40 Years of Pool Building: What We’ve Learned

If there’s one thing we’ve learned after nearly 40 years of building pools in Panama City, it’s this: every backyard tells a story and sometimes a cautionary tale.

Gilbertson Pools didn’t pop up overnight. We’ve been around long enough to remember when pool designs were simpler, liners came in fewer patterns, and “pool tech” mostly meant a good pump and someone who knew what they were doing. And honestly? That last part still matters the most.

Over the decades, we’ve built pools for growing families, watched kids turn into parents, and then come back to build pools for their kids. We’ve seen trends come and go, equipment get smarter, and Florida weather stay just as unpredictable as ever.

A stunning pool design that complements a serene backyard landscape.

What 40 Years Will Teach You

Experience has a funny way of sharpening your instincts. After thousands of pools, we can usually spot a problem before it becomes one. We know how Florida soil behaves. We know how heat, sun, and storms affect vinyl liners. And we definitely know what shortcuts not to take.

We’ve also learned that most pool problems fall into one of two categories:

1. “This could have been done right the first time.”

2. “Someone said it would be cheaper.”

   
   

Spoiler alert: it usually wasn’t.

Why We Specialize in Vinyl-Lined Pools

Vinyl liner pools have come a long way, and when they’re built correctly, they’re one of the best options for Florida homeowners. They’re customizable, cost-effective, comfortable underfoot, and easier to maintain than many people realize.

We’ve replaced liners that lasted far beyond expectations… and others that didn’t make it nearly as long because of poor installation. The difference is never luck. It’s experience.

Pools Are About More Than Water

At the end of the day, we’re not just building pools. We’re building places where memories happen. Birthday parties, weekend cookouts, first swims, and last cannonballs before college. We take that seriously, even if we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

We believe in doing the job right, being honest about costs, and standing behind our work. That mindset has kept us busy for decades, mostly through word of mouth, which, in our opinion, is still the best review system there is.

Still Here. Still Building. Still Loving It.

After 40 years, we’re still excited to turn an empty backyard into something special. Still answering questions. Still fixing things others missed. Still proud to be a local, family-run business serving Panama City and the surrounding areas.

And yes, we’ve probably seen it before.