Is there a reason I couldn't use these above-ground pool steps for an in-ground pool?

[Crepes]

My pool is 4' deep at all points, with the water line perhaps 4" below the lip of the pool. There was a ladder at some point with the pool, was but it was discarded before we moved into the home. There are still anchors for a ladder, so that would be easier, and I don't think we could use those anchor points for steps, but some of the guests we would have over are above the weight limit of 250lbs that I've seen on most ladders. I thought stairs might be the right choice in that case.

I am looking at these in-ground ones - [FONT=&quot]http://a.co/7GBt0ms

But also at these above-ground ones - [/FONT][FONT=&quot]http://a.co/0DEDXuH

The above ground are taller, have more gradual steps, are cheaper, and have higher ratings. I don't see any reason they couldn't be used for my in-ground pool other than having a slightly concave back (which doesn't make sense to me considering they sit inside a round pool) vs. the in-ground steps having a flat back. Am I missing something?[/FONT]

 

[Richard320]

Looking at the pictures, I don't see anything, either.

 

[Crepes]

Well, they're ordered. Guess we'll find out and report back if they worked!

 

[Crepes]

For anyone else that might be considering this, there was no issue using these vs the ones labeled "in-ground." They actually appear to be the exact same base, except that these came with a small extender piece for the sides to add the 4th step. The steps are curved vs. the flat back of the in-ground, but the curve is very slight and you are not supposed to have these touching your vinyl walls, so you aren't going to have them flush against the wall anyway. This does need to be anchored, and as far as I can tell the in-ground provides no different way to anchor to cement or concrete. Both give instructions for anchoring to a wood deck, and then just say to ask a professional for anchoring to concrete. You could use masonry/concrete anchor bolts, but I just put some 1.5" pvc pipe in the existing ladder anchors in our concrete, capped them, and attached the anchoring arms to the caps.

TL;DR: These are fine for an in-ground pool if you need the extra foot of height, with the only difference being the slight curve of the steps.

Confer also makes these above-ground stairs - [FONT=&quot]http://a.co/gorpJRO - which I think look much nicer, and I believe would work just as well. They have a much shorter anchoring arm though which wouldn't work for my pool. [/FONT]

 

[Richard320]

Thank you for the updated report. It's bound to come up again some day and now we have a definitive answer.