The right pool depends on how you plan to use it, who will use it, and how much time you want to spend looking after it. Your family, space, budget, and daily routine should all play a part in the decision.
A pool that works for a family with young children may not be the best choice for someone who loves swimming laps or regularly hosts guests. Shape, size, features, maintenance, and installation can all make a big difference to how well the pool fits your home and lifestyle.
So, how do you work out which pool is right for you? Let’s look at the key things to consider before choosing a pool.
Quick Cheat Sheet
Think about how you’ll use it: Swimming, relaxing, entertaining, or family fun?
Choose the right shape and size: Make sure the pool suits your space and how you plan to use it.
Look beyond the pool itself: The pool brand, equipment, installation, and support can all matter.
Consider the long term: Think about cleaning, maintenance, running costs, and future upkeep
What kind of swimmer are you or are you even a swimmer at all?
This sounds obvious, but most people don’t think about it. Are you actually going to swim laps, or are you mostly going to float around with a drink in your hand?
If you’re a serious swimmer: You need a rectangular pool. No curves, no funny shapes; just clean, straight lines that give you a proper lane. You want length, width that lets you turn without hitting the wall, and depth that’s consistent.
If you’re a floater and lounger: You’ve got way more options. Freeform shapes, curved designs, pools with built-in benches and tanning ledges. These are perfect for hanging out, hosting friends, and making your backyard feel like a resort.
If you’ve got young kids: Look for pools with shallow areas, integrated steps, and gradual depth changes. You want spaces where little ones can stand and play safely while you keep an eye on them.
If you’re empty nesters or retirees: Maybe you want something smaller, easier to maintain, with heating and lighting for evening swims and year-round use.
Be honest with yourself. Your pool should fit your actual life, not some vision of a life you don’t actually live.
How much maintenance are you actually willing to do?
This is where a lot of people get it wrong. They buy a pool based on looks alone, and then they spend every weekend scrubbing, vacuuming, and testing chemicals. Eventually, they stop enjoying it.
Fiberglass pools are the low-maintenance champ. The surface is smooth and non-porous, which means algae struggles to grow. You use fewer chemicals, you clean less often, and you spend more time actually swimming.
Concrete pools look amazing, there’s no denying that. But they’re rough, porous, and algae loves them. You’ll be brushing, vacuuming, and balancing chemicals constantly. If you’re someone who barely has time to mow the lawn, concrete probably isn’t for you.
Vinyl liner pools sit somewhere in between. They’re smooth like fiberglass, but the liner needs replacing every 7 to 10 years, which is an expense you need to plan for.
Ask yourself: do you want a pool that takes care of itself, or are you ready to become a part-time pool technician?
What size pool actually fits your yard and your life?
Bigger isn’t always better. A massive pool in a small yard can overwhelm your outdoor space, block light, and leave you with no room for entertaining, gardening, or just letting the kids run around.
Start with your yard measurements. How much space do you actually have? Where are the property lines? Where’s the house, the patio, the garden, the trees?
Think about how much water you want to heat. Bigger pools take more energy to warm up, which means higher bills.
Consider your guest list. If you regularly host 20 people, you need more pool surface area. If it’s just you and your partner, a smaller plunge pool might be perfect.
Factor in the deck and surround. You need space around the pool for loungers, chairs, BBQ, and people walking. Don’t forget the equipment; filter, pump, heater needs to go somewhere too.
A good pool designer will help you find the sweet spot between “enough pool” and “too much pool.”
What are the different fiberglass pool styles, and which one suits me?
Classic Pools
Clean lines, balanced proportions, timeless design. These classic pools suit almost any backyard and any home style; modern, traditional, farmhouse, you name it. If you want something that looks great and won’t date, this is it.
Mosaic Pools
These have elegant curves and a more organic, natural feel. They blend into the landscape instead of dominating it. If you want your pool to feel like part of the garden rather than something dropped into it, mosaic is worth a look.
Ceramic Pools
These are the heavy-duty options. They’ve got a ceramic core layer inside the fiberglass shell, which adds strength, insulation, and resistance to wear and tear. If you want the most durable pool you can get, then ceramic pool is where you land.
Each style has its own personality. Spend some time looking at real photos, visiting display pools if you can, and imagining what would actually make you happy to see every day.
Quick comparison: pool types at a glance
Factor | Fiberglass | Concrete | Vinyl Liner |
Install time | 2–3 weeks | 2–6 months | 3–6 weeks |
Maintenance | Low – algae resistant | High – constant brushing | Medium – liner needs care |
Smooth feel | Yes – gel coat finish | No – rough unless tiled | Yes – smooth |
Lifespan | 20–30 years | 50+ years | 10–15 years (liner) |
Cost | Medium–High | High | Medium |
Winterizing | Easy | Moderate | Easy |
Why does the brand behind the pool actually matter?
This is the part most people ignore, and it can cost them later.
Not all fiberglass pools are built the same way. Some use cheap materials that fade, blister, or crack after a few years. Some have thin shells that don’t handle ground movement well. Some come with warranties that aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.
That’s why working with a company that partners with trusted manufacturers matters. Kinsley Landscape works with PENTARM Pools, which is Canada’s leading distributor for iGUi Pools, the world’s largest fiberglass pool manufacturer. That matters because:
iGUi has sold over 300,000 pools across 40 countries
They operate in more than 54 countries
Their pools are ICC accredited, which means they meet high international standards
They offer some of the strongest structural warranties in the industry
When you buy a pool from a manufacturer like iGUi, you’re getting a product that’s been tested, refined, and proven over decades. You’re not gambling on some unknown brand that might disappear in five years.
What's the installation timeline really like?
Fiberglass is the winner here, hands down.
Because the shell is built in a factory, not on your property, most of the work happens off-site. The shell arrives ready to drop into a hole. Installation from start to finish typically takes 2 to 3 weeks; excavation, shell placement, plumbing, backfilling, and decking.
Concrete pools, by contrast, can take 2 to 6 months. You’re waiting for weather windows, curing time, tile work, and a whole lot of labour. That’s a long time to have your backyard torn up.
Vinyl liners sit in the middle about 3 to 6 weeks.
The shorter timeline isn’t just about convenience. It means less disruption to your life and your property. It means you’re actually swimming before summer ends.
What about heating, lighting, and extras?
You’re not limited to just the pool itself. Modern pool installations can include:
Heating: Gas, electric, or solar options let you extend your swimming season well beyond the summer months.
LED lighting: Colour-changing lights make evening swims magical and turn your pool into a feature at night.
Water features: Fountains, waterfalls, and spillovers add movement and sound.
Automation: Control heating, lighting, cleaning, and water features from your phone.
Covers: Automatic or manual covers keep leaves out, reduce evaporation, and help with safety.
The key is deciding what you’ll actually use. Don’t pay for features that sound cool but will gather dust. Think about how you really spend your time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Fiberglass pools can fit in your Vancouver backyard. It comes in many sizes, including compact models designed for smaller spaces. You don’t need a massive yard; what matters more is access for equipment and meeting setback requirements from property lines. A good builder will measure your yard and recommend shapes that actually fit.
Vancouver summers are warm but not scorching, so most pool owners choose gas or electric heating to extend their swimming season. Gas heaters heat water faster and work well for occasional use. Electric heat pumps are more energy-efficient but take longer to warm the water. Solar heating is also an option, but it’s less reliable in our cloudy months. Your builder can help you choose based on your budget and how often you plan to swim.
You’ll need to notify your insurance company about the pool. Standard policies often have specific requirements; things like fencing, gates, and pool covers to reduce liability. Some policies may increase your premium. Check with your provider before installation to avoid any surprises.
Yes, you’ll need to winterize your pool before freezing temperatures arrive. That usually means lowering the water level, blowing out plumbing lines, adding winter chemicals, and installing a pool cover. Fiberglass pools handle winter well because the material is flexible and less likely to crack from ground movement. Your installer should give you a clear rundown of winterization steps.
Premium manufacturers like iGUi typically offer strong structural warranties that can range from 10 to 25 years against defects, cracking, and structural failure. Your installer will also provide a workmanship warranty covering installation issues. Always get both warranties in writing before you commit.
The bottom line from us
Look, we know this is a big decision. It’s not just about the pool, it’s about how your family will spend weekends, summers, and special occasions for years to come.
At Kinsley Landscape, we’ve been helping homeowners across Maple Ridge find the right pool for their lifestyle for over 15 years. We work with PENTARM Pools and iGUi Pools because we believe in quality, durability, and standing behind what we install.
Whether you’re drawn to the clean lines of Classic, the natural curves of Mosaic, or the heavy-duty construction of Ceramic, we’ll help you figure out what fiberglass pool Maple Ridge will fits your space and your life. No pressure, no hard sell – just honest advice and good work.
Ready to talk pools? Give us a call. We’ll come out, take a look at your yard, and walk you through what’s possible.
