AGP purchasing, need some advice

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C

casmurbax

Member
Jun 16, 2019
5
Saratoga Springs, NY
Good Day everyone, been lurking for awhile and I need some advice on options for ABP.

I have prior pool experience with in ground pool, I have had a few years with an Intex ABG 15ft pool, but this year we want to go with a bigger permeant install,.
I am looking for a 21ft x 54in round.

I really would like a SWG system, I used that with the Intex pool and I loved it.

One of my concerns is what material to get the pool in? Steel, aluminum or resin? I live in Upstate NY, just north of Albany. I have been reading where the resin type pools could crack in the extreme cold and from heavy snow loads. We get wide range of temps and snow here, how concerned should I be with fading due to both winter weather, extreme cold, and UV exposure. I have read that fading can be reduced with proper UV protection, what is proper UV protection? Just because it says UV protection does that mean it is the proper one? for example the one I am looking at states the following: High Quality Resin and Composite Materials provides UV resistance.

I like this one the model that @kellyfair just had installed here. Just want bigger.

Then I start looking at the options,

Pool liners, is thicker gauge always better?
Overlap or Uni-Bead?
Is pool cove foam worth it? or is it just as easy(with a little work) to use sand to manage this?
Wall foam?
Pool floor mat seems like a no brainer to have.

I appreciate everyone taking their time reading this and offering their advice.

thank you

​

 
Hello! I really cannot relate to your temperature extremes. The enemy down here in FL is rust, and of course we do get brutally hot temps. So I’ll let others comment on your concerns about cold and snow.

I went with unibead primarily (don’t laugh) because I hate the look of overlap if it isn’t tucked out of sight, and I loved the pattern I got.

Here in the land of sandy soil and hurricanes, I was all for the foam cove. It won’t wash out or erode, and my installers were delighted that I ordered it, because it is so easy to use. I did not, however, use foam boards or a pad for the floor. We have sandy soil and it just wasn’t necessary.

I did do a Gorilla pad for my Intex pool to protect the bottom, but it really wasn’t necessary so I decided not to go that route this time.
 
hey cas !!
casmurbax said:
I have been reading where the resin type pools could crack in the extreme cold and from heavy snow loads
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I read it was specifically the posts. They got brittle and shattered. It’s rough because they are fairly new in the grand scheme of things and there aren’t a ton of people, much less ones from cold places, with lots of experience out there.

Do those type materials have problems in the winters by you ? Rubbermaid sheds, garbage cans etc ? (The garbage can is much much thinner of course, but still).
casmurbax said:
Pool liners, is thicker gauge always better
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Yes. But harder to work with / install. You’ll want a warm day for sure so it’s pliable, but that might be a while by you.
casmurbax said:
Overlap or Uni-Bead
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Either works and like Kelly said above me, people’s usual gripe (if they have one) is looking at the overlap
casmurbax said:
s pool cove foam worth it? or is it just as easy(with a little work) to use sand to manage this?
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Sculpting is an art. Remember the first 20 times you tried to spackle something ? Yeah. Foam all the way.
casmurbax said:
Wall foam?
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Up to you but you’re going through ALOT of effort. Why cut the corner here ? I like the feel of the foam because otherwise you can usually feel the wall bumps (corrigation ?) and every bolt on the piece that holds the circle together.
casmurbax said:
Pool floor mat seems like a no brainer to have
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Sand underneath works just as well and has for decades.
casmurbax said:
I have read that fading can be reduced with proper UV protection, what is proper UV protection?
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You will fare better than most of the country. But it will still fade given enough time. This here is typical brochure material and a load of crud. The good news is that if/when the pool fades, you can probably paint it so it bothers you less.
 
On the UV protection- my installer suggested I use an automotive protectant on my resin top rails. Like armor all.

I opted to use 303 Protectant. I’m only a year in so no idea how well it will help against fading, but I figure a couple applications per Summer can only help.
 
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Newdude said:
Oh yeah. Even if it only helps you mentally and not the pool. It still helps.
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Truth. Besides, walking around, wiping the rails, making them nice and shiny... it’s just a nice bonding time with my pool.

I mean... that’s perfectly normal, right ??
 
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Thank you all for your replies!

Magiteck, nothing wrong with bonding with your pool. funny thing is I don't use the pool that often, but the spouse and grand kids love it, I know wat is involved in taking care of the pool, they have no clue they just come out and use it. I can see the writing on the wall, after the pool is installed, they will want a deck,

Newdude, thank you for the info and Kellyfair, yours as well nice dog by the way!

Everything make sense to me in all your replies. If we are spending this kind of money I am not looking to cheap out but I don't want to waste it either.

The cove foam doesn't rot over time?

I never thought about applying any kind of protectant on it, even if it is for a piece of mind.

For the most part I do not recall seeing any broken garbage cans. I can't recall seeing any of those type of sheds outside of seeing them at the home centers. Now I will see them all over the place.

I appreciate everyone taking their time and replying.
 
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That’s an Alaskan sled dog puppy. Met him when I was on vacay in Alaska!

I do have three dogs of my own - a greyhound and two Italian greyhounds.
 
casmurbax said:
funny I thought I saw one greyhound in one of your posts but I couldn't find the post whn I was replying and I didn't want make a mistake.

I recall it was face shot of one, black with some grey. Big eyes staring at me :)
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That was Gemma! She is 12 years old!
 

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You do NOT mess with that one on the right. She is side eyeing you just taking a picture...
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That little girl thinks she is 90 lbs. of vicious in a 4 lb. package....at about 10 feet away. Actually quite nice once she is used to you though.
 
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