- This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 2 months ago by
Ren.
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September 6, 2012 at 8:44 PM #20111September 6, 2012 at 11:23 PM #751222
scaredyclassic
Participanti miss my 12$ plastic pool.
September 7, 2012 at 12:15 AM #751224CA renter
ParticipantCongrats on getting your home updated to your tastes and needs, treehugger! 🙂
Our house came with a pool, but we would have installed one if it hadn’t. Would lean toward plaster (gunite) if we had to build one. Of course, it depends on your taste and budget.
The one thing I can say is that with kids, having a pool in your own backyard is AWESOME. They will get the extra exercise, manage to keep cool (and not bug you all day when it’s hot), and their friends will come to your house instead of having your kids go to someone else’s house…so you can keep a better eye on them and those they are hanging out with.
This is a good summary for each:
Good luck with your pool!
September 7, 2012 at 7:25 AM #751226Fearful
ParticipantWe put in a fiberglass pool.
If you are comfortable with a fixed range of shapes, and smaller sizes than what you can get with plaster (look carefully at the dimensions in the catalog; ours has a maximum depth of about 5′), the speed of installation is a huge benefit.
But think really carefully before doing it. The $40K installation cost is one thing; the maintenance cost is another. Think $250 a month for electricity, water, chemicals, labor.
And the time period in which the kids really get a lot out of it is narrow. Maybe five years, from 7 to 12.
September 7, 2012 at 10:10 AM #751234ocrenter
Participantvast majority of the pool builders in SD specialize in gunite pools.
that being said, we ended up finding a vinyl pool builder and have really found it to be a cheaper yet equal alternative.
you’ll be looking at about $10k reduction in cost. the vinyl typically need to be replaced after 10 years, but the cost would be less than say replastering of the gunite, which runs about every 12-15 years.
we ended up taking the $10k in savings and get ourselves a pool cover and salt system. mantenance is very minimal if you got that set up. cleaning of filter is reduced to once a year because the pool is so much cleaner. no fishing of dead small rodents out of the pool on regular basis, and most importantly, dramatic reduction in evaporation of water.
September 7, 2012 at 4:43 PM #751244
svelteParticipantSeptember 20, 2012 at 11:59 AM #751620treehugger
ParticipantWell I believe we have settled on gunnite. Surprisingly the fiberglass pools are more expensive. Can’t really understand that, we liked the 2 contractors we interviewed for fiberglass and the shorter installation time, but can’t really justify the cost.
I have been interviewing and researching pool contractors for the last few weeks and have a few bids waiting for the rest. If anyone knows a good one I am still open to suggestions!
Does anybody out there have any knowledge on the different pebble finishes vs plaster?
Stamped concrete vs pavers vs travertine coping (we redid the house with travertine floors, so i had this thought I could match the pool to my house).
September 21, 2012 at 7:42 PM #751688Ren
ParticipantI’m a little confused – why would anyone NOT want to spend enormous amounts on a pool?? I have mine designed in my head. Grotto behind a waterfall, beach entry, and recently mentally added a swim-up bar. I’ll work an extra year or two if necessary.
My kids (2 and 4) would live in the water if they could, but the fact that it would keep them entertained is just icing on the cake. I’d be in it every weekend.
Gunnite/salt water all the way.
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