Typically inground swimming pools
come in 4 categories all with their own pro's and con's and, of
course, not only different installation and purchase prices,
but also different projected costs over time.
The main types of
inground pools are:
Concrete swimming pools
Aluminum pools
Vinyl lined pools and
Fiberglass pools.
Concrete Swimming
Pools.
A concrete pool will give you the
most flexibility in design. Size, shape, depth, however you
want your pool to be, it is all possible when you choose a
concrete pool since construction is not tied to a predetermined
shell, as in a fiberglass pool.
Even though installing a concrete
pool is labor intensive with the work requiring up to 3 months
to be completed, a concrete pool is still less expensive to
install than a fiberglass pool. There are many steps involved
with installing a concrete pool.
Once the design has been laid
out, the excavation need to be completed. The excavation will
often require that heavy machinery has to get access to the
area of your property where the pool is to be placed. Sometimes
this may mean that vegetation may need to be removed, or to
temporarily take down a fence, or even needing to ask a
neighbor for access through their yard.
Inground Swimming Pool
Construction
Once the excavation is completed,
the steel frame needs to be installed along with the plumbing
including bottom vents, and plumbing for circulation and
cleaning. Next, the concrete is applied and floated. Next, the
tile and coping gets installed and the interior finish
applied.
This video shows how the
concrete is being "shot" into the pool. The less than 2 minute
video shows inground swimming pool construction done over an
entire day.... Take a look!
Some pro's to consider regarding
concrete pools:
The price is usually less
than when installing a fiberglass pool.
A concrete pool is very
strong. Check your local conditions as far as type of
soil, hard freeze conditions etc. before making a
decision. Your local pool supplier or general
contractor may be able to help.
Concrete may be the type
of choice when the area is experiencing extremely hot
weather.
The large variety of
finishes. Concrete pools have an almost unlimited
amount of styles of finishes. Tiles, rocks, pebbles,
paint.... your pool can look exactly the way you want
it to look. Anything from an Egyptian Spa to a natural
pond with pebbles.
FiberGlass Pool Installation
A fiberglass pool
installation will give you the same possible
challenges when excavating the ground in where to place the
pool. A fiberglass pool will come already complete from the
manufacturer. Now it just needs the appropriate space excavated
for it to fit into. The same as when purchasing one of those
plastic ponds from the local Home Depot, except in a much
larger scale of course.
1.While a fiberglass pool is
more expensive at first glance, and it does not come with the
same amount of design flexibility as does a concrete pool, a
fiberglass pool is less expensive in the long run.
2.Fiberglass being a
non-porous surface will need a lot less chemicals. This is not
only a cost consideration but also an environmental one. Also,
a concrete pool may need replastering, and a vinyl pool may
need a new liner, but a fiberglass pool does not need anything
once it is installed.
3.A fiberglass pool will need
to be brushed less than a concrete pool, again due to the non
porous surface.
4.A fiberglass pool may also
be more flexible than a concrete pool. (Check with your local
pool installationers) This can be of value during freezing
temperatures, earth quakes, or when flooding pushes the pool
from beneath.
5.A fiberglass pool is a lot
less flexible when it comes to design, interior finishes and so
forth. Weighing the options important to you is the key
here.
Inground Swimming
Pool Construction