There are three main types of in-ground swimming pool construction: Concrete, Vinyl Liner, and Fiberglass. Concrete pools tend to be more expensive than vinyl liner pools or fiberglass pools, but do have the advantage of being more durable.

Preformed swimming pools are rather like large fiberglass bathtubs. They are formed at the factory, where the maker seals the surface against the elements and ravages of chlorinated water and ships it to the home. The contractor digs a hole, levels it with sand and sinks the pool into the hole. The pool is flush with the top of the ground, so it can be decked and landscaped just like a concrete pool.

One of the drawbacks of preformed swimming pools is the same as for concrete pools: terrain issues. A contractor will charge more to remove rocks from soil and will charge for a retaining wall to keep the ground stable if it is soft and prone to shift. Another drawback is that design choices are limited for preformed swimming pools. A regular concrete pool can be designed to the homeowner’s wishes, but he is locked in to a few choices for preformed swimming pools.

You also need to decide whether you want a manual, semi-automatic, or an automatic pool cover. You can manually pull the cover on and off, fold it, and place it somewhere out of the way. You can also purchase a pool cover reel to help manually roll up the pool cover. The reel, usually on wheels, can be rolled out of the way.

Some pool covers fit into tracks along the sides of the pool. This prevents anything or anybody from getting into the pool. They even support the weight of several people. If liability is a concern, these are a good option to explore. Safety covers are recommended for public pools, and may be required by inspectors.

—————

The Truth About Pet Food - An informative story of the pet food industry and what to look for when choosing a pet food.