Above-ground pools offer a great value in family entertainment. For less than the cost of a two week vacation, a back yard pool can provide years and years of fun and togetherness. And today’s pools are better than ever: new materials and manufacturing techniques create a pool that can last until your children are grown and your grandchildren are swimming.
Materials | Design | How to Choose a Pool that is Right For You
Above-ground pools are constructed in three basic materials; steel, aluminum or resin (plastic).
The advantages of steel are price and weight. Steel is the heaviest of the three materials, and a steel pool is very solid. While steel will eventually rust, modern-day manufacturing methods create steel pools with 20+ year life spans.
Aluminum pools have become popular over the last 10 or 15 years. Their main advantage is resistance to rust, although aluminum does oxidize and weaken over time. As it oxidizes, it tends to pit and the surface becomes rough and may cause pinholes in the liner. Aluminum pools are easier to disassemble and move, but at almost half the weight of steel they tend to flex more, giving them a “flimsy” feel. They are also more expensive than their steel counterparts.
Resin (plastic) is the newest material being used in above-ground pools. While there are a few all-resin pools available, most are of a hybrid design with some or all of the structural components, like caps, uprights and or top rails, fabricated from resin and matched to a steel or aluminum wall. Resin does not rust or oxidize, and is therefore an excellent material for pool construction. While 100% resin pools are generally much more expensive than aluminum or steel, the hybrid designs offer many of the advantages of resin at a small increase in price.
OPINION: Ordini’s handles all three types of above-ground pools. However, we feel the best overall value is a steel or steel-resin hybrid. The walls of modern steel pools are hot-dipped galvanized, rust proofed, vinyl coated (double coated in better pools), and finished with a protective clear coat. A high-quality steel pool will last just as long as an aluminum or resin pool, at a lower price.
Materials | Design | How to Choose a Pool that is Right For You
There are three basic design types of above-ground pools: round, oval and "on-ground".
Round and oval pools are manufactured with 48” or 52” wall heights, with round pools available in sizes from 12’ to 30’, in 3 foot increments. Ovals are available from 8’ x 12’ to 18’ x 39’.
Round pools are self-supporting with no external bracing needed. Oval pools require angled braces along the long sides, with steel straps running under the pool connecting the braces on opposite sides. These braces add an additional five to six feet to the total width of the pool, and must be taken into consideration to determine what size pool your yard can accommodate. In many cases an oval pool will take up almost as much space as a round pool, with substantially less swimming area. For example, a 12’x18’ oval pool requires a 17’x18’ installation space, and holds 6190 gallons of water. An 18’ round pool, using approximately the same space, holds 7296 gallons. There are a few specialty pools that use a single pole on each side of the pool, connected by a strap running under the pool and a steel cable across the top of the pole, eliminating the need for external bracing. These pools are ideal for those with severe space limitations.
RECOMMENDATION: If your yard space allows, a round pool will generally offer more swimming area than a comparable oval, at a lower cost.
The on-ground pool uses a totally different design concept than above-ground pools. Instead of a continuous wall, on-grounds use thick 4 inch wide aluminum panels that interlock to form the walls. The strength of this design allows the pool to be built in round, oval or rectangular shapes, and can be installed partially or completely in ground. These pools always include fencing and decking, and many can be installed with a six foot deep end. Although substantially more expensive than above-ground pools, on-grounds are a good alternative for people who want the size and quality of an in-ground, but for one reason or another cannot accommodate the digging required to install it.
Materials | Design | How to Choose a Pool that is Right For You
Now that you know about the design and types of pools available,
how do you choose the one that right for you?
Obviously, there’s more than one pool that will satisfy your needs, but the following suggestions will help you narrow the field.
Budget is generally the first consideration. Pools come in a wide variety of price points, and the first thing you need to do is to decide what you want to spend your money on. Do you need to put a fence around the pool, for example. Do you want a deck for the pool? Fencing and decking can be more expensive than the pool itself, depending on the size and type chosen.
Size is the next thing you need to determine. First, contact your township’s zoning board to determine the set back requirements. These are the specifications that tell you how far from your house and property lines the pool needs to be to meet the township’s codes. Most townships have a packet you can obtain that spells out all of their requirements. Once you’ve determined the set backs, a length of rope laid out on the ground can be helpful in visualizing the size and shape of the pool you want. Keep in mind that pools start at 12’ round and increase in 3’ increments; oval pools are generally twice as long as they are wide.
RECOMMENDATION: Buy as large a pool as your budget and layout will allow. It doesn't cost a lot more to maintain a larger pool, and you'd be surprised how many people end up buying a bigger pool just a few year after purchasing on they thought would be large enough.
The third consideration is wall height. Just a few years ago, all pools were 48" high. Now many pools are available with a 52" wall. The difference between the two are 42" of water vs. 46".
52" pools are a little more expensive than the 48" models, and it is really a matter of personal preference as to which one you choose.
OPINION: Families with younger children might wish to consider the lower wall height in order for children to keep their heads above water while standing. An option to the 52" wall is to have the bottom of the pool "bowled out" when it is installed, leaving a 2' ledge around the perimeter. This will give children a 42" depth around the pool, while permitting approximately 5' of water depth in the center for adults and older children.
If your property is not fenced in, you will probably be required to place a fence around the top of the pool. Almost all fences sold today are extruded aluminum, with either square or round fence slats. Round slats are stronger than square slats.
Decking choices include wooden or aluminum decks. Wood is the cheaper than aluminum, but must be weatherproofed every year. Aluminum decks are available formed over a wood frame, or made from extruded aluminum channel and welded together. The extruded aluminium design is far stronger, and should last at least as long as the pool itself. Some decks are available with outdoor carpeting; although more expensive, carpeted decks are much cooler than either wood or bare metal. An additional type of decking is the walk-around deck. This is usually an 18” to 24” wide deck that surrounds the pool, and is primarily for making vacuuming and cleaning larger pools easier. Most walk-around decks are sold in packages with fences and regular decks. They add considerably to the price of a pool. For example, a 24’ round pool that sells for $2500 would cost approximately $4000 more to add a deck, fence and walk-around. For specifics on available shapes and sizes of decks, please read our Fence and Deck page located in the Products section.
NOTE: Fences and decks are easier to install at the same time as the pool, but they can usually be added at a later date.
RECOMMENDATION: If you purchase a pool with a walk-around deck, be sure that it comes with a beaded (sometimes called a "Hung") liner. If you need to replace the liner, a standard "over-the-top" liner will require removal of the fence and deck.
We hope this guide has be helpful in making your pool buying decision easier. We believe an informed client is a happy client. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at:
email: answerguy@ordinis.com
phone: 1-800-ORDINIS