Tips For Prospective Pool Buyers

If your home ownership dream has always included a glassy blue pool in the backyard, here are some tips from the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals to consider before taking the plunge into pool ownership.

Consider your lifestyle
There’s a pool for every taste, budget and lifestyle. Pools come in every shape and size imaginable, from functional lap pools to ones that serve as works of art. People use their pools for exercise; others for entertaining and some just want to add a little extra backyard beauty. Make sure to set a budget you feel comfortable with.

Choose a pool type and materials
There are two basic types, aboveground and in ground. Of the two, aboveground pools are the easiest and most affordable to install. In fact, installation can occur within hours of purchase. Most aboveground pools support a vinyl liner on a round or oval frame made from either aluminum or steel.

On the other hand, in ground pools offer the consumer more options when it comes to materials. For example, you can choose concrete or Gunite, whereby either material is sprayed or pumped through a hose onto a network of steel reinforcement rods. Vinyl-lined pools are another option. These pools are built with a flexible vinyl liner, supported on the sides by walls made of steel, aluminum, polymer, wood, structural foam or concrete. Another type is fiberglass, in which a full fiberglass "shell" is placed directly into the ground.

Pools come in various styles as well, such as lagoon-style, vanishing edge, traditional, modern art deco and classical shapes. Entry and exit steps can span the length of the pool or turn into a tanning ledge, or you can have a beach-style entry with a sloped edge.

Be sure to include accessories
The above materials combined with creative accessories enable pool builders to create an extravagant look for a relatively modest price. Items like fiber optic lighting change the pool’s water into magnificent bursts of colors. Waterfalls, fountains, rock formations and misting systems also add a dramatic touch, and the drips, drizzles and cascades of moving water create a soothing atmosphere. A pool can also be transformed into a whimsical wonderland with colorful murals, bronze-like sculptures and floating candles.

Remember to landscape the area surrounding the pool with lush trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Be sure to integrate the pool and landscaping so that both relate to the home’s architecture.

Maintain a pool with ease
Thanks to innovations in technology, it’s no longer necessary to dread pool maintenance. Aquatic computers and other automated devices make cleaning as simple as pressing a button on one’s kitchen wall, remote control or cell phone. Pool owners are finding that pool upkeep requires less time than caring for the family sedan.

Remember to compare builders
It’s important to get a few estimates when choosing a pool builder. It is also a good idea to make sure the builder is properly licensed and current on zoning, building and grading requirements. NSPI can also put you in touch with Certified Building Professionals® (CBPs) in your area who have been trained to master the latest techniques in pool and spa construction.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals is the industry’s trade association that represents more than 5,200 pool builders, retailers, distributors and service professionals who share a commitment to fair business practices and a standard of excellence in health and safety. Find more tips from APSP here or download the brochure.