We will be putting in pool this Fall and have started to get quotes.
I was set on a fiberglass but am realizing you get more pool for the
money with liners. The question I have is about the shell. I have a
quote from one contractor that uses steel shell from Imperial pools
and another one that uses Graphex an epoxy material. Any thoughts on
which is a better shell. Also do have I this right….most expensive
is gunite, then fiberglass then liner pools. I am getting quotes for
a 17×37 pool for about 25K. I have been told this seems high for a
liner pool and I should be able to do gunite about the same. I am in
NC. Thanks, Susan
Getting quotes on inground pools
December 16th, 2003 · 3 Comments
Tags: pumps
3 responses so far ↓
1 robbie_50 // Dec 17, 2003 at 4:00 pm
I would really recommend a fiberglass over a liner.My sister had a liner
and lots of problem.Had to replace liner and also patch over the years.
I put in a fiberglass over 21 yrs ago.and have had no problems.I am
just getting a few flake so with do a touch up of surface.This is the
first time In 21 yrs that some thing has happen.
Also our friends children are grown and they gave it away.They can be
moved.
Keep The Faith
Retta
(-37.2)
2 janis_40 // Dec 18, 2003 at 2:35 pm
Swimming Pool 101
Liner Pools - sometype of shell with a vinyl liner that acts as the water
containment. Cheap to construct - a customer in Tucson built one themselves
using concrete block with foam padding for about 6K.and it was a big pool
bigger than yours. The catch is they did it themselves. A liner is nothing
more than a heavyduty version of an Above Ground liner but instead of
overlapping the side it has a bead that fits in a track around the upper edge
of the sidewall just below the coping. Liners will need to be replaced
during the life of the pool and this can be expensive ranging upwards of 2K
to get a new liner installed. Ask your contractor about replacement costs
for the liner. The liner can be damaged by poor chemical handling to the
point of causing a leak at which point you repair if possible or replace.
The up side is that there are many styles and patterns of liners and you can
change the look of your pool just by changing the liner.
Fiberglass - Just a big bathtub and Retta is correct they can be taken out.
Expensive because you need the same crane you used to install it and a big
truck to move it but it can be done. Fiberglass is more durable than a liner
but it also can be damaged by poor water quality or poor chemical handling.
On the positive side fiberglass is smooth and algae has a hard time getting a
foothold.
Gunite - Much more expensive to install than the previous two but if done
correctly will yeild a pool that is much more durable than either fiberglass
or vinyl liner. My preference is plaster over the gunite vs some of the
newer finishes but my understanding is that the current plasters are not a
durable as they were 20-30 years ago. Plaster has got to be the most
forgiving finish you can put on a pool. Drop a tab on it, dump acid in the
pool no problem, throw shock by the bag in it whatever, drive the chlorine
lever to 50 ppm it will just laugh and ask for more. But, plaster does age
and it will stain from dirt, algae, rust from objects thrown in the pool.
The good thing is that you can do an acid wash on it and return the surface
to it’s original condition. if you go with some of the newer surfaces on
gunite such as Diamond Brite select your dealer very carefully. See a lot of
pools they have installed and talk to owners and your BBB. One more thing is
that a gunite pool can be made in any shape you want.
Some options to consider which are just as inportant as the finish,
Type of filter - I would go with a big 400 square foot or bigger multi
cartridge filter. Better than sand and less hassle that DE. And it filters
almost as well as DE.
Lighting - are you getting fiberoptics? A lower cost light might be a SAM
light from Pentair. It changes color and can be controlled by a simple light
switch.
Type of chlorination - A salt system will make regulating the chlorine level
simpler for you. Get one where the cell is self cleaning.
Let us know how you do.
Keep it simple,
Ken
3 robbie_50 // Dec 19, 2003 at 6:57 am
We did not put lights into our pool because we live in Louisiana and the
lights would draw the mosquitoes to the pool.We use bug resistance
yellow flood light that are mounted on my house and glare down on the
pool.This has worked great.Can see very good at swimmers at night if
needed.
Glade we did not get a sand filter.Friends have not like their had
trouble.The cartriege has been good.
My husband help install the pool when they moved it.They had friends
who had the equipment to move it.So cost nothing for the move.And theyy
installed it in 2 days.Will do that when we get to old.Give it to
someone.
Keep The Faith
Retta
(-37.2)
You must log in to post a comment.