November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
in Maintenance
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A pool will provide your family with years of entertainment, but determining which pool is right for you is a big decision. Choosing between an aboveground pool and an in-ground pool is the first step to an exciting, active and fun-filled swim year.
From function and budget to maintenance and size, your pool options are almost limitless. Consider these factors when deciding between an aboveground and in-ground pool for the upcoming season:
Cost
“As a future pool owner, your first priority should be your budget,” says John Mazza, president of Medallion Pools, a pool manufacturing company based in Colonial Heights, Va. Many factors go into the cost estimation of a pool, including your home’s yard conditions, the overhead cost and the economy, which in recent years has played a prominent role.
“The majority of pool companies have lowered prices,” Mazza says. “I’ve seen pools in the last two to three years come down tremendously. Now is the time to do it.”
According to Neena Hook, retail manager of Pool and Spa Depot Outlet in Bowling Green, Ky., the average price of a 16-by-32-foot in-ground pool ranges from $12,000 to $20,000 after installation. A basic aboveground option ranges from $2,500 to $7,500.
Installation
“A major benefit of in-ground pools is their versatility,” Mazza says. With an in-ground pool, you can create almost anything you can imagine. However, if you are interested in a more elaborately designed pool with a complicated shape or fancy features, such as a waterfall or intricate lighting, construction and installation will take a little longer. A basic vinyl liner in-ground pool can be installed, on average, in about five days, and a simple fiberglass pool can be installed in about two weeks, Mazza says.
Aboveground pools, on the other hand, take almost as much time to fill with water as they do to install. After the site prep is done, installation for an aboveground pool can be completed in about one day, Hook says. But your design options are more limited because the pools are pre-made into set shapes.
Landscaping
If you really want to turn your backyard into a summer oasis, you can include yard features, such as a gazebo, garden or rock waterfall, next to your pool. However, more lavish landscaping will increase your cost and installation time.
In-ground pools are easier to landscape and blend into your yard because they have a smaller profile. For aboveground pools, the best way to landscape is to attach a deck. “Attaching a deck also makes vacuuming an aboveground pool easier,” Mazza says.
No matter which type of pool you choose, landscaping provides countless opportunities to enhance your home’s unique features. “Owning any kind of pool provides an escape in your own backyard,” Hook says.
Home Value
“If you plan to live in your home for a long time, an in-ground pool might be a better option because it will last longer,” Mazza says. “It also has a better effect on your home’s value.” While aboveground pools won’t increase home value, they are easier to uninstall, remove and relocate. According to realtor.com, how a pool alters your home’s value depends on the needs of the buyer.
Maintenance
If you use the right technology, maintenance should not be an issue for aboveground or in-ground pools. Water is water, and it needs to be treated the correct way no matter what your pool’s exterior looks like. But the type of pool you choose can have an impact on practical issues.
“I find it easier to clean and maintain in-ground pools simply because you’re reaching down and able to see dirt a lot easier,” Hook says.
For hassle-free maintenance, Mazza suggests purchasing devices, such as a timer for your pump or an automatic pool cleaner.
Whether it’s the versatility of in-ground or the cost-efficiency of aboveground, buying a pool is an exciting moment for any family—and now is certainly the time to consider investing. The economy is still shaky, but that might be good news for prospective buyers.
“Jump on one while you can,” Mazza says. “When the economy improves, full prices will go back up.”
