Having a swimming pool in the backyard is a dream come true for many. In the summer, hot and humid as it is, fibreglass pools can offer a cool respite. Blazing summer notwithstanding, you may have limited space to install a conventional pool. Swimming pools are not cheap to buy and put in either. Inflatable swimming pools resolve these issues in a go. You may be asking yourself, though, are they worth investing in? You may want to consider some aspects of buying a plastic pool versus buying anything else. Below, you will find some factors that may affect your decision.
What is a Plastic Pool?
Chances are, you believe that a plastic pool is a paddling pool, like the one your kids enjoy themselves in. Nowadays, the term “plastic pool” can mean anything from an inflatable kids’ pool to one that is large enough for several adults to lounge around in. If you select a basic one, you’ll end up with a really large paddling pool without anything special in it. The next advancement in plastic pools is the plastic pool with metal or steel frames.
Vinyl pools are the top-of-the line plastic pools of today. You can have them placed above the ground or within the ground. These come in types that are sophisticated and advanced. fibreglass pools are expensive to install, but the more advanced plastic ones are not cheap either. You also have to think of the maintenance of your pool. The better the plastic pool, the more you will have to shell out to keep it running smoothly in the future.
Reasons to Buy a Plastic Pool
Investing in a pool takes a lot in time, effort and money spent. Some people would think a fibreglass pool offers up more advantages and is worth a once-and-for-all investment. Nonetheless, there are some valid reasons why people would opt for a plastic pool instead:
- Budget – Many homeowners have a budget when it comes to investing in things for their property. Plastic pools work out cost-efficient compared to concrete or fibreglass pools. For starters, buying a plastic pool doesn’t cost as much as the other two, and nor does the installation. Tending to the pool once you do own it won’t break the bank. You can purchase a plastic pool for approximately $200, or even less. Furthermore, you can get one that is spacious for the whole family to enjoy.
- Easy Management – People are all for convenience nowadays, even if they are buying something less durable. Buying a plastic pool, transporting it to your backyard, and installing it doesn’t require the expertise of machinery or pool technicians. Further maintenance isn’t a big issue. Some plastic pools aren’t even fitted with pumps, as fibreglass pools are. This is one less thing to worry about, though some high-end plastic ones do have pumps. You save a lot, and you get convenience at your doorstep.
- Convenient Access – Plastic pools are easier to get into if they are affixed within the ground. Even if they don’t go all the way into the ground, their walls are flexible. Children find it easy to get into these pools, as well as out.
- Happiness at the Drop of a Hat – Pools may take ages to fill and be prepared for use, and children wait anxiously to plunge in. Plastic pools afford no endless waiting time, as you can fill the pool up quickly. Plastic pools offer quick access and are great for those sultry days to cool off and splash about in.
- Take It With You – Once you install a concrete or fibreglass pool, it’s somewhat there for life. Although fibreglass pools may afford some amount of portability, they need the professional handling of pool experts if you want to move them at all. Plastic pools offer portability to the highest degree. They are easily drained, folded, and moved around from one area to another. Plastic pools don’t weigh a great deal after they’ve been emptied, and it’s not too much work to shift them around. You can even fold them up and store them away when not in use, say, in winter months.
The Safety Aspect
Depending on how deep your plastic pool is, it has to meet certain safety standards. If it’s a pool that sits above the ground, it is necessary that it complies with the Australian Standard 1926 if its depth is above 300 mm. This official standard mandates that your plastic pool should be surrounded by a fence measuring 1.2 meters in height. This has to be erected on all sides of the pool. Besides this, every gate must be a self-shutting one.
As is the customary rule for fibreglass pools, the outer area of the plastic pool’s fence must have space which is not climbable, measuring 900 mm. The idea is to have a flat area (a safe space) that does not facilitate climbing over the fence.
Plastic Pool Downers
One of the most important reasons for people to reject the idea of a plastic pool is that its not particularly durable. By the very dint of its material, plastic, it is prone to tear, split, and break easily. No one wants to waste time patching up holes all over the pool so that water remains inside. Wear and tear occur very quickly with plastic pools as pool chemicals can damage the material. You may have to replace your plastic pool more frequently than you had imagined. That’s when you think of fibreglass pools as more sustainable options all around.
In the colder climate, these pools can’t withstand harsh weather if the pool is exposed. In case you have a very large plastic pool, and you cannot fold it, you will have to cover it and hope for the best. You will also have to reduce the water until it reaches below the line of the skimmer. This will prevent the pump (if you have one) from freezing and resulting in damage (like cracks).
Better than Plastic
Inflatable pools made of plastic may put you off, but there are super options so that you can enjoy endless summer swimming. You can install a mini pool made of fibreglass. These are durable as well as less costly than full size pools. High quality fibreglass pools, these pools have all the latest that technology has to offer. They look sleek, and they are not hard to look after.
Compact and convenient to transport, these are installed quickly. On-site preparation is minimal as your yard doesn’t require too much work to put in one of these. You can place these at the ground level which has to be flattened first. Usually, they are fitted to a concrete slab and hooked up to electricity. Lighting, filtration, and a pool maintenance kit are all part and parcel of this kind of pool. You get a wide choice of colors and shapes as well.
The Plunge Way
Another alternative to typical fibreglass pools or concrete ones that may cost a lot, is the plunge pool. Great for taking laps in and even just lounging around and relaxing, these offer versatility in a narrow space as well as durability. You may think that you’re paying more, but these pools can last for a few decades. Since they are easy to maintain, they aren’t hard on your wallet. The long-run may matter as to how much you save, rather than thinking of what you pay for upfront.
