Creating a backyard oasis in the Capital Region of New York can take on many forms depending on your specific vision, the layout of your property, and your version of paradise. For many people, an integral piece of the relaxation puzzle is an inground pool.

Whether you’re making waves with the kids or lounging poolside with a drink in hand, there’s something idyllic about a stunning backyard with a pool as the focal point. The question is, what is the best type of inground pool?

Investing in a pool is a significant decision, and you want to feel confident about the trajectory of your backyard paradise before you break ground. To help you approach this pool-picking process with excitement and poise, we’ve compiled a guide to the most popular types of pools you will probably consider.

The Best Type of Inground Pool for Your Capital Region Home

There are three primary types of pools that you will undoubtedly encounter and consider as you weigh the pros and cons of transforming your backyard into your perfect escape. They are concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl pools, and each comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Understanding the differences between these three types of pools is key to choosing the best option for your home. From cost and customization to ease of installation and maintenance, the strengths and weaknesses of each variation can spark a lively debate that should lead you to the best type of inground pool for your preferences and needs.

The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Pools

Vinyl liner pools are popular thanks to their affordability and customization. They tend to be the most budget-friendly inground pool option, and that can be a tremendous benefit for homeowners seeking to transform their property without breaking the bank.

Don’t let the low upfront cost fool you, though. While they may be inexpensive initially, vinyl pools come with ongoing expenses that can add up over time. For example, you will need to replace the vinyl liner once a decade (give or take a few years), and a new liner and the labor to install it is not cheap.

The Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Pools

The final material that makes our list of the best types of inground pools is fiberglass. This particular inground pool option offers some significant advantages over the others, especially when it comes to its installation and maintenance.

Fiberglass pools are known for being exceptionally quick to install while remaining very durable and requiring little maintenance. Most come with substantial warranties as well, providing valuable peace of mind.

No pool is perfect, though, and it’s important to note that fiberglass pool options are limited to predetermined sizes and shapes. They are also difficult to repair if they are ever damaged.

The Pros and Cons of Concrete Pools

If you are looking for a completely custom pool that can be designed to your exact specifications, concrete pools should be high on your list. Not only do they allow you to get extremely creative with the size and shape of your pool, but they also are incredibly durable, standing up to the test of time with a graceful ease.

Before you hop on the phone and start calling your local pool installer with concrete in mind, it’s important to consider the very real downsides of opting for concrete. While a concrete pool may provide years of family fun and backyard relaxation, it comes at a cost – both literally and figuratively.

Concrete pools are expensive. They also take a long time to install because the process is performed from start to finish at the site of the pool. In fact, concrete pools can take up to six months to be built and ready for water, and they are rarely completed in less than three months.

What Does an Inground Pool Cost?

With the pros and cons of each pool type in mind, it’s time to pose the big question: what does an inground pool cost?

The answer is not necessarily straightforward, as the final cost of an inground pool will be dictated by your unique property, the attributes of the pool itself, and the long-term maintenance associated with it.

That being said, there are some comparisons that can be made to give you a clearer picture of what a pool will cost to install and maintain. While not guaranteed to be 100% accurate (we recommend talking to your local Capital Region pool expert for more detail), these comparisons should help you determine which type of pool is right for you and your budget.

Inground Pool Cost: Installation

Upfront cost is a major consideration when choosing a pool for your outdoor oasis. Prices can vary wildly between vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete pools, which may make your decision easier if budget is a primary concern.

Keep in mind that the numbers listed here are just ballpark estimates, collected at the time of publishing this article (updated June 2025). Some small, simple pools may cost less, while larger, custom pools could cost more.

You should work directly with an experienced company that specializes in pool design and installation in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park for a more accurate estimate.

Inground Pool Cost: Maintenance and Repairs

The upfront and installation costs associated with inground pools tend to receive the most attention, but it is important to look toward the future. If you plan to use your pool for one glorious summer after another, considering the long-term cost of maintaining and repairing your new pool is just as important as factoring in the initial cost.

Vinyl Pool Maintenance Costs

Vinyl liner pools require annual maintenance in the realm of $1,200 to $1,800. Additionally, you will need to replace the liner every eight to 10 years for around $6,000.

Over 10 years, you can expect your maintenance costs for a vinyl pool to be around $18,000 to $24,000.

Fiberglass Pool Maintenance Costs

Annual maintenance for fiberglass pools falls in the ballpark of $800 to $1,200. Unless damaged, fiberglass pools have limited long-term maintenance and repair demands, making it by far the least expensive option for upkeep.

Over 10 years, you can expect your maintenance costs for a fiberglass pool to be around $8,000 to $12,000.

Concrete Pool Maintenance Costs

Annual maintenance for concrete pools is a touch higher than the others at approximately $1,800 to $2,500. They also require acid washing every three years, which checks in around $1,500.

Over 10 years, you can expect your maintenance costs for a concrete pool to be around $22,500 to $29,500.

How to Choose the Best Type of Inground Pool

Your vision for your dream backyard may be crystal clear, but the complexity of choosing the right pool type for your needs can lead to analysis paralysis. At the end of the day, this decision is about your personal preferences, your lifestyle, and creating your picture-perfect backyard paradise.

We strongly encourage you to take factors like inground pool costs and the pros and cons of each pool type into consideration, but not at the expense of other more personal factors. You want to feel a sense of calm and relaxation wash over you every time you step outside and focusing on what works best for you, your family, and your use cases is what gives you that serenity.

Picking a Pool for Your Lifestyle

People dream of a backyard pool for different reasons. Some picture their grandkids frolicking in the water, the music of laughter filling the air. Others imagine all their friends gathered around to grill out on game day. Still, others see themselves tanning with a cold drink in hand.

Considering your lifestyle and how you plan to use your pool can inform your decision. We recommend consulting with your local pool installation team to find the perfect pool for your lifestyle.

Pool Installation Timelines

If you have a strict timeline in mind, the best type of inground pool for you is the one that can be installed within that window. Concrete pools take the longest to install, while fiberglass pools are the fastest. Your pool design and installation experts in the Capital Region can give you an accurate estimate of how long your preferred pool will take to install.

Pools and Aesthetics

When it comes to pool design, aesthetic preferences can play a big role. If you have an elaborate custom design in mind, a concrete pool is probably your best choice. Vinyl and fiberglass pools have a degree of aesthetic flexibility, making them suitable for those who are looking for a more standard (but still beautiful) option.

Partnering with Gallivan for Your Dream Pool

For pool design and installation in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park, Gallivan is your go-to local expert. We specialize in fiberglass pools for a number of reasons and would be happy to discuss fiberglass vs. concrete pools and fiberglass vs. vinyl pools with you to help you make an informed decision.

Whether you’re just starting your research or are closing in on the perfect pool for your idyllic backyard, we’re here to help each step of the way. We encourage you to reach out and schedule a consultation with one of our passionate pool experts. Together, we can have you relaxing poolside before you know it!