One of the first things a homeowner must consider when planning pool installation is the type of pool that will be installed. After all, a pool is more than just a hole in the ground that holds water, as the shell you choose will determine many aspects of your pool construction experience. Before an Atlanta pool builder begins construction, you’ll want to know which type of pool you want.
Simply stated, most in-ground swimming pools fall into one of three categories. Those categories are vinyl-lined pools, concrete pools, and fiberglass pools. While swimming pool builders in Atlanta can offer you thorough advice on the merits and liabilities of each pool type, you’ll need to make the decision based on your habits, maintenance commitment, budget, and design affinities. Keep reading to learn a few tips that can help you ensure you choose the right pool type for your swimming pool construction project.
Concrete Pools
Concrete pools are the most popular and most resilient type of pool that you can install. However, because of these stellar traits, concrete pools also tend to be the most expensive. Concrete pools come in many forms including standard sealed concrete and more advanced Gunite or Shotcrete materials. Though there are some subtle differences between the types, most concrete pools are created when concrete is sprayed onto a metal rebar frame that’s been constructed in the ground. After curing, the concrete is smoothed over with plaster to create a smoother inside surface. Concrete pools can be constructed in almost any shape, which offers a high degree of customization. Concrete pools are also highly durable, easy to maintain, and easy to refinish. On the downside, they’re costly and can take between three weeks and 12 weeks to install.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass pools have the shortest construction timeline because they are formed off-site at a factory. The shells are created by placing fiberglass material into a shell that can then be gently placed into the already-excavated hole. The process can take as little as three days, making it the quickest pool type to install. While fiberglass pools come in a limited number of shapes, sizes, and configurations, they are also the least expensive type of pool, another factor that drives their popularity. Fiberglass pools have Gelcoat linings that make them impermeable, and that can cut down on maintenance costs and chemical usage over the lifetime of the pool. They are quite durable and can last for a decade or more before requiring any significant updates. One of the limiting factors of fiberglass pool installation is that you must have a large enough yard for a crane to maneuver your pool shell into place.
Vinyl
Vinyl pools consist of wooden frames that are constructed in the home to create walls that are then covered with a watertight vinyl liner. These pools are the next most popular type behind fiberglass, and the expense associated with them falls between the cost of a fiberglass pool and a concrete pool. They typically require a one to three-week installation window and are available in limited shapes and sizes. The primary drawback of a vinyl pool is the lack of durability. They can be damaged by a single puncture that allows water to flow through the liner, and the liners have a limited service life before they must be replaced. The maintenance and upkeep of vinyl pools may be a prohibitive factor for some homeowners.
If you want a pool in your yard to provide you with a refreshing backyard oasis, you must first decide which type of pool you want your swimming pool builders in Atlanta to construct. While concrete pools, vinyl pools, and fiberglass pools all have their pros and cons, it’s up to the individual homeowner to decide which best meets his or her needs.
