Choosing between gunite, fiberglass and liner
The pool is the centerpiece of the backyard, so the first decision is the shell it is built from. Gunite is designed and constructed with concrete, rebar and plaster, and it is by far the most customizable: any size, shape or color, built to stand the test of time. Fiberglass is the best option for a low-maintenance pool, a durable, nonporous material that resists algae and does not need as much cleaning as vinyl or concrete. A vinyl liner is the more affordable way to add water to a yard, though liners need to be replaced every ten years or so.
Homeowners want a say in the design but usually want guidance getting there. Kirk & Jody Goddard sit down with you in Franklin or anywhere across Middle Tennessee, weigh the three options against your yard, your family and your budget, and build at any budget with the same attention to detail.
Where the pool sits matters as much as what it is made of. A hillside lot, a lake view or a flat back lawn each change the shell, the steps and the way a spa is set beside it, so the shape is drawn around the ground before anyone picks a finish.
From design consult to finished shell
A gunite pool starts as a drawing and becomes a hole in the ground shaped to match it. A rebar cage is tied to the outline of the pool, then gunite is shot over the steel to form the shell, with the steps and benches built in. The plumbing, the coping and the plaster finish follow, so the water meets the stone along one dead-level line.
Fiberglass and liner pools start from the same design conversation. A fiberglass pool is chosen from a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and a liner pool comes in numerous shapes and sizes with several accent options. Whichever shell you choose, the owners explain each stage as it happens. Shana W wrote that they go out of their way to help customers understand what is going on during construction and what to expect next.
Some jobs come with rules attached. Matthew W's pool had special guidelines from the City of Franklin on the type of concrete it required, and he says Four Seasons got it done when other companies did not want to deal with it.
Living with the pool through four seasons
A pool earns its keep in July, but it sits on the property all year. Gunite can be shaped to the yard and finished in the color you choose, fiberglass keeps the cleaning down, and a liner pool asks for a new liner about every ten years. Those are the trade-offs worth knowing before you choose, not after.
When the shell is finished, the pool is filled and started up, and Kirk & Jody take you through how it runs. The same team can then build the spa, deck, stonework, kitchen and lighting around it, so the water is the centerpiece of a backyard that works in every season. Call (615) 219-5770 to talk it through.
