and won’t grow algae. They also come in hundreds of different shapes, sizes, and colors, so you will be able to find the perfect fit for your yard and personal aesthetic.
