The great thing about inground pools is that as soon as you build one, you’ve created a beautiful backyard hangout that swimmers and non-swimmers can enjoy equally. For families with kids, a pool can be the best form of entertainment and the solution to summer boredom. If you’re ready to turn your property into an at-home resort, you’ll want to determine your budget, desired features, and timeframe, as these will all affect the type of inground pool you choose.
Type and Price
When you’re dangling your feet in your neighbor’s pool, you’re probably enjoying the refreshing feel of the water and the reflections of the sky above. You may never even notice whether it’s a concrete, vinyl-lined, or fiberglass pool, but the type of pool is key to your purchasing decision.
Concrete pools are at the top of the price range, averaging between $30,000 and $50,000, and offer the most design flexibility and opportunity for unique features. Concrete is typically the go-to choice for elaborate and large-scale designs, the cost of which can go well into the hundred thousands. Vinyl-lined pools are more budget-friendly and cost between $30,000 and $35,000. These smooth-surfaced pools can accommodate custom designs, but their liners must be replaced every 15 to 20 years. Vinyl liners provide a smooth surface that resists algae and is easy to clean.
Like vinyl liners, fiberglass pools also provide a smooth, low-maintenance surface, but the way they are constructed is quite different. Fiberglass pools are built using pre-designed molds to form a one-piece shell. They fall in the middle of the two price ranges, costing approximately $25,000 to $40,000 or more.
Design Possibilities
When envisioning your inground pool, think about the shape, theme, and built-in features you would like; these may determine the most suitable construction method, which will also affect the builder you choose. Pool designs such as deck-level pools, vanishing edges, perimeter overflows, and multilevel pools can all be achieved using concrete, in addition to freeform shapes customized to fit any backyard. The interior of a concrete pool can be finished with colored plaster, fiberglass coatings, stone and pebble-like aggregates, or even glass tile.
Vinyl-lined pools have recently become more versatile, allowing for high-end pool designs and special features, such as waterfalls and grottos. Liners come in various colors and patterns, offering a unique look for your pool’s interior.
Though fiberglass pools come in predetermined molds, there is such a wide variety of types—available in numerous sizes and depths—that it’s easy to find one with the features you’re looking for. Vanishing-edge pools, lap pools, and freeform shapes are just some of the choices. Many molds include built-in features such as corner spas, loveseats, sun shelves, and benches that extend the entire length of the pool.
The pool design you choose should also match your desired theme. Fortunately, pool designers focus heavily on harmony when develop-ing their designs and will make recommendations on how to achieve the best look. Here are a few general guidelines they typically follow: Freeform and curvilinear pools work best within tropical themes, which often include rock waterfalls and beach entries, while traditional pools use straight lines to establish a formal look. Contemporary designs incorporate symmetry and uniform patterns that are often achieved with geometric shapes and smooth materials. Vanishing-edges can be incorporated into almost any theme; they offer breathtaking views when positioned in the forefront of a cityscape, mountain range, or natural body of water.
Installation
Each type of inground pool varies in its construction process and the time required to complete it. Of course, they all start with a hole dug by a construction crew. With concrete, steel rebar is installed to create the framework, and cement is sprayed over it. The concrete then needs to cure for about a month before the pool can be filled and ready for use. Because their designs are truly customized, concrete pools often take several months to build.
Vinyl-lined pools begin with the assembly of steel, polymer, or concrete forms for the walls; the bottom of the hole is then covered with sand or poured concrete, and the vinyl liner is secured into place. The whole installation process takes only a few weeks.
With fiberglass, your selected mold is lifted by a crane and dropped into place. If you’ve ever watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, you know that fiberglass pools can be installed in a week or less; by day seven, that pool is ready for your best cannonball!
Photo courtesy of Water Frontiers