Hi all,
I've been reading a lot of discussions (and will continue to do so), but thought I would post to see whether I get any direct answers to my questions.
We are currently researching putting in a semi-inground pool. We have had an Intex the past 2 years (this summer will be season 3) and it has served us pretty well, but we're looking to get something a little more substantial - and, maybe most importantly to me - that can be heated! A little lower profile (in terms of being seen from the street) would be nice too.
We are looking at semi-inground because we would like to make something continuous (or possibly one step down from) our current decking off the back of our house. Here is our potential wish list:
- Oval or rectangular shape (we prefer this look over round, but more importantly, it just fits our available space better); absolute max length would be 33'
- SWG (this is what we have with our intex currently and we have really like it)
- Possible deep end
- Cheap-ish! (Lol - doesn't everyone want everything for cheap?). It doesn't have to be cheap cheap, but I'll discuss more below why I mention that.
So far, the only pools that I have found that fill all of the above are radiance (or variations thereof) and/or EZ panel ( again, or variations thereof). This issue is that the price point between those and "other" semi inground pools seems to be pretty substantial - like double the cost. The reason we aren't looking to over-invest (besides the obvious cash situation) is that the pool will be going off the back of the house. We both have older parents and it's not impossible that we could need to expand the house (right where this pool will be) in the next 5 years or so. So we would prefer to have something that isn't such a huge loss if we have to tear it out.
As far as the desire for a deep end (and this seems to add a lot of cost as well), that's driven by the fact we have a 7 and 10 year old. I'm not looking for a diving pool, but I would like for them to be able to jump in (and they are boys, so they will be crazy) without feeling anxious every time they do.
I'd love feedback from others who have gone through a similar decision process (especially in regards to whether to include a deep "jumping" end) and what they ended up doing (and of course whether they are happy or not with the decision). I feel like I hear more and more that people are opting to skip deep ends (even in inground pools), but how do the kids do with that??? LOL. Is it okay for them to be doing "crazy" jumps into a standard depth pool?
Also, if anyone can point me towards other pool brands that may have what we are looking for. I've seen a lot about Doughboy as well, but I don't believe they are saltwater compatible.
Thanks in advance for any advice or feedback!
I've been reading a lot of discussions (and will continue to do so), but thought I would post to see whether I get any direct answers to my questions.
We are currently researching putting in a semi-inground pool. We have had an Intex the past 2 years (this summer will be season 3) and it has served us pretty well, but we're looking to get something a little more substantial - and, maybe most importantly to me - that can be heated! A little lower profile (in terms of being seen from the street) would be nice too.
We are looking at semi-inground because we would like to make something continuous (or possibly one step down from) our current decking off the back of our house. Here is our potential wish list:
- Oval or rectangular shape (we prefer this look over round, but more importantly, it just fits our available space better); absolute max length would be 33'
- SWG (this is what we have with our intex currently and we have really like it)
- Possible deep end
- Cheap-ish! (Lol - doesn't everyone want everything for cheap?). It doesn't have to be cheap cheap, but I'll discuss more below why I mention that.
So far, the only pools that I have found that fill all of the above are radiance (or variations thereof) and/or EZ panel ( again, or variations thereof). This issue is that the price point between those and "other" semi inground pools seems to be pretty substantial - like double the cost. The reason we aren't looking to over-invest (besides the obvious cash situation) is that the pool will be going off the back of the house. We both have older parents and it's not impossible that we could need to expand the house (right where this pool will be) in the next 5 years or so. So we would prefer to have something that isn't such a huge loss if we have to tear it out.
As far as the desire for a deep end (and this seems to add a lot of cost as well), that's driven by the fact we have a 7 and 10 year old. I'm not looking for a diving pool, but I would like for them to be able to jump in (and they are boys, so they will be crazy) without feeling anxious every time they do.
I'd love feedback from others who have gone through a similar decision process (especially in regards to whether to include a deep "jumping" end) and what they ended up doing (and of course whether they are happy or not with the decision). I feel like I hear more and more that people are opting to skip deep ends (even in inground pools), but how do the kids do with that??? LOL. Is it okay for them to be doing "crazy" jumps into a standard depth pool?
Also, if anyone can point me towards other pool brands that may have what we are looking for. I've seen a lot about Doughboy as well, but I don't believe they are saltwater compatible.
Thanks in advance for any advice or feedback!