Types of Swimming Pools and Materials Used

In addition to the type of swimming pool you will be needing that fulfils whether or not you want to dive, play, run laps, relax or a mixture of all of these, you will need to consider the type of basin your swimming pool will have and the materials used for it.

Above Ground Pools

Above ground pools are a popular choice for budget swimming pool seekers. They are one of the cheapest methods of swimming pool construction available today and most above ground swimming pools can cut your costs down even further by being DIY buildable. This means you do not need to spend extra money on a professional installer for your swimming pool with a prefabricated kit ready to go that even an amateur can use. The main disadvantage of this pool is that because it is above ground it can be an eyesore. It also cuts off the view down the garden because of this. If you have plenty of garden space this won’t be too much of a problem for you. However, unlike other pool varieties this type of pool has one clear advantage above the rest. Only with an above ground swimming pool can you dissemble the pool and take it with you when you move home.

Fibreglass Pools

Fibreglass pools are basically made from fibreglass reinforced plastic that has been shaped into the desired basin structure. This type of pool is laid below ground so that you can enter it at ground level. This type of pool is usually surrounded by a concrete deck structure and looks more appealing to the eye than the cheaper above ground pools.

Gunite Pools

This is one of the more popular swimming pool materials used today. This type of pool is below ground and utilises a framework of steel reinforcing rods secured with wire. The Gunite mixture is then spread over this framework and then sprayed to create a wet concrete like mixture. Gunite pools are very versatile in how they are finished off. They can have plaster, concrete paint, tiles, aggregate or fibreglass finishes so you can have the look and feel you want with your swimming pool with the durability and reliability of the concrete like Gunite. These Gunite pools can also be built to almost any shape or size.

Poured-concrete Pools

Poured-concrete pools are very similar to Gunite pools and are the traditional classic option for this type of work. The difference between poured concrete and Gunite is that Gunite has the ability to be sprayed after being placed whereas concrete requires mixing up before hand and then pouring into the desired area. This makes concrete swimming pools a much harder job to do and the method has been widely replaced by Gunite swimming Pools recently. Poured-concrete swimming pools are still a reliable and durable option just like Gunite so if you can’t get your hands on a Gunite pool, just make sure you have an experienced poured-concrete pool professional install the swimming pool for you.