Swimming Pool Plans

Swimming pools are great fun for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s for exercise or just sunning yourself, having the luxury of your own pool in your own backyard is a real treat. If you have a family with young children, you can teach them to swim in your very own swimming pool. There’s also no hassle of having to drive to a public swimming pool where you are swimming with strangers. Swimming pools are great additions to any home.

There are above ground pools as well as in ground swimming pools. Above ground pools are more cost efficient, but a quality in ground pool is an investment that can increase the long term value of your home. Be aware that in ground installation costs can vary quite a bit depending on the economy and the area in which you live.  You must also take the rising costs of materials and installation into account. Among the more unusual pools are custom jobs in a variety of shapes limited only by imagination. Depending on how complicated the design, costs could get quite high… Some people install a pool as a status symbol designed to impress the neighbors. Pool prices are falling however, and a $3500 pool is within reach of many families if they can live with more common shapes such as round, oval, rectangular or kidney shaped. Because they are a luxury item, swimming pool prices are very much tied to the economy. If you are planning on selling your home in the next year or two, you will not likely recover the cost of installing an in ground pool. Swimming pools are rich sources of pleasure. They not only amuse us but energize the body as well. Swimming pools are distinguished by two factors, type of material utilized and whether the pool is above or below the ground. Concrete swimming pools are still considered to be the best option. Concrete pools can be formed in any shape or size because they are custom-poured. It is very important to make a good plan scheme with accurate static calculations taking into consideration capacity of bearing. Only experienced professionals should be trusted to install such a pool. Another option is the fiberglass swimming pool. These swimming pools are pre-fabricated and are slipped right into a hole previously excavated to accommodate them. These shells can either be completely molded fiberglass shells, or a shell of concrete and some other materials combined with fiberglass. Although fiberglass pools are gaining in popularity (approximately 7% of in ground pools), they are limited in the number of shapes available.

photo credit: jayhem

If you are entertaining the idea of having a pool installed or setting up an above ground swimming pool on your own, you would be wise to shop around and get several estimates for your project.  Do your homework before investing in your new swimming pool.