If you are stepping into the world of backyard pools for your home, you’ll have your work cut out for you in regard to research, decision-making, and possibly financing the build for your pool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a bit of misinformation out there when it comes to purchasing a pool. Frankly, I believe that many sites give too conservative of a price expectation and provide too little of an understanding of how monumental a task getting a pool built and installed is for homeowners.
When choosing a pool, consider budget, permits, and HOA restrictions first. Fiberglass pools are fast and require less maintenance. Vinyl liner pools offer customization options on a budget. Concrete pools offer unique features and customization but require more maintenance. Above-ground pools are very affordable but less aesthetically pleasing. Intex pools are quick to install and mobile, while above-ground pools with vinyl liners are more durable but less mobile and oftentimes not attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article will give you as deep of a dive as possible into both inground and above-ground pool ownership, the different types of pools available, and how you can decide which pool is right for you before you buy. I’ll discuss the different types of pools and pool builds, some of the pros and cons along with an explanation of what to expect after purchase. You can also check this in-depth guide on inground pool sizes<\/a> to help you choose which size is right for your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key difference when discussing the difference between above-ground and inground pools is that one is a permanent structure built into your home or backyard while the other is mobile. Above-ground pools can be taken down and put back up time and time again if they are durable. Once an inground pool goes into the ground, it stays there. The exception is fiberglass inground pools which can be moved but 99% of homeowners would never want to do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where the astronomical price difference comes between the two. A similar difference that we can imagine is the price difference between building a decent carport or having an entire garage built on your land. This brings us to the next part of the discussion which is approval and restrictions, just as in our example above, there will be a load of different regulations to follow when putting a permanent structure on your land compared to a nonpermanent structure plus the additional safety regulations because of the possibility of drowning from unsecured pools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before even jumping into what type of pool you want, you’ll need to find out what type of pool you are allowed to have! If you are living in a subdivision most likely there are some rules to live by to keep neighbors from having an all-out war over various annoying things. For example, my mother has a portable toilet business and wanted to place a portable toilet on her deck during the summertime so that people weren’t tracking water and dirt into her house when playing in the pool. The HOA was not having it and she wasn’t allowed to put the toilet outside. I don’t have a dog in that fight but I can understand both sides of the argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can imagine, building a pool might be against regulations set out by your HOA. The rules do tend to be specific to above-ground or inground pools which might force your hand on which type of pool you are going to build on your property.Inground Vs. Above-ground Pools Understanding the Difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Permit Approval and Hoa Restrictions for Pools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your local city ordinances will have some very specific requirements for your pool that you should know beforehand. In most cases, fencing is a common example. Most cities require fences to be built around a pool they have specific height requirements and gate latch requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n