OT: Above Ground Pools

[HuskyHawk]

Many years ago, I considered having a nice below ground pool put in. But I live on ledge and discussions with a neighbor who had it done suggested that the cost could spiral out of control. So we redid the kitchen.

This current heatwave has me considering an above ground pool. We have a neighbor with one, and have enjoyed floating in it while listening to music and drinking beers. As I look at these I’m torn between (a) nah, these are hideous and destroy your yard (b) maybe the inflatable kind, I can put in the shed during fall to spring but the Max walls are 48” and (c) putting up a framed one, which will be there all year.

Does anybody have experience with these that can either confirm my three views or provide more detail? I like to be outside as much as possible in the summer. I don’t like these temps over 90 with high humidity. As far as eyesores go, just this spring we removed our old swing set and trampoline, both donated to those who can use them. So the yard has room and is fenced so we comply with town code.

 

[Chuck]

We also looked into a pool a few years ago. Cost and time prohibitive. i just put in an order for a 7 person hot tub instead. Figure it’s a plunge pool in summer and we can use it in fall, spring and some winter. More expensive then I thought it would be. There are some delays depending on brand and dealer but I SHOULD have min in mid July.

 

[Jaker]

I am putting in a in ground plunge pool.

 

[Jaker]

Many years ago, I considered having a nice below ground pool put in. But I live on ledge and discussions with a neighbor who had it done suggested that the cost could spiral out of control. So we redid the kitchen.

This current heatwave has me considering an above ground pool. We have a neighbor with one, and have enjoyed floating in it while listening to music and drinking beers. As I look at these I’m torn between (a) nah, these are hideous and destroy your yard (b) maybe the inflatable kind, I can put in the shed during fall to spring but the Max walls are 48” and (c) putting up a framed one, which will be there all year.

Does anybody have experience with these that can either confirm my three views or provide more detail? I like to be outside as much as possible in the summer. I don’t like these temps over 90 with high humidity. As far as eyesores go, just this spring we removed our old swing set and trampoline, both donated to those who can use them. So the yard has room and is fenced so we comply with town code.

View attachment 67868

I have seen people build some pretty cool above ground pools, look on U-tube

 

[8893]

Many years ago, I considered having a nice below ground pool put in. But I live on ledge and discussions with a neighbor who had it done suggested that the cost could spiral out of control. So we redid the kitchen.

This current heatwave has me considering an above ground pool. We have a neighbor with one, and have enjoyed floating in it while listening to music and drinking beers. As I look at these I’m torn between (a) nah, these are hideous and destroy your yard (b) maybe the inflatable kind, I can put in the shed during fall to spring but the Max walls are 48” and (c) putting up a framed one, which will be there all year.

Does anybody have experience with these that can either confirm my three views or provide more detail? I like to be outside as much as possible in the summer. I don’t like these temps over 90 with high humidity. As far as eyesores go, just this spring we removed our old swing set and trampoline, both donated to those who can use them. So the yard has room and is fenced so we comply with town code.

View attachment 67868

I’m pretty anti-pool for our house for a number of reasons (including having an awesome in-ground one for our use at any time at my mother-in-law’s house a mile away), but we have a similar situation with our property and our next door neighbor put in the nicest above-ground pool I’ve seen. They used the slope in their property to their advantage such that it actually looks like an in-ground pool from their own house because it is built into decking that comes off the back of their house. Basically we are the only ones who can see that it is an above ground pool. In a way it reminds me a bit if the “redwood” above ground pool we had in the 70s when I was a kid, because that also had big wooden decking around it that seemed to obscure the fact that it was an above ground pool.

 

[storrsroars]

Many years ago, I considered having a nice below ground pool put in. But I live on ledge and discussions with a neighbor who had it done suggested that the cost could spiral out of control. So we redid the kitchen.

This current heatwave has me considering an above ground pool. We have a neighbor with one, and have enjoyed floating in it while listening to music and drinking beers. As I look at these I’m torn between (a) nah, these are hideous and destroy your yard (b) maybe the inflatable kind, I can put in the shed during fall to spring but the Max walls are 48” and (c) putting up a framed one, which will be there all year.

Does anybody have experience with these that can either confirm my three views or provide more detail? I like to be outside as much as possible in the summer. I don’t like these temps over 90 with high humidity. As far as eyesores go, just this spring we removed our old swing set and trampoline, both donated to those who can use them. So the yard has room and is fenced so we comply with town code.

View attachment 67868

You're old enough for Viagra. Just get those side by side bathtubs.

 

[tcf15]

No experience personally, but an alternative option for you might be a semi-inground pool. Never knew these were a thing until my uncle installed one in his back yard a few years back.

Above Ground Pool vs Semi-Inground Pool - A Beginner's Guide

An overview of the main differences of above ground pool vs semi-inground pool - focusing on cost, installation, and accessories.

blog.countryleisuremfg.com

 

[Jaker]

You're old enough for Viagra. Just get those side by side bathtubs.

haha, you can bury those too

 

[8893]

No experience personally, but an alternative option for you might be a semi-inground pool. Never knew these were a thing until my uncle installed one in his back yard a few years back.

Above Ground Pool vs Semi-Inground Pool - A Beginner's Guide

An overview of the main differences of above ground pool vs semi-inground pool - focusing on cost, installation, and accessories.

blog.countryleisuremfg.com

That may actually be what my neighbors have.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I’m pretty anti-pool for our house for a number of reasons (including having an awesome in-ground one for our use at any time at my mother-in-law’s house a mile away), but we have a similar situation with our property and our next door neighbor put in the nicest above-ground pool I’ve seen. They used the slope in their property to their advantage such that it actually looks like an in-ground pool from their own house because it is built into decking that comes off the back of their house. Basically we are the only ones who can see that it is an above ground pool. In a way it reminds me a bit if the “redwood” above ground pool we had in the 70s when I was a kid, because that also had big wooden decking around it that seemed to obscure the fact that it was an above ground pool.

I thought about that but our slope is from the woods down to the house (not sure it shows in the picture). So the lower exposed pool side would face our deck and patio. There is no getting around the ugly. If it was the other way, sloping away from the house I’d probably have done it already.

 

[ET7774]

Did a lot of looking into buying a pool this year. First off, because of the pandemic, there has been a huge spike in the sales of pools and you may not even get one now unless you plan on delivery for next year. We went to a very popular pool store (Namco) in April and the top 2 models were already sold out. The next model had about a dozen left and the next had about 30. We went back about a week later and all of the 3rd best models were gone and only 15 of the next were still available. <br> Installation was even worse. They were so backed up that they couldn't even schedule us. They gave us the name of an independent contractor and he wanted 6 grand unseen. <br>'Building into' a ridge is problematic. You don't want the ground touching the sides of the pool cause that will lead to corrosion. There were also concerns with the local building codes. The side of the pool needed to be at least 48 inches off the ground. If you cut into a hill, you will then need fencing around the potion of the pool that is then below the 48 in min. <br> We were also going to tie it into the existing deck by adding a second level, but deck builders are also flat booked. Didn't even get to the point of dealing with an electrican before we ended up canceling the whole thing. Hope this helps

 

[Deepster]

An above ground pool is fine....if you live in East Hartford or Torrington.

 

[Ts5034]

Absolutely nothing wrong with above ground pools. When It comes to pools, you have to keep in mind, If you live in Connecticut or anywhere in the northeast, It’s only about a 3 month time period where you can realistically use it. Those cool nights in late August really drops the water temp, and since the sun isn’t as strong as we get closer to September, it takes a lot of hot days to rebound.

Is it worth dropping upwards of $40-$50,000 for an in ground pool and something you are only using a couple months out of the year? You can get a really nice model above ground and put a deck around it for less than $10,000, and the maintenance is a lot easier. If I lived in Florida, I would have one of the screened in pools attached to the house since you can use it 12 months out of the year.

 

[HooperScooper]

An above ground pool is fine....if you live in East Hartford or Torrington.

Hey, hey, I resemble that remark.

But I kind of agree.

 

[Excalibur]

Pools are dumb. Sincerely, the guy with a boat.

 

[Fishy]

If you want a pool, get a pool.

But, by god, don’t ask this group of chuckleheads for their opinion.

I’d probably get a move on if you intend to have it for this year.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

I just fill up my bathtub

 

[superjohn]

Many years ago, I considered having a nice below ground pool put in. But I live on ledge and discussions with a neighbor who had it done suggested that the cost could spiral out of control. So we redid the kitchen.

This current heatwave has me considering an above ground pool. We have a neighbor with one, and have enjoyed floating in it while listening to music and drinking beers. As I look at these I’m torn between (a) nah, these are hideous and destroy your yard (b) maybe the inflatable kind, I can put in the shed during fall to spring but the Max walls are 48” and (c) putting up a framed one, which will be there all year.

Does anybody have experience with these that can either confirm my three views or provide more detail? I like to be outside as much as possible in the summer. I don’t like these temps over 90 with high humidity. As far as eyesores go, just this spring we removed our old swing set and trampoline, both donated to those who can use them. So the yard has room and is fenced so we comply with town code.

View attachment 67868

Go with your first inclination, (a) they are hideous and should never be in your yard.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Once you factor in the cost associated with airlifting your house and yard to Arkansas I think you’ll find it’s cost prohibitive.

 

[Improviser]

If you are not still reluctant to be around other people in a pool setting, why not join a nice pool club in your area. Most suburban towns have one. Maybe it costs $1000 a summer for a family, and they usually have food. Some have tennis courts. Maybe you will meet people you like or will get to like. Usually if you find a not crowded time, you can swim laps because the pools tend be be long and wide.

If you live near the shoreline, or not a real long ride away, you might find a decent public beach with decent facilities. Or, there are plenty of public lakes at state parks.

Costs a lot less than buying one for your backyard and then the time spent to maintain it. My next door neighbor has one, and I rarely see him and his family using it. I can only guess what it costs him to maintain his inground pool.

 

[UCSouth]

Pools attract leaves and people...and they are both things you'd rather not have in there.

 

[uconnfan68]

If you are not still reluctant to be around other people in a pool setting, why not join a nice pool club in your area. Most suburban towns have one. Maybe it costs $1000 a summer for a family, and they usually have food. Some have tennis courts. Maybe you will meet people you like or will get to like. Usually if you find a not crowded time, you can swim laps because the pools tend be be long and wide.

If you live near the shoreline, or not a real long ride away, you might find a decent public beach with decent facilities. Or, there are plenty of public lakes at state parks.

Costs a lot less than buying one for your backyard and then the time spent to maintain it. My next door neighbor has one, and I rarely see him and his family using it. I can only guess what it costs him to maintain his inground pool.

It’s not cheap, especially if you choose to heat it so it can be used for more than 2 days in mid-August.

 

[HuskyHawk]

If you are not still reluctant to be around other people in a pool setting, why not join a nice pool club in your area. Most suburban towns have one. Maybe it costs $1000 a summer for a family, and they usually have food. Some have tennis courts. Maybe you will meet people you like or will get to like. Usually if you find a not crowded time, you can swim laps because the pools tend be be long and wide.

If you live near the shoreline, or not a real long ride away, you might find a decent public beach with decent facilities. Or, there are plenty of public lakes at state parks.

Costs a lot less than buying one for your backyard and then the time spent to maintain it. My next door neighbor has one, and I rarely see him and his family using it. I can only guess what it costs him to maintain his inground pool.

Have done that with the pool club. Waste of money. The point is to be in your own yard, floating in cool water and drinking a beer. Not to swim laps. We do go to the beach, but that is an undertaking. Drive, park, haul your stuff. The point is to be in a private space.

Alas, the wife has nixed the pool. So the thread is moot.

 

[alphasigko]

Many years ago, I considered having a nice below ground pool put in. But I live on ledge and discussions with a neighbor who had it done suggested that the cost could spiral out of control. So we redid the kitchen.

This current heatwave has me considering an above ground pool. We have a neighbor with one, and have enjoyed floating in it while listening to music and drinking beers. As I look at these I’m torn between (a) nah, these are hideous and destroy your yard (b) maybe the inflatable kind, I can put in the shed during fall to spring but the Max walls are 48” and (c) putting up a framed one, which will be there all year.

Does anybody have experience with these that can either confirm my three views or provide more detail? I like to be outside as much as possible in the summer. I don’t like these temps over 90 with high humidity. As far as eyesores go, just this spring we removed our old swing set and trampoline, both donated to those who can use them. So the yard has room and is fenced so we comply with town code.

View attachment 67868

They suck over time.....

 

[Bezzz]

Here's my inground pool 30 years later. It was killing the house's value when trying to sell it.