Hi all, I've been setting up/down an 18x9 Intex pool over the past couple of seasons, and the kids absolutely love it. I used a SWG, but the pool was a hand-me-down, so it was on it's last legs anyways. I was aware the salt would degrade it. 
This coming spring, we need to do a full deck replacement as our existing one is 20+ years old and is decomposing on site. As part of the deck rebuild, I'd like to integrate a permanent above ground. We have an ideal, very subtle slope in our backyard and our sliding patio doors are a decent height off the ground. Just eye-balling it, it looks ideal to have a deck flush with an above ground. I'm thinking a 15'x30'x52" would be ample size. The deck would probably be approximately 20-25' out before the pool starts - then of course another 15' for pool width, following by perhaps 3 feet around the pool. Here are my random collection of thoughts up to this point.
1) Pool would need to be salt friendly, so I guess all resin.
2) I'm in Canada, so need something that can tolerate freezing temps.
3) Definitely sand filter as opposed to cartridge as I currently have
4) We used solar heat for the intex, but, in this case, we'd definitely be looking at natural gas likely around ~150,000 btu
5) I need to excavate a little to level the pool, again - just eyeballing, I don't think by much. Any concerns with water buildup/ice, etc.? Weeping tile?
6) Decking surface would be some composite. The majority of the deck structure likely pressure treat - but perhaps around the pool area an alternate to prevent salt damage?
7) Can the pool sit entirely under the deck, so the edge of the pool is the deck? or, is it normally installed such that the pool resin cap/edge sits flush on top of the deck? I prefer to not see the resin edge, and have the clean look of the deck around it, but I'm not married to the idea.
I've done some browsing already, and there seems to be lots of brand options. Aqualeader seems to be popular in these parts. If anybody has some recommendations, I'd love to hear about them. I don't think we want the most expensive money can buy. At the end of the day, if all goes according to plan, only the liner, cap and stairs would be visible anyways. Durability/warranty would probably be the most important criteria.
Many thanks!
This coming spring, we need to do a full deck replacement as our existing one is 20+ years old and is decomposing on site. As part of the deck rebuild, I'd like to integrate a permanent above ground. We have an ideal, very subtle slope in our backyard and our sliding patio doors are a decent height off the ground. Just eye-balling it, it looks ideal to have a deck flush with an above ground. I'm thinking a 15'x30'x52" would be ample size. The deck would probably be approximately 20-25' out before the pool starts - then of course another 15' for pool width, following by perhaps 3 feet around the pool. Here are my random collection of thoughts up to this point.
1) Pool would need to be salt friendly, so I guess all resin.
2) I'm in Canada, so need something that can tolerate freezing temps.
3) Definitely sand filter as opposed to cartridge as I currently have
4) We used solar heat for the intex, but, in this case, we'd definitely be looking at natural gas likely around ~150,000 btu
5) I need to excavate a little to level the pool, again - just eyeballing, I don't think by much. Any concerns with water buildup/ice, etc.? Weeping tile?
6) Decking surface would be some composite. The majority of the deck structure likely pressure treat - but perhaps around the pool area an alternate to prevent salt damage?
7) Can the pool sit entirely under the deck, so the edge of the pool is the deck? or, is it normally installed such that the pool resin cap/edge sits flush on top of the deck? I prefer to not see the resin edge, and have the clean look of the deck around it, but I'm not married to the idea.
I've done some browsing already, and there seems to be lots of brand options. Aqualeader seems to be popular in these parts. If anybody has some recommendations, I'd love to hear about them. I don't think we want the most expensive money can buy. At the end of the day, if all goes according to plan, only the liner, cap and stairs would be visible anyways. Durability/warranty would probably be the most important criteria.
Many thanks!
