Semi-Inground Pools in Maine

The Patented On-Ground Pool Built for New England Backyards

Gibraltar Pools has spent more than 40 years, across three generations, pioneering the rectangular on-ground swimming pool in New England. The Gibraltar Pool™ is a popular backyard pool across New England, and chances are there’s already one in a neighborhood near you. Our patented on-ground design gives homeowners the look and durability of an inground pool without the excavation, the multi-week timeline, or the inground price tag. Start with a free, no-obligation backyard survey and see exactly what’s possible on your property.

Ready to see what a Gibraltar Pool™ looks like in your backyard? Call us at (978) 759-4445 to schedule your free, no-obligation backyard survey with no pressure and no cost.

Why Maine Homeowners Choose Gibraltar Pools Over Traditional Inground Pools

Traditional inground pool construction is a significant undertaking. Rocky glacial-till soil, sloped coastal lots, and municipal permitting across multiple offices routinely push in-ground projects into multi-week or multi-month timelines. Excavation alone can be unpredictable when ledge runs close to the surface, which it frequently does across much of Maine’s terrain.

Gibraltar Pools’s on-ground and semi-inground pools are engineered specifically for these conditions. Our installation process is built for New England terrain, and most of our pools are completed in a single day with minimal disruption to your yard and family routine.

The product itself is in a different category from standard above-ground pools. Gibraltar Pool™ walls are engineered steel, which won’t dry out, become brittle, or crack the way resin (plastic) pool walls do over time. Six U.S. Government patents protect the exclusive engineering behind every Gibraltar Pool™, and the design has earned recognition from both the National Spa and Pool Institute and the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Good Housekeeping has featured the Gibraltar Pool™ as well. That combination of patents, industry awards, and editorial recognition belongs to one on-ground pool in our area.

Every pool is also backed by the strongest manufacturer’s warranties in the swimming pool industry, covering defective materials and workmanship.

Swimming Pools Designed for Maine Properties

Local backyards don’t follow a single template. Coastal lots near Portland and Kennebunk carry drainage complexity and ledge close to grade. Inland properties around Bangor and Augusta often sit on sloped lots with rocky subsoil. Our crews are trained to work with these exact conditions, and every installation begins with a site evaluation that accounts for grade, soil, drainage, and available footprint before any recommendation is made.

Gibraltar Pool™ can be configured fully above ground or partially recessed, depending on what your yard’s grade and layout call for. That flexibility is one reason our installation model works where a conventional inground excavation would face complications or added cost.

Maine state law requires fencing around swimming pools under Title 22, Section 1632. Pools more than 24 inches deep also typically require permits under municipal codes, though requirements vary by town. Our free backyard survey covers the permitting and enclosure requirements specific to your municipality, so you know what’s involved before you commit to anything.

Premium Features That Come Standard With Every Gibraltar Pool™

Every Gibraltar Pool™ ships with proprietary features that no other on-ground pool manufacturer includes. These aren’t upgrade options. They’re standard.

• Engineered Steel Walls: Pool walls are built from engineered steel, not resin. Resin walls dry out and become brittle over time, especially through repeated New England freeze-thaw cycles. Steel walls don’t have that failure mode. The result is a pool structure built to withstand winter without the cracking risk that affects plastic-wall competitors.
• Safety View™ Liner: Our proprietary 22-mil winterized virgin vinyl liner is thicker and more durable than standard pool liners. The patented custom liner-fit system is engineered to support longer liner life. The liner’s enhanced clarity also improves underwater visibility, making it easier to monitor swimmers at a glance. You won’t find this combination on a standard liner.
• Advanced Dual Filtration System: The Gibraltar Pool™ dual filtration system circulates water more efficiently than standard single-filter setups, which means the pool does much of the cleaning work on its own. Daily vacuuming can become less routine. Owners describe the pool as virtually self-cleaning, and the filtration design is a core reason why.
• Walk-Up Staircase with Handrails: Every pool includes a wide walk-up staircase with two handrails and two support grips within easy reach. The design accommodates young children, elderly family members, and anyone who finds a steep ladder difficult. Safe entry and exit is a standard feature, not an add-on.
• Alum-A-Clad™ Patio Decking System: Our proprietary Alum-A-Clad™ decking wraps all four sides of the pool with a durable, finished surface. There’s no need to budget for a separate wooden deck, and no ongoing maintenance headache that comes with wood. No other on-ground pool brand bundles this as a standard inclusion.

A Long-Term Partner, Not Just an Installer

Buying a pool means choosing a long-term relationship, and Gibraltar Pools is built for exactly that. Every installation comes with a dedicated project manager who stays available throughout the process and keeps you informed at every step, so nothing we do is a mystery.

Once your pool is in, we run a complimentary "pool school": a walkthrough of operation, maintenance, and safety features so you’re confident from the first day you swim. Our office staff are trained to answer questions on water chemistry and maintenance without requiring you to schedule online. When questions come up mid-season, you can just call.

Our team also handles everything that comes after installation: pool openings and closings, pump and motor repairs, heater service, salt system maintenance, leak repair, and water chemistry management across all makes and models of pool equipment. Creative financing options with low monthly payments are available for qualifying customers, making the investment manageable across a wide range of budgets.

Pools we built in the early days of the company are still in regular use today, and those customers are still part of the Gibraltar family. That’s the relationship we’re describing, and it’s what more than 40 years in business looks like in practice.

What to Expect During Your Pool Installation

Our process is designed to be simple and transparent from the first conversation to the day you swim.

Step 1: Free Backyard Survey

A factory-trained design consultant visits your property, evaluates site conditions, reviews all design options and components, and walks through budget and financing with you. There’s no cost and no obligation. You’ll leave the conversation with detailed, site-specific information regardless of whether you move forward.

Step 2: Custom Design & Planning

Size, placement, and configuration are finalized to complement your space and lifestyle. Every detail is confirmed before installation is scheduled, so there are no surprises on installation day. For more on what the full process looks like, visit our pool installation page.

Step 3: Expert Installation

Our experienced crews handle the complete installation. Most Gibraltar Pools are finished in a single day, so your yard isn’t a construction site for weeks, and your routine isn’t disrupted.

Step 4: Final Walkthrough & Pool School

Before we leave, your dedicated project manager walks you through operation, maintenance, and safety. Pool school isn’t a handoff. It’s a thorough orientation so you can enjoy your pool confidently from day one.

Start Your Free Backyard Survey 

We serve homeowners throughout Maine, including Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and communities along the coast and inland regions. The free backyard survey is the no-risk starting point: no obligation, no pressure, and a site-specific plan you can take home regardless of whether you proceed.

Gibraltar Pools isn’t just the company that installs your pool. We’re the team that answers your questions mid-season, handles your opening and closing, and is still here decades later. That’s what it means to choose a long-term partner.

Schedule your free backyard survey today. Contact Gibraltar Pools at (978) 759-4445 and take the first step toward a backyard your family can use for decades.