The World of Pools
When COVID hit, pool builds went through the roof for us. Now that we are on the other side, a slight easing has been felt but pools remain a significant chunk of our backyard planning. In our professional journey, we have put in gunite pools and spas, above-ground swim spas, fiberglass pools, and vinyl liner pools. This year we are shooting to complete a container swimming pool before Christmas. We’ve planned lap pools for swimmers, plunge pools for weekend drinkers, and playful pools for those with kids. We even planned a pool specifically around one client’s dogs, placing two sun ledges on either end of the pool for the four-legged friends. So, we figured it would be interesting to summarize some of our experiences with various pool types; their use cases, positives and negatives, and with short comments on how they fit into a landscape, and budget.
Gunite Pools – In-ground and specialty
These are the top-of-the-line pools. Gunite is concrete that is shot into the pool cavity, shaping and forming to the desired size. This concrete is reinforced with steel bar and the entire concrete shell is then covered in a plaster and tile finish. These pools give us the most flexibility in creating unique shapes, sizes, and design features. Tiles and colors are limitless. Gunite pools last the longest and are the easiest to refinish when they reach a mature age –50 years down the road. They are by far the most expensive. At times twice the price of alternative pool options. We can plan integrated fountains, and the exact placement of jets, ledges, and all finishes. These pools start more expensive because of their use case (usually being installed in more challenging settings with certain environmental constraints) and their “custom’ nature.
Price range - $150-200k – can easily exceed 200k
Fiberglass Shell Pools – In-ground
Next in line in terms of quality are fiberglass shell pools. These last longer than vinyl pools but not as long as gunite. Fiberglass can’t be restored. Once they age, they need to be removed and rebuilt. But that will still be many years away and with proper cleaning and maintenance, the pool should last a minimum of 20-30 years and upwards of 50 for the most reputable suppliers. We have much less flexibility in planning size, shape, and colors. Each builder will represent a line of pools and choices come from their selections. But we see them as hot tubs, 10x15 plunge pools (either cold or hot), and large lap swimming pools. They have sun-ledge options and generally give an owner a long-lasting pool that has enough selections to fit most sites and needs.
Price range - 90-130k
Vinyl Liner Pools – In-ground
Vinyl liner pools are just a step below a fiberglass shell in most people’s minds. Mainly because they age much faster. Liners often need to be replaced in 8-12 years. However, doing that isn’t an astronomical cost compared to the pool build itself, usually ranging from 2-4k. We inherited a liner pool at our home and have no complaints. Their shorter lifespan and perceived quality are what put them in 3rd. However, they have some benefits. They are often more affordable, and they do have some flexibility in custom design (more than fiberglass). But if it is your dog you need the sun ledge for, vinyl isn’t the choice as claws will create leaks very fast. Interesting note, we have a special diver in town who swims these, finds and repairs leaks. So, they can even be patched while full of water if something happens.
Price range - 80-120k
Swim spas and all-in-one pools - Above-ground
Swim spas are large above-ground-looking hot tubs. These are all-in-one units meaning the pump and any cleaning or heating mechanisms are built into the unit. All you do is put down a foundation, get power pre-run, and crane it into place. The nature of their height above grade and cover make them automatically safe without a fence. You can get one with strong jets so you can swim in place for exercise, or heat up like an oversized jacuzzi – they can fit many needs. But they aren’t made for jumping and diving as they are much smaller. However, in a small footprint and for a reasonable cost, you find yourself some options.
Price range - 20-50k
Container pools - Both above and In-ground
Container swimming pools along with shipping container homes and tiny homes, have seen an uptick in popularity over the last few years. They are structural because of their heavily reinforced steel construction and we often are planning them where a retaining wall is needed. They have a lot of flexibility in size and accouterments. Not all sites are a good fit for a container pool, nor are all home styles. Container pools demand an aesthetic that leans in the direction of contemporary or modern. These get built off-site and then shipped in. At first, the price tag looks very good on container pools. However, the foundation (footers), crane service, grading, and utility hookups get them in line with liner and fiberglass costs fast. Don’t be fooled by these seemingly “inexpensive alternatives.” Another asterisk that we have learned along the way is that not all shipping container pools are built equal. Some have a better liner/spray-in liner than others – some have even been susceptible to rust. We’ve been in contact with a variety of manufacturers from Texas to Alberta Canada, and are currently working on a container pool planned for installation this fall from a company out of Indiana.
Price range – 30-80k
Things we consider when building a pool.
What are the zoning rules, not just setbacks, but the number of structures allowed on a site and more?
What are the safety rules, will this get an autocover, does the local code still require a fence if you have a cover? In Michigan, this changes every 10 miles and we find ourselves on a lot of calls. Note: auto covers help keep this thing clean all week as much as they keep it safe. Nice to have but will be 15k of your budget.
Do I want an automated system that I can run from my phone or will I be just as happy with a timer and basic setup? It’s nice to keep the temp down during the week and crank it up on a Friday while driving in. Do you need that?
What kind of use will this get: playful with diving, restorative with a wall of jets, relaxing with a fountain as a feature to help make it resort-like.
What’s the aesthetic I see: dark bottoms give a feeling of a woodland pond, blue can feel happy and Caribbean, and white is now a visual comeback.
Pools need utilities: 60-100amp electric service, gas for heaters, internet for controlling, and water for an autofill. Does your place have enough space for all the upgrades? And how much will this extra work cost?
Will I maintain this myself or pay for a service? For winterizing and spring opening that would be the minimum.
Will I want to use the hot tub during the winter but close the pool? Can they still be connected? How will I want to set up those parts of my space?
Do we have any special needs that should be addressed in the design?
These are just the beginning of the questions that it takes to get a pool build started. Getting a pool well planned into a space can be a long journey, with the pool being only one of the critical elements.
Early in my career I often found myself asked to plan a pool in a space for phase two of landscape installation. I would ask the kids’ ages. If the kids were older and headed off to college at pool build time, I noticed people not using it and a little disgusted they were doing all the care when the pool didn’t get used. So, I started to tell clients not to plan a pool unless they were doing it while the children were young. Then I got a pool. And I got a pool at about the time the kids were moving out of the house, breaking my own rules. I’ve also proven myself wrong. Every weekend we do yard work in our garden, and then by 3 pm we dutifully stop, jump in, slide onto a float, and rest until dinner. A couple of older folks use the pool regularly in a way that works for us. When planned comprehensibly a pool can work for you too.