Pool Dreams: Creating Your Stay-at-Home Backyard Oasis 

Home Maintenance, Homeowner tips 

The hot ticket item throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been changing at a pace that almost seems impossible to keep up with. It began with toilet paper and Lysol wipes, and moved quickly to office furniture and electronics, and now that summer is here, and a hot one at that, Ottawa area residents are now looking to get their hands on patio furniture and swimming pools to transform their backyards into an oasis where they can fully enjoy their summer at home. While installing a pool is a project that has excellent benefits both for personal use and resale value, finding the right pool for your property can be a tricky game, and there are many factors that need to be considered. So before you call the contractors to your home to make room for a large inground pool in your medium-sized backyard, take a look at the different options available to choose the pool that suits your needs and your space the best.  Inground Pools Inground pools are becoming an increasingly popular option for at-home swimming in the Ottawa area. Not only do they please aesthetically, but they are long-lasting, and add value to a home by giving the backyard a sense of luxury that homeowners find appealing. While the inground pool option has a lot to offer in terms of size, depth, and other customizations, it can come with a hefty price tag. Ultimately the final cost of your pool will depend on the planning and machinery needed to purchase and install the pool that you require. Taking this into account, you can expect to spend above and beyond 20k to get the inground oasis you are looking for. Fortunately, there are three options for inground pools to meet your unique needs and cost requirements: Fiberglass A fiberglass pool is one of the quickest and most durable types of inground pools you can install and is most popular among pool owners. Because they come ready-made, instead of the 3-6 months you may spend in creating a concrete design, the time frame is 3-6 weeks until you can take the first dip in your new pool. An added bonus is that the fibreglass pools come gel coated and are nearly resistant to staining from algae or mineral scaling; Because of this, they require less maintenance than vinyl or concrete pools, ultimately allowing you to spend more time in the water and less time cleaning it. Concrete A concrete pool will usually have the most time-consuming installation process due to the fact the concrete has to be fully cured before construction can be completed. From start to finish, the entire process can take anywhere from 3-6 months. That being said, concrete pools offer an array of options in terms of design, depth, and size, allowing you to truly design your outdoor oasis. If you are looking for something to fit a unique space, or have dreams of a custom made, one of a kind swimming pool, this option is definitely worth exploring! Vinyl Liner Vinyl Liner pools fall in between fiberglass and concrete pools in terms of length of time to install but are generally on the less expensive side of the inground pool dollar scale. Like concrete pools, the vinyl liner option is also customizable, but the liner allows for a smooth non-abrasive surface and offers an easier maintenance regime because of the limited growth of algae that these vinyl pools incur.  Above Ground Pools Just like inground pools, the above-ground options come with a few different styles to fit differing needs. Installation takes much less time than an inground option, the cost is much lower, and depending on the type of above ground pool you decide on, you can still have the aesthetically pleasing backyard oasis that you have always dreamed of. Here are the different above ground pool options available for your summer swimming needs: Inflatable Inflatable pools can be purchased at many different types of stores, and in a variety of sizes to accommodate space and family needs. This style of pool is usually inflatable and provides an excellent option for those who cannot or do not feel comfortable in making alterations to the space in their backyard, but are looking for a means of cooling down in the summer heat. Installation times for inflatable pools usually can be done in a one-day time frame, and can easily be taken down for winter storage.   Traditional Above Ground Pool Traditional above ground pools can be found in pool specialty stores and are an excellent cost-saving option that are great for all age ranges. They sit on top of the ground, and typically come with a ladder to be used for entering and exiting the water. The pools are built with a steel or aluminum wall, resin or metal posts, a support ledge, vinyl liner and pump and filter system, and can generally be set up within a day or two. While the sizing is not customizable like in-ground options discussed above, the durability is still present; The traditional above ground pools can last anywhere from 15-20 years with proper care and maintenance, are an excellent option for families of all sizes, and can be moved or relocated at any time.  Buried Above Ground Pool Though similar to the traditional above ground pools, these pools have fully insulated wall panels that stand strong against the ground forces pushing against them. By burying the pool even slightly, and building or extending their deck around the perimeter, the pool gives off an inground feel that homeowners find appealing. Depending on if you want the pool semi-buried or fully buried, installation can take anywhere from 3-5 days as there is more work involved than the traditional option.