Pool Builder in Lebanon, TN — Custom Inground Pools
Marlin Exteriors builds new inground pools for homeowners in Lebanon and throughout Wilson County. Our primary specialty is fiberglass pool installation, and we also build custom gunite pools and vinyl liner pools. Every project is planned as a complete backyard environment — pool, decking, outdoor living and surrounding space — from the initial consultation through final installation. Whether you are in Lebanon, Watertown, or elsewhere in the area, we are available to evaluate your property and walk through your options at no charge.
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited business with top rating
Serving Lebanon & Wilson County
Wilson County and surrounding Middle Tennessee
More Than 20 Years Construction Experience
Middle Tennessee construction expertise
Why Lebanon Homeowners Choose Marlin Exteriors
Marlin Exteriors is a locally operated pool and exterior company based in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee — just down the road from Lebanon in the same Wilson County corridor. We serve homeowners in Lebanon and throughout the surrounding Middle Tennessee region. Our work is new inground pool construction — fiberglass, gunite and vinyl liner — and we approach each project as a full backyard build rather than a standalone pool installation. That means planning the pool alongside the decking, patio, equipment placement and surrounding outdoor space from the beginning.
We bring more than 20 years of construction experience to every project. That background shapes how we evaluate a site, how we manage the construction sequence and how we communicate with homeowners throughout the process. We are BBB A+ rated, and we offer a free consultation and estimate for homeowners in Lebanon and Wilson County who are considering a new pool.
Fiberglass is our primary specialty, and it is the pool type we install most frequently. We also build custom gunite pools for homeowners whose property or design goals call for a fully site-built structure, and vinyl liner pools for homeowners who prefer that construction approach. We discuss all three options during the consultation so you can make an informed decision based on your specific property and priorities.
Fiberglass Pools in Lebanon
A fiberglass pool begins as a manufactured shell. The shell is built off-site by the manufacturer, then delivered to your property as a pre-formed structure and set into the excavated space. When you choose a fiberglass pool, you select from the models offered by the manufacturer — the shape, size and depth of the pool are determined by the shell you choose. Available models vary by manufacturer and may include a range of rectangular, freeform and geometric profiles in different depths and widths.
The interior surface of a fiberglass shell is a smooth, non-porous gel coat. Because the shell arrives already manufactured, the on-site construction process is generally more streamlined than a comparable gunite pool, where the structure is built in place from the ground up. Depending on the model, fiberglass pools may include integrated features such as tanning ledges, built-in steps, benches and other design elements that are part of the shell itself. Property access is a practical consideration — the shell must be delivered and placed, and crane access may be needed depending on the property layout and any overhead obstacles such as power lines or tree canopy.
Custom Gunite Pools in Lebanon
A gunite pool is constructed entirely on-site. After excavation, a reinforced steel framework is assembled in the shape of the pool. Gunite — a dry-mix concrete applied pneumatically — is then sprayed over the steel framework to form the shell. Because the structure is built in place rather than delivered as a pre-formed shell, the shape, depth and layout of a gunite pool can be designed around the specific conditions and dimensions of your property. That flexibility makes gunite a practical option for homeowners with irregular lot shapes, specific depth requirements or design goals that fall outside the available fiberglass model range.
Custom features that can be incorporated into a gunite pool design include tanning ledges, benches, integrated steps, attached spas, water features and other elements appropriate to the project. Interior finish options for gunite pools may include plaster, aggregate blends and tile, each of which affects the appearance and texture of the finished surface. Because the structure is built in place, gunite construction generally involves a more extensive on-site construction process than setting a manufactured fiberglass shell.
Vinyl Liner Pool Options
A vinyl liner pool is a third new-construction option. The structural walls and floor of the pool are constructed on-site using panels or block, depending on the system. Once the structure is in place, a flexible vinyl liner is fitted over it to form the finished swimming surface. The liner is available in a range of patterns and colors, which allows for some variation in the appearance of the finished pool. Unlike the gel-coat surface of a fiberglass shell or the plaster and aggregate finishes applied to a gunite pool, the vinyl liner is a separate, replaceable component.
Vinyl liner pools have different design, surface and long-term ownership characteristics than fiberglass and gunite. The range of available shapes and configurations is generally more limited than what is possible with a fully custom gunite build, and the liner surface requires care to avoid punctures or damage during use. When the liner reaches the end of its serviceable condition, it can be replaced without reconstructing the pool structure. For more detail on vinyl liner pool construction, visit our swimming pool page.
Choosing the Right Pool for Your Lebanon Backyard
Fiberglass, gunite and vinyl liner pools are each legitimate new-construction options, and each has distinct characteristics that may make it a better or worse fit for a given property and homeowner. The table below summarizes the key differences across six categories. These are general descriptions — the right choice for your project depends on your specific property, design goals and ownership priorities, and is best determined through a consultation.
| Category | Fiberglass | Gunite | Vinyl Liner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction method | Pre-formed shell manufactured off-site, delivered to the property and set into the excavated space | Built on-site using a reinforced steel framework with gunite sprayed over the steel | Structural walls and floor installed on-site; flexible vinyl liner fitted over the structure |
| Design flexibility | Homeowners choose from the manufacturer's available models; shape, size and depth are determined by the shell design | Fully custom — shape, depth, layout and features are designed around the specific property and homeowner's goals | Shape and size options are available, though the range of custom configurations is generally more limited than gunite |
| Finished surface | Smooth, non-porous gel coat — the surface is part of the manufactured shell | Interior finish applied on-site; options may include plaster, aggregate blends and tile | Flexible vinyl liner fitted over the pool structure; available in a range of patterns and colors |
| On-site construction | Generally more streamlined on-site process — the shell arrives as a finished unit; no on-site forming, steel work or plastering of the pool shell | More extensive on-site construction process — multiple trades and phases involved in forming and finishing the shell | Structural components are installed on-site; liner installation follows once the structure is complete |
| Maintenance considerations | Smooth gel-coat surface does not require the same surface treatments as plaster; routine water chemistry maintenance applies | Plaster and aggregate surfaces require periodic surface maintenance and water chemistry management; specific needs vary by finish type | Liner surface requires care to avoid punctures or damage; water chemistry management applies as with other pool types |
| Long-term surface/liner | Gel-coat surface is part of the manufactured shell; condition over time depends on water chemistry and care | Plaster and aggregate finishes are refinishable; surface condition over time depends on water chemistry, use and maintenance | The liner is a replaceable component; it can be replaced when its condition requires it without reconstructing the pool structure |
Planning a Pool for Your Lebanon Property
Before construction begins, a number of site and project factors need to be evaluated. Understanding your property's conditions, access and applicable requirements early in the process helps ensure the project is planned accurately and that the right pool type and placement are selected for your specific situation.
Property, Access and Site Conditions
The available backyard space and its relationship to the house are the starting point for any pool placement discussion. How the pool is positioned affects the deck and patio area around it, circulation paths, and where pool equipment will be located. Excavation access is a practical consideration for every project — equipment needs a clear path to the work area. For fiberglass pools specifically, the shell must be delivered and placed, which may require crane access depending on the property layout and any overhead obstacles such as power lines or tree canopy. Grade and slope affect how the site is prepared and how drainage is managed around the finished pool. Properties with meaningful elevation changes may require additional planning for retaining walls, drainage routing or multi-level decking. Underground utility locations are identified before excavation begins. If rock or limestone is encountered during excavation, specialized equipment may be required, which can affect the excavation process. These factors are evaluated during the site consultation and inform the project plan.
Permitting and Inspections
Pool projects must comply with applicable local permitting, inspection and safety requirements. Marlin Exteriors coordinates applicable project requirements as part of the construction process. Specific requirements can vary depending on the property, the jurisdiction and the scope of the work. We discuss permitting and inspections during the consultation so homeowners in Lebanon and Wilson County understand what is involved before the project begins.
Designing the Pool as Part of the Backyard
A pool project is more successful when the pool and surrounding backyard are planned together from the beginning. The relationship between the pool and the house — how the two spaces connect, how movement flows between indoor and outdoor areas, and where the pool is visible from inside — shapes how the finished backyard functions day to day. Available yard space, the sizing of the deck and patio area, furniture placement, gathering areas and circulation paths around the pool all factor into how the space is used. Walking paths, surface transitions and the overall layout of the outdoor environment are part of the planning conversation, not decisions left for later.
Features such as tanning ledges, integrated steps, benches, attached spas and water features are better considered during the design process than treated as additions after construction is underway. Pool and surrounding lighting, equipment placement, plumbing runs and mechanical access and clearances are also planned at this stage. Marlin Exteriors approaches each project as a full backyard environment — not simply the installation of a pool shell — so that the finished space works as a whole rather than as a collection of separate decisions made at different points in the project. Browse our gallery to see examples of completed pool and outdoor living projects from across Middle Tennessee.
Lebanon, Wilson County and Hartsville
Marlin Exteriors serves homeowners in Lebanon and throughout Wilson County. Lebanon is the county seat of Wilson County and the primary focus of this page. We also serve homeowners in Watertown and other Wilson County communities. Mt. Juliet, also in Wilson County, has its own dedicated service page.
Hartsville & Trousdale County
Hartsville is the county seat of Trousdale County, located northeast of Lebanon. Trousdale County is a separate county from Wilson County, and Hartsville is a distinct community with its own character and property landscape. Homeowners in Hartsville and the surrounding Trousdale County area who are considering a new inground pool are welcome to contact Marlin Exteriors. We serve homeowners in Hartsville and Trousdale County and are glad to discuss your property and project goals. If you are in the Hartsville area and want to confirm service availability for your specific address, reach out directly and we will let you know.
Watertown
Watertown is located in Wilson County, east of Lebanon. Properties in the area vary in lot size and configuration, and we evaluate each site individually before making any recommendations.
Surrounding Area
Homeowners throughout Wilson County and the surrounding Middle Tennessee area are welcome to contact us to discuss their property and confirm service availability. We evaluate each project based on the specific site and location.
Our Lebanon Pool Construction Process
Every pool project moves through a defined sequence from the initial conversation to the day you use your pool for the first time. The steps below describe how a Lebanon project typically progresses — from understanding your goals to completing construction and walking you through the finished result.
Consultation
We start by understanding what you are looking for — how the pool will be used, which pool type interests you, what features matter most, your property and your general project budget. This conversation shapes everything that follows.
Site Evaluation
We evaluate the available space, discuss pool placement options, assess access for equipment and delivery, review grade and slope, identify drainage considerations, locate utilities and note any overhead obstacles or constraints that affect the project.
Pool Design & Selections
For fiberglass projects, we work through manufacturer model options and applicable features. For gunite, we develop the custom shape, layout and feature set. For vinyl liner, we finalize structural and design selections along with liner choices. Equipment and decking selections are also addressed at this stage where applicable.
Pre-Construction Planning
We coordinate applicable project requirements, establish the construction schedule, confirm site preparation needs and handle the planning and coordination work that takes place before construction begins.
Construction & Installation
Work includes excavation, followed by fiberglass shell placement, gunite construction or vinyl structure and liner installation depending on the pool type. Plumbing, equipment installation and applicable decking or related work are completed as part of this phase. Scope and sequence vary by pool type, property and project.
Completion & Pool Orientation
We complete applicable final project steps, walk you through basic equipment operation and controls, and conduct a homeowner walkthrough so you understand how your pool and its systems work before we hand the project over to you.
Our Work in Middle Tennessee
Browse completed pool and outdoor living projects from across Middle Tennessee. Every project shown was designed and built by the Marlin Exteriors team.
Financing Your Lebanon Pool
Financing can allow homeowners to consider the pool and surrounding backyard as an overall project rather than making every selection based only on immediate cash expenditure. When the pool, decking, outdoor living features and equipment are planned and financed together, the result is typically a more cohesive finished space than when features are added incrementally over time. Marlin Exteriors works with three financing partners — VistaFi, Lyon Financial and Regions Bank — who offer pool and home-improvement lending programs for qualified borrowers.
Each lender has its own programs, qualifications and current terms. We encourage homeowners to review available options directly with the financing provider to understand what applies to their situation. Visit our financing partners page for more information on each lender.
View Financing PartnersPlanning your Lebanon pool project?
Our guide to the inground pool installation process in Lebanon, TN covers site evaluation, excavation, pool-type selection and the construction sequence from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lebanon Pool Projects
Ready to Build Your Lebanon Pool?
If you are planning a new inground pool in Lebanon, Wilson County, Hartsville or the surrounding area, we would be glad to start the conversation. Marlin Exteriors builds fiberglass, gunite and vinyl liner pools and plans each project as a complete backyard environment. Contact us to schedule a free site consultation — no obligation, just a straightforward conversation about your property and what you are looking for.