How to Pick a Durable In-Ground Pool Without Overspending

One of the best parts of owning a home is being able to relax and have fun whenever you wish to, especially during vacations, so you can sit and play around with kids or loved ones in your pool.

Whether you’re dreaming of a custom shape for swimming laps or a low-maintenance pool for relaxing, knowing your pool types is essential before choosing and investing. This article will focus explicitly on the major types of inground pools and how homeowners can decide which is best for their yard, depending on the budget.

Concrete Pools

Coming in first on the list are concrete pools, which are mainly built onsite, as they involve excavating a hole, installing steel reinforcement, and spraying or pouring a concrete mix to form the pool shell.

This is then followed by finishing the surface with plaster, tile, aggregate, or stone. One of the perks of having a concrete pool in your home is that you can design any shape you want, ranging from curved edges, beach entries, infinity edges, and tanning ledges.

Compared to other types, these pools can last decades if properly maintained. You can also add higher-end finishes like mosaic tiles, natural stone, and custom lighting to add to the aesthetics and luxury of your home.

However, one of the downsides is that concrete pools are expensive to build, take longer to install, usually within three to six months, and often require contractors to wait for the concrete to cure and install finishes. Concrete pools also demand regular maintenance, which means more algae growth, more chemicals, regular cleaning, and potential resurfacing every ten to twenty years.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Another in-ground pool types is the vinyl liner pool, which is built with a frame mostly from steel, polymer, or concrete, and lined with a flexible vinyl liner to hold water. Unlike others, they are generally the most affordable type to build, a good fit for homeowners who are on a budget but also want to enjoy luxury. They offer more flexibility in shapes than fiberglass, although it is still less than concrete, but it gives clients the option of picking liner colors/patterns.

On the other hand, vinyl liners degrade over time due to chemicals, UV, and wear and tear, needing replacement every eight to twelve years, depending on how they are used. They are also susceptible to damage from sharp objects, causing deterioration at the liner edges and wall frames.

Fiberglass Pools

Think of Fiberglass pools as a one-piece pool built in a factory as one shell. This shell is often delivered to homes and lowered into a dug hole, having a gel coat finish that’s smooth and non-porous. The smooth surface resists algae more easily, requiring fewer chemicals and minimal upkeep. Likewise, the shells are quite durable and strong during installation, making the process faster within days or weeks at most.

However, one of the downsides to building this in a home is that there are limits to how big or what shape you can get. Likewise, since the shell is factory-made and must be transported to the construction location, moving a large shell requires planning and possibly special equipment, making it not feasible for homeowners with a small budget.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pool Type

Below are highlights of key pointers to consider when trying to decide on a pool type, irrespective of how big or small you want it.

• Installation time and disruption: Sometimes, you need to consider how willing you are to keep your yard under construction. This is because concrete pools take longer and cause more disruption, while fiberglass and vinyl are often quicker.
• Design flexibility: If you want your pool to have a distinct physical appearance with weird shapes, infinity edges, or premium features, concrete should be your go-to choice. However, if your preferences are something basic or generic, then fiberglass or vinyl would be a much better choice.
• Climatic conditions: Extreme cold or heat, soil movement, and seasonal freeze cycles can affect certain types of pools. For instance, vinyl liners and concrete often suffer in freezing climates, while fiberglass shells thrive during these seasons. This is a result of the material’s natural flexibility, which allows it to expand and contract slightly with temperature changes without traces of cracks.
• Resale value: As a pool owner, know that a well-installed, durable pool adds more property value in the long run, which is why when you are buying, ensure to look out for pools that are low maintenance and built to last.

Endnote

Choosing the right in-ground pool type is not just about having something fancy; rather, it is about your lifestyle, climate, and materials that will serve you for years to come. Irrespective of your preferred pool shape or size, always remember that the best in-ground pool is the one that complements your yard and matches how much effort or cost you’re ready to put in for maintenance and enjoyment.