Kansas City luxury pool demand is shifting toward fiberglass and gunite

Hardscape Contractors says fiberglass and gunite now make up about 90% of new pool demand in the Kansas City metro, with homeowners increasingly building full outdoor living spaces around the pool. The shift is strongest in Johnson County and the south KC suburbs, where custom design, faster installation and lower maintenance are driving choices.

Why it matters: - Kansas City’s luxury pool market is moving away from the Midwest’s traditional vinyl-liner model. - The shift is changing how homeowners budget for backyards, with more projects built as complete outdoor living spaces instead of standalone pools. - The trend favors higher-end, design-heavy construction that can include spas, sun shelves, patios, lighting and landscaping.

What happened: - Hardscape Contractors reports that fiberglass and gunite pools now account for roughly 90% of new pool demand in the Kansas City metro. - The Overland Park-based design-build firm says fiberglass makes up about 60% of its Kansas City pool projects. - Gunite and concrete make up another 30% of the firm’s pool work. - Vinyl liner pools account for the remaining 10%. - The company says the data comes from project activity in the Kansas City market. - Hardscape Contractors has completed six Kansas City projects so far this year, with more builds scheduled for the rest of the season.

The details: - The strongest demand is coming from Johnson County and the south KC metro, including Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe and Mission Hills. - Homeowners in those areas are increasingly treating the pool as the centerpiece of a fully designed outdoor space. - Gunite and concrete appeal to buyers who want control over shape, depth and integrated features. - Fiberglass appeals to buyers who want a resort-style finish, faster installation and lower maintenance. - Hardscape Contractors was founded in 2008 and works from 7133 W 95th Street, Suite 220, in Overland Park. - The firm handles design, permitting and construction under one roof. - The company says that model fits Johnson County clay soils, municipal permitting requirements and freeze-thaw cycles. - The firm also serves the Omaha metro from Papillion, Nebraska, and the Nashville area from Brentwood, Tennessee.

Between the lines: - The data suggests luxury homeowners are prioritizing convenience and customization at the same time. - That mix helps explain why fiberglass is gaining share even in a market long associated with gunite and plaster. - The local design-build model may have an edge over national pool franchises that install only the pool and leave surrounding work to other contractors. - Owner Mike Joneson said Kansas City has historically been a strong gunite/plaster and fiberglass market, while vinyl liner has never been a major luxury choice. - Joneson also said luxury homeowners see fiberglass as a comparable product to gunite, while vinyl liner remains attractive for customization and lower price.

What’s next: - Hardscape Contractors plans to keep investing in the Kansas City market. - The company expects to expand service capacity to keep up with demand for design-build outdoor living projects. - More projects are already in the pipeline for the rest of the outdoor season. - The firm continues to market custom pools and outdoor living projects across Nebraska, Kansas and Tennessee.

The bottom line: - Kansas City luxury pool buyers are choosing fiberglass and gunite because they want custom outdoor spaces, not just a place to swim.