If you have sufficient space in your backyard and aim to spend quality time outdoors with loved ones, installing an inground swimming pool could be an excellent choice. Transforming your outdoor living area with an inground swimming pool can provide functionality and aesthetics.
However, which type of inground swimming pool should I install in my backyard? That is an excellent question because there is a variety you can choose from. Whether you want a sleek, contemporary design or a natural, freeform oasis, discussing your ideas with a seasoned pool builder is the first place to start.
A skilled pool builder can help you choose the right type of inground swimming pool that matches your style, budget, and home design.
Reasons an In-Ground Swimming Pool is a Popular Choice for Most Homeowners
As the name implies, an inground swimming pool is a water-filled permanent structure constructed into the ground so that the top of its wall sits flush with your lawn. Inground swimming pools are undoubtedly a common choice for many residential properties or homeowners seeking to balance functionality, flexibility, and elegance.
Here are some of the reasons why they continue to be a popular and top choice for many people:
They are Durable and Long-Lasting
Unlike their counterparts in above ground pools, inground swimming pools can be long-lasting, becoming a luxury component of your home for decades. The firm concrete base and fiberglass used to make these pools increase their longevity and durability.
They are Easily Customizable
With inground swimming pools, the design possibilities are nearly limitless. From sleek contemporary designs and lap pools to freeform oases with built-in spas, water fountains, and slides, you can design your swimming pool to match your needs, aesthetics, and lifestyle.
They Help Boost Your Property’s Appeal to Potential Clients
Installing an inground swimming pool in your yard can significantly enhance your property’s appeal to potential customers whenever you want to sell or lease it.
They Complement Your Backyard Landscape
In addition to its aesthetics, an inground swimming pool can seamlessly and naturally complement your backyard landscape, creating a cohesive and polished look. If you want to improve your backyard and make it more livable and luxurious for you and your family or friends, installing an inground swimming pool would be a great investment.
They Offer Larger Pool Dimensions
If you are an avid swimmer or have a large family, installing an inground pool would be a wise idea because it can offer adequate space for entertainment, relaxing, or exercising.
Types of Inground Swimming Pools to Consider
The type of inground swimming pool you install in your home will impact the necessary materials, maintenance needs, and cost for the entire project. Therefore, you should explore the available inground swimming options to find one that matches your needs and lifestyle.
Below is an overview of the most popular types of inground swimming pools you would want to consider installing in your residential property or home, with each offering unique benefits:
Concrete Pools
If you are looking for a customizable inground swimming pool option, a concrete one would be an excellent choice. Whether you want a freeform curve or a geometric pattern, a concrete swimming pool is customizable to fit your unique style and taste.
One of the main advantages of concrete inground swimming pools is their durability and longevity. After all, there is a valid reason why pavements are constructed using concrete. You can run, walk, or even drop items on the concrete without breaking it.
However, it is worth noting that while concrete is durable, the materials you will use as a finish are not necessarily as durable. Therefore, when you choose a concrete pool due to its longevity, you should ensure that all other options you use to give it a stunning appearance are centered around this crucial factor.
For example, you can use an aggregate or plaster finish depending on your budget and aesthetic preference. Another advantage of inground swimming pools is the flexible design options. From vanishing edge to infinity edge, the design options of infinity pools are limitless. One of the most significant disadvantages of this pool choice is the high maintenance costs. Since concrete is porous, tiny plants or algae can make these spaces their ideal home.
That means you need to brush these surfaces of your pool often and use more chemical control than you would in other inground pool types, making them extremely demanding maintenance-wise.
Fiberglass Pools
Concrete is a unique and classic design for residential or home inground swimming pools, but the advantages of inground fiberglass pools make them a rising star. Fiberglass inground swimming pools are an excellent option for anyone seeking longevity with minimal fuss.
These swimming pools are prefabricated and arrive at your residence by truck, then your pool installers position them in the excavated space in your backyard using a crane. Inground swimming pools are a rising star and common choice for many homeowners because they are durable and require minimal maintenance costs.
Unlike most types, inground swimming pools do not require regular liner replacement and resurfacing. Their smoother and non-porous surfaces keep algae at bay, lessening cleaning costs and efforts. Also, minimal chemicals are needed to keep the swimming pool’s water safe.
Additionally, how you choose to handle your options for swimming pool water will not affect the fiberglass. For instance, if you have a concrete pool, using saltwater chlorinators is not a wise choice because of the long-term effects of the salt on its structure. However, saltwater chlorinators have no impact on a fiberglass inground swimming pool.
The bottom line is that fiberglass inground swimming pools require less maintenance than other options, like vinyl or concrete. The decision between fiberglass and concrete pools ultimately depends on individual preferences. However, all the factors mentioned above have significantly contributed to the popularity of fiberglass pools.
While it is also a common choice for many homeowners, an inground swimming pool is not a one-size-fits-all remedy for pools. The biggest problem for these pools is their upfront installation costs, varying depending on the shell you purchase. Another downside of these inground swimming options is that they are not as flexible to customization as concrete pools.
Therefore, if your taste is a particular custom shape or size, an inground swimming pool is not an excellent choice.
Vinyl Pools
A vinyl-liner pool is usually the least expensive, offering many homeowners affordable installation rates. Vinyl-liner inground pools are famous for their quick installation and soft, smooth surfaces, minimizing the frequency of bruises and scrapes while swimming.
These special features of vinyl-liner pools make them attractive for most homeowners who desire a luxury pool in their garden without spending much. The shape of a vinyl pool can also be molded per your demand, allowing you to structure a playful and fun pool shape according to your interest and garden theme.
These pools are also prone to punctures and require special attention when cleaning devices or toys are used in the pool. Additionally, the liners used to make these pools may have to be replaced after seven to ten years, depending on how well you care for them.
Replacing your vinyl-liner pool can cost as much as $4,000 or more, so its long-term cost is high. In choosing a vinyl-liner inground pool, compromises between possible maintenance activities and savings in cost are vital considerations.
Infinity Pools
If you are a homeowner seeking visual impact and luxury, you should consider installing an inground infinity swimming pool. Also commonly known as vanishing edge swimming pools, infinity pools have vanishing edges, creating an appealing visual effect or illusion where water seamlessly matches the horizon and the backyard landscape.
For easy and precise customization, pool builders construct infinity pools using concrete. If your house or residential property is strategically located with a scenic view of a city, ocean, or lake, installing an infinity pool would be perfect because it creates a resort-like atmosphere.
While they require complex engineering techniques and a significant budget, these pools can dramatically improve your house’s aesthetic appeal and value.
Lap Pools
A lap pool is designed with fitness and swimming exercises and laps in mind. If you have a narrow or limited space, these pools could be a great way to improve your backyard space and make it more livable. Their narrow and long shape makes them ideal for swimming exercises and laps, making them a perfect choice for any fitness enthusiast.
Typically constructed using fiberglass or concrete, these pools can also have luxury features, like heating systems that you can use to warm the water all year round.
Plunge Pools
Another inground swimming pool you may want to put in your backyard at home is a plunge pool. A plunge swimming pool is smaller and typically constructed for relaxation instead of swimming. They are ideal for urban lots or tiny backyards, giving a refreshing haven on a warm summer afternoon.
Though the plunge pools are small, luxury features like seats, jets, and heating could be included in the pools so that you will enjoy a spa experience. Their versatility and affordability make these pools an excellent option for many homeowners seeking to enjoy the benefits of a swimming pool without breaking the bank.
Custom Features You Can Add to Your In-Ground Swimming Pool
Adding individualized touches to your inground pool can make your distinctive design even more impressive. Popular additions you can consider include:
- LED lighting — Adding a mood and color lighting can improve your swimming experience at night
- Fountains and waterfalls — In addition to helping enhance the visual appeal of your backyard, the unique pool features can create a soothing ambiance
- Built-in Spas — You can combine the benefits of a hot tub and pool in one place for more comfort and luxury
- Tanning ledges — A tanning ledge is ideal for wading and relaxation
- Automatic cover — An automatic cover can enhance your pool safety and lessen maintenance needs
These features can help add a personal touch to your inground swimming pool, making it a perfect oasis for entertainment and relaxation.
Which Type of In-Ground Pool Should I Install in My Backyard?
Selecting an excellent inground swimming pool for your lawn involves weighing various options that can affect your property’s value and swimming experience. Some of the crucial factors to consider before you make this decision include the following:
Cost
The cost is a vital factor to consider when choosing the ideal inground swimming pool for your lawn. On average, the cost of an inground pool can vary based on a variety of factors, such as:
- The type of inground pool design you choose
- The materials being used
- Your pool size
- Any additional add-on features, like a water feature or a waterfall
Installation
Once you examine the cost aspects of the inground swimming pool of your choice, the next factor to consider is the installation requirements. In this stage, you should analyze your slope and assess backyard soil stability. The drainage of your backyard is also another crucial factor to consider.
If you have hired a pool builder, he/she can conduct this analysis and assessment on your behalf. Aside from ensuring your inground pool complies with the zoning regulations, these preliminary steps help optimize your pool structure and increase its durability.
Maintenance
An inground pool may need maintenance to keep its structure in top condition and the water chemistry in balance. Knowing its maintenance requirements can assist you in maintaining this new investment for decades to come, whether you have an inground concrete pool, a vinyl pool, or a fiberglass pool.
Find a Competent Pool Builder Near Me
Choosing the right type of inground swimming pool for your backyard is essential. Hiring a good pool builder is advisable to help install an inground swimming pool in your backyard.
At Oak Wells Aquatics, we are willing to walk with you on this journey to install a swimming pool that matches your style and budget and enhances your outdoor living space. We invite you to call us at 904-619-3281 and discuss your vision with our understanding and qualified pool builders, wherever you are in Jacksonville.
