Inground pools

We have been getting some estimates, some are for steel with liner and concrete at base, the other is for cocrete wall and then liner. Anyone have any info on the pros or cons? They are coming in about the same.

Re: Inground pools

A fiberglass pool is factory-manufactured and then installed in one piece in your back yard when your excavation is completed. Basically, a fiberglass pool resembles a giant bathtub.

Points to Ponder:
Price: Fiberglass pools are generally more expensive to purchase than concrete inground pools, but can save you money over the life of the pool. This is because they typically will require fewer chemicals than concrete pools. You also avoid future replastering and liner replacement costs.
Maintenance: Unlike a plaster finish, a fiberglass shell does not change the chemistry of the water, so you often will use less acid. Because of the non-porous surface, you don't need to brush the pool nearly as often as a plaster-finished concrete pool. However, you typically do not need to brush a pebble-finish concrete pool as often as a plaster-finish pool, so when discussing this option with a dealer, be sure you are comparing apples to apples.
Installation: Once your yard has been excavated, the pool is delivered in one piece and installed. Construction time is generally about two weeks.
Shock absorbent: What happens if the earth moves? Fiberglass has a shock-absorbing ability that allows it to flex up to 2 feet. However, there also are new concrete construction techniques that allow concrete to flex. So, it's important to remember that if you live in an earthquake-prone area, be sure to have your dealer explain the features and benefits of fiberglass and concrete construction.
Concrete Inground Pools
A concrete pool is custom-built to your specifications by the pool-builder you choose. It is the most common type of in-ground pool, and the initial installation generally costs less than a fiberglass pool. Concrete pools are constructed in stages, including pool layout and excavation; steel installation; plumbing installation; equipment set; gunnite or shotcrete application; tile and coping installation; and interior finish installation. Although they take longer than fiberglass pools to construct, they have the advantage of virtually unlimited shapes, sizes and designs. The construction time on a concrete pool is generally three to 12 weeks.

Points to Ponder
Price: The initial installation of a concrete pool is generally less than a fiberglass inground pool. So, if you want an in-ground, but the total up-front outlay is of concern to you, a concrete pool might best fit your needs.
Variety of Finishes: A variety of interior finishes is available, including plaster, paint or pebbles. These provide you with several options to best suit your budget and desired design.
Weather Resistant: Some industry specialists believe that concrete pools are well-suited to parts of the country that have extremely high summer-time temperatures. Concrete also is perceived by some to function better in areas where the soil is very expansive.
Strength: Both fiberglass and concrete are materials of great strength. Talk to your dealer or builder about the implications of your soil type and weather on both types of materials.
Vinyl-Liner Inground Pools
A vinyl-liner pool is furnished to the installer in kit form. After excavation, the panel walls are bolted or fastened together and supported at the bottom by a concrete footing. The vinyl liner is spread over the interior of the pool and covers the excavated floor and paneled walls. It is connected to the top of the panel walls by a vinyl rib at the outside edge of the liner. Be sure to ask your liners generally have to be replaced in your area of the country. Construction time for vinyl-liner pools is typically one to three weeks.

Points to Ponder
Weather: Vinyl-liner pools are popular in cold-weather areas of the country. These pools can be easily winterized by draining them down and covering them until the spring.
Smooth Surface: The vinyl liner is smooth and nonporous, making stain removal easy if stains are treated promptly

ETA: We used JB Pools in Seaford, their number is 516.221.0591, if you want to call for an estimate. Chris put ours in.

Message edited 3/16/2010 2:46:34 PM.