The 5 Different Types Of In Ground Swimming Pools
Written by dunk
With new materials and improvements in construction technology, there has never been more choice available to the homeowner shopping for a backyard swimming pool. Some provide flexibility with regards to size and shape. Others speak to durability and permanence. To help you decide what kind of pool best suits your needs, heres a brief introduction on the different kinds of in ground swimming pools on the market, each with a different price point and advantages.
Which One Is The Best Type Of Inground Pool
It depends upon your budget, requirements and use. It is advisable to seek professional help if you are looking to install an inground pool in your property.
Monmouth Pools NJ is one of the best pool contractors in the region. We can install a pool of your choice and liking. Just share with us your expectations. We will not only meet but exceed all your expectations. Whether you are looking for a basic vinyl liner pool or a custom gunite or concrete pool loaded with features that you always wanted. Whatever the case, we are here to help you! Call us today for unbiased consultation.
What Is The Best Type Of Swimming Pool For My Home
So youre thinking about getting a swimming pool for your backyard that will provide years of enjoyment, laughter, and fun for your family. No doubt, owning a swimming pool will have a wonderful and lasting effect on your life. Notwithstanding, in order to make the most out of this experience, its important you understand what your options are and which type of pool will best suit your needs.
Even though we are one of the worlds largest manufacturers of inground fiberglass swimming pools here at Leisure Pools, weve decided to give you the honest and unbiased answers you need to answer this very important question. Here goes
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Concrete By Any Other Name Is Still Concrete
In the pool world, theres one type of product builders use for construction of a concrete pool surface. Its called, well, concrete.
If youve heard pool designers and pool owners talk about gunite, shotcrete, or cast pools, theyre talking about concrete pools. Mystery solved, right?
The mystery only deepens when you realize they all share a name but vary in the following ways:
- Strength
- Water-tightness
- Construction method
Lets take a quick look at all three concrete products starting with the one known as cast-in-place.
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Disadvantages Of Vinyl Liner Pools
The biggest disadvantage of a vinyl liner inground pool is the liner itself. The material is a polymer and it will break down over time and need to be replaced. Also, the liner can tear easily or become undone from the sides, causing it slowly to fall into the water.
On average , you can expect your inground vinyl liner to last between 7-12 years, with the average cost of replacement in the $3,000 to $7,000 range, depending on the size/shape of the pool.
Another disadvantage of a liner pool is the aesthetic look. Generally speaking, a standard liner pool installation will look much cheaper and temporary than a fiberglass or concrete pool. As a result a vinyl liner inground pools typically dont add value to your home like a fiberglass or concrete pool would do of the same size.
In many countries now, vinyl liner pools are no longer sold and fiberglass pools and concrete pools are the swimming pools of choice.
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What Is The Best Type Of Inground Pool
If you ask a swimming pool engineer, the unanimous answer will be that an inground gunite pool or in-ground shotcrete pool are the best types of inground pools. Gunite is durable and highly customizable. Gunite is also the type of inground pool you will find almost exclusively at commercial locations like hotels, campgrounds and country clubs.
Gunite pools are engineered to withstand harsh New England winters and other vicissitudes of nature. There is a misconception that gunite pools are a better choice for homeowners in the South. That is simply not true. No matter where it is located, a properly engineered inground gunite pool will stand up over time better than any other type of inground pool. A liner pool is nothing more than an above-ground pool put in the ground with some additional supports to hold up the walls a fiberglass pool is no different than a fiberglass bathtub, just larger.
If the winter frost can damage a gunite pool , that same frost will surely damage a fiberglass or vinyl wall. A gunite pool is engineered to have tensile strength, not compressive strength, which means it will flex as required, and due to the thickness of the gunite we install, along with the rebar we use, you will end up with the best quality pool possible.
Advantages Of Fibreglass Pools
Generally speaking, its now an accepted fact that fibreglass pools require the least amount of maintenance of any swimming pool on the market today. With their smooth, non-porous surfaces, its hard for algae to grow on fibreglass and when used with a salt chlorinator, the minimal maintenance is astounding for many pool owners.
Fibreglass swimming pools can be installed in a very short period of time. The main reason being is that the swimming pool structure is fabricated off site meaning that once the hole for the swimming pool is excavated the finished swimming pool structure can be lowered into the hole and all that is then required is for the decking and landscaping to be completed around the swimming pool. Fibreglass swimming pools can be fully installed an operational in as little as 5 days.
Leisure Pools have made tremendous advancements in the colour technology of fibreglass swimming pools. Leisure Pools offers each of its swimming pool designs in the Leisure Pools SMART colour range. This new colour range is available in 8 distinct colours and each has a spectacular sparkle finish. The surface is smooth and as a result children and adults skin is not damaged by the pool surface.
The Allure fibreglass swimming pool with built-in spa
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Advantages Of Fiberglass Pools
Generally speaking, its now an accepted fact that fiberglass pools require the least amount of maintenance of any swimming pool on the market today. With their smooth, non-porous surfaces, its hard for algae to grow on fiberglass and when used with a salt chlorinator, the minimal maintenance is astounding for many pool owners.
Fiberglass swimming pools can be installed in a very short period of time. The main reason being is that the swimming pool structure is fabricated off site meaning that once the hole for the swimming pool is excavated the finished swimming pool structure can be lowered into the hole and all that is then required is for the decking and landscaping to be completed around the swimming pool. Fiberglass swimming pools can be fully installed an operational in as little as 5 days.
Leisure Pools have made tremendous advancements in the color technology of fiberglass swimming pools. Leisure Pools offers each of its swimming pool designs in the Leisure Pools SMART color range. This new color range is available in 7 distinct colors and each has a spectacular sparkle finish. The surface is smooth and as a result children and adults skin is not damaged by the pool surface.
The Limitless fiberglass swimming pool with built-in spa
Best For Kids: H2ogo Underwater Oasis Spray Pool
Dimensions: 8 feet x 26 inches | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 555 gallons | Frame: Inflatable | Set-Up Time: 10 minutes
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No warranty
If you’re looking for a safe, affordable solution for entertaining kids outside in warm weather, the H2OGO! Underwater Oasis Spray Pool. They’ll love the included inflatable dolphin, which can be connected to your garden hose to spray water . The pool as a whole can hold up to 555 gallons of waterand at more than 8 feet wide, there’s plenty of room for multiple kiddos to splash around.
Parents will also be happy to know that this pool is super easy to set up: it takes just under 10 minutes to inflate, deflate, and store, so you can easily schedule playtime, anytime. What’s more, the 3-ply Tritech liner is puncture-resistant , making this a pool that will last you for seasons to come.
Our number-one pick for above-ground pools is the Intex Ultra XTR Pool Set . Intex is a reliable brand, and this reasonably priced round pool is the perfect medium size. Plus, it comes with a sand filter pump, ladder, ground cloth, and debris cover. If you are looking for a rectangular-sized option, we recommend the Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool Set. The pool is 52 inches deep, comes in various sizes, and has a puncture-resistant, triple-ply liner, and a powder-coated steel frame.
The Spruce / Angelica Leicht
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Gunite Pools Vs Fiberglass Pools Installation
Here is one huge difference.
The fiberglass pool installation is generally a very quick and easy process. Because the shell comes pre-built from the manufacturer, essentially, the installation process is a matter of simply dropping the shell in the dug-up hole and connecting the plumbing.
The installation and construction of a gunite pool are much more complicated, as all the work is done onsite. A fiberglass pool can be installed in a matter of days, gunite concrete pools typically take weeks, or in some cases, months to design and build.
The Best Pool Filters For Inground Pools
January 5, 2021 By Austin Henderson
In the following guide, you will discover a bit more information about the best inground pool filters such and why you should have one in the first place. Additionally, well review seven of the top-selling models to find the best swimming pool filters for most inground pools.
Each inground pool filter made it on our list based on factors such as reliability, how well it filters out impurities, ease of maintenance, and more. By the end of the review, you will have an easier time deciding which one of the best pool filters for inground pools is the right choice for you.
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What Are The Pool Price Points
Vinyl liners are usually the most economical of all the different types of pools. Quality fiberglass pools typically fall in the middle. Concrete because of the material costs as well as the amount of labor, is generally the most expensive of the three. This is contingent on the individual market which varies by area of the country and what is referenced above is based on the Northeast pool market.
Which Inground Pool Type Is The Most Durable
Vinyl pools may score pretty well in installation time, but looking forward to lifetime ownership and considering uptime, there is the question of vinyl repair and replacement. Vinyl liners can be punctured or torn by pet claws or sharp objects that have fallen in the pool , thereby requiring repair. Replacement, which will usually occur every 8 to 12 years, will require a drain and refill of the pool and some downtime in-between. Considering uptime into the equation, you have to give vinyl a couple of negative marks for repair and replacement frequency. The liner replacement of a vinyl pool can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $5,000. If a pool is a larger or more freeform design, a replacement can be closer to $10,000. Vinyl liner pools are the least durable pool type for the reasons mentioned above.
Gunite/concrete pools are popular with installers familiar with the construction processes involved, and they typically appreciate the ability to customize their creation. They are less prevalent in mid-states and northern states where homeowners must contend with a freeze/thaw cycle, which can crack or heave the concrete in gunite pools.
It might seem counterintuitive, but gunite pools are not the most durable pools out there. Their porosity makes them more prone to cracks and the effects of time and pollutants, such as calcium and algae. Its highly likely that youll have to resurface your gunite pool within 10 to 15 years.
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Pool Longevity And Durability
Materials can play a role in your pools longevity. Fiberglass pools are exceptionally durable and can last the lifetime of a home. Vinyl liner pools can also last the lifetime of a home. However, the liner itself will need to be replaced on average every ten years, but provides a unique opportunity to completely refresh the look of your pool. Concrete pools can last for decades, but require routine maintenance such as costly acid washing and resurfacing approximately every 10 years.
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The Swimming Pool Material Winner: Beyond Durability
While we think that gunite is a more durable material than fiberglass, thats not the only reason to choose this swimming pool material. Fiberglass is a fairly durable materialbut theres another big downside to consider.The biggest downside to a fiberglass pool is that its not customizable.If youre going to invest in something as large and important as an outdoor swimming pool, were guessing youre not looking for a run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter pool design.
Unfortunately, thats what a lot of pool companies offer up.The truth is pool companies that build fiberglass pools really have no choice but to offer cookie-cutter designs.Thats because fiberglass pool shells are built in the factory and then shipped to your home. This means that you are limited in terms of customization. And because of that, you may have a pool mold that looks like every other pool on the block.
If youre just looking for a little kidney bean shape pool and dont care about extra features, then this may suffice. But most homeowners want something custom that is unique to their backyard.This is why gunite is such a winner.When building a gunite pool, custom pool builders will start off by digging a hole and installing the plumbing. Gunite pools use a rebar framework grid that is then sprayed with the gunite mixture . The gunite will be smoothed out and then set to completely dry before a smooth finish is applied to the rough surface.
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Which Inground Pool Type Has The Lowest Upfront Costs
Vinyl inground pool costs range from $35,000 to $65,000, the cheapest of the three types of pools in upfront costs. Downsides that may offset this plus of upfront savings include lack of high-end feature capabilities like zero-entry, more frequent need for repair and rebuild, and higher maintenance costs.
Fiberglass pools have an upfront cost that is usually slightly more than vinyl and less than gunitein the range of $45,000 to $85,000. However, due to their durability and lower maintenance costs, homeowners may want to consider overall costs or lifetime value rather than upfront costs.
Gunite is typically the most expensive of the three types of pools. Gunite inground pool cost ranges from $35,000 to $100,000 and up. However, gunite pools may be less expensive than fiberglass pools in sun-belt states that are not subject to freezing temperatures.
Disadvantages Of Above Ground Pools
For most folks, the biggest disadvantage of above ground pools is their aesthetics. Some can view an above ground pool as an eyesore. Often subdivisions do not allow for their construction within their covenants. Even with a deck built entirely around them, an above ground pool will generally never add to the appearance of your home and yard. In fact, it will likely be a deterrent.
Another disadvantage of an above ground pool is their depth and design limitation. Generally speaking, most above ground pools come in one of 3 shapescircle, oval, or rectangle.
Above ground pools simply are not built to last a long time. Their metals walls can oxidize and rust easily, and the majority of structures will generally fail in the 8-15 year mark. As a result of this, an above ground pool generally is not factored in as an improvement when a house is being valued and can be a deterrent when trying to sell a house.
Above ground pool circle shape
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Styles And Types Of Inground Pools
The type of material youre looking for is only one of the decisions youll have to make when youre looking for a pool. If you opt for a custom design, youll also need to choose the style of the pool.
Some of the most popular pool styles include family pools, lap pools, plunge pools, architectural pools, and infinity pools. Depending on your pool builders experience, if you can dream it, they can build it. Just watch Pool Kings on the DIY Network, where you see everything from traditional pools to mini water parks built in peoples backyards.
When exploring the many types of inground pools, make sure to think about your own needs and personal style. Consider how you plan to use your pool and the kinds of activities that youd like to enjoy with your family and friends. Also, keep the size and shape of your backyard itself in mind as you dream, so that you can take advantage of the space you have available.
How Long Does A Gunite Pool Last Compared To A Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass pools can last up to 15-50 years before they require resurfacing. The first signs that fiberglass pool resurfacing is needed are minor cracks and topcoat discoloration which can only be eliminated through resurfacing.
On the other hand, it is good to know how often gunite pools need to be resurfaced. Certainly, they have the edge when it comes to aesthetics, but they do need additional maintenance to keep them in their pristine condition. On average, gunite swimming pools can last 7-10 years before they need to be resurfaced.
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