Why Above Ground Pools Are Preferred For Growing Families

Many people have outdoor swimming pools that they can enjoy during the summer, while being covered over during the winter. Many of these are of the “above ground” type, with wooden, brick or other material for their frames and fencing to prevent people from falling off. Such pools are often a better choice than in-the-ground pools, especially for growing families.

Here are several of the reasons why.

Safety 
Above ground pools are generally much safer than in ground ones are. This feature is essential for families that have small children, who can easily fall into in-ground pools and be drowned. Above-ground pools are not accessible to children in the same way.

Health 
Another reason for choosing such a pool is that it is much healthier. This is because it is the leaves and other debris can be kept away from it. Also, just as the pool is inaccessible to children, so too it is inaccessible to animals, whose germs might contaminate the water. For the same reason, the process of cleaning and maintenance is a great deal less complicated than it is for a pool in the ground.

Costs 
Less maintenance work means fewer expenses involved. The purchase cost of an above-ground swimming pool is also considerably less, as is the cost of installation. This is because for an in-ground pool you have to dig a hole, first measuring the required dimensions, and do other things, such as rearranging the underground pipes, to prepare the ground for it, whereas none of this is required for an above-ground pool. People seeking to install an in-ground pool often find that they have to take out a home improvement loan in order to pay the expenses.

Such savings, while they may be important for everyone, are especially advantageous for parents who are struggling to pay the expenses of raising their children—food, health items, perhaps even funds for college. Just about any homeowner with an average income can afford to buy and install an above-ground swimming pool.

Time is another important factor. An in-ground pool can take weeks to install, during which time the various family activities may be disrupted. An above-ground pool, on the other hand, may take only a few days to install and even less time to fill.

Materials 
Above-ground pools can be made from a variety of materials to suit the needs of the individual buyer. Fiberglass and resins can be used, as can heavy-duty steel, concrete and aluminum. In general, fiberglass pools tend to be easier to install and maintain than concrete ones—the latter are also much safer for children, who might be easily bruised against the walls and floor while swimming.

Zoning and other laws
 Local laws concerning zoning must always be taken into account by anyone who is planning to install a swimming pool in his or her yard. In many places, for instance, you must obtain a building permit before installing a pool with a depth greater than two feet, a surface area of more than 500 square feet or a system for water circulation. It may also be forbidden to install a swimming pool directly beneath electricity wires or above a septic system or set of cables that are buried underground. A fence four feet high surrounding the pool is usually required, and above-ground pools generally come with those. It is also a good idea to choose a place where rainwater will drain in a direction away from the pool.

Moving out 
No matter where you live, or what your current job or financial situation is, there is always the possibility that changing circumstances will force you to move elsewhere in search of better opportunities. Here is another area in which the above-ground swimming pool wins over the in-ground type: They can be uninstalled and transported to your new residence, thus saving you money on buying a new pool. For the children, too, this fact might make the adjustment to the new setting easier, as it is like having a piece of their old home still with them.

Author Bio 
Bob Quigly is a landscaping and family fun enthusiast who writes on a variety of blogs for Backyard Ocean's above ground swimming pools.