What Swimming Pool is Best for You - 1

Back in time there were not many options when it came to choosing a swimming pool. Now days there are not only many different choices but many combinations, shapes and designs as well. So how do you decide what is best for you and your money.

How to decide?

The best way to decide in the beginning is to ask your self………….

What kind of swimming pool do you want?

What will the primary function of the swimming pool be?

Will the kids be playing in the pool all summer long?

Will you want to swim laps?

Are you short on space?

What is your budget?

Do you have money for the fancy stuff?

Swimming Pool Purpose

Before you decide on what sort of pool you want you need to understand the primary function or purpose of your pool. Only then can you take an informed decision on the type of pool you want. Here are some common uses and purposes of pools…..

Diving Pool
Diving pools are generally about 8-1/2 feet deep with a diving board or platform. Diving pools can be a real safety hazard, and should only be built to NSPI and ANSI standards.

Freeform Pool
A freeform pool is a lagoon style pool or naturalistic pool. It usually has have rock features and is built to mimic an oasis.

Geometric Pool
Geometric pools usually have very straight lines or a consistent radius and are typically more traditional looking. There seems to be a shift back to the geometric pool. A geometric pool can be more formal and upscale looking.

Lap Pool
Lap pools pools are typically narrow and long, usually over 50’, to facilitate exercise and swimming for health and fitness.

Negative Edge Pool
Negative edge pools are getting more common and require an expert to build. They are also referred to as infinity swimming pools or infinity egde pools. These are designed to look like the pool extends all the way out to the horizon. The mechanics and engineering of infinity pools cannot be compromised.

Spool
The word spool is a combination of a spa and a pool. Spools are typically oversized spas somewhere around 12’ X 14’. Unfortunately, due to construction issues, spools are not necessarily less expensive than an average swimming pool. They might be easier to maintain due to the smaller size, and a spool certainly might be an option for someone with a very small yard.

Perimeter Overflow Pool
This would be a pool where the water level in the pool is the same as the top of the decking. Around the pool perimeter is a channel or notch that the water drains into creating a visual masterpiece. It looks like a big mirror lying on the ground.

Conclusion:-
There are many types of pools available after you have made your decision on what sort of pool you want.

In-Ground Swimming Pools

Owning a pool can be one of the most rewarding investments that you will ever make. You can create a lifetime of priceless and irreplaceable memories by having a pool. Plus, your own pool improves your and your family’s mental and physical well-being by providing both stress relief and the perfect exercise solution.

In-Ground Pool Basics

An in-ground pool typically has a deep end of six feet; a deeper pool means you can have a diving board, a slide, fancy lights, and waterfalls. In-ground pools come in a greater variety of attractive shapes. You can even have one designed that fits the space of your yard and goes with the style of your house.

An in-ground pool is significantly more expensive but is worth it price as these pools are generally more aesthetically appealing and can increase the sale price of your home, especially in areas away from the coast.

In-ground pools require excavation and construction permits, and they can take anywhere from three to twelve weeks to construct, depending on the size and complexity of the project.


Types of In-ground Pools

There are basically three types of in-ground pools available fibreglass, gunite and vinyl liner.

Inground Gunite

Gunite pools are the most elaborate of all the pool categories. These are permanent, reinforced pools with concrete and plaster instead of liners. Excavation is also necessary, and a wide variety of special options such as waterfalls, custom steps, and beach entrys can be easily added to complement these high-quality pools. Gunite pools are often seen in commercial applications; many private homeowners, however, also choose gunite pools for their flexibility since they can be built in any shape. Gunite pool owners can also choose from many plaster finishes or pebble applications for the pool floor, allowing for maximum creativity. The high quality of these pools usually puts them in the highest price range.

In-ground Vinyl

Traditional inground pools usually have reinforced walls with vinyl-liners. Rectangular pools are most common, but an interesting variety of L-shaped, free form, and other shapes are also available. Vinyl have many new liner patterns and colors, so there are many options pool owners can choose to enhance their poolscapes. Excavation as with most in-ground pool is necessary before installation. Optional features add to the price, but they are often worth the extra cost for the aesthetic benefits.

Fiberglass

Another popular selection is a fiberglass pool. These units are a one-piece shell, which is installed directly into the ground. These types of pools are usually made of a full fiberglass molded shell, but some combine concrete or other materials with the fiberglass. You can choose lots of styles and shapes; delivery and installation are normally faster than traditional in-ground construction pools. Some pool owners prefer the fiberglass finish, which eliminates the need for liners and re-surfacing. Fiberglass swimming pools can be easier to maintain, requiring fewer chemicals.

Conclusion (In-Ground Swimming pools):-
As there are so many options, for In-ground pools it is important to find a pool builder who is knowledgeable as well as independent. It is also a good idea to research and get at least three to four quotes from different contractors to get the best price.

Types of Pools

There are several different pool styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages and uses.

Above-ground pools

These are the cheapest construction option, as well as the easiest to build. Most above-ground pools are made from prefabricated kits, which even an amateur can put. First, the installers level off the ground to form a flat building surface. Then they assemble a perimeter track, which supports the outer wall made of metal, plastic or wood. Next, they spread sand in the pool area and lay the plumbing. Finally, they secure the vinyl liner over the pool walls, fill the pool with water, smooth the liner and fasten it into place. As soon as they hook up the pump and filtering system, the pool is ready to go.

The main disadvantage of this sort of pool is that it's less durable than other designs, and generally less attractive. It's also less permanent, which can be a good thing, it's relatively easy to disassemblethe pool and move it to a new location.

In ground Pools
In ground pools are built into the ground and require construction work for installation. In ground pools can be built to allow for diving or not, depending on the depth. These are all samples of in ground pool materials.

Fiberglass pools
These are made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which has been molded into a basin shape. To install the pool, a construction crew digs an appropriately sized hole, lays the necessary plumbing, adds some sand filler and lowers the preformed pool structure into the hole. Then they level the pool, hook up all the plumbing and backfill in the area around the pool. Usually, the pool is surrounded by a concrete deck structure.

While a fiberglass pool is typically the quickest to install, there are fewer choices for size, shape and depth compared to other pool types. Because the surface is non-porous, fiberglass pools are easy to care for and long lasting.

Vinyl-lined Pools
Compared to other in ground pools, vinyl-liner pools are generally the most affordable, easy to maintain and are available in a standard set of designs. They are a lot like above-ground pools, structurally, but they look more like conventional in-ground designs. The construction crew digs a hole and assembles a metal, plastic or wood frame wall around the hole's perimeter. As in an above-ground pool, the crew lays sand along the bottom of the hole and secures the vinyl lining to the structural wall.

These types of pools are popular in cold-weather states, since the panels have some degree of flex and hold up well under freeze/thaw conditions. Vinyl-liners are available in many colors, patterns and designs and will last an average of 8 to 10 years, after which time a new liner can be installed.

Gunite pools
Gunite or a variation called Shotcrete is a type of reinforced concrete; it is strong and adaptable to unusual shapes. There are also a variety of color / speckle finishes available. To build one of these pools, the construction crew digs a hole, puts the plumbing in place and assembles a framework grid with 3/8-inch steel reinforcing rods (rebar). The rebar rods are spaced about 10 inches apart, and secured together with wire. When the grid is in place, the crew sprays a heavy coating of gunite, a mixture of cement and sand, around the rebar. The sprayer unit combines dry gunite mix with water just before spraying -- this produces the wet concrete material. The crew trowels the gunite smooth and lets it sit for a week or so before applying a smooth finish to the rough surface. The most popular finish is called plaster but a lot of people finish their pools with special concrete paint.

Gunite pools can also have tile, exposed aggregate or even fiberglass finishes. Gunite pools (and their cousins, shotcrete pools) are highly durable, and they can be built in any shape or size.

Poured-concrete pools

These are similar to gunite pools, but they're a lot harder to build. Instead of spraying concrete material around a rebar framework, concrete is actually poured into conventional wooden forms. With the rise of gunite methods, poured-concrete pool construction has mostly fallen by the wayside. In masonry block pools, the walls are constructed with concrete blocks.

Pool styles

Play pool
A play pool typically is no deeper than five feet. Play pools generally are built for cooling off and relaxing in, playing volleyball, other water sports, as well as for swimming laps.


Diving Pool
Diving pools are generally about 8-1/2 feet deep with a diving board or platform. Diving pools can be a real safety hazard, and should only be built to NSPI and ANSI standards.

Freeform Pool
A freeform pool is a lagoon style pool or naturalistic pool. It usually has have rock features and is built to mimic an oasis.



Geometric Pool
Geometric pools usually have very straight lines or or a consistent radius and are typically more traditional looking. There seems to be a shift back to the geometric pool. A geometric pool can be more formal and upscale looking.

Lap Pool
Lap pools pools are typically narrow and long, usually over 50’, to facilitate exercise and swimming for health and fitness.

Negative Edge Pool
Negative edge pools require an expert to build. They are also referred to as infinity swimming pools or infinity edge pools. These are designed to look like the pool extends all the way out to the horizon. The mechanics and engineering of infinity pools cannot be compromised.

Spool
The word spool is a combination of a spa and a pool. Spools are typically oversized spas somewhere around 12’ X 14’. Unfortunately, due to construction issues, spools are not necessarily less expensive than an average swimming pool. They might be easier to maintain due to the smaller size, and a spool certainly might be an option for someone with a very small yard.

Perimeter Overflow Pool
This would be a pool where the water level in the pool is the same as the top of the decking. Around the pool perimeter is a channel or notch that the water drains into creating a visual masterpiece. It looks like a big mirror lying on the ground.

Conclusion (Types of Pools):-

These types of pools are popular in cold-weather states, since the panels have some degree of flex and hold up well under freeze/thaw conditions. . A geometric pool can be more formal and upscale looking.Gunite pools can also have tile, exposed aggregate or even fiberglass finishes. Gunite pools (and their cousins, shotcrete pools) are highly durable, and they can be built in any shape or size.

Pools - Place for Recreation and Relaxation

Imagine a hot summer day where you come back from the days work --- tired, hot and sweaty. What better way to relax and cool off than a swim in your own backyard pool, just lounge in the pool and let the day’s worries float away--------No membership fee.
No driving to the gym.

Splashing around in the water through the hot summer sounds like heaven for the kids as well. You can easily keep your kids happily occupied for hours with pool toys such as water slides, volley ball, float etc. Watch them splash, throw, squirt and have a blast playing with these pool toys in the swimming pool.

A backyard swimming pool can be your greatest joy and pleasure. Whether you want a place to entertain friends or family, a gathering spot for your kids to enjoy, a private place where you can swim anytime of the day or night, or you just want to beautify your backyard.

The soothing sound of water from a waterfall or spillover spa can add to your relaxation. With the addition of a heater, slide, diving board, safety cover or outdoor toys and games, your retreat can bring enjoyment to people of all ages. Fiber optic lighting can further give a soothing ambiance to your evenings and add beauty to your backyard paradise.

A pool definitely brings family and friends closer together while enhancing your quality of life through recreation and relaxation. You can enjoy swimming pool parties with your friends and family, enjoy a big weekend splash. Having your own pool gives you the freedom to do so any time any day.

Since swimming has therapeutic benefits, backyard pools can be great additions for more than simply entertaining. They make sense as a low impact way to strengthen muscles or just relax. Swimming, water walking, or water aerobics can be ideal for people with physical disabilities or injuries.

In fact you actually can allow your swimming pool to freeze over in the winter and use it as a skating rink. That is of course if you live in a climate that sees a couple months of below freezing temperatures, you're an ideal candidate.

Today, almost any shape is possible from elongated lap pools to vanishing edge pool or infinity pools where the water seems to tumble off the edge of the earth. In fact, most pools are modified to meet the needs of the homeowner to include amenities such as a kid's pool, Jacuzzi, or a counter-current machine for exercise. All you really need to design your own pool is a spark of creativity and a contractor.

A swimming pool is something the entire family can enjoy and benefit from. It offers fun, fitness, relaxation, recreation and entertainment. So dive in! And have fun...