Which Inground Pool is Right for You?

Installing an inground swimming pool can prove to be a valuable investment for your home. After you decide that an inground pool is right for your family, but before you call the pool guy, you should first consider what type of pool will best suit your family, budget and lifestyle.

The good news is that inground swimming pools can accommodate virtually any want, need or budget.  And if you have the budget to accommodate it, your inground pool is only limited by your imagination!

Choosing the right pool materials

For starters, inground swimming pools can either be vinyl, fiberglass or gunite. A vinyl inground pool features reinforced walls with a vinyl liner. A fiberglass inground pool consists of a once-piece, factory-built shell. These types of pool are a popular choice for today’s homeowners, as it allows for a quick installation. Gunite inground pools are the most elaborate, and costliest, of inground pools, as they use concrete and plaster instead of liners.

The different types of inground swimming pools include:

• Play pools or kiddie pools – Play pools are typically no deeper than 5 feet and are used primarily for relaxing, playing or swimming laps.
• Diving pools – Diving pools are usually at least 8 ½ feet deep and include a diving board or platform.  Diving pools should only be built to NSPI and ANSI standards.
• Freeform pools – These are unique pools in that a freeform pool is often a lagoon style pool or some other naturalistic-looking pool. You will normally find some type of rock feature and perhaps even a waterfall. The main drawback to freeform pools is the cost. They can be expensive to design and to install. But they add a very unique area to any home.
• Geometric pools –
  

  These types of pools are more traditional looking. Geometric pools, depending on the shape, incorporate straight lines for rectangular pools, or a consistent radius for circular pools. Because of their classic look, these types of pools are becoming more popular. There are many options when it comes to these pools, and, dollar for dollar, they are often the most economical choice.

• Lap swimming pools – These are excellent options for those who want to exercise by swimming laps. Lap pools are usually very narrow and long, often being more than fifty feet long. As you might imagine, they require a lot of dedicated land to install.
• Negative edge pools – You have probably seen these in the movies or at swanky resorts. Negative edge pools are becoming more popular as more people see them. Keep in mind that this type of pool must be built by an experienced expert in this field. Some people refer to these pools as infinity pools. They are deliberately designed to look as if they reach all the way to the horizon. The special mechanics and unique engineering of infinity pools cannot be compromised or the pool will fail.
• Spools – These pools are a good choice for those with limited space. They are a combination of a pool and a spa. A typical size for one of these is around 12’ X 14’. These pools allow homeowners to get two values for the price of one. Spools are generally easier to maintain than other types of inground pools, but they may not always be cheaper.
• Perimeter overflow or constant overflow pools – Like the negative edge pools, perimeter overflow pools are reserved for those who want a stunning focal point in their backyard. Perimeter overflow pools have a channel or notch at the edge of the pool into which water drains. The result in a visual masterpiece which resembles a sheet of glass.
  

A qualified pool installer can provide you with photographs of all of the abovementioned pool designs to give you a better idea of what type of pool suits you best. Determine a set budget ahead of time and don’t go over your allocated funds. This may seem obvious, but budgets can be quickly blown when dealing with large projects such as an inground pool installation. It is important to convey your overall budget to your pool installer to ensure that you are both on the same page and that extras and add-ons don’t inflate the overall cost of your pool.