Above ground against inground pool. Every potential question pool owner will have to answer this question.

In accordance with the recent research, there are almost 3.500.000 above ground pools and 5.000.000 inground pools in the US. Nevertheless, the market of the first has developed more rapidly in the last years.

In general, so many men, so many minds.

However, the majority of people have no choice since they can’t afford an inground pool. However, for the rest, the decision is hard. Below are the main points to take into account when choosing the best pool for you and your family.

Price

We should know that the costs of an inground pool may be very different. The same thing applies to the above ground pools. A lot depends on the extras involved.

But one thing is for sure: an inground swimming pool is much more costly than a comparable above ground pool. Actually, the cheapest inground pool costs as much as the first-class above ground pool (and you’ll still save a bit from arranging a great pool party).

To compare both options deeper, we should take into account the additional costs of installing an inground pool. Below are some of the factors included in the price of inground installation that may not be necessary for an above ground pool:

• Digging
• Professional construction
• Pool fencing
• More costly materials
• Extra permits

So, an above ground pool provides you more extra money considering the same budget. You can use it to buy a good wraparound deck. Finally, for most householders, the choice is limited to a vinyl inground pool and above ground pool with a deck.

Installation

In most cases, installing an above ground pool is faster and simpler than building an inground pool.

Above ground pools are generally assembled with the help of a kit and are comparatively easy for a skilled person to install. If you purchase your model from a local pool store, make sure that they perform the installation for you free of charge. Otherwise, you will have to do it with your own hands.

Inground pools can also be assembled with the help of kits, but it’s not so common. The need for excavation turns the installation of an inground pool way more difficult. Moreover, obtaining permissions and complying with security laws may also be more challenging with an inground pool.

However, in most cases, an inground pool is installed by a local pool company. Its installation may take a few weeks or months, depending on the material. But regardless of the complexity and duration of work, you will not be doing the work.

Security

A stationary above ground pool has an integrated security feature that’s missing in inground pools. According to the research, more than 50% of lethal drownings occur in inground pools.

Thus, the details are really important. Although above ground pools might be statistically more secure, an inground pool with well-thought-out safety functions (including fencing) will less probably be the site of an incident than an unprotected aboveground pool.

Personalization

Above ground pools are available in a large but, at the same time, a limited amount of options. And while they are available in a broad range of styles, the choice of dimensions and forms is quite scarce.

Actually, an inground swimming pool can take any shape you want (but only if it’s made of concrete). There are lots of extra features available for inground models, such as spas and sun shelves. Moreover, the inground pool can have a springboard, which is impossible for an above ground pool because it’s not deep enough.

Design

The majority of people think that inground swimming pools are more beautiful than above ground pools. They’re just more similar to the environmental waters.

But this does not mean that you can’t make an above ground pool look attractive, particularly if you improvise with the landscape design or an attached deck. However, as regards appearance, most people still prefer an above ground pool.

Maintenance

Above ground and inground pools require approximately the same maintenance tasks, such as cleaning, preserving chemical balance, and filtering. As regards durability, inground pools (especially fiberglass and concrete models) are usually way better than above ground models.

On the other side, when an inground pool really needs repairs, it will cost you a lot, since this is a constant element of your property. And on the contrary, an old above ground pool can just be demolished and in your spare time.

Value

An inground pool usually increases the cost of your home, but certainly not as much as you invest in it. However, it’s better than an above ground pool, which can even decrease the property value. This is quite probable, particularly if you live in a warmer region where inground pools are very common, or if you have an above ground pool that’s just too cheap for your house.

To clarify, neither kind of pool is reasonable as an investment since there are lots of more efficient ways to put your money into home decoration. However, if you’re determined to purchase a pool, you should consider what kind of asset you’re obtaining for your money.

Still can’t choose between an above ground and inground pool? Most pool specialists recommend starting with the first option. Later on, if you wish, you can “shift” to an inground version after a few seasons, when you have a clearer idea of what you want to see in your patio.