Fiberglass vs. ICF Concrete Pools: Which Is Right for Your Tri-Cities Backyard?

Most homeowners planning a new in-ground pool in the Tri-Cities end up comparing two options: a fiberglass pool or a custom concrete pool. At Radiant Builders we build both, San Juan fiberglass pools and ICF mono-pour concrete pools, so we can give you a straight comparison. Neither is better in every situation. The right choice depends on your yard, your design goals, your timeline and your budget.

How Each Pool Is Built

Fiberglass

A fiberglass pool is a one-piece shell manufactured in a factory. We excavate your yard, crane the finished shell into place, then complete the plumbing, electrical, backfill and decking. Because the shell arrives ready to set, the on-site construction phase is short.

ICF Concrete

An ICF pool is built on site using insulated concrete forms. The forms are set to your custom layout and filled with concrete in one continuous pour, creating solid walls similar in strength to gunite with foam insulation on both sides. The interior is then finished with EcoFinish coating, Renolit PVC membrane or a vinyl liner.

Design Flexibility

• Fiberglass: You choose from a catalog of models. San Juan offers a wide range of sizes, depths and styles, including lap pools, spas and beach-entry designs, but the shape is set by the mold.

• ICF concrete: Any shape, size or depth. Rectangles, lap lanes, freeform curves, raised walls and custom steps and benches are all possible.

If your yard has an unusual footprint or you have a specific design in mind, ICF is the more flexible option. If a standard model fits your space and style, fiberglass keeps things simple.

Installation Timeline

Fiberglass generally wins on speed. Once permits are approved, the shell can go in and the pool can be finished quickly. ICF pools involve more construction steps, including forming, pouring, curing and finishing, so they take longer. For families hoping to swim this summer, that difference can matter.

Energy Efficiency and the Swim Season

This is where the Tri-Cities climate can tip the scales. Our summers are hot, but spring and fall nights cool off quickly, and pool water loses heat into the surrounding ground.

• ICF concrete: Insulated walls slow that heat loss, with energy and heat savings of up to 60% compared with conventional pools, which can extend your season on both ends.

• Fiberglass: Pairs well with a heat pump and automatic cover to extend the season and manage heating costs.

Maintenance

• Fiberglass: The smooth, non-porous gel-coat resists algae and staining, generally requiring less brushing and fewer chemicals, with no plaster to resurface.

• ICF concrete: Maintenance depends on the finish. EcoFinish is smooth, easy to clean and can lower chemical use by up to 40%, and Renolit membrane and vinyl liners are also low-maintenance surfaces.

Durability Through Eastern Washington Winters

Both pool types handle our climate well when they're installed correctly. For fiberglass, proper base preparation, backfill and leveling are critical. For ICF, the monolithic pour creates a solid structure without cold joints between sections. With either pool, proper winterization of plumbing and equipment each fall is essential.

Cost Considerations

Fiberglass pricing is driven largely by the model you choose, plus delivery, installation and decking. ICF pools are priced by their custom size, shape, depth and finish. A simple fiberglass pool is often the more budget-friendly starting point, while an ICF pool offers design freedom and long-term heating savings. The best way to compare is with side-by-side quotes for your actual yard.

Which Is Right for You?

• Choose fiberglass if: you want a fast install, low surface maintenance and a standard shape that fits your yard.

• Choose ICF concrete if: you want a fully custom design, the most energy-efficient pool and the longest swim season.

See Both Options in Your Backyard

Because Radiant Builders builds both, we can design each option for your yard in 3D and give you honest pricing for both. We serve Kennewick and the Tri-Cities, Grandview and the Lower Yakima Valley, and Walla Walla.

Get in Touch

• Phone: (509) 788-5620

• Email: josh@radiantbuilders.com