How to Choose the Best Fibreglass Pool for Your Wellington & Wairarapa Backyard

Installing a pool is a dream for many Wellington & Wairarapa homeowners, but choosing the right one is about more than just looks. Between Wellington’s coastal climate, hillside terrain, and varying backyard sizes, selecting the best fibreglass pool requires thoughtful planning.

Fibreglass pools have become increasingly popular across New Zealand thanks to their durability, low maintenance, and modern designer appeal. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the ideal fibreglass pool in Wellington, taking into account local conditions, pool sizes, colours, maintenance, costs, and the full installation process.

Why Choose a Leisure Pool fibreglass  Pool?

Before we dive into the selection process, it’s worth understanding the main benefits of Leisure Pools fibreglass pools:

• Low Maintenance: The smooth, non-porous surface resists algae build-up, requiring fewer chemicals and less frequent cleaning than concrete pools.
• Quick Installation: Our fibreglass pools come pre-moulded, which allows for faster installation - you can typically be swimming within a week .
• Durability: Designed to withstand ground movement, our fibreglass pools are  ideal for Wellington’s often shifting terrain. Leisure Pools are reinforced  with with DuPont™ Kevlar, Basalt, and Carbon Fibre all designed to stay strong under outside pressure.
• Warranty: All Leisure Pools pools come with a Lifetime Osmosis & Lifetime Structural warranty 
• Modern Design Options: From pool and spa combinations  to family-friendly shapes, there’s a style for every taste.

For Wellington & Wairarapa homeowners looking for a balance between form, function, and cost-effectiveness, Leisure Pools fibreglass pools are an excellent choice.

1. Assess Your Backyard Space and Site Conditions

Wellington & Wairarapa properties range from urban townhouses with compact gardens to sprawling hilltop & rural homes. Your available space and site access will influence the size and shape of your pool.

Things to consider:

• Access for delivery: Can machinery access your backyard to deliver a one-piece pool shell?
• Sunlight exposure: Position the pool where it will get optimal sun, north-facing is usually best.
• Wind exposure: Wellington is known for its gusty weather. Consider installing windbreaks or locating your pool in a sheltered area.
• Drainage: Proper drainage is essential to direct water away from the pools hard landscaped areas. 

Consult with a professional pool installer who understands the Wellington & Wairarapa landscape for site-specific recommendations.

2. Choosing the Right Size and Shape

Leisure Pools fibreglass pools come in a wide range of pre-formed shapes and sizes, from 2m plunge pools to generously sized 12m pools. The right one for you depends on your lifestyle and space.

Popular options:

• Plunge Pools: Ideal for smaller Wellington yards or courtyards. Great for cooling off and relaxing, quick and economical to heat.
• Family Pools: Larger models with shallow ends for kids bench seats for games & relaxing and deeper areas for swimming.
• Spa & Pool Combos : The best of both worlds — enjoy the therapeutic benefits of a spa alongside the fun and functionality of a full-sized pool. Perfect for year-round use and family enjoyment.

Don’t forget to factor in surrounding space for paving, decking, fencing and landscaping.

3. Select Colours That Work with NZ’s Light

Choosing a pool colour isn’t just an aesthetic decision, it affects how your pool looks under different light conditions. Wellington’s skies often shift between clear blue and overcast, which impacts how your pool colour appears.

Our most popular  pool colours in Wellington & Wairarapa:

• Graphite Grey or Silver Grey:  Sleek and modern, with strong contrast and depth. Think of these two as natural like the sea or river. 
• Sapphire Blue or Crystal Blue: : Bright and inviting in sunlight, though can look deeper in cloudy weather.
• Shimmer White or Diamond Sand: Creates a tropical lagoon look, especially under strong sun.

Ask your installer for sample finishes and view them outdoors to get a true sense of how they’ll appear in your backyard.

4. Understand Maintenance Needs

One of the top fibreglass pool benefits is its low maintenance requirements. However, regular upkeep is still essential.

Fibreglass pool maintenance checklist:

• Fortnightly  water testing and chemical balancing
• Surface cleaning to remove debris, this can be taken care of by a robotic pool cleaner
• Checking the filter and pump system
• Professional servicing as required

5. Consider the Costs and Long-Term Value

Installing a pool is an investment, so it’s important to understand both the upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.

On average, fibreglass pools are roughly half the price of concrete pools and don’t require costly maintenance like resurfacing that concrete pools require.

Typical fibreglass pool costs in Wellington:

• Base pool shell (including installation): $65,000  – $90,000+
• Landscaping: $20,000 – $100,000 depending on size of landscaped area, materials etc
• Ongoing maintenance: $600 – $1,000 annually for chemicals and service

While fibreglass pools may have a higher upfront cost than vinyl options, they typically require fewer repairs over time. In the long term, they offer excellent value and strong ROI when it comes time to sell your home.

6. Understand the Installation Process

One of the biggest advantages of fibreglass pools is the fast and efficient installation process. In many cases, pools can be fully installed and landscaped within 6 weeks.

General timeline:

1. Design and permit approvals
2. Excavation and groundwork
3. Pool shell delivery and placement
4. Plumbing and electrical connections
5. Backfilling and concrete bond beam 
6. Tiling, coping, and final landscaping

Weather rarely influences our installation timing, we install pools in Wellington & Wairarapa all year round. 

7. Look for a Designer Pool Style That Matches Your Home

Fibreglass pools today aren’t the basic blue rectangular or kidney shapes  of the past. Leisure Pools offer designer fibreglass pools with features like:

• Integrated spa sections
• Built-in ledges or seating areas
• Splash decks for the kids
• Leisure Pools patented High Waterline 

Choosing a pool design that complements your home’s architecture and garden style ensures a seamless visual transition between house and backyard.

8. Factor in Wellington, Kapiti & Wairarapa’s Unique Weather

The Wellington region’s  weather is famously varied depending on where you live. From Windy Wellington city to sunny Kapiti Coast and South Wairarapa, Your pool design and placement should take this into account and be tailored to your unique climate. 

Tips for the Wellington climate:

• Use non-slip, UV-resistant pool surrounds to cope with sun and rain exposure.
• Consider your cover options based on  your climate. While a  thermal cover which retains the heat made by your heat pump is recommended in Wellington, a solar cover may serve you better in warmer climates like Kapiti & Wairarapa 
• Add wind barriers such as glass fencing or hedges for both comfort and heat retention.
• Consider heat pumps ) to maintain swimming temperatures especially in spring and autumn. 

Conclusion: Choose Smart, Swim Happily

Choosing the best fibreglass pool for your Wellington backyard is about finding the right balance between design, practicality, and budget while factoring in local weather and terrain.

From understanding size, colour, and shape to planning for cost and installation, a well-chosen pool will transform your outdoor living experience. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing summer days, improving property value, or creating a hub for family fun, a Leisure Pools fibreglass pool offers beauty, function, and longevity.

Work with a trusted local pool provider who understands the Wellington lifestyle and can tailor the pool solution to your site. That way, you’ll be making a splash in no time.