When homeowners think about owning a swimming pool, they often think about the fun stuff first.
Swimming. Relaxing. Entertaining. Creating an incredible backyard.
But somewhere in the back of their minds, they may also be thinking about maintenance and potentially costly repairs down the road.
And one of the BIG ones?
Cracks.
Cracks in the pool structure. Cracks in the interior finish. Repairs. Renovations. Draining the pool. Resurfacing.
We’ve all heard the stories.
But here’s the thing…
If cracking is one of the things making you nervous about owning an inground pool, you probably aren’t thinking about fiberglass.
Because fiberglass is actually one of the most crack-resistant choices among the major types of inground swimming pools.
And there’s a really good reason why.
Fiberglass isn’t just STRONG.
It can FLEX.
That combination of strength AND flexibility is one of fiberglass’s biggest advantages underground, especially here in Texas where soil can expand, contract and move as conditions change.
So if you’ve ever wondered:
“Do fiberglass pools crack?”
This is one fiberglass advantage you’re definitely going to want to understand.
Wait… Aren’t Fiberglass Pools MORE Likely to Crack?
NOPE. Quite the opposite.
Sometimes people hear fiberglass and picture something thin, lightweight or fragile.
A quality fiberglass swimming pool is none of those things.
Today’s fiberglass pools are engineered composite structures designed specifically to be installed underground and provide decades of enjoyment.
Latham describes its fiberglass pools as exceptionally durable, with a nonporous finish designed to resist cracking, staining and algae. Latham Pool
And there’s another characteristic that gives fiberglass a BIG advantage underground:
Flexibility.
Rigid Isn’t Always Better
We tend to associate rigidity with strength.
If something is hard and doesn’t move, it must be stronger, right?
Not necessarily.
When you’re talking about something surrounded by soil, a little flexibility can actually be a very GOOD thing.
Concrete and gunite pools are extremely rigid structures.
Fiberglass pools are different.
A fiberglass shell combines strength with a degree of flexibility, allowing it to accommodate some movement and changing pressures around the pool rather than behaving like a completely rigid structure.
That distinction becomes especially important when the ground itself moves.
And Here in Texas? Ground Movement Is Definitely Worth Talking About.
Texas has some interesting soil.
And by interesting, we mean it can keep builders on their toes. 😂
Many areas of Texas have expansive clay soils. Clay absorbs moisture and expands when wet, then contracts as it dries.
Latham notes that some clay soils can experience significant volume changes as moisture levels fluctuate, and specifically identifies Texas as one of the states where these wet and dry cycles can be an issue. Latham Pool
Think about what that means underground.
Rain.
Dry weather.
More rain.
More dry weather.
The earth surrounding a swimming pool can move as moisture conditions change.
And that’s where the difference between a completely rigid structure and a strong composite structure with some flexibility becomes REALLY interesting.
Fiberglass Is an Excellent Choice for Expansive Clay Soil
Latham specifically identifies fiberglass pools as an ideal choice for areas with expansive clay soil.
Why?
Because the flexibility of a fiberglass pool can help it adapt to some of the soil movement that occurs as clay expands and contracts.
Latham contrasts that with rigid concrete pool walls, which can experience stress from that movement and can crack. Latham Pool
That’s a pretty BIG advantage here in Texas.
Strength is important.
Flexibility is important.
Fiberglass gives you BOTH.
So Can a Fiberglass Pool EVER Crack?
Could a fiberglass pool ever develop damage?
Of course.
No responsible pool builder should tell you that ANY swimming pool is completely indestructible.
Extreme ground movement, improper installation, accidents, unusual site conditions, improper maintenance or other circumstances can damage a swimming pool.
Latham’s own warranty documentation, for example, distinguishes structural coverage from cosmetic surface conditions and contains exclusions for certain damage related to soil settling or shifting. Latham Pool
But that’s very different from saying fiberglass pools are inherently prone to cracking.
They’re not.
In fact, crack resistance is one of the reasons fiberglass is such an attractive choice for long-term inground pool ownership.
Concrete and Fiberglass Behave Differently Underground
This is where understanding the material itself really matters.
A concrete or gunite swimming pool is constructed as a rigid structure.
That has advantages, particularly when it comes to highly customized shapes and designs.
But rigidity also means the structure has less ability to accommodate movement.
Latham’s current pool-planning guidance notes that concrete pools can crack and require periodic resurfacing, while its fiberglass pools use an extremely durable, nonporous surface that doesn’t require routine resurfacing. Latham Pool
Fiberglass takes a different approach.
Instead of relying on a rigid concrete structure, you’re installing an engineered composite shell.
Strong enough to handle enormous pressure.
Durable enough for decades of use.
And flexible enough to have some give when conditions around it change.
That’s a pretty impressive combination.
What Is a Fiberglass Pool Actually Made Of?
A quality fiberglass pool isn’t simply one thin layer of material.
Latham fiberglass pools use an engineered composite construction system incorporating multiple materials and reinforcement layers.
Latham’s current Advanced Composite Technology includes its Crystite Gel Coat, vinyl ester resin and BiMax radius reinforcement, among other components of the composite structure. Latham Pool
Each part of that system has a job.
The result is a pool shell engineered for:
💪 Structural strength
↔️ Flexibility
💦 Long-term water exposure
🌡️ Changing environmental conditions
✨ Surface durability
🏊 Decades of swimming and enjoyment
That’s why we say it all the time:
Not all fiberglass pools are created equal.
The manufacturer matters.
The materials matter.
The engineering matters.
The manufacturing process matters.
And the installation matters.
The Surface Is Built for Durability, Too
Structural strength is only part of the story.
There’s also the surface you actually SEE and TOUCH.
Latham uses its proprietary Crystite Gel Coat and Advanced Composite Technology to create a smooth, durable pool surface engineered to resist fading, stains and scratches. Its nonporous finish is also designed to resist cracking. Latham Pool
And if you’ve been following along with us, you already know how many OTHER benefits come from that fiberglass surface.
It’s:
💙 Smooth and skin-friendly
👙 Easier on swimsuits
🐾 Comfortable for paws
🦠 Extremely difficult for algae to root into
🧹 Easier to clean
🧪 Easier to maintain
✨ And it doesn’t require routine costly resurfacing
That surface is doing a LOT more than simply making your pool look pretty.
What About Little Surface Marks or Hairline Cracks?
This is an important distinction.
If someone sees a small cosmetic mark in a pool surface, it’s easy to immediately think:
“My pool is cracking!”
But cosmetic surface conditions and structural damage are not necessarily the same thing.
A fiberglass pool is made from multiple layers. The visible gelcoat surface is not the entire structural shell.
So a cosmetic issue with the finish does not automatically mean the structural integrity of the pool has been compromised.
If you ever notice something unusual, have a qualified fiberglass pool professional evaluate it rather than trying to diagnose it yourself.
That’s another reason working with an experienced fiberglass pool company matters.
Installation Matters. A LOT.
We can build an incredibly strong pool shell.
But then somebody still has to put it in the ground correctly.
That’s where your pool builder comes in.
Proper fiberglass pool installation involves much more than digging a hole and dropping in a pool.
Excavation.
Site preparation.
Creating the proper base.
Careful pool placement.
Backfilling.
Plumbing.
Drainage considerations.
Equipment installation.
Final grading and surrounding work.
Each part of the installation contributes to the long-term performance of the pool.
This becomes even more important when you’re dealing with challenging soil conditions.
Latham’s current guidance for expansive clay soil emphasizes proper site evaluation, drainage, backfill and structural preparation as important parts of successful pool installation. Latham Pool
Gary’s Pool & Patio has specialized in fiberglass pools since 1979.
We’ve been putting fiberglass pools in Texas ground for a LONG time.
Experience matters.
You can see just how quickly one of these pools can go from excavation to swimming in How Long Does It Take to Install a Fiberglass Pool in San Antonio?.
Strength + Flexibility = One Smart Combination
This is really the takeaway.
Fiberglass doesn’t perform well underground despite having some flexibility.
That flexibility is part of the advantage.
A quality fiberglass pool gives you a strong engineered composite structure without relying on the same kind of rigid construction as a concrete pool.
And when you’re putting something underground for decades, surrounded by soil that can move, expand and contract…
That’s worth paying attention to.
It’s also why we included durability among our Top 7 Benefits of Fiberglass Pools.
Built for the Long Haul
A swimming pool isn’t something you’re buying for one summer.
You’re creating a backyard your family can enjoy for YEARS.
Birthday parties.
Summer cookouts.
After-school swims.
Quiet mornings.
Late-night pool time.
Grandkids someday.
A quality fiberglass pool is built with that kind of long-term ownership in mind.
We take a deeper look at that in How Long Do Fiberglass Pools Last? Why Quality & Installation Matter.
And if you want to learn more specifically about how fiberglass combines strength and flexibility, take a look at Are Fiberglass Pools More Durable? Why Strength AND Flexibility Matter.
Strong Enough to Last. Flexible Enough to Adapt.
So…
Do fiberglass pools crack?
Damage is possible with any swimming pool, but fiberglass is one of the most crack-resistant choices among the major inground pool types.
Its engineered composite construction gives it something pretty special:
STRENGTH + FLEXIBILITY.
And here in Texas, where the ground beneath our feet doesn’t always like to sit perfectly still, that’s one more reason fiberglass makes a LOT of sense.
💪 Strong.
↔️ Flexible.
💦 Durable.
☀️ Built for years and years of backyard enjoyment.
THAT’S fiberglass.
Gary’s Pool & Patio has specialized in fiberglass pools since 1979, and we’d love to help you find the right pool for your backyard.
Let’s Get You Swimming! 💦
💙 Gary’s Pool & Patio
📞 210.494.5002
🌐 GarysPoolAndPatio.com