Setting a Latham 16'x40' Ocean Breeze Fiberglass Pool Shell in Denver, Colorado.
Fiberglass pools first appeared in the 1960s and gained popularity in the 1970s and early 80s as a cost-effective, durable alternative to traditional concrete pools. Since then, advancements in materials and design have improved fiberglass pool shells significantly. To ensure our customers receive the highest quality products, we partner exclusively with Latham Pools, the world's largest and most reputable manufacturer, proudly based in the USA. Latham Pools offers a wide range of high-quality shells in various sizes, shapes, and features, backed by exceptional service and warranties. Today, fiberglass pools are an excellent choice for those seeking a smooth, long-lasting in-ground pool solution.
At 4074 Pools and Spas, we recognize that building or replacing your fiberglass pool is a significant investment, both financially and in achieving your outdoor living dreams. That's why we're dedicated to delivering a pool that is not only visually stunning but also built to the highest safety standards, using top-quality components engineered for durability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance. We go above and beyond by incorporating features like hydrostatic relief valves in every main drain, which help release ground water pressure, preventing structural stress, bowing, or popping out of the ground—especially in severe hydrostatic conditions. Additionally, to address potential issues with leaks between the shell and main drain as the pool ages, we custom-mount a plexiglass base ring to ensure a secure, long-lasting connection, avoiding costly future repairs. Our focus is on the overall value—considering product quality, longevity, maintenance costs, and ease of repairs—rather than just the lowest price for components. Unlike others who may use surplus or generic parts, we select only the best, brand-new components tailored specifically to your project, ensuring your pool not only meets but exceeds your expectations and remains a beautiful, reliable oasis for decades to come.
Fiberglass pools come with a wide range of design features tailored to your preferences and how you plan to enjoy your pool. Whether you want to swim laps, relax on a sun shelf with a built-in chair to stay cool while reading, or create an open space for kids and grandkids to play pool games with built-in seating for adults, there are options to suit every need. You might also consider adding custom tile mosaics for a unique, personalized touch. Understanding what features are most important to you and how you intend to use your pool helps us recommend the best shell design to match your lifestyle and ensure your pool provides lasting enjoyment.
Building a fiberglass pool from start to finish is a detailed process with many critical steps. We begin by carefully marking out the pool’s footprint, including an overage for clearance on all sides to accommodate the installation of skimmers and returns once the pool is in its final position. These measurements serve as our guide during excavation, and we regularly recheck them throughout the digging process to ensure we remove the precise amount of dirt needed. This careful approach guarantees that when the pool is set, it will sit level side to side and front to back, with the top edge aligning perfectly with the final grade height of the surrounding concrete deck, ensuring a smooth, seamless finish.
After excavating the hole, the next step is to compact the loose soil at the bottom to create a solid, stable foundation. We then add a layer of concrete sand bedding, which provides excellent support for the pool shell while also allowing proper drainage around the pool. Sand is ideal for leveling and grading the base to precise specifications and can be easily adjusted in specific areas to ensure optimal support for the shell. At the same time, we proceed with installing the equipment pad and running the above-ground plumbing between the pool and the equipment, ensuring everything is prepared for the next phases of the build.
After the sand base has been leveled and graded, the pool shell is ready for installation. Typically, it takes about 6-8 weeks from the time the shell is ordered until it’s prepared for shipping, with additional transit time of up to 2 weeks depending on the manufacturing facility, distance, delivery loads, and logistical factors such as permits, escort vehicles, routes, and weather conditions. Coordinating a crane schedule is crucial for timely delivery, so when the shell arrives, it can be immediately lifted from the truck. Upon arrival, we inspect the shell for any damage or imperfections. Once confirmed, we cut the holes for the main drains in the deep end, install and seal the drains, and attach the factory-installed lifting straps to the shell’s designated lift points. The crane then carefully lifts the shell from the trailer to its final position, which we verify for levelness in all directions using a precision laser level at each of the four corners before disconnecting the crane, ensuring a perfectly aligned and stable foundation for your pool.
Once the pool is positioned, we begin filling it with water while installing and plumbing the skimmers and returns to the equipment pad. The exterior of the pool is backfilled gradually, starting with an equal rate of backfill with sand as the water rises about 3 feet, then completing the rest of the fill with "Class 6 compactible backfill" or "road base," which helps stabilize and support the walls during filling. Proper timing is essential; if the pool fills too quickly and the outside backfill doesn't keep pace, the walls may bow outward under water pressure. Conversely, if the backfill is added too quickly before the water rises, it can cause inward bowing. This process continues up to the level of the plumbing connections, which are then pressure tested for leaks. After confirming leak-free plumbing, we finish backfilling the walls, install the coping and concrete deck, start up the equipment, and balance chemicals—completing your pool project. From order to site completion, the typical timeline is 8-12 weeks, depending on permits and shell production. Please note, 4074 Pools and Spas LLC does not install pools subject to Denver Building Department jurisdiction.
One of the most common questions when considering a new pool is the overall cost, but it's important to understand that every project is unique. Factors such as pool size, equipment choices, distance from the pool to the equipment pad, proximity to your home and gas main, access, deck size, and custom features all influence the price. Additionally, commercial and semi-commercial pools have stricter requirements, including advanced automation, ASME-certified heaters, SVRS pumps, and more. As a general estimate, a basic fiberglass pool package—including design, permits, shell, shipping, pump, filter, heater, plumbing, and a 4-foot-wide concrete deck—starts around $80,000 to $100,000 in Colorado; however, this is only a baseline, not a fixed price, and costs can vary widely based on location, materials, and labor costs. Building a pool in Florida, for example, can differ significantly from Colorado due to regional material and labor expenses. We're happy to help you design your dream pool, with the typical design and estimate process taking about 8-10 hours of work. The design fee is 1% of the total project cost, non-refundable, and due upon completion of your estimate. If you choose to proceed, this fee will be credited toward your total balance. Please contact us with your specific needs—we're committed to providing you with the best value for your new fiberglass pool!