Sure, the weather outside right now isn’t making you think about taking a dip in a brand new pool, but once the dog days of summer get here, you and the family are going to want a place to cool off. What better way to do so than from the comfort of your own backyard with a swimming pool? Here are some differences between above ground vs in-ground pools.
Ambassador Pools is a leading above ground pool provider in the New England area, including in Massachusetts where they are headquartered. We wanted to give you a few points to think about when it comes to making a pool purchase. Should you go with in-ground or above ground? What is the best value? What makes the most sense for your family’s needs? Read on to learn more.
COST
This is likely the first thing that you want to know about. How much is it going to cost? Generally speaking, an in-ground pool, regardless of whether it is vinyl, concrete, or fiberglass is going to cost around $30-70,000. This is a wide range, definitely, but it is a true estimate of how much the job is going to cost you.
You may have seen popular TV commercials or kits sold at your local home improvement store that say that you can have an in-ground pool installed for less than $15,000. This is nowhere close to being accurate. Sure, maybe the cost of labor will be this much, but this total does not include: the shell of the pool, the excavation and ground leveling work that will be needed, the pool deck that will need to be added around the water, the accessories you want, lighting, electrical hookup, and the fence that will be required around the pool if you live in an area where it’s in the city code.
When purchasing an above ground pool, the costs are much less. You can get the entire pool set up, pool deck and accessories included, for MUCH less than $30,000! This is good news for any homeowner working with a budget, which let’s face it, that’s all of us! Also, when you get an above ground swimming pool installed, you won’t need to worry about getting a special fence installed, and you won’t have to pay any yearly taxes on it as is the case with the in-ground variety.
MAINTENANCE
When comparing the two types of pools, in-ground pools require a lot of chemicals to be sure that the water stays clean and healthy for your family to swim in. Also, if there is a crack in the walls or floor of the pool, it can be difficult (and expensive) to have repaired, especially if the shell is made from concrete. With an above ground pool from Ambassador Pools, you get a practically maintenance-free pool. That is just how they are designed! It is recommended that you make sure that the filter is kept clean, and be sure that you also skim across the top of the water to remove any leaves, twigs, seed pods, or so on which may have gotten into the water between uses.
SIZE
Both types of pools are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. However, with above ground pools from us, you have the ability to get a versatile rectangular pool installed which will fit perfectly in the space allotted for it in your backyard. These pools are great for swimming laps and getting your exercise. They are also perfect for all types of water sports and games, including water volleyball.
LONGEVITY
Typically speaking, the average above ground pool will last for around 15 years with proper care and upkeep. The liner in the pool will last for about 5-9 years before it is going to need to be replaced. An in-ground pool’s lifespan will vary depending on what type of material the shell is made out of. For most fiberglass pools, they should last for about 20 years. Vinyl pools will last for about that long, as well, but their liners will need to be replaced often. And concrete pools will last for a long time, but they are the most difficult to maintain because they can easily crack and chip.
CONCLUSION
There you have it, above ground vs in-ground pools. As you can easily see, an above ground pool is a great choice if you are a family in New England wanting to get a swimming pool for your family for the upcoming spring and summer months. For more information, or to schedule a consultation in your home, please feel free to give us a call at 800-752-9000. We look forward to hearing from you soon!