Fiberglass Pools, Pool Design, and Choosing the Right Builder with Rick Black
Brad Cook and John Watts sit down with Rick Black of Latham Pool Products to discuss fiberglass pool design, industry trends, plunge pools, and how homeowners can choose the right pool for their backyard.
Meet Rick Black
John Watts: Today we’re joined by Rick Black from Latham Pool Products. Rick, take us through your journey in the pool industry.
Rick Black: I started in the pool business back in 1992. At the time, I owned a small retail and installation company building both fiberglass and vinyl liner pools. As I looked at the market, I realized there were already a lot of great vinyl and concrete builders, so fiberglass became the niche I focused on.
Why We Offer Multiple Pool Types
Rick: One thing I’ve always believed is that builders shouldn’t think of themselves as a “vinyl guy” or a “fiberglass guy.”
The goal should be to help the homeowner find the best pool for their situation.
Brad: That’s something we’ve talked about for years. We install vinyl, fiberglass, and even some gunite pools. When customers come to us, they’re not getting information that’s loaded in favor of one particular product. If you can afford a pool, you’re probably smart enough to make the right decision when you’re given good information.
How Fiberglass Pool Designs Are Created
John: How do you decide when it’s time to create a new fiberglass pool design?
Rick: Very carefully.
A mold can cost around $100,000. If you’re putting that mold into multiple manufacturing facilities, the investment can quickly climb into the millions. Because of that, you really hope you get it right.
Most new designs start with feedback from builders.
A builder like Brad might say, “I could have sold that pool if it had this feature,” or “Customers keep asking for this.”
Our sales team gathers that feedback from across North America, then works with designers and engineers to turn those ideas into actual pool concepts.
Brad: So the designs are really coming from homeowner demand?
Rick: Exactly.
The best designs are usually solutions to problems builders are hearing from customers every day.
Why Some Fiberglass Pools Become Best Sellers
Brad: Tell us about some of the designs that really took off.
Rick: Years ago we worked closely with leading concrete pool builders and realized fiberglass manufacturers weren’t incorporating some of the features homeowners loved in gunite pools.
That led to designs like the Picasso and Gemini, which included integrated tanning ledges and other features that weren’t common in fiberglass pools at the time.
Those became some of our best-selling models.
The Rise of Plunge Pools
Rick: One of the biggest trends we’re seeing today is the growth of plunge pools.
Not everybody has room—or wants—a large swimming pool. More homeowners are looking for compact backyard pools that still provide a great experience.
Because of that demand, we’ve introduced multiple plunge pool models in both fiberglass and vinyl.
Brad: We sell a lot of those smaller models. They’re a great option for customers with limited space.
A Homeowner Asked: Why Aren’t There Patterns on Fiberglass Pools?
John: I had a weird consumer question.
Vinyl liners come in all kinds of patterns and designs. Why don’t fiberglass pools have patterns like that?
Rick: That’s actually a great question.
There are hundreds of liner patterns available for vinyl pools, but fiberglass is manufactured differently. The focus is typically on the shape, color, and finish of the shell itself rather than printed patterns.
And honestly, homeowners sometimes struggle to choose from all the liner options already available. More choices aren’t always better.
Brad: We’ve literally had pools delayed because customers couldn’t decide on a liner pattern.
Too many options can be a challenge.
How Pool Designs Continue to Evolve
Rick: One thing we’ve learned is that you don’t create new models just for the sake of creating new models.
Years ago, the mindset was similar to the auto industry—release something new every year.
Today, we focus on identifying actual needs first.
If homeowners are asking for something, and builders are hearing the same requests repeatedly, that’s when we start looking at new designs.
Advice for Homeowners Shopping for a Pool
John: If someone is just starting the pool buying process, what’s your advice?
Rick: Slow down.
Take time to gather information.
Talk to experienced builders. Ask questions. Be open to hearing recommendations, even if they aren’t what you originally thought you wanted.
Most importantly, understand that building a pool is a major construction project.
Your backyard may look chaotic for a few weeks—or even a few months—but that temporary inconvenience is tiny compared to the years of enjoyment you’ll get afterward.
Choosing a Builder for the Long Haul
Rick: I’d also encourage homeowners to look at a company’s history.
Find a builder that’s weathered industry changes, economic downturns, and decades of business challenges.
You might find someone cheaper with a truck and a couple of shovels, but a swimming pool is a long-term investment.
You want a company that’s still going to answer the phone years from now when you need help.
Brad: That’s one reason we’re so focused on service. We want customers to know we’ll be here long after the pool is finished.
Final Thoughts
Rick: At the end of the day, we just want people to have great experiences with swimming pools.
Whether it’s fiberglass, vinyl, or something else entirely, the goal is helping homeowners create a backyard they’ll enjoy for years to come.
John: Thanks for joining us for another edition of the Aloha Pools & Spas Deep Dive Podcast.
Brad: And as always—
Dive safely.
