Is This the Summer You Treat Yourself to that Above Ground Pool?
By Wendy Croix
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
You don't need an in-ground backyard pool fit for a Vanity Fair cover. Whether you make your above ground pool a permanent backyard feature or go for a summer-fun inflatable, there are many aspects to consider.
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Why Do You Want the Pool? A pool you choose for family fun or relief from the summer heat will differ from a pool for exercise and health. If you want fun, an inexpensive inflatable backyard pool should do. Intex makes a round 18' inflatable that sells for around $300 and gets glowing user reviews. KD Royalty Series rectangular pools, also inflatable, come in a 13x26' model that is excellent for swimming laps. Both are 48" deep.
Pool Maintenance
Your backyard pool is meant for FUN, right? So who wants to think about maintenance? You do, because nothing brings the summer fun to a halt like a leak in your pool. Make sure the pool you buy is easy to clean. Automatic pump features, while more expensive, make life easier.
Extra Additions
If you have small children, make pool safety your top priority. Some pools come with fencing and gates that can be locked. If yours doesn't, think seriously about purchasing those items separately. Also, if aesthetics are extremely important to you, you may want to budget for decking or plants to make your pool just that more pleasing to the eye.
Final Decisions
When you’ve decided to install an above ground pool, check out your top choices with Consumer Reports, or an online product evaluation site. Epinions.com uses consumer feedback to rate above ground pools according to durability, ease of cleaning and maintenance, and style.
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About the Author
Wendy Croix, Ph.D. is a creative writer, freelancer, and self-confessed home improvement junkie. She's also a professor with more than twenty years’ experience in the field of education.
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