What's the Difference! What You Should Know Before Picking A Pool
So it’s summer-time and the heat is starting to intensify. You want to stay active but you don’t want to exacerbate your overwhelming need to take up residence in the mall fountain. So what do you do? Why not combine the two ideas without ever hearing the words, “Security, we’ve got another one!” screamed across the food court? Pools are a great way to stay physically active and cooled off, all at the same time. But before you purchase something you might not be satisfied with, or something that might not suite your needs, read up on the different types of pools available to you to best serve your own specific needs. The five pool types mentioned below should give you enough information to successfully make an informed decision.
First, let’s look at the ever familiar Above Ground Pool. This type of pool is excellent for those pool lovers who are looking to stay cooled off, without applying heat to their wallets. Because Above Ground Pools come in different sizes, shapes, and builds, it’s common for the consumer to also be the installer. This process is usually a fairly quick and easy one, depending on the aforementioned variations. It’s important to note that Above Ground Pools can be made of different materials, depending on the intended structure. Most parents are familiar with the soft sided, latex or rubber made option which has been known to grace many a backyard housing younger children. The other option with Above Ground Pools is the hard sided pool made from either fiberglass or metallic textiles. This provides for a more sturdy and reinforced structure. Both types can be exactly what the consumer wants based on their available space and particular needs. A huge plus for soft sided pools is their less expensive cost and quick installment. A huge plus for hard sided pools is their durability and their ability to accessorize (i.e. decks and sliding boards.)
Next, let’s look at the ever coveted In Ground Pool. Now, here’s where it can get tricky. In Ground Pools usually come in three different options- concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass. But first, let’s take a minute to discuss In Ground Pools generally. Something important to keep in mind is your actual space available. Also, what does that space look like? Is it hilly? Is there a slope or slant in the ground? These are important facts to consider before picking your pool design. One of the biggest problems consumers have is the sometimes necessary change to their original pool design. This change can come as a result of not enough space, uneven ground, or general unavailability of a specific type of design. It’s recommended that consumers go into their design picking with flexible ideas. Have a general idea in mind, but be willing to change your thought process if need be.
Now, as for concrete pools, most people know them as either Gunite or Shotcrete. These terms simply speak to how the materials are put together to form what we see as the end result. The main difference in the two materials is that one is poured into the main pool frame creating that reinforced structure, and the other is sprayed into the frame causing the same effect. The finishing touches to these pools can be either pebble aggregate, polished marble, plaster (colored or plain), painting, glass bead, or tile. A huge plus to these types of pools is the possible variation in design, though it is important to keep in mind the time commitment associated with this type, from start to finish.
Vinyl pools are actually In Ground Pools that are put together on location as the vinyl is actually in the liner of the pool walls. For the consumer, the space is identified, the area is excavated, the walls of the pool are erected, and then the vinyl liner is inserted and locked into place. So, from the public eye, the liner is the substance seen. Because of that, vinyl liners come in many different colors, shapes, sizes, and designs. They can fit almost any design and/or shape and are quite durable. A huge plus to vinyl liners is its durability without a large time commitment as they are quicker to construct than concrete pools. Something to keep in mind is the need to maintain a vinyl liner without perforation.
Lastly, as for our fiberglass pools, most of the aforementioned pluses apply to this type as to the vinyl liner type. That said, one major difference that needs to be considered is that fiberglass pools are erected at the manufacturer, not at the intended location, and are usually a one piece deal without much room for design change. The fiberglass is the shell or casing for the pool. So, for the consumer, once the space is identified, and the area is excavated, then the fiberglass pool goes directly into place.
