Most fiberglass pool manufacturers produce the
highest quality pools, but let’s examine what that really means:
Question: Who uses the best Raw Materials
available in the world?
Answer: Leisure Pools, lets demonstrate.
Gel Coat
The gel coat is the surface layer that gives a
fiberglass pool that beautiful smooth texture. It is the same
texture as most boats and water slides have. It also gives the
pool its color.
Leisure
Pools has the exclusive USA rights to manufacture with the world
leading Aquaguard® gel coats from FGI, a division of Nuplex
Industries. FGI is a world leader in fiberglass technology.
About our Aquagaurd® Gel Coat
Aquaguard® Gel coat finishes have been
developed and tested by Fiberglass International (FGI) through
the 1980's and 1990's in Australia. Over the years of
development, the product called for exceptional chemical
resistance, mechanical strength and weathering properties
especially the later for use in exterior applications in
Australia where the UV intensity is extremely high.
The technology is unique and has been
subject to extensive testing programs (both accelerated and
real-time ) concentrated on the combination of weathering and
chemical resistance.
These stunning color gel coats have been
specifically developed over the last 12 years for swimming pools
and designed and tested to with stand the Australian extreme UV
conditions. Put simply they are the very best gel coats in the
world and they are only available to be used in manufacturing
within in the United States by Leisure Pools.
Resin and Fiberglass
Leisure Pools uses the highest quality
isophthalics resin available from AOC, a world leader in resin
technology.
AOC isophthalic resin is generally used in manufacture of water
and petroleum tanks. These superior resins possess a far greater
resistance, strength and heat tolerance than that of the more
common general purpose resins.
To our knowledge Leisure Pools is the only USA
manufacturer to use this high quality resin. Why? Simply because
we are committed to building the very best quality pool
available and we will not compromise on our product and stand
behind our lifetime warranty.
Sure isophthalics resins cost more. In
contrast, most other manufacturers use low cost “odd lot” resins
that can be procured cheaply. So before you buy a pool, check
with the supplier of the resin to determine the quality.
The
fiberglass used in our pools is supplied by PPG. We use the
highest quality Hybon 6000 which has excellent consistency and
resin impregnation properties.
PPG’s fiberglass businesses continue to expand
through innovation and leadership, making PPG one of the largest
global manufacturers of continuous-strand fiberglass. PPG
Fiberglass is a world leader in manufacturing continuous strand
fiberglass used in a wide range of fiberglass applications.
Vinyl Ester or Barrier Coat Resins
The use of these resins has become widely
adopted and has eliminated the problems of blistering that was
evident in fiberglass product such as boats and pools about 10
years ago. Regrettably, there are still some manufactures that
do not use vinyl ester or barrier coat resins.
Leisure Pools uses the highest quality AOC
Vinyl Ester resins to provide the very best barrier coat
protection possible.
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Who builds and maintains the very best molds?
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The pool is only as good as the mold. Not only does this apply
to the finish of the pool it applies to the structure of the
pool itself. The mold must be straight for the pool to be
straight. Leisure Pools pioneered the use of “laser lined molds”
where each mold is shot with lasers before going into
production. The laser is used to identify any variances or miss
alignment that would compromise the structure and design of the
pool.
It is a simple fact that if the mold is not
straight, then the installer must torque the shell. This can
compromise the structural integrity of the shell such that with
say 50 tons of water in it may lead to problems down the track.
So why risk it? Ask if the mold is laser
leveled. Some manufacturers knowingly produce pools that are out
of level and offer these to dealers with instructions on how to
install the pool and get it level. Please do not let this happen
to you, only buy from manufacturers who use laser level molds
that are under 10 years old.
The end result is a very correct pool with
beautiful lines. Consider the lines of a Corvette, Porsche or
Ferrari compared to that of an old beat up truck and you start
to get the idea.
All
of the Leisure Pools molds are made with steel substructures
rather than using wood, which is a cheap alternative. Why use
steel? Because steel is very rigid and resists flexing or
moving. Wood or timber absorbs atmospheric conditions and can
torque from day to day.
Imagine the flexibility over a 40 foot pool from a wooden mold.
The pool you make today can be different from the pool you make
tomorrow due to the atmospheric conditions. The end result is a
pool that is out of level and must be torqued by the installer
to get it level when installed. Don’t be fooled. Steel
substructure molds have always been used by Leisure Pools and
always will be due to our quality commitments.
What Quality Control procedures are in place?
Having the very best raw materials, molds and
manufacturing technology is great but you need quality control
to ensure consistency. Leisure Pools maintains quality control
in every phase of the manufacturing process with a system of
checks and balances that are quantitatively and qualitatively
based.
How will the pool be Loaded and Transported?
Moving a large fiberglass shell requires
expertise to ensure the pool arrives at its final destination in
the same condition as it leaves our factory.
Leisure Pools has over 30 years experience in
loading and transporting pools and we are constantly updating
and training our dealers in correct procedures.
For
example, we stress that pools must be supported on the radius
when transported rather than the floor. The floor is
non-structural whereas the radius is one of the strongest areas
of the pool and will easily take the weight under
transportation.
However, given that the width between the two
radiuses can be 12 feet and the average trailer width is only
8’6” proper transportation requires the use of 12’ boards to
support the pool or outriggers.
Failure to properly transport the pool can
lead to damage which is why Leisure Pools is committed to proper
transportation and training.
Pools designed to transport
As you would appreciate, moving a large shell
requires expertise. Moving it cost efficiently requires smart
thinking. That’s why Leisure Pools has computer designed
its pool styles with transport in mind and well as design
function for swimming.
All of our pools are designed so they stack
within each other like paper cups. This allows us to ship up to
9 pools on a single truck minimizing the freight cost per pool.
For example, it can cost say $5,000 to ship a pool or $5,000 to
ship a load of 7 pools. In the later case the freight cost per
pool is under $800 whereas a single pool freight cost is $5,000
which no one wants to pay. So computer design in stack ability
is important in reducing costs.
Just another reason why it is a smarter
decision to buy a Leisure Pool.
So we hope you have discovered there is more
to installing a new sparkling pool.
Quality
and style matter and a Leisure Pool is just that.
• We use the very
best materials available in the world.
• We have the very
best quality molds and outstanding pool designs.
• Our quality
controls ensures each pool is of the highest quality.
• We understand
transport so we transport the pool efficiently and it arrives in
the
same condition as it left our factory.
Leisure Pools commenced operations as a family
company in Australia over 20 years ago. Under the guidance of an
industry veteran, Mr Kerry Pain, Leisure Pools continued to
expand with an increasing network of franchisees and dealers in
Australia. Leisure Pools' success and expansion has been due to:
•
Excellence in design and innovation in the range of fiberglass
swimming pools.
• High quality
standards in manufacturing.
• A successful
system of marketing and transporting pools.
• Reliability and
honesty in business.
During this time Australian fiberglass
manufacturing technologies became world class with innovations
in design, materials and manufacturing processes. Fiberglass
pool manufacturing was heavily involved in these innovations
such that today, fiberglass pools enjoy a 50% market share of
the highly competitive Australian in ground pool market.
Contrast that with the 7% in the United States and you will ask
why the difference. The answer lies in technology.
None
of the Australian manufacturers produce white bath tub looking
pools. Instead, they are producing gorgeous color pools in
beautiful designs with superb finishes.
The manufacturing technology is also state of
the art. Leisure Pools in Australia is one of the top three pool
manufacturers and has been heavily involved in the development
of the fiberglass pool sector over the last 10 years. Now as
part of our expansion we have brought that technology to the USA
and are manufacturing state of the art fiberglass pools in San
Antonio, Texas and developing a nationwide distribution network.
Expanding to the United States
In
2001 we recognized the opportunity that the United States
offered. After several fact-finding missions in the US, we
exhibited our pools and technology at the NSPI show in Dallas in
November 2002. The response from pools builders was overwhelming
and by February 2003 we had established permanent headquarters
and shipped our first load of 15 pools to the USA.
Over the next 15 months we shipped over 150
pools establishing the back bone of a dealer network. The
response to the color, quality and presentation of the pool was
so positive we brought forward our plans to establish a
permanent manufacturing facility in the United States.
By
May 2004, a suitable location in US was secured and by July 2004
we had produced our first pools. It was an ambitious undertaking
but nothing good comes from little effort so we were determined
to work through all the obstacles including shipping our laser
lined steel molds from Australia and transferring our Australian
plant managers and their crews to apply their expertise in
setting up the plant.
Establishing the USA business required
investment in excess of $3.0 million and it has been a
collaboration of both Australian and U.S. funds to make it
happen. We now have a diverse shareholding base including US and
Australian interests and we are managed by a professional Board
of Directors which comprises over 50 years' combined experience
in the fiberglass and in ground pool industry. It all adds up to
providing exactly the same quality and technology in our pools
in the US that we have been doing in Australia for over 20
years.
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 Today with over 65 dealers, many of whom are foundation
dealers that have been with us from day one, Leisure Pools USA
is expanding rapidly and providing a new experience in pool
quality and style.
 Our
mid west distribution yard will be set up for the 2006 season
closely followed by a distribution yard on the west coast. This
will allow us to efficiently provide pools over a greater
geographic area and make these beautiful pools available to many
more homeowners.
We have over 25 staff involved in manufacture, management and
retail installation.
Leisure Pools strives to be a quality business and a solid
corporate citizen. We maintain membership with industry
associations including: |
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Lifetime Structural Warranty |
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Leisure Pools adopts world’s best practice in fiberglass
swimming pool construction enabling it to offer a
Lifetime
Structural Warranty
on each of its fiberglass swimming pool shells, making it the
most impressive warranty on the market today!
With our experience from building thousands of
swimming pools from our manufacturing facilities in Australia
and the USA you can have the confidence that you are purchasing
one of the finest crafted fiberglass swimming pools available on
the world market.
WHY LEISURE POOLS CAN OFFER YOU A
LIFETIME STRUCTURAL WARRANTY
Step 1
Leisure Pools uses only the best available raw
materials sourced from leading companies in the
composite industry.
Step 2
Through its extensive research and development
program, Leisure Pools has developed a 6 layer
fiberglass swimming pool construction process.
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 1.
FGI Aquaguard® Gelcoat (chemical resistant and
UV stabilized)
2.
(Corrosion and Chemical Resistance Layer,
impervious to water providing osmosis
protection)AOC Vipel® Corrosion
Resistant Bisphenol A Vinyl Ester Resin with PPG
Hibon 6000 Continuous Rovings
3.
Fiberglass Reinforced Laminate
AOC Vipel® Corrosion High Cross-Linked,
Isophthalic Polyester Resin and PPG Hibon 6000
continuous roving
4.
Fiberglass Reinforced Laminate
AOC Vipel® Corrosion High Cross-Linked,
Isophthalic Polyester Resin and 32 OZ woven
roving
5.
Fiberglass Reinforced Laminate
AOC Vipel® Corrosion High Cross-Linked,
Isophthalic Polyester Resin and PPG Hibon 6000
continuous roving
6.
AOC Vipel® Corrosion High Cross-Linked,
Isophthalic Polyester Resin Flow Coat Sealing
System
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Step 3
• Trained fiberglass craftsmen
• Computer aided material application
• Controlled factory conditions |
Step 4
Ultrasonic thickness testing and barcol
hardness testing of each swimming pool. |
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Ten
Year Surface Warranty
No
other pool company comes close to a ten year surface warranty.
That’s because no other company in the
United States
manufactures using the Aquagaurd® gelcoats. These outstanding
finishes are the result of intensive research, development and
testing
over a 15 year period. The testing has been both accelerated and
real time in one of the harshest UV environments in the world,
Australia. It is simply an
outstanding pool finish that embodies the very best chemistry
and technology available and boasts a full ten
year warranty against:
Discoloration
Fading*
Surface yellowing
Note that the gelcoat has
also been laboratory tested out to 20 years with no noticeable
deterioration.
*The
Aquagaurd finish includes combinations of UV protection and
color pigment and this pigment like any material may be subject
to minor levels of dulling over a 30-year period if exposed to
direct sunlight. However, due to the highly advanced formulation
and chemical blending, any dulling will be uniform in nature and
can be easily refinished by applying a gelcoat polish to
revitalize the pool surface.
Not surprisingly, these outstanding
finishes are more expensive than old fashion white gelcoats. It
is a cost that we gladly accept and forms just another part of
our quality commitment and another compelling reason why your
next pool should be a Leisure Pool.
