Inground Gunite Pools
Gunite pools are the most elaborate of all the pool categories. These are permanent, reinforced pools with concrete and plaster instead of liners. Excavation is also necessary, and a wide variety of special options such as waterfalls, custom steps, and beach entrys can be easily added to complement these high-quality pools. Gunite pools are often seen in commercial applications; many private homeowners, however, also choose gunite pools for their flexibility since they can be built in any shape. Gunite pool owners can also choose from many plaster finishes or pebble applications, allowing for maximum creativity. The high quality of these pools usually puts them in the highest price range.
Considerations:
Interior Finish A variety of selections are available, including white plaster, pebble aggregate, colored plaster, polished marble, glass bead, painting and tile. Textured finishes may lightly abrade swimwear and skin.
Decking & Coping Your decking choices are unlimited - stained concrete, stamped concrete, natural stone, cool deck (coating, colored/textured) or deck pavers or tile. Cantilever decking edges that blend from the deck into your pool are most frequently used. Another popular alternative is brick coping to accent the outline of your pool.
Upgrade Possibilities & Accessories Virtually any feature can be added after installation, including spillover or island spas, rock or step waterfalls, interior finishes and colors, decking, firepits, accent medallions, laminar jets, rain showers, sheer curtains, misters, lighting effects and pool heaters. You can also accessorize your poolscape with volleyball and basketball setups, backyard grills, safety fencing, slides, loungers, automatic covers (depending on design) and outdoor furniture.
Inground Vinyl Pools
Vinyl-liner, or package, pools are less labor intensive then concrete pools and, in some regions, a less expensive method of construction.
Traditional inground pools usually have reinforced walls with vinyl-liners. Rectangular pools are most common, but an interesting variety of L-shaped, free form, and other shapes are also available. Manufacturers have created many new liner patterns and colors, so there are many options pool owners can choose to enhance their poolscapes. Optional features add to the price, but they are often worth the extra cost for the aesthetic benefits.
Excavation of the pool site is usually necessary before installation, so inground vinyl pools fall into a more expensive price range. The hole is dug in much the same manner as with other pool installations. The ground is covered with sand or a similar material so the liner has a smooth surface on which to rest. After the liner is placed, coping is attached to the tops of the walls and holes are cut for the drains and skimmers. The openings are sealed to prevent leakage, and backfill is packed in behind the walls. The last step is to fill the pool and hook up its filtration equipment.
Considerations
Design Choose from over 20 pre-fabricated shapes to fit your backyard - from a classic rectangle configuration to a curvaceous natural-looking lagoon and everything in between. Bench seating and pool covers are available on most models.
Interior Finish Choose from up to a dozen patterns, each available in multi-color selections. Care must be taken with toys and pets to maintain a puncture-free surface of your vinyl liner.
Decking & Coping Your decking choices are unlimited - stained concrete, stamped concrete, natural stone, cool deck (coating, colored/textured) or deck pavers or tile. Cantilever decking edges that blend from the deck into your pool are most frequently used. Another popular alternative is brick coping to accent the outline of your pool.
Upgrade Possibilities & Accessories It is generally more cost effective to include the features you desire at the time of initial installation. Virtually any feature, however, can be added after installation, including spillover or island spas, rock or step waterfalls, interior finishes and colors, decking, firepits, accent medallions, laminar jets, rain showers, sheer curtains, misters, lighting effects and pool heaters. You can also accessorize your poolscape with volleyball and basketball setups, backyard grills, safety fencing, slides, loungers, automatic covers (depending on design) and outdoor furniture.
Inground "One Piece" Fiberglass Pools
"One Piece" Fiberglass Pools are manufactured in factories utilizing quality control standards and transported to the jobsite. The composition of the product consists of a durable non porous gel coat interior finish usually reinforced on the back with a composite material - primarily fiberglass reinforced plastic.
Most manufacturers offer many varieties of sizes and shapes. With newer technologies for color, fiberglass pools offer a wide range of options for the simple to sophisticated buyer. Many options are available that give fiberglass pools a permanent aesthetic appeal.
The process of construction involves digging a hole to match the shape of the pool, then sand or pea gravel is washed into the voided areas simultaneously while the pool is being filled to create a solid base for the pool to rest against. Once this backfill process is complete, plumbing, equipment placement and decking would complete the pool.
Considerations
Design Choose from a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your backyard and entertainment needs. Bench seating, swim outs, and other designs vary by size and models. Depths vary by model with only a few manufacturers offering pools deep enough for a diving board. Pools of these depths offer unique challenges in the building process and usually cost and take more time to install.
Interior Finish Colors and texture looking finishes are available on limited manufacturer basis and as most colors may fade over time from UV exposure. Although these pools may cost more to purchase they offer a very unique appearance and hide blemishes, stains and dirt very well. Optional tile border and inlaid tile mosaics are features that can add life and color to your pool. There are a variety of lightening options to make your pool safer as well as bring it to life at night.
Decking and Coping Decking choices are unlimited - exposed fiberglass coping for the economy minded individual. Stained, stamped, or cantilevered for the more permanent aesthetic appeal of a more sophisticated buyer. Coping choices can be stone or brick with a number of different textures, profiles, and coordinated colors.
Upgrade Possibilities & Accessories Most features can be added after installation, but it is generally more cost effective to include the features you desire at the time of initial installation. Many options are available such as spillover spas, waterfalls, hydrotherapy jets / equipment, computer command centers, and modern sanitizing systems. In addition, there are also a number of accessories and outdoor activity centers to complement your pool area.
