Container pool vs fiberglass, concrete and above-ground pools
A ReadyPool is a fiberglass pool built inside a one-trip steel shipping container and delivered as one finished unit. Here’s how that compares with the pool types most buyers also consider, including when another type may suit you better.
Container pool vs other pool types at a glance
The biggest differences are how the pool is built, how it reaches your yard and how much of the work happens on site.
| Consideration | ReadyPool container pool | In-ground fiberglass | Concrete (gunite or shotcrete) | Above-ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it’s made | Fiberglass pool inside a one-trip steel shipping container, manufactured in Tampa, Florida | One-piece shell molded in a factory | Formed and sprayed on site, then finished with plaster, aggregate or tile | Wall kit and vinyl liner assembled on site |
| How it arrives | One finished unit by truck, with pump, filter, light and plumbing installed; set by crane | Shell by truck, set by crane into a prepared excavation; equipment installed on site | Built in place in several construction stages | Parts delivered, then assembled |
| Size and shape | One model: nominal 20 × 8 ft, main swimming area about 45 in deep, with a sun shelf and submerged bench | A range of factory shapes; width is limited by what can travel by road | Almost any shape, size and depth | A range of round, oval and rectangular sizes |
| Placement | Above ground, partly buried or in-ground, with a site plan from a qualified installer | In-ground | In-ground | Above ground |
| Interior surface | Smooth white fiberglass | Smooth fiberglass gelcoat | Plaster, aggregate or tile, refinished over the years | Vinyl liner, replaced over the years |
| Price | $36,995 for the pool and included equipment, plus tax; delivery and site work extra | Quoted by local dealers and installers | Quoted by local pool builders | Quoted by retailers or installers; usually the lowest upfront cost |
| Who installs | Your installer, or one we refer where available | Usually the dealer’s installation crew | The pool builder | A dealer, an installer or the owner |
Not every container pool is built the same way
Many container pools paint and seal the inside of the steel box and use its corrugated walls as the pool. ReadyPool takes a different approach: the pool you swim in is a smooth fiberglass shell, and the one-trip steel container around it provides structure and a clean exterior.
ReadyPool’s layout draws on Robert “Rob” Foster’s decades of building custom concrete pools, from the integrated sun shelf and long submerged bench to the equipment selection. Meet Rob.
| Consideration | Fiberglass-lined ReadyPool |
|---|---|
| Swimming surface | Smooth fiberglass, without corrugations |
| Brushing | Even surfaces are quicker to brush |
| Robotic cleaners | Can climb the smooth walls |
| Repairs | Fiberglass is a widely repaired material with established methods |
| Refreshing the finish | Fiberglass can be cleaned and polished |
When a container pool makes sense, and when it doesn’t
ReadyPool is one size and one shape. That suits some yards and plans better than others.
A ReadyPool fits when
- You want a finished pool with its equipment installed at the factory, delivered as one unit
- Your yard suits a compact pool, or you want it above ground or partly buried with decking around it
- You want the price of the pool itself published before you plan the rest of the project
- You mostly want to cool off, relax on the sun shelf and spend time in the water with family
Another pool type may suit you better when
- You want to swim laps or dive: the main swimming area is about 161 in (13 ft 5 in) long and 45 in deep, and the pool is not for diving
- You want a custom shape, a deep end or a larger pool, which concrete or a larger fiberglass model can offer
- A truck and crane can’t reach your pool site
- The lowest upfront cost matters most: above-ground pools usually cost less
Site work a container pool still needs
A ReadyPool arrives finished, but the work around it is arranged separately, much as it is for an in-ground fiberglass pool. Plan for:
- Permits, inspections and any safety barrier your city or county requires
- A level base that supports the full filled weight, with drainage away from the container
- Electrical supply, bonding and ground-fault protection by a licensed electrician
- Truck and crane access from the road to the pool position
- Decking, steps or fencing for safe entry and exit
Questions only your site can answer
Whether a permit is required, what base and drainage your soil needs, how deep the pool can be set and what barrier rules apply all depend on where you live. Your installer and local building department have the final word. We provide shipping weight and site-load figures for your specific pool before delivery, plus the product information permit reviewers commonly request.
For costs, see the total project cost. For placement, see above ground, partly buried or in-ground. For permits, see the permit FAQ.
Clear water takes circulation and care
Algae grows most easily where water barely moves. Smooth surfaces, the skimmer and the filtration system help keep water clean and moving. Every pool still needs regular brushing, filter cleaning and balanced water chemistry. We provide care documents for the equipment supplied with your pool.