Free Swimming Pool Buying Guide

Swimming Pool Benefits

There are so many reasons why purchasing your own swimming pool can make a positive impact in your life. We hope this swimming pool buyer’s guide helps you understand the pros and cons of the three types of swimming pools. Your own swimming pool is the ultimate lifestyle enhancer. It provides a valuable balance to your life, and the centerpiece of family fun. There’s simply nothing else you can add to your home that comes close!

Take a vacation, everyday.

No more expensive flights or long car trips sitting in traffic to unwind. Just walk out your back door any day of the week!

Know where your kids are.

How much are you spending to keep your children entertained while they’re home from school during the summer? Give your kids endless entertainment right at home – and always know where they are.

Stay healthy.

Having your own pool is like having your own health club! Swimming can burn more than 400 calories an hour (and you don’t have to drive to the gym). You can de-stress with a quick dip after work. Even just sitting by the pool on a summer evening can be a great way to relax.

Make a splash entertaining.

From a family-friendly pool party . . . to an adults-only gathering with wine, grilling and great conversation . . . a swimming pool provides the perfect atmosphere to entertain memorably!

It’s easier than you think.

There are different types of pools to fit a range of budgets. It’s also easy to obtain financing with affordable monthly payments – both for purchasing your first pool and remodeling an existing pool.

A valuable addition.

A swimming pool is the ultimate enhancement for your home’s value. It will pay valuable benefits every day you use it, and even more when and if you choose to sell your home.

And, of course, just for the enjoyment!

There are several main types of inground pools that can be installed in your backyard. Here are some general guidelines about selecting a pool type.

Swimming Pool Types Pros and Cons

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass swimming pools are one-piece shells that can be “dropped in” to your yard in a very short period of time – just 3 to 5 days in most cases. They are well suited to areas with cold weather seasons because the flexural strength of fiberglass prevents cracking during freezing-thawing cycles.

Fiberglass swimming pools come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, and can include many options such as perimeter tile, inlaid tile, tile mosaics, Crystite® pool finishes, built-in water features like cascades and streams, fiber optic and LED lighting, vanishing edges, and in-floor cleaning systems.

In addition, fiberglass pools act as a natural insulator, requiring less electric/gas to heat the pool. Algae are less prone to attach to the smooth surface of a fiberglass pool, requiring less chemicals and maintenance. In fact, estimated maintenance costs over 10 years are less than one quarter of the cost for a gunite pool.

Fiberglass Pool Pros

Quick and simple installation. Variety of shapes and styles. Smooth finish means no skin abrasions. 17 times stronger than concrete. Non-porous surface resists the problems associated with imbalanced water chemistry, requiring less chemical maintenance, labor, and electric and is algae resistant.

Fiberglass Pool Cons

Higher cost than vinyl liner pools.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Also known as packaged pools, these consist of components, including wall panels, braces, steps and a vinyl liner, that are assembled together to create a swimming pool. These types of pools are typically “engineered,” meaning they are designed and produced to predefined standards in a controlled factory environment. All components are designed to fit together.

Materials

The two most popular materials for the wall panels, braces and steps are steel and polymer. Steel packaged swimming pools are generally less expensive than polymer swimming pools; although, other factors, such as decking and extra accessories, can add to the overall cost. It is frowned upon to use steel walls with a salt system due to corrosion.

The Liner

A custom-made sheet of vinyl is installed over the polymer or steel walls and steps. There are many advantages to vinyl liners:

• They make all surfaces of your pool smooth to the touch.
• They cannot crack like a concrete pool and never need repainting or re-plastering.
• You can choose from hundreds of beautiful designer patterns.

Vinyl Liner Pool Pros

Easy to maintain; less expensive; variety of liner patterns available and soft to the touch; engineered to standards; repairs are typically quick and inexpensive; many shapes and design options available.

Vinyl Liner Pool Cons

Liner eventually needs to be replaced.

Gunite Pools

Gunite or concrete swimming pools are often used in commercial applications, such as hotel swimming pools. Gunite pools require acid washing and re-plastering.

Installation of a gunite swimming pool can take several months. It is the most expensive type of pool to install and maintain: monthly pool service is required, as is excessive use of chemicals and electricity. Estimated maintenance cost over 10 years is over $16,000.

Gunite Pool Pros

Flexibility of design options, such as vanishing edges and swim up bars; high-end look.

Gunite Pool Cons

Textured surfaces can be uncomfortable and abrasive; typically most expensive type of pool; lengthy construction time; very expensive to repair; surface can attract algae and bacteria, and can discolor.

Parrot Bay Pools offers pools from entry level to resort luxury style pools and everything in between. Our customers trust us to provide them with quality residential and commercial pools and hot tubs, top-notch service and maintenance, quality supplies and fast, proven solutions to their questions.

Which Pool Type is More Prone to Leaks?

To learn more about Parrot Bay Pools and Spas and our record of excellence, take a look at the rest of our website and contact us for a free pool consultation in our showroom or at your home!