If you’re looking to make an addition to your residential property, why not consider a swimming pool? After all, having a pool allows you and your family to spend quality time together, relax and cool down, particularly during summers. It’s also the best place for you to teach your kids swimming – an activity that has a number of proven health benefits.
In this post, we’ll discuss some tips that would help you to choose the pool that’s just right for your family’s needs. So, read on to know how you can add the swimming pool you need and deserve to your residential property.
In-Ground Vs Above-Ground
Swimming pools are categorized into in-ground pools and above-ground pools and both types have their distinct pros and cons. In-ground pools will give you much more room for customization than above-ground pools would and they can be tailormade for individual properties. In the long run, in-ground pools also add resale value to a property.
In terms of disadvantages, in-ground pools tend to cost a lot more than above-ground pools and installations are time-consuming as well, often taking a few weeks/months depending on the pool’s size.
As far as above-ground pools are concerned, the main advantages they provide include the ease of installation and their relative affordability. Even though customization options for above-ground pools don’t compare to what’s on offer for in-ground pools, many modern-day above-ground pools can be customized by adding railing and decking features at a higher price. Above-ground pools can be installed by professionals within a few days.
The major disadvantage of above-ground pools is that they are not considered permanent additions to a property, which is why they will not result in an increase in property values. On the plus side, these pools can be moved, which is a good thing if you’re unsure regarding whether you want a permanent pool structure or not.
Above-Ground Pool
In-Ground Pool
Materials To Consider For In-Ground Pools
If you’re going ahead with an in-ground pool installation, you should know the materials you can choose from. The most popular in-ground pool materials are concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass and in this section, we’ll delve deep into the pros and cons of each material. Let’s start with concrete.
Choosing concrete as the pool material is ideal if you want the swimming pool to be an incredibly large or deep one. Concrete pools are incredibly durable too and you can expect them to last at least a decade. However, concrete pools can take more than a month to install and are the most expensive types of pools to maintain, and once the concrete wears out after a decade or more of use, you’ll have to spend a fortune to restore the pool. Concrete pools also require frequent use of chemicals to destroy contaminants.
A vinyl liner is the second-most popular in-ground swimming pool material and its two greatest benefits include the scope of customization and low installation costs. However, vinyl liners have to be replaced every 5 – 9 years, which makes them much less durable than concrete. There are also frequently reported issues with vinyl liner warranty. Typically, the warranty period stated is twenty years, but in reality, you’re probably going to be covered only for about 2 – 3 years.
Fiberglass is an in-ground swimming pool material that’s becoming more popular with time and it offers a multitude of benefits. Fiberglass pools rank among the most durable pools and compared to vinyl liner and concrete pools, they also cost considerably lesser to maintain. However, the initial costs of installing a fiberglass pool are higher than installing a vinyl liner pool. Fiberglass pools are also compatible with salt chlorinators, which is an added advantage. The major disadvantage of fiberglass pools is that there’s not much room for maneuver as far as customization goes.
Fibreglass pools rank among the most durable pools and cost considerably less to maintain
Pool Size
If money is no object for you, you can go ahead and have a big pool installed without any second thoughts. However, if you’re working within a strict budget, the size of the pool is one of the most important considerations you have to make. Some of the factors that will help you determine what pool size you should go for include:
- How many members there are in your family
- How often you’ll invite friends and relatives over for family gatherings
- What the purpose of the pool will be primarily, i.e. whether it will be for recreation or regular exercise.
If your family consists of 6 – 8 members, you should ideally go for a rectangular-shaped 18-foot by 36-foot pool, which will ensure enough space for all members without too much crowding. There will also be ample space for playing a variety of pool games.
If your family has less than 6 members, you can consider a 16-foot by 32-foot pool. Along with the rectangular option, you can also explore bean-shaped and kidney-shaped pools for this size, or you could exercise your imagination and come up with a free form based on how you’d want the pool to look.
If recreation is the only purpose behind the installation of the pool, an even smaller 14-foot by 25-foot pool can work wonders as well. Pools of this size are ideal for residential properties that don’t boast of the biggest backyards.
Additional Expenses
Some of the additional expenses that you’ll need to consider before a pool installation include the equipment you’ll need to maintain the pool. Pool equipment such as pool filter pumps, chlorinators, and cleaning systems are essential so that the water in the pool remains safe for yourself and your family to swim in. You may also choose additional features, such as heating and lighting systems.
Running conventional pool filter pumps and cleaning systems can greatly increase your energy consumption, which is why many modern-day pool owners are gradually upgrading to ‘smart’ pools. These upgrades allow owners to run pool filter pumps and cleaning systems remotely and while they involve high initial expenses, their long-term benefits can’t be overlooked, as they save much more energy than traditional pool maintenance systems.
Intelligent salt chlorinators are available these days as well and they automatically detect the level of chlorine inside the pool. If it detects less than the required amounts of chlorine, it will dispense the necessary amount in the pool. Even though many technological developments have taken place that has allowed owners to maintain their pools more conveniently than ever before, you still have to do your bit to ensure that your pool is in prime condition for swimming. It’s recommended to call professional pool installers and maintenance companies if you ever need help with your pool. While it may cost you some extra money, it’ll potentially save you a whole lot more in the long run.
A swimming pool is a big investment, even if you’re buying the cheapest option available. However, with the aforementioned factors and tips, we hope that you can have a pool installed that suits the needs of your family perfectly. Last but not least, don’t forget to talk to pool installation professionals regarding the safety measures that can be installed. Pool safety measures can prevent your kids from facing completely avoidable accidents at the pool and help you to breathe easy when you’re away from home.
