4 Types of Pools to Consider for Your Home

If you're thinking about having a pool in your home, there are many factors to bear in mind, the top of which is the type of pool you'll need to install. This will be determined by your budget, how much space you have, maintenance, service and installation requirements as well as the climate of your region. Bearing these in mind, the following are some options to consider:

In-ground pools

These are the most common pools, and they can be made of fibreglass, concrete or vinyl-line. They involve permanent structural adjustment to your space and generally increase the curb appeal of your space to potential buyers. You can make the pool as deep or shallow as you want and have diverse shapes – though the underground plumbing system may interfere with certain shapes depending on the location of the pool. The usage should also determine the shape and size of pool. Below are your options:

• Concrete – these are the most common in-ground pools, and they are constructed in the excavated space according to your requirements. Construction follows three phases, namely excavation and pool layout. This is followed by equipment setup, shotcrete/gunnite application, coping and tile installation and installation of the interior finish. You can finish with pebble, plaster or paint. The greatest advantage this offers is the ability to fully customize the pool in design, size and shape.
• Fiberglass – these are set up at the manufacturers and simply installed into the space once excavation has been done. They are more expensive than concrete pools, but have the advantage of not altering the chemistry of water (hence reducing maintenance requirements). It is also non-porous and will not need as much brushing as plaster-finished pools. Fiberglass is also more shock-absorbent than concrete. However, talk to your dealer about construction if you live in an earthquake prone area.
• Vinyl-liner – these come as a kit, which the installer assembles on a concrete flooring after excavation. Vinyl-liner is then spread in the pool's interior. They are ideal for much colder climates since you can easily drain the pool during winter and cover till spring. The non-porous surface also makes cleaning and maintenance easier.

Above-ground pools

These are the cheapest option and are a temporary pool you can have in the summer if you don't want the expense and permanence of an in-ground pool. They are ideal since you can move them around in your space and install easily. You can choose between steel, resin and aluminium siding, and pick from a variety of shapes, sizes and decking options. Consider going with above-ground pools if you have a very small lot.

Share