What Type of Inground Pool is Most Cost-Effective? Comparing Inground Pool Types
Whether or not you have unlimited funds to build a pool, you probably wouldn’t buy one without considering how much an inground pool costs. Perhaps you ended up on this blog post by searching, “What type of pool is most cost-effective?” or “What kind of inground pool is cheapest to build?” or even “What type of pool is cheapest to maintain?” Regardless of how you got here, the honest answer to these questions is, “It depends.” Inground pools come in three main types: gunite (concrete), vinyl liner, and fiberglass. The initial purchase price, as well as lifetime costs, vary depending on the type you choose. Let’s explore the costs associated with each type of inground pool, breaking down their installation prices and some of their long-term maintenance costs to help you make an informed decision. Vinyl Liner Pools Vinyl liner pools are often considered a budget-friendly choice, making them popular among homeowners seeking to minimize upfront costs. However, higher maintenance and replacement expenses can offset the lower initial investment over time. Initial Purchase Price: The average cost of installing a vinyl liner pool is between $25,000 and $65,000. This cost covers basic installation but does not account for long-term upkeep […]
Read MoreHow Much Does a 16×32 Inground Pool Cost?
When planning to buy an inground pool, the size of the pool is an important factor that influences how you use the rest of your outdoor space. The pool’s footprint can determine if there’s enough room for additional features. A popular pool size, 16 x 32, is often the top choice for homeowners with medium to large yards as they still allow room to integrate extras such as seating areas, outdoor kitchens, and maybe even a putting green. Naturally, your next question may be, “What does a 16 x 32 inground pool cost?” Let’s discuss how to get a ballpark estimate. Understanding How Builders Estimate Inground Pools Prices One of the first things a homeowner should know is that builders estimate each pool differently depending on the material type. The difference in measurement units—square feet for vinyl and gunite pools versus linear feet for fiberglass pools—arises mainly from how these pool types are constructed and estimated. Vinyl and Gunite Pools (Square Foot): Construction Approach: Vinyl and gunite pools are built directly on-site, providing the flexibility to create nearly any shape or size tailored to the homeowner’s vision. Square Foot Estimation: These pools may be irregularly shaped due to their custom […]
Read MoreWhen Should You Open Your Pool
When spring has sprung, most new fiberglass pool owners ask, “when should you open your pool?” Is April the best time to open the pool? Is it May? The answer can vary by geography and whether or not you have a heater. One thing is for sure, while that first dip of the season is worth waiting for, the waiting is the hardest part!  If you are in the waiting phase, you want to ensure you’re not waiting too long. You don’t want to miss a single day of swim season, so follow this guide and get prepped to open your pool. GET PAST THE FREEZE Your pool opening and closing schedule will vary based on where you live. If you want to be generally aware, tune into the rhythms of the farmers and gardeners in your area. The answer to the question, “when should you open your pool?” will mirror some of the answers to “when is planting season?” Getting in touch with a local dealer or professional pool cleaning service is a great way to get a sense of the best opening and closing times for your area. Get past that damaging freeze, and it’s safe to kick […]
Read MoreWater Safety Month 2022 – 13 Pool Safety Tips to Remember
May is Water Safety Month, and with so many pools opening up this time of year, it’s an ideal time to go over some pool safety tips. Whether or not you are a new fiberglass pool owner, keeping people safe in and around bodies of water is a critical part of enjoying the summer. Here are some tips to remember any time you are around pools. Tips To Stay Safe Inside the Pool Get to know the abilities of the swimmers in your group. If anyone in your group doesn’t know how to swim, make sure they are closely supervised. Encourage inexperienced swimmers to learn how to swim. And don’t rely too much on floats or toys to support inexperienced swimmers. They are not lifesaving devices. Don’t try something you are uncomfortable with just because others are doing it. Sometimes, it can be fun to show off, especially if there’s a diving board. Ensure no one is entering or swimming in water that’s too deep for their ability. Let them know that there’s plenty of room for fun towards the shallow end. Don’t play games that involve jumping in or holding your breath. Your pool has specific entry points […]
Read MoreWhere to Find a Fiberglass Pool Dealer Near You
In researching inground pools, you’ve likely compared the different types available, including gunite, vinyl-lined, and fiberglass pools. And perhaps that hunt has you leaning toward an inground fiberglass pool. A natural next question for you might be, “Where can I find fiberglass pools near me?” While entering “fiberglass pools near me” into a search engine will return pool dealer results (and paid advertisements) based on your location, purchasing an inground fiberglass pool is a big deal so, here are our top tips when searching for a fiberglass pool dealer near you. Selecting a Fiberglass Pool Dealer Don’t just go with the first dealer you find. We recommend talking to a few. It’s essential that you feel comfortable with them. After all, these folks will be working in your backyard for at least a couple of weeks. Get multiple estimates. It’s helpful to get more than one estimate to know that you are on track and not missing something significant in communicating your wants and needs and the dealer’s capabilities. Ask for referrals. A quality dealer should have referrals at the ready when asked. You can also go online for reviews. Either way, make sure that the referrals or reviews […]
Read MoreWanting a Pool in Your Small Yard?
Fiberglass pools are trending right now as homeowners spend more time at home and outdoors. Sometimes pool buyers are concerned with their yard size and ask, “can you put a swimming pool in a small backyard?” And, “what does a small fiberglass pool cost?” Many small pool designs can accommodate smaller yards, so we’ll cover some small backyard pool ideas on a budget in this post. Is a Small Pool Worth It? There are benefits to owning a smaller pool that you may miss out on with larger pools: More Compact Means More Outdoor Living Space. A smaller pool means more room for other stunning backyard accessories, like a pool house, outdoor seating area, firepits, and more. Less Maintenance. Since there’s not as much total area to cover, a smaller pool can be easier to maintain. You’ll use fewer chemicals and spend less time cleaning than if you had a much larger pool. When sorting through the benefits vs. disadvantages of owning a small pool, consider how you envision using your pool. Will you want to play games? Is exercise a must? Will you want to host large pool parties where everyone can fit in […]
Read MoreWhat are My Rectangle Fiberglass Pool Shell Options?
Commonly, pool buyers ask, “what shapes do fiberglass pools come in?” While the simple answer is that fiberglass pool designs are primarily either rectangular or freeform, you may be surprised by the remarkable variability of fiberglass pool shell options. The sizes, varying depths, and vast assortment of features available in fiberglass pools allow you to tailor your choice depending on your yard size, style, and the activities you want to enjoy in and around your backyard pool. Rectangular-shaped pools have clean, sharp lines and lend to a traditional elegant or modern setting. They maximize the swimming area and perimeter yard space. In this post, we’ll describe our rectangle pool shell options. Goliath The Goliath is big on style and functionality. Offering the best of both worlds, Goliath provides plenty of room for entertaining and swimming. A wide-open swim lane down the pool’s center is conducive to lap swimming or floating with friends. Bench seating flanks the steps for ample room to relax and socialize. Two sets of curved entry steps in the shallow end and swim-out ledges in the deep end provide easy entry and exit areas or another option for sitting. Monolith Monolith is the only Type […]
Read MoreWhat is the Maximum Depth of a Fiberglass Pool?
A couple of frequently asked questions we get as a fiberglass pool manufacturer involve pool depth. In that regard, people often want to know, “Can a fiberglass pool have a deep end?” and, “What is the maximum depth of a fiberglass pool?” This post will answer these questions and more about fiberglass pools. Can a fiberglass pool have a deep end? If so, how deep is the deep end of a pool? Many fiberglass pools have a deep end. However, most designs that are manufactured today aren’t diving depth. The typical fiberglass pool has a deep end of five and one-half feet, but pool depth varies by design. Because many pool-goers spend most of their time in areas of the pool where they can stand with their head above the water, having too deep of a deep end could be perceived as wasted space for some. How deep does a pool need to be for a diving board? There are many different specifications for the five types of diving pools, but the required pool depth is typically eight-feet or more for the diving well. Pools with diving boards are approximately one-third diving well, one-third hopper area (slope between shallow and […]
Read MoreIs a New Fiberglass Pool a Good Investment?
Adding a swimming pool to your outdoor space transforms what time at home means. For some, it means staycationing at will. For others, it means getting social, staying healthy, or having more memories with the family. Regardless of why you want an inground pool, it’s natural to ask, “Is a new fiberglass pool a good investment?” Many factors make a fiberglass pool a good investment. Some will be universal to pools in general (like inground pool cost), some personal to you (like shape and size), and others specific to fiberglass versus other types of pools. A FEW THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT FIBERGLASS POOLS Here are a few quick facts about fiberglass pools that are helpful as you make your assessment of value: Fiberglass pools are quick to install. Fiberglass pools typically take just a few weeks to install. The shell is pre-built in a controlled factory environment and arrives ready to put in at your site. Fiberglass pools are aesthetically pleasing. They look good! The gelcoat finish of a quality-made and maintained fiberglass pool retains its beautiful appearance long after installation. Fiberglass pools are not slippery. The shiny gelcoat finish appearance may lead you to think fiberglass pools […]
Read MoreHow Do I Find Pool Installation Near Me?
Shopping for an inground swimming pool is a big deal. It’s not an easily reversed purchase; the last thing you want is pool buyer’s remorse. Choosing between a gunite, vinyl liner, or a fiberglass pool is often a homeowner’s first step in research. Once you have narrowed your selections, the next online search may be “pool installation near me.” That query can lead to a wide variety of results to wade through.  Some of the pool-building companies you’ll find are large corporations with tons of marketing and teams of installers juggling multiple projects at once. Other pool builders are smaller operations, and you may have the business owner personally handling your pool project. One is not necessarily better than the other. It all comes down to who you want to work with, whether you’re happy with the price or terms, and your comfort level or trust that they will honor their word in the timeframe they propose. If possible, you’ll want to get multiple estimates and go through each one carefully. When comparing one builder to another, identify whether they include the same design features, installation strategies, or timeline assurances. Additionally, compare their credentials and relevant consumer reviews to ensure […]
Read More