Semi inground/above ground manufacturer suggestions needed

[padlocked17]

Good Afternoon all,

We are wanting to get a partial inground/partial above ground pool but need some help identifying the best manufacturer / brands. The pool will be installed in a sloping backyard which will make 1/3 of the pool completely inground and the remainder will be going with the slope to remain exposed and will end up being finished in stone. We are not looking for a circle or oval pool, but would prefer a freeform, L shape or rectangle. Looking for a sun ledge, and walk-in steps as well.

We looked at Aquasports but they don't seem to have the shapes / features we want although they seem to be considered the best from what I have seen so far.

What are the best brands out there to look into that are constructed well and have longevity?

 

[Newdude]

Welcome Padlocked !!!! Search up Optimum and Radiant pools. They are thick resin walled panels that interlock as opposed to the traditional sheet metal pools that only come in ovals / circles. You can configure them with more options. You can also bury them some, or completely.

 

[cowboycasey]

Welcome to TFP

Also look at inground vinyl lined pools.. They can do what you are wanting..

 

[Newdude]

Also look at inground vinyl lined pools

+1. Steel walled vinyl pools can’t do what you’re looking to do with the slope but a concrete walled liner pool can. It’s basically a house foundation that they drop a vinyl liner in and call it a day.

 

[Newdude]

If you do end up going with a traditional shaped above ground / semi inground, look for one like this with no legs. I believe it was a sister to the Aquasport. Notice the ribbed 5 inch panels that interlock instead of using legs to hold a sheet metal one piece wall in place. I thought I’d have an easy time removing this 17 year old pool with power tools and it LAUGHED at me every step of the way. These pools are $7k-9k and about double the traditional ones, but even the bottom rails, buried in the dirt for 17 years looked as good as new and took a sledge and a crowbar to break apart. The pool laughed so hard at my 5X thick sawzall blades that I put a cut off wheel on my circular saw. (A top of the line Skil saw). It laughed even harder at that.

 

[padlocked17]

Welcome Padlocked !!!! Search up Optimum and Radiant pools. They are thick resin walled panels that interlock as opposed to the traditional sheet metal pools that only come in ovals / circles. You can configure them with more options. You can also bury them some, or completely.

Awesome thanks. I'll check into those 2.

+1. Steel walled vinyl pools can’t do what you’re looking to do with the slope but a concrete walled liner pool can. It’s basically a house foundation that they drop a vinyl liner in and call it a day.

Forgive the ignorance, but how do I go about finding one of these? Is it just a matter of calling pool installers and asking about this particular style? Are these 100% configurable just like an inground would be or are there preset shapes / sizes the liner will be?

If you do end up going with a traditional shaped above ground / semi inground, look for one like this with no legs. View attachment 361550I believe it was a sister to the Aquasport. Notice the ribbed 5 inch panels that interlock instead of using legs to hold a sheet metal one piece wall in place. I thought I’d have an easy time removing this 17 year old pool with power tools and it LAUGHED at me every step of the way. These pools are $7k-9k and about double the traditional ones, but even the bottom rails, buried in the dirt for 17 years looked as good as new and took a sledge and a crowbar to break apart. View attachment 361555The pool laughed so hard at my 5X thick sawzall blades that I put a cut off wheel on my circular saw. (A top of the line Skil saw). It laughed even harder at that.

I had looked at Aquasport just based on the quality and ability to install semi inground, but they really lack shapes and styles ... which is unfortunate. I saw they have a rectangle Admiral's walk model, but I wouldn't want the integrated walkway around it ... which seems like a huge waste to buy all of that metal just to not use it. If that model you have was just a rectangle vs the wonky shape, that would be something we would look into pretty seriously.

Thanks everyone for the initial vector on what to look for.

 

[Newdude]

Forgive the ignorance, but how do I go about finding one of these? Is it just a matter of calling pool installers and asking about this particular style? Are these 100% configurable just like an inground would be or are there preset shapes / sizes the liner will be?

Yup, yup, and yup. They pour a concrete wall which can be built with house foundation forms, or shaped / free form like a gunite pool. There are standard configs like kidneys, rectangles and ‘L’s, but you are only limited by your imagination. Well, and your funds I guess too. These pools will be expensive compared to an above ground pool, but still maybe half of the gunite/plaster pool. Whatever shape you dream up they measure and make you a liner for it.

Another option for your preferred style would be a steel wall vinyl pool but those don’t have the support behind them (the dirt) with your slope.

. If that model you have was just a rectangle vs the wonky shape, that would be something we would look into pretty seriously

If an above ground/ semi in ground not the thick resin wall pool, like the radiant/optimum, It will be limited to circles/ovals with a steel wall.