My husband and I are buying our first home. We want to get an above ground pool this summer. Should we go with one from a professional or would one from a department store be OK? I read that the ones from the pros last 15 years, but I don't know about the liners. What do you recommended?
Pool from a professional vs one from department store
- Thread starter Josieshs
- Start date
Hi! How exciting! A new home AND a pool too?? SWEET!
When you say "one from a department store" are you talking about an Intex like at Walmart? Those are good pools but often need the equipment upgraded if you are going to keep it any length of time. We can help with that.
When you say "professional" one do you mean a steel walled pool?
With both kinds of pools the site prep is your number one priority for set up.
The number on thing for caring for any pool is having a good test kit (TF-100 or Taylor 2006) and know how to care for it. Here is a link to our starter link:
TFPC for Beginners
Sorry or more questions than answers but I want to make sure we know where you are wanting to go with it!
Kim
When you say "one from a department store" are you talking about an Intex like at Walmart? Those are good pools but often need the equipment upgraded if you are going to keep it any length of time. We can help with that.
When you say "professional" one do you mean a steel walled pool?
With both kinds of pools the site prep is your number one priority for set up.
The number on thing for caring for any pool is having a good test kit (TF-100 or Taylor 2006) and know how to care for it. Here is a link to our starter link:
TFPC for Beginners
Sorry or more questions than answers but I want to make sure we know where you are wanting to go with it!
Kim
cfherrman
TFP Guide
Buy a Intex or other brand, less than 10,000 gallons, with a skimmer, a tf-100, a cheap China sand filter and pump from eBay, and one bag of pool sand for it.
Entry price is under $1000 with some more pool equipment and many people will enjoy this pool. If you end up not liking the pool life then you can pack it up and sell it for half you paid for everything.
Entry price is under $1000 with some more pool equipment and many people will enjoy this pool. If you end up not liking the pool life then you can pack it up and sell it for half you paid for everything.
Yes I'm referring to Intex for department store and steel wall for professional. We had a Intex Ultra Frame pool 3 years ago, but someone stole it out of our yard when we took it down for the winter. It seemed pretty sturdy, but I want to know how long they last in general. Would it last just at long or longer then a liner for a steel wall pool? We want it to be eighter 24 or 26 feet around. Don't know if that makes a difference.
cfherrman
TFP Guide
Just depends how much you want to spend. They are different beasts with different prices and the hard walled ones are not better or worse just because of price. Think of a Toyota and a lexus, they both do the same thing very well but at different price points and luxury levels.
Many people leave their Intex up year around, add skimmer and all kinds of stuff that the hard walled pools do, they seem to last long enough at the price they are at. If you want a huge pool, over 24, hard walls are probably better since liner changes don't need a tear down of the frame.
Many people leave their Intex up year around, add skimmer and all kinds of stuff that the hard walled pools do, they seem to last long enough at the price they are at. If you want a huge pool, over 24, hard walls are probably better since liner changes don't need a tear down of the frame.
We were looking at the Blue Wave and Wilbar Meadows pools on Amazon the run around $1300. Any experience with these brands?
Here at TFP we do not recommend any one brand. We do urge you to do your homework-look for and read reviews. If someone has one of the above pools I am sure they will chime in and let you know how it went with them.
We can help you pick out what to look for like resin uprights, tracks, and coping. We can also help you pick out size of equipment to make sure it fits your pool size.
Kim
We can help you pick out what to look for like resin uprights, tracks, and coping. We can also help you pick out size of equipment to make sure it fits your pool size.
Kim
CJadamec
TFP Expert
Regardless if you choose softsided or steel wall in a pool the size you are going make sure you get the site work right. A solid level base and proper blocking under the uprights will make you pool last as long as it possibly can.
Properly installed a softsided pool should last 5-10 years. A steel walled pool 10-20.
Don't forget to plan for proper electrical and bonding requirements when getting your supplies. You will be required by code to install a bonding loop for a pool that size.
Properly installed a softsided pool should last 5-10 years. A steel walled pool 10-20.
Don't forget to plan for proper electrical and bonding requirements when getting your supplies. You will be required by code to install a bonding loop for a pool that size.
we got a 22 ft round intex at walmart for $450.00 on clearance at the end of summer a few years ago...we have upgraded to a sand filter and swg, added an over the wall skimmer...it has been a great pool for us. we just finished our 3rd summer with it. the first winter, we tore it down and stored, the second winter (last year) we left it up with no issues. going to leave it up again this year...I feel like it is less risk to the liner in the longrun...
I faced this same decision several years ago. I came to the conclusion that it was more cost effective to buy a new Intex pool every 3-4 years. They will easily last that long if well cared for. You can find some really good deals at the end of the summer when you get ready to replace it. I second the idea of leaving them up year-round too -- less wear and tear on the liner.
Thanks for the replies every one. The made the decision easier. We're going with the steel walled pool.
Thanks for the follow up! Now you can go start a thread in the Under Construction part and we can help you pick out the equipment and such to make sure you have everything and in the correct size. Let us know here when you do so!
Kim
Kim