Most pool materials share a common weakness: their surfaces interact with water over time. Concrete requires resurfacing, fibreglass can fade and blister, and tiled finishes need grout maintenance. Stainless steel behaves differently to all of them.
It is an inert material that does not degrade under UV, does not leach contaminants, and does not need resurfacing at any point in its lifespan.
For Perth homeowners weighing pool materials, that difference is worth understanding clearly before comparing options. The Outback stainless steel pool range at West Coast Plunge Pools is the only stainless steel option in the West Coast Plunge Pools range, and this guide covers what makes it structurally different, what the installation involves, and how it compares to fibreglass and precast concrete on the factors buyers typically weigh.
What Makes Stainless Steel Different
Stainless steel’s primary distinction from other pool materials is that it is genuinely inert. It will not, even under harsh temperatures, taint water colour, affect taste, or leach any contaminants into the pool water. This is the same property that makes stainless steel the material of choice in food processing, catering, and medical equipment across Australia.
In a pool context, this means the shell itself contributes nothing to the chemical load of the water. Other pool materials can introduce contamination that requires additional chemical treatment to manage. Stainless steel does not, which is why it pairs particularly well with UV sanitisation systems that reduce chlorine demand and let the water quality speak for itself.
The other key structural differences from fibreglass and concrete include:
- No UV degradation: the shell will not fade, dull, or change colour under Perth’s sun
- No resurfacing ever required over the pool’s lifespan
- Stainless steel shell naturally inhibits algae formation
- Made from over 80% recycled stainless steel
- Designed to last more than 30 years
The Outback Range: Sizes and Configurations
The Outback stainless steel pool is available in two models across 32 size combinations, ranging from a 2.2m x 1.2m high compact spa alternative through to a 3.4m x 1.6m deep plunge pool. All pools in the range are installed above-ground on a prepared flat base with no excavation required.
Every Outback pool is pre-plumbed at the factory before delivery. Buyers can choose model, width, depth, colour, and equipment package before requesting a quote.
Model type | Size range | Installation | Key feature |
Spa alternative | From 2.2m x 1.2m high | Above-ground, no excavation | Compact footprint, full pool functionality |
Plunge pool | Up to 3.4m x 1.6m high | Above-ground, no excavation | Full depth for immersion and cooling |
The three equipment packages available are:
- Base: fixed-speed pump, cartridge filter, mineral/salt chlorinator, control system. 12-year warranty
- Cruise: variable-speed pump, UV sanitiser reducing chlorine by 80 to 90 per cent, advanced controller. 18-year warranty
- Smart: full automation, automatic pH and chlorine adjustment, smartphone connectivity. 18-year warranty
Installation and Relocation
Installation of an Outback pool is straightforward compared to any in-ground option. The pool arrives pre-plumbed, and in many circumstances it can go from delivery to filled in a matter of hours. The plunge pool beginner’s guide covers what site preparation typically involves, but for stainless steel the core requirements are:
- Level base: A level, prepared base is required. A concrete slab is typically used, though site conditions vary; confirm base requirements with the West Coast Plunge Pools team before ordering.
- Electrical connection: An electrician may be required if the existing power supply is not adequate for the equipment package chosen.
- Safety barrier: A compliant pool fence is required under WA regulations before the pool can be filled.
Every Outback pool is classified as fully relocatable. If you move property, you unscrew the connectors, load the pool on a trailer, and take it with you. This also means the permit process can be simpler than for a permanent in-ground installation in some council areas.
Water Quality and Chemical Load
Stainless steel’s inert surface changes the baseline chemistry of pool management. Because the shell contributes no contamination, the pool requires less chemical intervention to maintain safe, clear water than a concrete or fibreglass pool of equivalent size.
Paired with a UV sanitisation system, the chemical load reduces further. The Cruise and Smart packages include a UV sanitiser that the West Coast Plunge Pools Outback reduces chlorine by 80 to 90 per cent compared to a standard chlorinated setup. For buyers who want a low-chemical, low-intervention pool, the UV vs chlorine comparison explains how UV sanitisation works alongside a residual chlorine system.
Effortless Maintenance for Stainless Steel Plunge Pools
Stainless steel requires less maintenance than tiled or fibreglass pool surfaces. There is no grout to monitor, no surface to reclad, no gelcoat to preserve. The routine maintenance tasks for a stainless steel pool are:
- Regular water chemistry testing and chemical dosing as needed
- Periodic filter and skimmer cleaning
- Pool cover use to reduce evaporation and retain heat
- Occasional exterior cleaning of the steel shell
The Smart equipment package automates pH and chlorine adjustment, which reduces the monitoring burden for buyers who want a lower-maintenance setup. Pool upgrades and extras including covers, heating, and lighting are available to suit different usage patterns.
WA Compliance
Stainless steel plunge pools are subject to the same WA pool safety requirements as all other pool types. A building permit is required under the Building Act 2011 for any pool capable of holding more than 300mm of water, and a compliant safety barrier must be in place before the pool is filled.
WA pool fencing requirements apply from the point of installation. Because the Outback pool is fully relocatable, the permit classification in some council areas may differ from a permanent in-ground pool. A Scarborough homeowner on a coastal block would typically confirm their local council’s fencing and permit requirements before ordering, particularly given the proximity to salt air, which stainless steel handles well.
Stainless Steel vs Fibreglass vs Precast Concrete
Factor | Stainless Steel | Fibreglass | Precast Concrete |
Surface material | Inert steel: no leaching, no degradation | Gelcoat: non-porous, may fade over time | Tiled or full concrete: porous grout lines |
Installation | Above-ground, no excavation, hours to install | Above-ground or in-ground depending on model | In-ground, crane required, weeks to install |
Resurfacing required | Never | Not typically, though gelcoat can age | Tiled surfaces require periodic grout care |
Relocatable | Yes: fully relocatable by design | Some models yes | No |
Chemical load | Low: inert surface, works well with UV | Moderate: non-porous but not inert | Higher: porous grout requires closer water balance monitoring |
Suits coastal sites | Yes: resists corrosion and salt air | Generally yes | Generally yes |
WA compliance | Permit and safety barrier required | Permit and safety barrier required | Permit and safety barrier required |
Aesthetic | Brushed steel, architectural finish | Gelcoat colours, can be decked | Tiled, integrated look |
The precast concrete pool range suits buyers who want a tiled, permanent integrated finish. Stainless steel suits buyers who want fast installation, minimal chemical maintenance, and the option to relocate the pool if they move.
Is Stainless Steel Right for Your Home?
Stainless steel is worth considering if:
- You want a low-maintenance pool with minimal chemical intervention
- Your site has limited access or no room for excavation
- You are in a coastal Perth suburb where salt air and UV exposure are significant factors
- You want a pool you can take with you if you move property
- A fast installation timeline with minimal site disruption matters
It is generally less suited to buyers who want a tiled finish that integrates flush with in-ground paving, or who are working with a site where a permanent above-ground structure does not suit the yard layout.
Ready to Design Your Stainless Steel Pool?
The Outback range covers 32 size combinations to suit compact backyards through to larger outdoor spaces. Compare pool options side by side to see how stainless steel stacks up against fibreglass and concrete, use the design selection tool to choose your model, size, and equipment package, or get in touch with the team to discuss site conditions and installation before requesting a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stainless steel used in the Outback range is the same grade used in food processing and medical industries in Australia, selected specifically for its corrosion resistance. It will not rust under normal pool conditions and is well-suited to Perth’s coastal environment. Regular water chemistry maintenance keeps the shell and equipment performing well over the long term.
Generally, yes. The inert surface reduces the baseline chemical load, and pairing the pool with a UV sanitiser can reduce chlorine use by 80 to 90 per cent compared to a standard setup.
Smaller above-ground pools also heat faster and lose less heat than large in-ground pools. Energy-efficient pool options cover how equipment choices affect running costs across all pool types.
An uncovered outdoor pool can lose around 45,000 litres of water per year through evaporation in WA conditions, according to Water Corporation WA data. A fitted pool cover can substantially reduce this loss, particularly overnight when temperatures drop and evaporation rates typically increase.
Yes, it can. A pool positioned to receive direct sun through winter benefits from natural solar gain, which reduces the workload on heating systems. Positioning the pool on a north-facing aspect where possible, and sheltering it from the prevailing wind, are the two most practical placement steps for reducing outdoor heating costs. More detail on stainless steel pool outdoor performance is available at stainless steel pools explained.
Yes. In Western Australia, any pool capable of holding more than 300mm of water requires a building permit under the Building Act 2011, regardless of whether it is above-ground or in-ground. A compliant safety barrier must also be in place before the pool can be filled with water.
