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