Is My Backyard Big Enough For A Swimming Pool?
Contacting a pool builder near you for an on-site evaluation is the best way to find out what size, shape, or style of inground pools will work with your yard. Many of Thursday Pools’ independent dealers will provide a complimentary evaluation and estimate for creating a beautiful pool in your available space. When the pool builder arrives, it will be helpful if you have a copy of your surveyor report or plot plan available. This plan details your lot specifications and property lines, along with your house and any other structures, and helps ensure you get the most accurate estimate. Here are some common factors that can affect the size of the swimming pool your yard can accommodate: Property Line Setbacks: Many states, counties, and cities have regulations outlining how close your swimming pool can be to your property line, especially if your yard wraps around to the front of your house. Septic System or Underground Utilities: Before choosing the size and depth of your pool, your local utility company will have to come out and mark the locations of all septic systems and underground utilities in the yard. You may discover your yard is large enough […]
Read MoreBest Plants & Landscaping For Your Swimming Pool Area | Thursday Pools
Landscaping & Pool Plants 101 Your backyard swimming pool oasis is an extension of your home and a reflection of your personality. You want your outdoor living area to be an attractive, inviting, restful place that’s comfortable and provides a backdrop for staycations, and fun and elegant outdoor entertaining. Choosing the right plants to surround your inground pool can add dimension, drama, natural shade, privacy, and beauty to your swimming pool area. There are three qualities you should look for in potential pool plants for your swimming pool area: Mess-free. Choose plants that don’t shed a lot of leaves or create floating debris that can end up in your pool. Sun-loving. Choose plants that do best with lots of light, as most of your pool area probably gets full sun for much of the day. Hassle-free. Choose plants that are as low-maintenance as your pool is, so you have as much time as possible to enjoy your beautiful fiberglass pool! Let’s dig into some great choices for pool plants to enhance your swimming pool area. Insect-Repelling Plants Nothing can ruin a poolside party like uninvited, pesky insect guests. Plants that have natural mosquito-repelling properties are excellent choices for adding to […]
Read MoreHow Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost in North Carolina?
How Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost in North Carolina? If you’re planning a backyard transformation, you’re likely asking the ultimate question: How much is this going to cost? Based on a 2026 survey of independent fiberglass pool builders in the Thursday Pools dealer network, a standard installation in North Carolina averages $80,000 for a small pool, $99,286 for a medium pool, and $112,143 for a large pool. Your final cost will depend on details like pool size, yard conditions, local permit requirements, and the optional upgrades you choose. North Carolina’s diverse geography creates variation in pool installation costs from one part of the state to another. In metro areas like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, local permit requirements and zoning regulations can add to the project cost. In the Appalachian foothills and Blue Ridge Mountains, rocky terrain often requires additional excavation equipment and labor. Along the Outer Banks and coastal plains, sandy soils may need extra stabilization measures. In the central Piedmont region, clay-heavy soils can create drainage concerns that affect installation complexity and cost. Optional upgrades such as pool heaters, automatic covers, or a custom outdoor living space will add to your total, but they also shape how much […]
Read MoreAsk the General: What’s the Lowdown on Pool Cleaning Systems?
A look at in-floor pool cleaning systems and robotic pool cleaners. Dear General: Is there such a thing as a “self-cleaning pool”? I’ve heard neighbors talking about in-floor pool cleaning systems, and they claim their pools “clean themselves.” Another one of my friends with a gunite pool has a robotic pool cleaner. I’m not sure I understand the difference between the two, or which is the best choice for us. We’re planning to get a fiberglass pool. Can you shed some light on this topic for me? I’m definitely interested in spending as little time cleaning and as much time swimming as I can. Signed- Lazy in Lexington, Kentucky Dear Lazy: This is a great question. First of all, wanting to spend as much time as possible enjoying your inground pool instead of maintaining it isn’t lazy. It’s smart. You’re taking a great first step by choosing a fiberglass pool. They’re by far the lowest maintenance pools around, and there’s no single, best choice for everyone when it comes to choosing a system. So, let’s take a closer look at robotic pool cleaners and in-floor pool cleaning systems, considering the merits and drawbacks of each. What is a robotic pool […]
Read MoreHow Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost in Texas?
Based on a 2026 survey of independent fiberglass pool builders in the Thursday Pools dealer network, a standard fiberglass pool installation in Texas averages $55,000 for a small pool, $70,000 for a medium pool, and $87,500 for a large pool. Your final cost will depend on details like pool size, yard conditions, local permit requirements, and the optional upgrades you choose. Texas’s varied landscape can create real variation in pool installation costs from one part of the state to another. In metro areas like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, local permit requirements, tighter lot sizes, and overhead obstructions can add to the overall project cost. Rocky soil in the Hill Country and West Texas can call for specialized excavation equipment and extra labor. Clay-heavy soils common in East Texas can create drainage and stability challenges that require additional site preparation. In coastal and river valley areas, sandy soils may need reinforcement to properly support the pool shell over time. Optional upgrades like pool heaters, automatic covers, and custom patio surfaces add to your total cost but also determine how much use and year-round value you get from the pool. AÂ local independent Thursday Pools dealer can help you decide which additions fit […]
Read MoreHow Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost in Kentucky?
Based on a 2026 survey of independent fiberglass pool builders in the Thursday Pools dealer network, a standard fiberglass pool installation in Kentucky averages $76,667 for a small pool, $100,000 for a medium pool, and $116,667 for a large pool. Your final cost will depend on details like pool size, yard conditions, local permit requirements, and the optional upgrades you choose. Kentucky’s varied geography creates variation in pool installation costs from one part of the state to another. In metro areas like Louisville and Lexington, local permit requirements, tighter lots, and access constraints in established neighborhoods can add to the overall project cost. Rocky conditions in the Appalachian foothills of Eastern Kentucky and in parts of Central Kentucky can require specialized excavation equipment and additional labor. Clay-heavy soils, common throughout the Bluegrass region, can create drainage challenges that need careful site preparation. In Western Kentucky, looser soils may require reinforcement to properly support the pool shell over time. Optional upgrades like pool heaters, automatic covers, and custom patio surfaces add to your total cost but also extend your swimming season and enhance the overall value you get from your pool. AÂ local independent Thursday Pools dealer can help you decide which […]
Read MoreHow Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost in South Carolina?
Based on a 2026 survey of independent fiberglass pool builders in the Thursday Pools dealer network, a standard fiberglass pool installation in South Carolina averages $75,000 for a small pool, $87,500 for a medium pool, and $97,500 for a large pool. Your final cost will depend on details like pool size, yard conditions, local permit requirements, and the optional upgrades you choose. South Carolina’s geography creates real variation in pool installation costs from one part of the state to another. In coastal markets like Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head, sandy soil conditions and flood zone considerations can affect site prep requirements and permit complexity. In the Upstate around Greenville and Spartanburg, clay-heavy or rocky terrain can require more excavation work and add to the project cost. In the Midlands around Columbia, conditions vary enough that a site assessment before installation is always worth doing. Regardless of where you are in the state, South Carolina’s long swim season is one of the best arguments for getting the pool decision right from the start. Optional upgrades such as pool heaters, automatic covers, and custom patio surfaces add to your total, but they also determine how much use and year-round value you […]
Read MoreReap the Health Benefits of Exercise in Your New Fiberglass Pool
Get healthy and have more fun this year in a new fiberglass pool. If your goals for the new year include getting healthier and more fit, a new inground fiberglass pool might be just the thing to help you accomplish those goals. Water exercise has loads of health benefits, including weight loss, increased strength and muscle tone, joint pain relief, improved cardiovascular health, reduced stress, and increased fun (which is also very good for you!) Choose a fiberglass pool that’s designed for water exercise—one that has wide-open swim lanes and is deep enough to accommodate both lap swimming and water aerobics. You’ll be crushing your health and fitness goals before you know it! Let’s take a look at all the amazing health benefits of swimming exercise: Weight loss. According to Prevention magazine, swimming just 30 minutes can burn between 300-400 calories. Compare that to just 100 calories burned for 30 minutes of brisk walking, and it’s easy to see why swimming is a great choice for folks who want to lose weight. (Not to mention the fact that you’re in the pool cooling off instead of sweating during your workout!) Increased strength and muscle tone. According to Livestrong.com, swimming laps […]
Read MoreHow Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost in Alabama?
How Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost in Alabama? Based on a 2026 survey of independent fiberglass pool builders in the Thursday Pools dealer network, a standard fiberglass pool installation in Alabama averages $80,000 for a small pool, $100,000 for a medium pool, and $120,000 for a large pool. Your final cost will depend on details like pool size, yard conditions, local permit requirements, and the optional upgrades you choose. Alabama’s diverse geography creates real variation in pool installation costs from one part of the state to another. In metro areas like Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile, local permit requirements and zoning regulations can add to the project cost. In the Appalachian foothills of North Alabama, rocky terrain often requires additional excavation equipment and labor. Along the Gulf Coast, sandy soils may need extra stabilization measures. In the Black Belt region of central Alabama, clay-heavy soils can create drainage and stability concerns that affect installation complexity and cost directly. Optional upgrades such as pool heaters, automatic covers, and custom patio surfaces add to your total, but they also determine how much use and year-round value you get from the pool. A local independent Thursday Pools dealer can help you […]
Read MoreAsk the General: How Do I Troubleshoot the Heater and Chlorinator on My Fiberglass Pool?
Some pool troubleshooting tips to try before you call in the pros. Dear General- We are fiberglass pool owner newbies. We love it, but we did have to call an inground pool service pro a couple of times—once for our heater and another time for our chlorinator. Both times, it turned out to be a fairly simple fix and we wished we had tried to troubleshoot the problem ourselves before we called. Do you have some pool troubleshooting tips to share? Signed- Newbies in New Orleans Dear Newbies- Of course, I’m happy to share pool troubleshooting tips, especially for new pool owners. You didn’t say what kind of heater or filtration system you use, so I’m just going to go with one of the most common combinations: a gas heater with a sand filter and a chlorine-sanitized system. Let’s start with the heater. Do a visual inspection. Your first pool troubleshooting step is simply taking a look at the unit. You’re looking for leaks, rust or burn marks. Any of these visual clues most likely mean trouble inside the unit, and you probably need to bring in a pool maintenance pro to check it out. Clean it off. You should […]
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