3 Main Types of Residential Swimming Pools

Swimming pools are a great installation for your backyard, and can provide hours of relief from the heat during the summer while also significantly bringing up your home's resale value. However, not all pools are alike: they can be constructed from a variety of different materials, each of which possesses a distinct set of characteristics. Understanding the differences between the most common types of material for residential pools can help you choose the one that is best suited to your needs.

Vinyl Pools

Vinyl is the most affordable and quickest option to install when it comes to residential pools, and consists of a hole dug in the ground with wooden or metal supports that is then lined with a durable vinyl liner. Vinyl liners come in a variety of different colors, allowing you to customize the bottom and sides of your pool to a certain degree. However, vinyl is susceptible to physical damage, which can require expensive repair or replacement, and will need to be replaced every few years as UV exposure from sunlight dries it out and makes it more brittle, making rips and tears more likely.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools are made out of a single large piece of fiberglass. A hole is dug in your backyard, and the insert is put into place with a crane or another piece of specialized building equipment. The advantage of fiberglass is that it is much more durable than a vinyl liner, and will last a much longer time before it has to be replaced. It is also immune to UV damage.

However, the specialized equipment and the material costs associated with a fiberglass pool means that it is significantly more expensive than a vinyl liner pool. Further, since inserts are pre-made, it can be difficult and extremely expensive to customize the shape of your pool: you will likely have to choose from predetermined layouts.

Concrete Pools

Concrete pools are the most expensive residential pool option, and are custom made to your specifications. Since concrete is poured and sprayed into place, this means that you can customize the appearance and design of your pool to a degree that is not possible with other types of residential pools. Furthermore, the durability of concrete means that a concrete pool can last many years without cracking or otherwise experiencing damage (though it will need to be periodically resealed to ensure that it stays in good condition).

The downside of a concrete pool is the fact that it is much more expensive than its alternatives, and the fact that the installation process can be several weeks and can disrupt your entire yard until it is finished. 

To learn more about your pool options, visit resources such as http://www.powerslandscapecompany.com/.