Compare fiberglass pool accessories, from entry steps and tanning ledges to waterfalls and lighting, to choose what fits your family.
Fiberglass pool options include entry features, handrails, slides, fences, mosaics, tanning ledges, automatic covers, water features, and lighting. The shell is prefabricated, so confirm which features are built into your chosen model and which can be added. Plan lighting during construction to avoid a major renovation later.
Even though fiberglass pools are prefabricated, and you therefore have some limitation as to what you can create in your dream backyard, they come with tons of options that you can choose from to make your pool unique and enjoyable for your family. From tanning ledges to water falls and beautiful lighting features, the choices can get overwhelming.
Don’t worry, though. We’re here to take you through the options so you can decide what you can’t live without and what can be left off your pool purchase.
Here are a few of the most common additions:
We’ve compiled a list of accessories and features you can add to your swimming pool below. Take a look through this exhaustive list to get ideas for your pool project:
Structural Features Water Features Light Features
What this means for you: Start with how you want to use the pool, then check which features work with your preferred fiberglass model.
Only you can decide what pool features are best for you and your family. Each pool is different from the other. Accessories and features are what make them different. Consider these topics as you plan your pool design:
Adult pools are different from pools for children. Consider fences and stairs with sturdy railings if kids are around.
What will you use the pool for? For playtime, consider a slide. For leisure, consider a tanning ledge. For exercise, consider shallow and deep ends for optimal body movement or add a continuous swim jet option.
Make a short list of must-have features and nice-to-have additions before comparing designs. Discuss entry access and safety needs alongside recreation and relaxation.
What this means for you: Choose features for the people who will use the pool most often, not just for how they look.
A fiberglass pool’s structure cannot be customized to your liking, but many accessories and options can be added on. Consider these artful and functional options for your pool.
This is an important feature to decide upon. You have a few options for the way you enter a pool: stairs or steps (a simple structure descending into the water), beach entry (a gradual descending entryway beginning at an open section of the pool down into the water), or a tanning ledge area (shallow area of water to lay or play on).
Adding handles, railings, or a bar is an important aspect of your pool’s safety, because it allows swimmers to enter without slipping.
A slide is a popular feature for those with children. A straight slide (forward-facing descent), a winder slide (a slightly twisting descent), and a spiral slide (a 360-degree wraparound descent) are three options to consider.
Pool fences are for security and peace of mind when you are not home or near the pool. These are especially important if children are in the vicinity.
Pool mosaics are generally only for visual appeal, but they can add function as well. Children or the elderly can use them to navigate stair placement as they enter. They can also help by indicating the shallowness or depth of the water. Mosaics can be animals (like turtles, dolphins, or octopuses) or shapes (like a water drop, star, or other design).
A tanning ledge is a small area of shallow water (1-4 inches) for laying while working on a tan. This shallow water area is designed to keep you cool. This can be a part of the actual pool or added to the side.
You can choose to install an automatic pool cover to protect your fiberglass pool.
Feature availability and ledge depth depend on the selected design; confirm specifications when choosing your pool. Handrails, fences, and covers do not replace active supervision.
What this means for you: Confirm entry details, ledge specifications, and accessory compatibility before choosing a pool model.
Water features are fully customizable and add beauty and functionality to your pool. Here are the top options to consider.
Waterfalls bring a sense of calmness and relaxation. Beautiful designs can be done. The prices generally range from $2500-$25,000 depending on the size and type of waterfall. Custom waterfalls can cost up to $6,000-$25,000 depending on the finishes.
Pool fountains can either be a structure inside the pool body or on the outside wall spraying into the pool.
Pool waterfalls are continuous cascades of water falling into the pool. Rock or metal frames can be positioned on the rim of the pool for water to fall, such as water bowls or waterwalls.
A pool bubbler is similar to a water fountain, but the difference is it’s a shallower and wider column of water erupting from underneath the surface. These are mostly used in shallow shelves, spas, and pool steps.
A pool spillway is similar to a waterfall, but the difference is instead of water being pumped into the pool by an external device, water overflows or “spills” into the pool from another pool or spa.
A pool cascade is an art or function piece with water flowing down rocks or other visually-appealing arrangements.
Pool streams are jets of water squirting over or into the pool from the edge. These are generally used for visual effect. In the industry, the most popular options are deck jets and laminars.
A pool vanishing edge is where the water flows over one raised edge of the pool into a basin (and then pumped back into the pool), so it appears that the water never ends.
Ask which water features are compatible with your pool model and yard. Treat the listed price ranges as planning information and request a current, project-specific quote.
What this means for you: Compare the effect you want, the space available, and the quoted cost before selecting a water feature.
Inground pool lights can drastically change the way your pool looks, especially at night! There are three kinds of lights—LEDS, Fiber Optics, and Incandescent. The price range of these lights can go from $3500-$6,500. It is wise to put these in during the construction of your pool, or it will be a major renovation later on.
It’s best to have adequate lighting around the pool so you can see what’s under the water at night. Options for this include floodlights and bright LED lights. Additionally, proper lighting enhances visuals around your pool. Include lights in bubblers or streams to illuminate your pool. Here are options to consider.
Pool deck lighting includes bright lights around the pool deck so swimmers can see the edge, stairs, and handles.
Underwater pool lighting can be used both for safety and visual appeal. Underwater lights illuminate what’s beneath the surface. These can be white or colorful.
Colored LED lights in and around your pool can create an enticing atmosphere for your swimmers. Use colorful lights such as blues, greens, oranges, yellows, and purples to keep your guests coming back for more.
Discuss deck visibility and underwater visibility together, and ask for current lighting options and pricing for your design.
What this means for you: Make lighting part of the initial pool plan rather than treating it as a later addition.
Fiberglass pools are cheaper in the long run compared to concrete. Consider your budget when selecting a pool.
Actual ownership costs depend on the pool and its care. Ask for an itemized proposal that distinguishes the pool package from optional accessories, and confirm what installation work each feature requires.
Use your must-have list to compare the complete project rather than individual accessory prices alone.
What this means for you: A project-specific proposal helps you see which features fit your budget and which you can leave out.
Parrot Bay Pools & Spas builds fiberglass and custom concrete pools and is an authorized River Pools fiberglass dealer. The team serves Raleigh, Fayetteville, Wilmington, and central and eastern North Carolina.
Visit the Design Center at 194 Federal Rd Ext, Benson, NC 27504, by appointment. Bring backyard photos and your feature shortlist so you can discuss what works with your preferred pool design.
Call (919) 888-0327 to arrange an appointment.
What this means for you: Bring your priorities, questions, and backyard photos to the appointment.
Still deciding? Call (919) 888-0327 or book a time at our Benson Design Center and we will walk you through it.
Fiberglass pools use prefabricated shells, so the structure cannot be freely customized. Choose a model that fits your needs, then discuss compatible accessories and features.
A tanning ledge can be part of the pool or added to the side. Confirm the available configurations and ledge depth for your chosen design.
Yes, the page recommends installing inground lights during pool construction because adding them later can require a major renovation. Plan deck and underwater lighting together.
A waterfall sends a continuous cascade of water into the pool. A spillway lets water overflow into the pool from another pool or spa.
Yes, an automatic pool cover is an option for a fiberglass pool. Discuss compatibility with your selected pool and overall layout.
Start by discussing fences, entry steps, and sturdy railings. A slide may suit playtime, but safety features do not replace active adult supervision.
The page lists inground lighting at $3500-$6,500 and waterfalls generally at $2500-$25,000, depending on size and type. These are planning ranges, not a project quote; request current pricing for the features and installation you want.
The Design Center is at 194 Federal Rd Ext, Benson, NC 27504, and visits are by appointment. Call (919) 888-0327 to arrange a visit.
Keep readingWalk real fiberglass shells, compare finishes, tile and coping side by side, and design your backyard with a Parrot Bay designer.
194 Federal Rd Ext, Benson, NC 27504 · By appointment
