Things You'll Need:
- A large area in your yard
- Professional installers
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Step 1
Consider your budget. Cheaper pools have lower durability and smaller size. However, if your funds are limited, this may be the best option. The least expensive type is an above-ground pool, which requires level turf and some basic assembly, but little else. Although they have few features, most above-ground pools are perfect for providing a small family with an afternoon of fun.
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Step 2
Opt for an in-ground pool. Essentially, fiberglass pools are pre-molded basins dropped into a hole dug in your yard. This simplicity reduces the cost by diminishing support. However, for a more elegant and lasting solution, buy a gunite pool reinforced with a steel frame coated in a mixture of cement and sand. Typically, owners surround these pools with concrete patios or wooden decks for sunbathing or entertaining guests.
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Step 3
Determine a style. Most gunite pools are made for diving and come equipped with an 8-foot depth and diving board. If you live in an upscale community, or just want to achieve an elegant look, a geometric gunite pool is a great option. Some are outfitted with spa jets, heaters and perimeter overflows, although these features are very expensive.
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Step 4
Accent your yard with a natural design. Those with beautiful gardens and detailed landscaping may not want to clutter their yard with a standardized pool. In this case, the best course is to choose a freeform pool that has rock or sand borders and blends with the environment like a natural oasis.
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Step 5
Build your pool for performance. If you’re an athletic swimmer focused more on exercise than recreation, nothing beats a lap pool. This design is rectangular and long, usually in the range of 50-feet or better, and is perfect for training and fitness.
Comments
lilolladystuff said
on 6/15/2009 Terrific information. Great article. Thanks.
writer7 said
on 6/15/2009 Really wonderful article. Thanks for sharing!
MercianPrince said
on 6/15/2009 Wow. First of all, thanks to everyone for all the nice comments. I'm somewhat embarrassed about the compliments but appreciate them nonetheless. I just thought the pool idea would make a good article. Some of you left specific questions or thoughts, so I'd like to address some of these. To xrayness: good luck with your goal of writing 500 articles, you're almost there! And, yes, I'm with you on the constitutional amendment! To shenandoah: your "endless pool" sounds awesome and I am now officially jealous. To fatintothefire: Great points on gunite pools, you touched on a lot of things I wasn't able to in my article, great insight. To oimdiane: sometimes, a kit like pool patch will work for plaster leaks. But, if it is bad and you want the cleaner look of a liner, I recommend a retrofit vinyl liner system. Search it on the web and you'll see what I mean. The cost will depen...
MercianPrince said
on 6/15/2009 Wow. First of all, thanks to everyone for all the nice comments. I'm somewhat embarrassed about the compliments but appreciate them nonetheless. I just thought the pool idea would make a good article. Some of you left specific questions or thoughts, so I'd like to address some of these. To xrayness: good luck with your goal of writing 500 articles, you're almost there! And, yes, I'm with you on the constitutional amendment! To shenandoah: your "endless pool" sounds awesome and I am now officially jealous. To fatintothefire: Great points on gunite pools, you touched on a lot of things I wasn't able to in my article, great insight. To oimdiane: sometimes, a kit like pool patch will work for plaster leaks. But, if it is bad and you want the cleaner look of a liner, I recommend a retrofit vinyl liner system. Search it on the web and you'll see what I mean. The cost will depen...
vikki9 said
on 6/14/2009 Whenever possible place/install your pool in the Feng Shui Abundance life area of your outdoor space - water represents money and opportunity in Feng Shui, and encourages the wood element there to grow.