The lazy days of summer are just around the corner. Thoughts of lemonade, ice cream, sprinklers, and lying in the grass scream “it’s summertime!” But nothing says summer more than splashing in the swimming pool at your custom home.
When designing your custom-built home, even on a lake, a swimming pool is another extension of your home and to enjoying your own retreat. Invite the relatives or host a BBQ and the pool and pool area add another dimension to entertaining. Your backyard and swimming pool can become a retreat to escape to on warm, blue sky days and hot, sticky summer nights.
Customizing the Swimming Pool at your Custom Home
Whether you are building a new home and decide to include a pool from the beginning or if you’ve been in your home for a while and have decided to put one in, in-ground swimming pools are more popular then ever. According to the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, there are about 5 million existing in-ground pools in the U.S., and 175,000 to 200,000 new pools are built each year.
There are three main types of in-ground pools: concrete, vinyl-lined and fiberglass.
Concrete Pools
Concrete pools are truly custom-built and can be formed to virtually any size or shape. Concrete pools take longer to install than any other kind of pool, but they are the most durable and last longer. Concrete pools, unlike other in-ground pools, can also be updated, enlarged and remodeled.
Vinyl Pools
Vinyl pools are made from a preformed flexible liner that fits into the hole and attaches to a reinforced wall frame. Most vinyl pools are rectangular, but L-shaped and freeform liners are also available. And vinyl liners are available in many different styles, patterns and colors to create a look and style for all individuals. The downside to vinyl pool is that sharp objects can puncture or tear the liner; however, the thicker the liner, the less chance of this happening. Vinyl pools can be constructed in about one to three weeks.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are factory-molded into a giant bowl-shaped piece, which is set into the excavated hole by a crane. Fiberglass pools can be installed in as little as three days. Fiberglass pools have a smooth gel coat finish that is very resistant and durable. This results in less need for chemicals and less algae.
The cumbersome size and delivery can create a challenge for installation of a fiberglass pool, and the options of sizes and shapes are limited.
While all three types of pools – concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass – all have their own benefits, some of those benefits are more important regionally. In Wisconsin, the fiberglass in-ground pool is a great option due to the flexibility of the material for freezing and thawing with the winters.
If you are considering a swimming pool for your luxury, custom home, talk to the experts at Colby Construction who can help you find the perfect pool to fit your needs, your home and your landscape.
