Above Ground Swimming Pools Guide

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.

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!

If you’re going to purchase an above ground swimming pool, it is wise to spend the extra money and purchase a decent quality swimming pool cover as well. For the long term, purchasing both a summer solar pool cover and a winter cover would be a wise investment.

One of the hidden costs not mentioned in my previous article, is having to top off your swimming pool with water as the water evaporates during the hot days of summer. Keeping a solar swimming pool cover on your swimming pool when it is not in use can do more than just keep the water warm. It can actually help to reduce water loss through evaporation. Eliminating this water loss can really save on water replacement costs, as well as help you keep the balance of your pool chemicals consistent. Some people seem to struggle with this constantly. Personally, I’ve never had that much of an issue with keeping the swimming pool chemicals in balance, but if you do, slowing the evaporation process might help. The funny thing is that people sometimes don’t realize just how much water they can actually lose by evaporation. If you own a pool already, pay attention to how much water it takes to raise the level a couple of inches the next time you are filling and then consider how much must be going into “thin air” when the level drops. This in itself is a good enough reason to pick up at least a cheap swimming pool cover.

Swimming pools have a huge amount of surface area, this can lead to not only loss of water through evaporation, but also a great deal of heat loss. Solar swimming pool covers are available at prices which are quite reasonable. Taking a few minutes every evening to put the solar cover on your above ground swimming pool can really help a lot in keeping your swimming pool warm and free of debris. When you purchase a solar swimming pool cover, you’ll usually get what you pay for. The more expensive models will usually do a better job of keeping your pool consistently warm even when the nighttime temperatures drop. If you have set up your pool near a source of debris, such as the tree, a swimming pool cover can help protect your pool from falling leaves and other unwanted materials like bugs and bird droppings.

There are different varieties of pool covers. Some solar swimming pool covers look like huge, round pieces of very thick bubble wrap. Others covers are made of a heavy type of vinyl or mesh which can be secured in place. This latter type of pool cover is sometimes used to increase pool safety, but should probably not be relied upon as the only pool safety precaution used with your swimming pool. Check local ordinances regarding this area of concern. Most localities have requirements such as fences and swimming pool gates for the area surrounding the pool. The heavier covers are also used for winterizing swimming pools. Winter pool covers are secured in place when the pool is closed and then left alone until it is time to open the pool again.

Swimming pool covers are not extremely expensive, but they are another expense to consider when you decide to own a pool. You should look for the best combination of value and quality that you can afford. Before you purchase your cover, compare the prices available at several retail outlets. You should also take a few minutes to check out what is available for sale online. If you are not in a hurry to get a swimming pool cover right away, it may be wise to watch for sales on swimming pool accessories. You can often find sales for swimming pool related items around the 4th of July and at the traditional end of the swimming season near Labor Day. I do not recommend buying a used cover unless you can see it in use first. Even a small hole can be a starting point for larger tears and you really don’t want that bother. If you do go for something used, perform a thorough visual inspection before making the purchase.

Here is a video showing a neat invention. It is a roller for a solar cover being used by a six year old! Automatic pool covers can be purchased both online and at retail outlets. Retractable covers are designed to make life easier for the homeowner who doesn’t have helpers around when it comes time to get the cover off and on the swimming pool. For most, an automatic retractable swimming pool cover is a convenience item, but there are some people who might find that it is more of a necessity.

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.

Above ground swimming pool prices can vary tremendously depending on what you are looking to purchase.  The ultimate discount for a patient pool shopper is to watch local classified ads like a hawk and then swoop in when someone puts in a listing for a free above ground swimming pool.  I cannot speak for all areas of the country or the world, but I see at least a few of these in our local “Pennysaver” every year during spring and early summer.  Most times, the deal includes the “buyer” taking the pool apart and hauling it away but they do not stay available for very long.  Depending on the individual swimming pool, this can be a great bargain if you have some helpers that you can line up.  You should also make sure that at least one of the helpers has some kind of experience working with pools so that you don’t accidentally damage anything while your are taking the pool apart.  Of course, you should thoroughly examine the pool’s condition before agreeing to take the pool.  That said, there are some who would take even a damaged pool for free looking for scrap value (they are relatively light though).

photo credit: Photos8.com
You can also find very low prices on used pools that are not quite free.  These sometimes will also include the stipulation that you must take the pool down, but many times it has already been done before the ad was placed.  Once again, this can be a way to grab an amazing deal.  Chances are, if you get one of these very cheap or free swimming pools, you will have to buy a new swimming pool liner before installing it, but they are not really all that expensive.

A lot of people don’t want to deal with used merchandise.  No problem there at all.  There are tons of people and places willing to sell you a brand new swimming pool.  Depending on your location, you may or may not be near a retail pool outlet.  If you aren’t, there are quite a few places online selling swimming pools.  If you are going to look online or visit retailers in person, it is a good idea to check several sources before making your final decision.

Swimming pool prices will depend a lot on the size of the above ground swimming pools you are considering as well as what is included in the swimming pool package.  Many places sell their swimming pools with everything you need to get started.  This is a nice set up for some people because you will know that the filter you receive will be the appropriate size (double check though) and it might even come with some type of deal on swimming pool chemicals to get you started in your first season.  You can usually find prices starting between $1500 and $2000 for a standard above ground swimming pool (round and probably fifteen or 18 feet in diameter).  As you go up in size or look for oval or rectangular above ground pools, the prices usually increase.  Keep track of everything you find out as you research swimming pool prices.  Later, you will be able to compare and figure out what the best deal is for you and your swimming pool needs.

photo credit: tom.arthur