Choosing the Right Pool for Your Landscape: Concrete, Pre-Cast, or Fiberglass?
Custom Concrete Pool with Glass Mosaic Pool Tile and Limestone Coping
Whether you’re looking to beat the summer heat or create a tranquil oasis that overlooks the Newcastle coastline or the shores of Lake Macquarie, adding a pool is one of the most significant investments you can make in your home. We believe a pool should be more than just a place to swim—it should be a seamless extension of the architecture and a focal point of your outdoor living space that enhances the livability of your home and blends into the surrounding landscape.
However, choosing the best type of pool isn't always straightforward. With many factors to consider such as your specific site, your budget, and your aesthetic goals, this article will dive into the pros and cons of concrete, pre-cast, and fiberglass pools to help you choose the perfect fit for your property.
1. Concrete Pools: The Ultimate in Customisation
If you have a specific vision or a challenging site, a custom concrete pool is often the gold standard.
Design Flexibility: Concrete offers unlimited options for shapes, sizes, and depths. Whether you want an infinity edge, a custom shape, or choose from a wide selection of glass mosaic tiling, then concrete pools offer this flexibility.
Built for Local Terrain: Many Newcastle suburbs and lakeside properties feature sloping blocks. Concrete pools, due to their construction are incredibly versatile; they can be cleverly engineered to sit above ground, act as a retaining structure, or be integrated into the alfresco area or built within proximity to your house making them a striking architectural feature.
The Full Service: Generally, a concrete pool builder can manage the entire approval and construction process including plumbing, fixtures, pool fencing and finishes. We work with a wide selection of pool builders and landscapers for a smooth and hassle-free process.
Considerations: This is usually the most expensive option and takes the longest to build (often several months). However, for properties with tight access where a crane can’t reach, concrete is often the only viable choice as the materials can be pumped in and formed-up onsite.
2. Pre-Cast Concrete Pools: The Modern Plunge
Pre-cast pools have surged in popularity across the Newcastle region, offering the premium feel of concrete with a much faster turnaround and can often be quite cost effective for the right site.
Speedy Installation: Pre-cast pools are manufactured off-site, meaning installation can often be completed within a couple of weeks once the preliminary ground works are finished.
Luxury Finishes: Depending on the supplier, these can come pre-tiled in a personalised selection of stunning glass mosaics finishes before they even arrive at your home.
Compact & Cost-Effective: Typically, smaller in scale – perfect for smaller back yards and tight spaces - they are highly durable and often more affordable than a custom concrete pool.
Considerations: Pre-cast pools will come delivered to you and almost certainly will require crane access for installation. They come as a single unit, so you will also need to engage independent contractors for plumbing, fencing, and surrounding finishes including either a compacted gravel or concrete foundation making them suitable only for certain situations.
3. Fiberglass Pools: Fast, Wide-range of shapes, and Cost-effective
Fiberglass pools remain a staple for Australian backyards, particularly on the flatter blocks found in parts of the Hunter and Newcastle Inn-city surrounds.
Fast Installation: Fiberglass shells are prefabricated and can be installed quickly. They also tend to navigate the council CDC (Complying Development Certificate) process very efficiently making them a good option for level blocks with few limitations.
Finishes: Fibreglass pools can be internally finished in a variety of modern textures and colours specific to the manufacturer, often making them easy to clean and saves on labour costs for the installation of glass mosaic tiles or bead-crete finishes.
Value for Money: On a flat or lightly sloping site with good access, fiberglass is often the most budget-friendly way to get a full-sized family pool.
Considerations: While shapes have come a long way, you are still limited to a set range of moulds. Like pre-cast pools, you’ll need a crane for installation and separate contractors to finish the plumbing and surrounding landscaping.
Certification & Engineering
Regardless of which pool type you choose for your Newcastle home, all pools will require certification and engineering. Every pool requires formal approval, either through a Development Application (DA) with the City of Newcastle or Lake Macquarie Council, or via a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) if your site or pool design meets specific criteria. DA applications allow for a wider scope of pool designs and customisations and can be organised prior to selecting a pool company for installation. They can however take longer than CDC’s requiring council permission before proceeding. CDC’s are great for sites with less variables and are a quick way to move ahead with pre-works and installation.
Further Considerations
A pool shouldn't look like an afterthought - they often form an anchor point in which other landscape features emanate from - such as pool houses, cabanas, outdoor entertaining areas, wellness retreats and more, all framed by thoughtful plant selections and a cohesive garden layout. A well-designed pool considers the unique constraints of your land to create an integrated, functional, and visually striking addition to your home. With a professionally considered design approach, a pool can be an invaluable asset to your home that truly brings out the greatest potential of your space.
Thinking about including a pool as part of your landscape? Contact us to learn how we can help design the right pool and landscape for your project.