| Above ground swimming pools have become | | | | to both types. Many people feel that hard sided |
| increasingly popular in recent years for several | | | | pools have a more permanent and attractive |
| reasons. | | | | appearance. Others like the soft side because of |
| - Cost-With average costs for in ground pools | | | | the ease of disassembly for moving and storage |
| ranging from $20,000 to $50,000; above ground | | | | purposes. |
| or portable pools offer a low cost alternative. | | | | - Location-Before selecting a size and shape; it's |
| - Easy Installation-Most of these pools can be fully | | | | important to evaluate your yard and determine |
| assembled in hours, rather than weeks or | | | | the best location. No matter which type of pool |
| months, without tearing up the lawn, taking out | | | | you choose; you'll need a clear, relatively level |
| fencing, and the other problems of built in pools | | | | area of lawn. It's a good idea to stake out the |
| - DIY Ready-These kits can easily be installed by | | | | area to how everything will fit. Above ground |
| the adventurous "do it yourselfer". | | | | swimming pools often look a lot bigger in your |
| - Portability-Unlike an in ground pool; they can be | | | | yard than they did at the store or in the |
| taken down and relocated if necessary. | | | | brochure. |
| Above ground pools come in a variety of sizes, | | | | - Building Codes and Deed Restrictions-Check with |
| shapes, materials, and price ranges, giving | | | | your local government about codes and |
| homeowners a nice selection to choose from. If | | | | requirements and you homeowner's association |
| you are considering buying one for your yard; | | | | regarding deed restrictions to be sure you're not |
| there are some things you should consider. | | | | in violation, which could cost you money. |
| - Hard or Soft Side-There are basically 2 types of | | | | - Cost-While saving money is usually the driving |
| construction when it comes to above ground | | | | factor behind buying an above ground swimming |
| pools. Hard Side-Which consist of steel, aluminum, | | | | pool, there is a variety of price ranges. Starting in |
| or resin panels with uprights and top rails for | | | | the $300 to $500 range (which may only last one |
| support and a vinyl liner inside. Soft Side-Also | | | | summer) and going up to as much as $12,000 for |
| called portable, these pools are constructed of a | | | | top of the line models. I recommend some |
| heavy polypropylene mesh liner, which is | | | | considerable comparison-shopping before making a |
| supported, by steel or resin legs and top rail. While | | | | purchase as prices can vary greatly from one |
| many people believe there is more danger of | | | | dealer or manufacturer to another. It's also |
| puncture due to the exposed sides of the liner, | | | | important to remember, as the old cliché |
| this is the same type of material used in the | | | | goes "you get what you pay for" Thanks for |
| making of bullet proof vests and it's extremely | | | | reading and good luck. |
| durable. There are advantages and disadvantages | | | | |