Many people who buy a house take a look at their backyards and wonder exactly what do with them. Unless you have a huge lot, a landscape designer and millions of dollars, you will have to make some fundamental choices about what kind of yard you want. The most common decision most people must make is between an inground pool with a small patio area or a larger patio area with a garden, outdoor furniture and an above ground pool.
An above ground pool also offers the homeowner several nice advantages. Above ground pools are usually roughly one tenth the cost of a traditional inground pool. They’re also easier to maintain and clean since they usually take up less space. Above ground pools are also safer because all you have to do to prevent access is remove the pool ladder. Another nice plus is that above ground pools are not considered permanent structures by many municipalities, and they won’t lead to a rise in property taxes if you install one. If you’re worried about the generic metallic look that often characterized pools in the past, visit a local pool store and investigate current model options. Above ground pools can now be customized in many ways. You can usually choose from several pool colors and liner patterns. You often also have the choice of what type of material you’d like on the outside of the pool. Another way to customize your above ground pool is with the addition of a wooden or aluminum deck.
While above ground pools are a popular choice, they’re not for every family. If you’re a serious swimmer, have a large backyard, or you don’t want the space restrictions of an above ground pool, consider the installation of an inground pool.
An inground pool offers the homeowner several advantages. Above ground pools are most commonly no deeper than four feet. Inground pools typically have a deeper end of at least six feet. A pool with some depth allows you to use a diving board, slide, or even fancy lights and waterfalls. It also means you can swim laps much more easily. Inground pools also come in some attractive shapes that can be custom-made to suit the style of your house. This is an option generally not available in above ground models.
As pleasant as it can be to take long laps after a hard day’s work, there are some significant disadvantages to owning an inground pool. First of all, adding an inground pool is significantly much more expensive than purchasing an above ground model. A trench must be dug, and a solid liner has to be put down. Maintaining one is usually also more expensive. Since inground pools are often larger than their above ground counterparts, chemical testing kits and cleaning equipment are also proportionately more costly. Once you’ve purchased the materials, you then have to spend more time using them. Keeping an inground pool free of debris and working properly can be time-consuming. If you don’t want to do it yourself, you will have to hire someone to do it for you.
Another disadvantage to owning an inground pool is the way it can affect the resale value of your home. Safety concerns can dissuade certain buyers from buying a house with an inground pool in the backyard. An above ground pool can easily be dismantled and hauled away. Filling in an inground pool is a much more difficult task. Buyers with small children may especially shy away from even viewing such a house. This concern can be addressed by constructing a fence around the pool, but it will not satisfy all buyers.
So which option is right for you? Take a careful look at what you want from your backyard, and you’ll have your answer.
