The traditional materials used in the manufacturing of swimming pool fixtures and accessories until about 25 years ago were stainless steel and brass. More recently (with the exception of pool ladders and pool rails), metallic components have been replaced by composite materials such as Fiberglass, PVC and ABS. The main advantage of these materials is their resistance to chemicals and the fact that they are immune to rust or corrosion.

Long gone are the days in which the word “plastic” was synonymous with “cheap” or “inferior”. Modern composites engineered with UV inhibitors will outlast steel in the harsh chlorine environments of swimming pools. This is particularly the case in swimming pools with unbalanced chemicals or that are equipped with Salt Water Chlorine Generators. The main reason that pool rails and pool ladders were the last steel item to be replaced by composites was the difficulty of engineering a sufficiently rigid structure out of an inherently flexible material.

Some manufacturers have solved this problem by coating standard steel ladders with a thin layer of rubberized compound to isolate the steel from the water, but these coatings are delicate and scratch easily. The best products on the market today consist of a thick polymer outer shell and encapsulated internal steel to provide rigidity. The thick polymer casing protects the steel from the elements while providing the desired color and finish.