Types of Inground Swimming Pools

The majority of swimming pools in the United States are made of gunite, fiberglass, or vinyl. Each form of inground pool has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While most pool owners have a mental idea of what an inground pool in their backyard will look like, the reality may differ based on soil conditions and economics.

Which Type of Pool Should I Choose?

Practically any pool may be built if you have the necessary space and funds. Even so, understanding the many varieties of inground swimming pools can be beneficial if you want to have one put. Consider the following types of inground pools.

GUNITE POOLS

In the Sunbelt states of California, Texas, and Florida, gunite pools are a popular alternative. This type of material is preferred by many pool buyers since it is extremely resilient and can be made into almost any design. A rebar framework is sprayed with a concrete and sand mixture to create a gunite pool. The process is better to traditional poured concrete pools, which require a wooden framework to maintain the basin’s shape. Concrete pools are particularly robust, and pools created of it are built to last.

Get a High End Sophisticated Look With a Gunite Pool

Pool purchasers have a selection of finishes to pick from to match the rest of their garden. Plaster finishes are available in a wide range of colors to complement your pool decking. For a genuinely distinctive, high-end swimming pool, pebble or glass finishes might be used.

Custom steps, tables, waterfalls, and other features are commonly added to gunite pools by pool buyers. Gunite Pools’ versatility allows you to tailor your swimming pool to your personal preferences and budget.

Why Buy a Gunite Pool?

• Pros – Flexibility of design options, can be built in any shape, sophisticated look.
• Cons – Textured plaster surfaces can be uncomfortable and abrasive. Typically most expensive type of pool. Lengthy construction time. Requires maintenance for cracks which may form. Surface can attract algae and bacteria, can also discolor over time.

FIBERGLASS POOLS

Fiberglass pools are available in a variety of designs and sizes. They are one-piece pre-molded shells that may be erected in your yard. Fiberglass is a durable and lightweight material made by weaving microscopic glass threads into a cloth and then hardening it with a specific resin. A weather-resistant gel provides a smooth finish.

Fiberglass Pools Offer a Quick Install With a Smooth Finish

Fiberglass pools provide a number of advantages, including the ability to be erected rapidly – often in as little as a week! Obviously, the time frame will vary based on how long excavation, electricity, and plumbing take.

Fiberglass pools are resistant to algae because of their smooth surface. Fiberglass pools also require less care and simply need to be reglazed every ten years or so.

Why Buy a Fiberglass Pool?

• Pros – Quick and easy installation, smooth finish.
• Cons – Limited number of shapes and styles. Higher cost, can cost more than Gunite pools. Very little structural support around the pool to hold up decking. Can shift in the ground in extreme wet or frost conditions. Fiberglass pools have gone up in price due to increased demand and resin shortages.

VINYL LINER POOLS

Vinyl pools are very common in the United States. A sheet of vinyl separates the water from the pool structure in a vinyl liner pool. A sand or cement-like floor lies beneath the liner. The flooring, which are composed of galvanized steel or thermoplastic, rise up to meet the walls. These walls are braced from behind to prevent them from bowing. The swimming pool’s perimeter is formed by securing all of the wall panels together.

Vinyl Liner Pools – An Economical Choice With Many Options

Installing a vinyl liner pool has numerous advantages. They’re not as rigid as concrete pools and don’t crack. Vinyl pools do not require replastering, and all of the surfaces are smooth to the touch. Vinyl pools can be made in any shape or size due to the flexibility of the steel walls. A vinyl pool also costs a lot less than a gunite or fiberglass pool. Spas, waterfalls, decks, laminar jets, lighting effects, and pool heaters are just a few of the options available for your vinyl liner pool.

Why Buy a Vinyl Pool?

• Pros – Easy to maintain, less expensive to install. Wide variety of liner patterns available and soft to the touch. Repairs are cheap and easy.
• Cons – Not as durable as Fiberglass or Vinyl. Liner will need to replaced every 5 years or so.

Thinking about adding an inground pool to your backyard? Get an estimate from PoolCost.com