| Swimming pools are very popular in the warmer | | | | health benefits they offer. Swimming is one of |
| parts of the United States because they provide | | | | the best exercises and it benefits the entire body. |
| great opportunities for entertainment, fun, and | | | | Unless the pool is heated, however, swimming |
| exercise. There are two basic options when it | | | | becomes a seasonal workout and must be |
| comes to buying a swimming pool for a private | | | | substituted for another form of exercise in the |
| home - above ground and in-ground. Above | | | | cooler months. |
| ground pools range in cost from $1500 to | | | | The fun and entertainment that pools provide is |
| upwards of $5000, according to details and size of | | | | another plus to building a pool. A clean, sparkling |
| the pool. The advantages of above ground pools | | | | swimming pool is a great place to socialize with |
| are the cheaper prices, portability, and ease of | | | | friends and family while enjoying the great |
| installation. In fact, an above ground pool may be | | | | outdoors. Children love playing in the pool, but |
| installed and ready for use within hours. These | | | | should be supervised at all times to avoid |
| type pools can also be self-installed to save | | | | accidents. |
| money on installation, though professional | | | | Attractively designed pools and decks offer many |
| installation is always recommended. | | | | hours of summertime enjoyment. |
| In-ground pools are considerably more expensive. | | | | Of course, there are bound to be some |
| They range in price from $7000 to over $45,000, | | | | downsides to purchasing a pool as well. Besides |
| based on materials, size, and design. Concrete | | | | the high price of buying a pool, there is also the |
| pools, the most expensive option, can be formed | | | | costly maintenance. Whether the owner does the |
| in any shape or size because they are | | | | servicing himself or hires a pool service to come |
| custom-poured. As for water temperature, | | | | on a regular basis, the equipment and chemicals |
| options include standard heated, solar heated, and | | | | required to maintain the pool are expensive and |
| non-heated traditional. For solar heated pools, | | | | time-consuming. |
| location is very important, and the builder should | | | | Another consideration is the possibility that the |
| make sure to place the pool in the best spot to | | | | owner will later want to sell the home with the |
| receive optimum natural sunlight. For any kind of | | | | pool in the backyard. Will the pool be a good selling |
| pool, the color of the bottom surface is significant, | | | | point or will it detract from the sale? Many |
| because it dictates the temperature of the water. | | | | factors are involved in the answer to this |
| Dark-colored bottoms attract and retain heat for | | | | question, including the climate of the area, the |
| more comfortable water temperature in most | | | | presence of other pools in the neighborhood, and |
| climates, but those who live in very hot climates | | | | of course, the personal preferences of potential |
| may want to do the opposite by choosing a light | | | | buyers. |
| colored pool bottom for cooler water. | | | | Safety is the biggest concern when it comes to |
| The homeowner and contractor should confer | | | | swimming pools. For optimum safety, make sure |
| with the city's zoning department for any codes | | | | that all accessories, such as waterslides and diving |
| related to building a pool, deck or pool house. Also, | | | | boards, have been professionally installed and are |
| the neighborhood association, if applicable, may | | | | very secure. |
| set guidelines for any new construction on the | | | | Also, include safety barriers in the pool area, to |
| property. It is very important to be aware of and | | | | prevent drowning, such as a fence and a pool |
| fulfill all specifications to ensure that the new pool | | | | cover. Store pool chemicals in a safe place that is |
| is not a future problem. | | | | inaccessible to children and pets. And above all |
| There are many positive aspects to build a | | | | else, make sure children are supervised at all |
| swimming pool. The most important ones are the | | | | times near the pool. |