Asking yourself, “what pool should I purchase?” You’re not alone. It’s a common question among future pool owners. In fact, it’s the first question. And what you’re really asking is, "should I buy an above-ground pool or an inground pool?"

Fortunately, you can find the answer. By the time you finish thinking about it, your choice will be clear. Because no two people will come up with the same answer for the exact same reasons, we’ll just give you the facts. And you can take it from there.

Let’s go on with our examination of how the two types of pool stack up in a few areas.

WHAT POOL SHOULD I PURCHASE?

We previously wrote about 3 things to consider when choosing a pool. Here are 3 more things you should think about:

4) Maintenance

As you may have heard, maintaining above-ground and inground pools can be pretty much identical. Well, mostly. But if you don’t build a deck around your above-ground pool, it might be harder to vacuum. And typical cleaning might not be as simple. As far as problems go, poor maintenance can cause far more harm to an inground pool.

Here’s the point: as long as you keep your pool clean and address any issues as they crop up, maintenance isn’t a big issue. And what type of pool you get doesn’t have to depend on ease of maintenance? You’ll want to maintain either type.

5) Lifespan

If it lasts as long as most, your above-ground pool will give you up to 15 years of faithful service. You’ll want to replace the lining once or twice during that span.

You can expect more years of use from an inground pool. Of course, the pool’s actual lifespan depends on what kind of shell you get. Fiberglass pool shells typically last more than 20 years. Vinyl pools with steel walls can last around the same length, but you’ll replace the liner about once every ten years. And if you keep the liner leak-free, the shell should last for a long time. Concrete pools will need to be resurfaced every 12 years, give or take a few.

The extended lifespan of inground pools makes their price seem easier to understand. If you keep the liner fresh and in good repair, a steel-walled vinyl inground pool can last for a long time – far longer than a normal above-ground pool. Their only weak spot is that they cost more to update than an above-ground pool would.

6) Looks

Landscaping around an inground pool is easy. That’s why more people prefer their look. It’s a real (and attractive) addition onto your home. And if your budget has room for the cost, an inground pool will give the whole family years of fun and relaxation.

A good quality above-ground pool also looks good, especially if you add a deck to it. A trellised deck hides the pool's structural walls, and if you plant climbing vines and flowers, the trellises bloom with beauty every year. The deck also makes cleaning that much easier.

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We hope this overview helps you as you decide what pool to get. Both above-ground and inground pools have their own pros and cons. And if you have any questions, or just want to run ideas by someone who can help, come on into The Great Backyard!