Above Ground Swimming Pools Guide

Once you own a swimming pool, you will find that everybody in the family really enjoys having it around. It is a great convenience being able to just jump in for a dip whenever the urge strikes. Even little ones, like toddlers, really enjoy being in the swimming pool. That is why it is so very important to ensure that your toddler is never left alone near the pool. It only takes one careless moment for something terrible to happen.
When you do go swimming with your toddler, you may also want to consider having some type of swimming pool accessories around that can also help to keep your little one safe. Even with you there, the extra security of having flotation devices for your child is a good idea. Of course you should still never leave a toddler on his or her home even if they are wearing arm floaties or lifejackets. These accessories can help to make the swimming experience more fun for your little one because they get to experience what it feels like to float in the water, with you right next to them of course.

As your children get older you can introduce more pool toys that also act as flotation aides. These could include swimming rings and kickboards. These are also helpful when you are trying to teach your children how to swim in your pool. Children like the security of having something to hold on to as they are learning to get comfortable in the water.

There are many different types of swimming pool accessories and swimming pool toys available for purchase online and at local pool shops. If you’re going to have a swimming pool and go to the trouble of maintaining it for your family, you should certainly consider picking up some swimming pool accessories to help them enjoy the pool safely.

Swim School Easy Fit Arm Floats $7.25	Boys Floatsafe Flotie Soft Fabric Armbands floatie $6.90	Marvel Spider-man Arm Floaties $1.60
Disney Pixar Toy Story Arm Floats $2.77	Girls Floatsafe Flotie Soft Fabric Armbands floatie $6.90	Dora The Explorer Inflatable Arm Floats $1.95
Disney Princess Inflatable Arm Floats (kids) $2.49	Disney Mickey Mouse Arm Floats – kids Arm Floats $4.99	Mouse Arm Floats $10.67

Creative Swimming Pool Designs

If you have what you might think of as a boring backyard, you may be looking for a way to make it into something special.  A swimming pool is often a great way to do just that.  Swimming pool designs and poolscape possibilities can be combined to make a fabulous showplace out of even a very drab piece of property.  Before you go nuts and just start looking for things to buy, it is absolutely essential that you plan out what you want your property to look like after the project is complete.

The undertaking of a large project like this can be a bit daunting, so organization is a must.  You should start by writing down some basic facts.  You can get more detailed as you go along.  A very important consideration for most people will be the amount of money they have to spend on a project.  Anyone who has taken on a home improvement project in the past most likely has realized that expenses can mount in a hurry if you don’t plan out everything as much as possible.

Once you have some idea of how much you are willing to spend, you may want to start the wheels turning on anything that may take extra time, such as obtaining swimming pool financing.  Many people do not take on any extra loans, but if you think that you might, it could be a good idea to find out where you stand before proceeding on to anything else.

Since this site is mainly dedicated to above ground swimming pools, we will concentrate on those as the main feature of your re-vamped back yard.  As I’ve mentioned previously, if you are willing to consider a used swimming pool, you can cut your costs substantially.  Even if you want to go with a brand new pool for your construction project though, you can find better prices on above ground swimming pools and accessories during times when swimming pool dealers are looking to clear out stock from their inventories.

As you consider your backyard, think about the amount of room you have to work with and how you want to utilize it.  A realistic assessment of your situation will help you  to end up with a better finished project.  Just because you could cram a 28 foot pool in to the space, doesn’t mean that it is a good idea.  You are planning not only for a pool, but also an entire poolscape that will be used for entertaining family and friends.  This doesn’t have to be complicated and expensive, but your overall experience will be a lot nicer if you can actually hang out by the pool without having to walk sideways to get by each other!

Think about any special features that you might want your pool to have such as lighting or a deck.  Both of those will require money and preparation.  If you plan on having cook out parties, make sure that you plan for room to cooking and for sitting down with friends to eat.

As you start the planning of your pool design and how you want the area around your pool to look, start with some ideas and be will to be a little bit flexible as you work toward your final outcome.  You may have the perfect design for your pool area all planned out.  If so, that is great.  If you are working from a general idea of what you want though, you may actually come up with ideas you like better as you move along in the project.

Cheap Above Ground Swimming Pools for SaleIt can be really frustrating when you know that you want to get a pool, but every time you go to a dealer with their advertisement in hand, you feel like you are getting the “bait and switch” done to you.  There are some times that the pool dealers actually do need to get things moved along.  You just need to know the right time to shop.

If you have been on the fence about getting a pool, now is one of the times that you might want to start checking for discount above ground swimming pools.  Of course it will all depend on what the pool retailers are doing in your particular area, but I know that where I live, I usually start hearing advertisements for the big Fourth of July sales starting to fire up right about now. Of course the swimming pool dealers also like to have sales at the end of the season and then again at the beginning of the season. The biggest challenge sometimes is making yourself wait for the next big blowout sale. As I said, if you still aren’t ready, there will most likely be end of the season sales near Labor Day as well, but the downside is that you might not even get to swim in your new pool until next year!  If you have kids, that might be a tough one to sell.  Most likely it will still be warm enough to squeeze out a little bit of time after Labor Day though. Personally, I skipped past all of that by purchasing a used swimming pool. That is an option that I can’t stress enough if you are willing to put in the effort to possibly take down a used pool and then re-install it yourself. It can really save some money. Above ground swimming pools are a lot like cars in this regard. As soon as they leave the “lot” they become a lot easier to find for a great price. Above ground swimming pool prices really aren’t that bad.  Some friends of mine live in an area where they are required by local ordinances to get an in-ground pool if they want a pool on their property.  That is a MUCH more expensive way to go.  Personally, I don’t think I would be too thrilled by the idea of local laws telling me what kind of pool I could put on my property, but that’s just me. 

If you already have a pool installed you might want to check for sales starting soon on above ground swimming pool landscaping accessories.  Some people have a real talent for making a pool look great.  That is one disadvantage of above ground pools.  They don’t look quite as nice and integrated as in-grounds.  For the price difference though, I can live with it and so can a lot of people who are working within a budget. You still might want to watch for sales though if you have been considering adding a deck or possibly getting a nicer pool ladder or some other “extra” for your swimming pool. The deals pop up, you just have to be read for the sales when they arrive.

If you’re purchasing a new swimming pool, it will most likely come with its own liner. If you already own an above ground swimming pool, or if you have picked one up used, you may find yourself in a position where you need to look at what is available in above ground swimming pool liners. Even if you do your very best to maintain your swimming pool in the best condition, eventually you’ll probably need to replace your pool’s liner. As you shop around for above ground swimming pool liners, check to see what the life expectancy is of each one and ask if there is any kind of guarantee that comes with it.

You’ll need to know what kind of swimming pool liner is required for the job before you can do anything else. Without the proper liner your pool is useless. Overlap pool liners do just what their name implies. The far edges of the liner overlap the side of the pool and hang down along the outside wall. Some people are fine with the way this looks, but if it bothers you you can simply trim some of the excess away to make it look a little bit neater. It might be advisable to leave a bit showing however in case any adjustments ever need to be made.

Beaded swimming pool liners are designed to fit into a track that holds them in place. If you’re not sure what you have, looking under the top rail should answer your question. If you still cannot figure it out take some photos of what you see underneath the top rail, so that you can show them to someone at an above ground swimming pool dealer near you. You do not necessarily have to buy anything from this person, but they will be able to tell you more about your pools requirements and even give you a quoted price that you can compare later.

This may seem obvious, but before you go to talk to anyone, you should know as much about you’re swimming pool as possible. This would include both the size and shape of your above ground swimming pool. An oval above ground swimming pool, we’ll have different requirements than the traditional round pool. There are also different sizes of swimming pool and this is very important when you are purchasing a liner. The measurement you’ll need for a round swimming pool is the diameter of the pool itself. For those who do not remember their high school geometry, this is the distance across the center of a circle. In this case the distance across the center of your pool.

Just as when you’re buying almost anything else, you will generally get what you pay for in an above ground swimming pool liner. Heavier gauge liners that are designed to handle more wear and to last longer, are going to cost you more money. The amount you spend will be determined by the quality of the liner you decide to go for in your purchase.

Finally you’ll want to think about what your swimming pool liner actually looks like. You may or may not have a preference as two patterns, colors, and the like. Most above ground swimming pool dealers will have a variety of patterns for you to choose from. Even if you decide to look for your swimming pool liner online, you most likely will be able to find many patterns available.

24-ft Round Overlap Above Ground Pool Liner Sunlight Paradise $199.99	24 ft Round Beaded 52″ Above Ground Pool Liner Boulder $299.99	Vinyl Liner Patch kit – 4oz $9.99
15X30 ft Round Beaded 52″ Above Ground Pool Liner Boulder $379.99	18-ft Round Overlap Above Ground Pool Liner Sunlight Paradise $159.99	15-ft. Round Beaded Pool Liner for 52-in. Wall Mystri – 25-Gauge $304.99

Finding Discount Above Ground Swimming Pools

If you are looking for discount above ground swimming pools, it is probably safe to assume that you would like a quality swimming pool but you do not want to spend a lot of cash.  Rather than try to point you toward one particular retailer or outlet, I think it would be more useful to show you some of your options as you search for a discount above ground swimming pool.

You can find above ground swimming pools cheap if you are willing to do a little bit of research and not rush into anything too quickly.  It really does not take that long to check out the options that are available to you.  You can learn a lot from looking on the computer and picking up the telephone.  You should also hang on to any circulars or advertisements you get in the mail related to swimming pools and swimming pool accessories.

Of course you realize that the best above ground swimming pools are going to cost more than the less extravagant models that you will be considering in your search for discount above ground swimming pools.  This does not mean that the pools you will consider are junk, just that you may not be looking at the biggest and the best  swimming pools unless you’re willing to adjust your budget a bit.

One major consideration that will play a role in how much you’re swimming pool will cost, is the size of the pool itself.  Generally, small above ground swimming pools are going to cost less than larger models.  Similarly, if you are willing to consider inflatable above ground swimming pools that are on the small side, you can save even more money.  An example of this would be the Easy Set swimming pool.  These are made by Intex above ground swimming pools and generally come in the form of a swimming pool kit.  If this is something that would interest you you’re looking at swimming pool costs starting in the low hundreds of dollars instead of thousands.  This company also makes larger pools but obviously, as the size increases so does the cost of your swimming pool.

For most people, purchasing a new swimming pool is a major investment.  Realistically, a brand new above ground swimming pool of 18 feet or larger in diameter is probably going to cost you at least $1500 just for the pool itself.  That may sound like a lot, but to keep it in perspective, in ground swimming pool systems can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.  You should also realize that you’re swimming pool will be serving you for several seasons if you maintain it correctly.

There is also another option that I have mentioned in other articles, which you may want to consider.  You can sometimes find used above ground swimming pools for sale at very low prices by highly motivated sellers in your local classified ads.  Once somebody has lost interest in maintaining a swimming pool, they generally just want to get it off of their property.  This sometimes happens when kids or grand-kids grow up and move away and no one is left with an interest in the swimming pool.  If the homeowners do not enjoy swimming themselves, keeping the pool up becomes another chore that they would rather not be bothered with anymore.  Taking a couple of weeks to scan your local classified ads could save you thousands of dollars if you are willing to move the swimming pool from somebody else’s property to your own.  If you choose this option you should know something about installing above ground swimming pools yourself or know somebody who does and is willing to help you.  Or, you can do a search for people in your area who will install the swimming pool for you.  Just be sure that the people you choose know what they are doing and are insured before signing them up for the job.

While you are keeping an eye on the classified ads, continue contacting above ground swimming pool dealers in your area and watch for specials that might be advertised on television or in print.  Some of the best times to find discount above ground swimming pools are at the beginning of the swimming season, the end of the season and around the 4th of July.

One more thing, if you do find free above ground swimming pools or used above ground swimming pools being sold for a good price, keep in mind that you may still need to buy swimming pool accessories to go with your new purchase.  This could include things like a swimming pool filter, swimming pool equipment for keeping the pool clean, and pricing above ground swimming pool liners to install in a used pool.

In conclusion, you can find good deals on above ground swimming pools if you do just a little bit of homework.  Realize that different swimming pool designs and sizes will bring different costs along with their own advantages and disadvantages.   Between motivated buyers trying to sell used swimming pools and above ground swimming pool dealers eager to move inventory, you should be able to find a well priced swimming pool that suits your needs without too much effort.

Considering Above Ground Swimming Pool Decks

A deck around your pool can really add to the overall atmosphere of the poolscape.  Some decks are so huge and extensive that you can hardly even tell that  you are in an above ground pool.

One thing to consider when you’re purchasing an above ground swimming pool is what you’ll do with the area around your new pool.  This is sometimes referred to as the poolscape.  For some people this will just be whatever happens to surround the pool after it is installed.  Other people will have very elaborate plans.  Building on above ground swimming pool decks can be a bit of an expensive chore, but the results can be very nice.  I suppose a lot of this has to do with whether you prefer to focus on form or simply functionality.  Any properly installed swimming pool will cool you off when it is hot.  If you intend to do a lot of entertaining, you may have to put in a little bit of thought and money though. I think that most people would like to have a deck installed around their swimming pool if it was part of a package.  This does not happen too often though.  As I mentioned in a previous post, you can sometimes find some very nice stuff been given away for free if you look in your local classified ads.  This even includes above ground swimming pool decks.  It’s an individual choice whether or not you’re interested in looking for used decking material, but it can save you a bundle. If you do not even want to consider a used swimming pool deck, you may want to think about checking the costs of a prefabricated pool deck.  These can be purchased in a variety of materials and each has its own particular benefits and drawbacks, including cost and what the finished product will look like.

Many people decide that they do not want to have anything at all to do with the actual labor of installing their swimming pool deck.  In this case you should probably start looking for a reputable swimming pool contractor or other carpentry expert.  Word of mouth is often the best advertising for projects like this.  If you know somebody who has already had a swimming pool deck installed, ask them to share what they have learned.  Get as many bids as reasonably possible.  Do not wait for each person to come and give an estimate before calling the next person.  Contractors sometimes get busy and it can be difficult to pin one down to a time for an estimate.  You should also call several contractors because there can be a huge difference in the quotes given for completing the work.  You should also always check your local codes to be sure that you are following the letter of the law before installing anything that could get you fined for not following local rules.

I found this video that shows the construction of an AMAZING deck (and a few other things).  I think it is safe to say this project will not qualify as a discount anything!

Exploring Hidden Pool Costs

In today’s uncertain economy, most people are not looking for ways to spend extra money.  Investing in a swimming pool is one of the last things that many people are thinking about.  Above ground swimming pool costs are much more reasonable than many people realize however.

Compared to the cost of taking your family on a vacation, installing an above ground swimming pool can actually be a bargain.  You must remember that you will have your pool for many years to come.  When you spread the cost of installing the pool out over several years, the investment really begins to look like quite a deal.

Some homeowners can afford the luxury of an in ground pool, but investing tens of thousands of dollars into a home improvement is not something that most people want to do if they can avoid it.  Above ground swimming pools are a much more reasonably priced alternative.  There are many above ground swimming pool options available.  Rather than spending thousands of dollars, a homeowner can invest hundreds and still have the luxury of being able to swim on their own property.  Above ground swimming pools come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes designed to meet the needs of almost any homeowner.

There are some hidden costs that must be taken into consideration when installing your swimming pool.  These are the little things that you may not think of when you are planning for your new pool.  The total of these costs will still not be anywhere near the cost of installing an in ground pool, but they do have to be taken into consideration.

photo credit: renfield
Here is a short list of things to remember:

• Your land and must be level.  If your property is not level, you may have to pay for excavating and leveling the area where you intend to place your above ground swimming pool.  The cost of this will vary greatly depending on the work involved and who you get to do the work.
• You must have access to electricity at your pool site.  Check your local codes to see what requirements there are for running electricity to your pool.
• If you intend to install a deck, realize that it will not be cheap.  If you’re able to do the work yourself, that will save you a considerable amount of money.  My jaw must have hit the ground when we got one estimate for a pool deck.  I had grand plans of a deck going about half way around our pool that included steps and a gate.  I also had the contractor figure the cost for using Trex to avoid splinters.  Total estimate for the deck: $8000.  It didn’t happen.  The following year my father-in-law and I converted some wooden steps we got out hands on to a mini-deck that works just fine.  It is only about six feet square, but our total cost was about fifty bucks.  That worked for me, because most of our time near the swimming pool is spent in the pool, not next to it.
• If you’re going to have somebody install your pool, It will cost an additional money.  Everyone wants to get paid and honestly, if you don’t know what you are doing, it is a wise investment.  If you do have the skilled labor available, putting the pool up yourself will save a nice chunk of change.

Even with these additional costs, an above ground swimming pool is still a great investment that you’ll have for years to come.  The convenience of not having to travel to get to a pool and the savings compared to paying for season passes is a real plus.  In fact, I would dare say that once you have your own pool, you probably won’t want to think about going to a crowded public pool again. Figure out who you might know that is qualified to help you as far as doing skilled work goes. If you have people in your family skilled in carpentry or electrical work, ask them for an estimate. Every little bit of money that you can save is a bonus. Once you start looking at the swimming pool options available to you, you might be surprised at how nice of a pool you can get (even with the hidden costs).

Where to Install an Above Ground Swimming Pool

Above ground swimming pools are much easier to install than in ground pools, but they do have their own special requirements.  You must carefully consider where you are going to have your swimming pool located on your property.  Choosing the placement for your swimming pool installation is crucial.  At first, the thought of being able to just walk out the back door and jump into the pool might seem like great fun, but you must remember that this will eventually be quite a noisy place if there are kids swimming with their friends.  For many people, this might not even be a consideration, but for some (like neighbors for instance), the noise levels could be distracting.

Much more important than the noise factor, are the actual physical requirements of the area where you will be doing the installation.  Above ground swimming pools absolutely must be located on level ground that is not going to shift.  The weight of the water contained in a swimming pool is immense.  When that weight is not distributed evenly, the uneven stresses and strains on the weight bearing sides of the pool can make the swimming pool unsafe.  A collapsing pool is not only dangerous to property, but to the people around it as well.  You do not want it to happen.

Even a slight tilt to the ground will be magnified over the diameter of the pool.  Keeping things level is essential.  This can be accomplished with excavation, but it will increase your swimming pool costs a bit.  Some sources recommend using a basic level and a straight board for determining the levelness of the area.  I can say from experience that the relatively small investment in a leveling transit can be a very wise investment.  During one of my first pool installations, we tried using a level.  The bubble was just the tiniest bit out of dead center, and still within the center lines.  Over a 24 foot diameter pool, this magnified to approximately a four inch difference in water depth.  We noticed this when the pool was about one fourth of the way filled.  We had to drain the pool and reset the posts.  This wasted an entire day and about 3,000 gallons of water.  We borrowed a transit from a neighbor at that point and made sure that the pool was dead on level.  Take my word for it… it is easier to set the pool up just once.

When possible, it is better to allow plenty of space around above ground swimming pools.  People will be moving around them a lot and you may decide in the future that you want to add some type of swimming pool deck to the poolscape.  This is a much easier endeavour if you are not limited by the constraints of the spot you set your pool upon.  You should also do your best to avoid an area prone to debris.  A tree next to your pool will be a constant headache as leaves, bird droppings and twigs will greatly increase how often you have to clean the pool.  In general, even if you are working with a tight space, you should leave at least a few feet of level surface beyond the edge of the swimming pool.

Above ground swimming pools are becoming quite popular with home owners looking for an affordable source of family fun.  In the past, people were concerned with the durability of above ground swimming pools.  Innovative improvements have now increased the life expectancy of an above ground pool to the point that it is not unreasonable to think you might actually still be using it in fifteen or twenty years with proper care.  The swimming pools liner most likely will need to be replaced after six or seven years, but that is a relatively small cost.

Compared to the costs involved with installing an in ground swimming pool, above ground systems are quite a bargain.  In ground pools can run into the tens of thousands of dollars before you ever stick one toe in the water.  Above ground pools can be purchased and installed at a fraction of that cost.  Although an in ground pool can be seen as a home improvement and a selling point, the cost is very high and might never be recouped in the sale of the property.  Above ground pools on the other hand, can actually be taken down and moved to a new property if you are so inclined.

photo credit: Matthew Bland
Before you purchase anything, it is a wise investment of time to look both online and at retailers who specialize in selling above ground swimming pools to see what is available.  You will most likely be confronted by a wide range of prices, but you should not let yourself be put off.  The reason for the difference is often related to what is actually included in your purchase.  It is becoming common to sell above ground swimming pools as packages.  What this means is that you will receive all that you require for your basic set-up in one purchase.  Experienced pool buyers may occasionally be able to beat the package price by shopping around, but most new pool buyers should consider this option.  Buying your swimming pool as a kit ensures that you will not find yourself missing something essential in the middle of your swimming pool installation.

Pool size is also an important factor in determining the cost of the pool you are considering.  In general, a smaller, round, above ground swimming pool is going to be one of the best deals you will find.  You will quickly find that there are a variety of pool sizes and shapes available.  Take the time to measure the area where you are thinking about installing your swimming pool and write down the measurements.  Keep those measurements and possibly some photos or sketches of the area with you whenever you start looking for and pricing above ground swimming pools.