Here at DC Kerckhoff Company, we have been a leader in the manufacture of precast concrete products since 1972. We provide the highest quality stone for everything from pool copings, planters, and balustrades all the way to grand columns, hardscapes, and pavers. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the things you will need to consider while picking out a pool for your backyard.
Concrete Pools
Installing a beautiful in-ground pool is a great way to increase the aesthetics, functionality, and fun of your backyard. The first step of getting your perfect pool is to decide what kind of pool you want. There are three main types of pools available today. The most popular of these three are concrete pools.
Concrete pools are truly custom built. There is no cookie-cutter template for concrete pools available today. The installation consists of putting solid, steel-reinforced walls down into the earth and then shooting concrete out of a gun-like apparatus onto these walls. This system is why you will sometimes hear concrete pools referred to as Shotcrete or Gunite pools. As the concrete finishes curing it can be plastered smooth, painted, tiled, etc.
Concrete pools generally take longer to install than any other type of pool (usually between 3 and 12 weeks). With this added time comes a stronger and more durable pool, however. In fact, many of these pools last for well over 50 years. This is also the only type of in-ground pool that can be expanded, updated, or remodeled. This is one of the huge benefits of having a concrete pool.
Vinyl Pools
Another type of pool is made of vinyl. These are made from a preformed flexible liner that fits into a hole and attaches to a reinforced frame. This frame is normally made of steel, aluminum, or non-corrosive polymer. A majority of vinyl pools are rectangular, but there are other shapes that can be found. These flexible liners come in a multitude of colors and visual textures for your viewing pleasure.
One major drawback to vinyl pools is that they can be punctured by some tools, toys, or other sharp implements. If you choose a vinyl pool make sure you get it at least 1 inch thick and treat it with some degree of care.
The typical installation time for a vinyl pool is 1-3 weeks.
Fiberglass Pools
The last type of pool you will want to look into is a fiberglass pool. These are usually bowl-shaped and can be dropped into a hole in your yard using a crane. Fiberglass pools have a lot less variety in shape and size than their vinyl and concrete counterparts, but they are very smooth to touch and considerably more durable than vinyl pools.
Fiberglass pools can take a long time to have delivered. This is due to the driving routes that truck drivers must take with such an oversized load.
Summary
All three of these pools are quite popular in the USA. You will want to look at what qualities are important to you. Do you want the pool up and running in as little time as possible? Well, then vinyl might be a good option for you. Do you want a custom pool that will last for years? Well, then you should look into concrete. Do you want a smooth and simply shaped pool? In that case, you may want to check out your fiberglass options.
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I found it interesting when you said that fiberglass pools are smoother and more durable than vinyl pools. With that in mind, I will tell my husband that we choose this type of pool in our backyard. We have a large backyard, and we have agreed to have a pool there especially that summer is coming. We plan to hold parties once we have our own pool. So thanks a lot for the information!
Thank you for pointing out that if you go with a concrete pool you will be able to customize it 100%. My husband and I have been planning on installing a pool in our backyard for years and we are finally ready to do it. I’ll have to find a contractor that can help us get everything done and ready for summer.