Summer is here and everyone is trying to find a way to cool off for a bit, so swimming pools are busier than ever, except not the public ones but the ones we have at home. The COVID-19 pandemic made it very difficult for us to go hang out at the beach or a public pool, so a lot of us purchased ones for our backyards instead.
A swimming pool is not a cheap investment, but thankfully, above-ground types exist. For those who can’t afford to dig up their entire backyard and place a below-ground swimming pool there, these things are the best option. They cost less, but allow you almost the same feeling of comfort, and most importantly, cool-off.
In today’s article, we’re going to talk about purchasing above-ground swimming pools, and some of the main factors that you need to consider before buying one. Don’t make the mistake of spending your money on something that’s not suitable for your yard. Instead, take the time to read this article and make the wiser decision. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s take a look at what you need to know.
1. Consider the foot cover size
First and most important, you need to decide what size you want or can fit in your backyard. This will mostly depend on your purpose. If you are a swimmer and you regularly had swimming lessons before the pandemic, and now you want to maintain that performance, a large pool might be a good option. Although you cannot get an above-ground pool of equal size like the ones you practiced in, larger is still better than smaller.
Above-ground lap pools exist, but they are not very common. You’ll have to order one through the internet or ask for availability in your nearest store.
2. How difficult is it to set up
The second important factor is the difficulty when it comes to setting the pool up. Some people don’t have an entire tools et ready in their garage, so what they want to do is just purchase one with a simple design and get it up and running in less than a day. Before you purchase something that you cannot set up on your own, carefully read the instructions and the product description.
You must do this so you don’t end up wasting your money and then waiting some more for the service. You’ll need to find someone to build it up for you if you can’t.
3. The shape of the pool
If you only care about being in the water when the sun is shining, the shape shouldn’t matter all that much for you. But, if you are limited by the footprint of your backyard, then it becomes a big deal. Some backyards are very oddly shaped, so those who want to place a swimming pool in them should either order a custom design or get any shape but at a small size. If you cannot fit a pool in your backyard by any means, maybe visiting a swim-spa is a good option for you. You can learn more about that here.
If you are in a position to choose any shape you want, good advice is to choose the one that allows you to get the most out of your backyard. For example, if your backyard has the footprint of a square, a square swimming pool will be the best fit, and so on. Pretty simple, yet some people don’t think of it when buying. Don’t be one of those.
4. Price for purchase & Transport
Money is an important factor, and it should be the deciding factor on whether you’re going to choose a particular model or not. If we had an unlimited budget, we wouldn’t purchase an above-ground pool, instead, we would go for an infinity pool or something even more luxurious. Anyway, let’s get back to reality.
Budget is important, and it is one of the most important factors. Some pools are more expensive than others, it’s a sad reality. Although we always tend to look into those with a higher price tag, we can only purchase what our budget allows us to. Browsing the options and sorting by price is a great way to narrow down your list, in case you can’t make up your mind.
Keep in mind that you’ll probably have to pay for transportation as well if you’re purchasing from the internet, or from a store that’s far away from your home.
5. Does it come with steel frames?
The construction of an above-ground swimming pool is very important. These types go under a lot more pressure compared to regular, ground ones. A normal swimming pool cannot disassemble while it’s used, but an above-ground model sure can.
This is why you need to make sure that the construction is solid and the frames made out of top-quality materials, sturdy and durable. Usually, the better the materials, the higher the price, but you can always find a hidden gem in the world of pools, all you have to do is do your research and not rush your decision.
6. Bottom-layer material
Even though most pools are deep enough to never let you touch the bottom, it will mostly depend on the model. If you’re purchasing one that’s meant for kids, for example, you’ll most-certainly touch the bottom when using it. The bottom layer must be a material that’s not slippery. And, it should be friendly for the skin, especially if your children are using it.
As for deeper ones, this is still important, but it’s not a deciding factor. If everything else is fine but the bottom layer is not, it shouldn’t be a bad purchase.
Conclusion
Above-ground pools come in many shapes and sizes. Choosing the one that’s right for you will depend on many factors, and we gave our best to list them all in this article. Since these are not the cheapest things you can purchase these days, we feel like it’s important to consider all of the things from above before you make a transaction.
