If you’ve decided on having an in ground pool installed on your property, then you’ve probably imagined yourself relaxing around your new pool.  After all, by adding a swimming pool to your home can bring you and your family and friends endless hours of enjoyment and entertainment.  However, before you begin digging, you should discuss with your entire family precisely how each of you plan to use your pool, including what features you want and especially how you plan on securing it so that unsupervised children do not enter your pool.  You also need to discuss how you want your pool to look.  By figuring out how you plan to use your pool, and how you want your pool to look, it can save you money.   

For instance, by keeping the design and extras “amenities” as simple as possible, you can actually reduce the price of your pool.  In addition, many times you can add big-ticket inexpensively later, such as a pressure-side pool cleaner.  However, do plan ahead and have any extra needed lines plumbed doing construction.   

Next, consider your construction method.  Recently, vinyl-lined pools have become extremely popular over cement pools in many areas of the country, because the vinyl-lined pools are attractive and often times allow the homeowner to install a larger pool than what they would have been able to with a concrete pool.   

One great benefit of vinyl-lined pools is that the framework provides somewhat of a degree of flexibility, which gives in responses to ground movement.  This is very significant in areas where prolong freezing temperatures cause the ground to expand and contract.  This ground movement can cause a typical concrete swimming pool to crack over time. 

With vinyl-lined swimming pools, you have a choice of many different decorative liners that come in several colors and patterns.  Some even offer the look of tile, sand, or you can special order a liner that is monogrammed or has a custom imprint.  Other benefits of vinyl-lined pools is they have a smooth texture, and many manufacturers produce liners that contain an algaecide, which reduces the growth of algae, thus reducing pool maintenance.   

Depending on your budget, you can order a vinyl-lined pool that has cut-in steps, swim outs, fiber-optic lighting.  Some even, come with return jets located in the shallow and step area that create a mini spa.  However, if you are choosing a vinyl-lined pool because of it’s inexpensive cost, then be warned that adding such amenities, will increase the construction costs of your pool. 

However, concrete pools still remain the most popular choice of pools.  This is especially true in areas that do not have any major fluctuations in seasonal temperatures.  In areas where there are great fluctuations in temperatures and where the ground freezes and thaws, in order to prevent the concrete from cracking, builders must add more reinforcing steel.  This will increase the cost of the swimming pool. 

The third type of construction is fiberglass, which has the benefits of easily maintenance and lasting durability.  Fiberglass offers a beautiful smooth, colorfast surface, which will maintain it’s beauty for years to come without the need of resurfacing.  Another added benefit of fiberglass pools is that algae have a difficult time adhering to the fiberglass surface.  Therefore, you spend less money on chemicals and time on maintenance.  Fiberglass swimming pools are not “new” to the market; in fact, they have been providing enjoyment for over 50 years. 

Fiberglass swimming pools are built at a factory, then are shipped to your location, and lowered into a hole in your yard.  The few drawbacks to fiberglass swimming pools are that a professional must install them and that they should not be drained as the ground pressure can cause the fiberglass shell to buckle and crack.