Being in the market to buy a custom swimming pool is an incredibly exciting time for you and your family. These days, technology advancements have made pool ownership a much easier and rewarding experience. That being said, in order to find out what swimming pool is best for your needs, there are some helpful tips that you should follow.
Concrete
To customize your pool to the exact shape and size you want, purchasing a concrete pool is the best choice. With custom concrete pool shells, the possibility of how your pool can look is endless. From standard rectangular designs to unique, dramatic shapes, a concrete pool will allow you complete control over getting any dimensions or look that you choose.
Concrete pools are the most popular choice and for good reason. Made from either a Gunite or Shotcrete process that involves contractors pumping wet concrete through a hose onto steel reinforced walls. The benefit of using the wet concrete method ensures that the concrete is mixed to perfect specifications in a factory controlled environment to build your pool with the strength and durability it needs to last for many years to come.
Another major benefit to concrete pools is that they can be refinished, rebuilt, updated and even enlarged once installed.
Fibreglass
Fibreglass pools, on the other hand, are ready-made, making it impossible to request a customized design. It can also be more costly in the long run, especially as after a decade, the fibreglass can begin to deteriorate.
An advantage of fibreglass pools is that they can be installed quickly as they are prefabricated, although a crane is usually required to complete the install. Depending on the space in your yard, this can be difficult to maneuver and the area has to be free from any power lines and overhead wires.
Vinyl
Vinyl lined pools are another option and are made from a one-piece, flexible liner which is inserted into an excavated hole. Once placed on the ground, it is attached to a steel or aluminum framed wall. Choosing a vinyl pool also limits the choices of shapes and sizes and are not nearly as customizable as a concrete option. Another major risk of having a vinyl pool is that sharp object can rip or puncture the liner.
Salt Water vs Chlorine
Another consideration is whether or not you want a salt water or chlorine pool. All pools require a minimum level of bromine and chlorine in the water to provide a safe and comfortable bathing experience. There are two different methods that can accomplish this – chlorine/bromine feeders and salt water chlorine generators.
Chlorine/bromine feeders or otherwise referred to as chlorine tablets have been the traditional method of pool cleanliness for over half a century. The feeder is essentially a tank that holds the chlorine tablets as the water passes through, dissolving the tablets which add the necessary bromine and chlorine to the pool.
Salt water chlorine generators is an electronic device which turns salt into chlorine. It consists of a cell and power pack which produces the chlorine and provides power to the cell to control the function and add a consistent level of chlorine to the pool. One benefit is that there are fewer fluctuations in chlorine levels, making fewer pH fluctuation and the water easier to balance.
To decide which swimming pool is best, it is important to consider your lifestyle, needs, space requirements and budget.