In-ground Pools Versus Above Ground Pools

Having a swimming pool at home is a great idea. It adds to fun and entertainment. It also offers you the opportunity to engage in one of the well rated physical exercises, conveniently in your own home, whenever you want and for any number of hours.

Considerations

Which pool is better – the In-ground Pool or the Above Ground Pool? Your usual considerations are the cost, swimming considerations in terms of depth, width etc, and flexibility for add-ons, durability, appearance or aesthetics, choices available, repair and maintenance cost, safety and finally resale value and disposability.

Cost

In-ground Pools cost ten times more than the above Ground Pools. Installing an aboveground pool can cost between $1500 and $5,000 while for an in-ground pool, it is estimated to be $16,000 for a vinyl-lined model, $15,000-$25,000 for a fiberglass shell and $17,000-$45,000 for concrete. However, custom designs can run prices much higher.

Swimming Considerations

Aboveground pools normally have a deep end of about four feet and as such do not offer the depth that in-ground pools can. In addition, your freedom to have add-ons such as diving boards, slides, and fancy lights is severely curtailed. In-ground pools offer a depth of about six feet, giving you more leeway for comfortable swimming. Add-ons like diving boards, slides, fancy lights etc are feasible as there are no constraints of space.

Durability and Aesthetics

As far as durability and appearance goes, the aboveground pools score lower. These pools often are not as good on the eyes, as they tend to jet out and look as protrusions not in harmony with the rest of the layout. In-ground Pools get a higher score on aesthetics. You have a lot many more options in respect of the shape of your pool, the materials used, the type of finish etc. The design need not be an eye-sore and can merge with the layout in harmony with the ambience, lending support to the style you want to project. The durability of in-ground pools is vouchsafed with the fact that in-ground pools have been found to last for decades, less impacted by weather and normal wear and tear.

Variety & Options

These types of pools come in various colors, patterns, structures, shapes and styles, besides the type of material surrounding the pool.

Maintenance & Repairs

The Above Ground Pools are easier to maintain and less expensive to repair. Maintaining in-ground Pools is expensive. They require more in terms of efforts, equipments, testing kits, chemicals etc. Continuous monitoring of the site is required for clearing the debris both within and outside the pool.

Safety

It is easier to prevent any unauthorized use of an aboveground pool; all you have to do is to remove the pool ladder. For safety, in the case of an in-ground pool, though you can think of putting a fence around cordoning the pool off, it is not as simple as removing the pool ladder.

Removal & Disposability

An aboveground pool can be removed easily when not required. An in-ground pool can not be easily removed. While the presence of an in-ground pool could be a negative factor while selling if the potential buyer does not want it, it could well be a plus point when he wants one.