All About Fiberglass Swimming Pools

In recent years, there has been a boom in the swimming pool industry when it comes to building with a fiberglass frame. After all, this is a material that is known for its strength, durability, and longevity. This type of pool variety is designed to be used either partially in the ground (up to 18 inches) or completely in the ground. If a homeowner is interested in having a fully on-ground fiberglass pool installed, it will need extensive backfill material used to keep it supported and in place.

Reasons Why Homeowners Want This Type of Pool Installed

1. They think it will be less expensive. Just because a pool is built partially out of the ground, it doesn't mean that you will be saving any money. The only savings you will receive will be in the form of less backfill material being used if the pool is built partially in the ground or completely in the ground. However, these savings are typically offset by the fact that a framed deck will need to be added. The cost of a deck will depend on what material it is made out of (i.e. wood or concrete), and how much excavation is going to be required.

2. The homeowner wants their pool to be built about the flood plain in their yard. When you have a fiberglass pool elevated above the ground, it can naturally help to prevent flooding into the pool if it is installed in a low-lying area of the lawn. Generally speaking, to prevent this problem entirely, it will just be best to install the pool in an area that isn't prone to flooding. This will prevent a lot of unnecessary damage and headaches further on down the road.

3. The homeowner wants to have a level pool deck coming off of a higher level on the home. If you want the pool to be above 18 inches on the ground so that it can be attached to a deck or patio that you have coming off of the second story of your home, then it must be custom-built from the manufacturer, and it also must be supported by an additional retaining wall.

4. The pool is going to be built on a hillside and the homeowner wants the hill to be left exposed on the side. This is a great idea if the pool is no more than 18 inches above the ground. If it is any higher than this or lower than this, there can be issues with erosion of the backfill soil or of the hill itself over time.

Getting Your Own Pool: What's Next?

Fiberglass pools are just one variety that is available to area homeowners. It is important to understand that there are many styles that you can choose from, and it will be best for you to speak with a pool professional so that you can make an educated buying decision for your home's unique needs, and for your spending budget. 

For more information, please feel free to contact us here at Ambassador Pools today. We service the New England area, including Massachusetts. Boston, Newton, Leominster, Northampton, Amherst, Greenfield, Lowell, Woburn, Quincy, Brockton, Franklin, and more.

Above Ground Pools vs In-Ground Pools

Sure, the weather outside right now isn't making you think about taking a dip in a brand new pool, but once the dog days of summer get here, you and the family are going to want a place to cool off. What better way to do so than from the comfort of your own backyard with a swimming pool? 

Ambassador Pools is a leading above ground pool provider in the New England area, including in Massachusetts where they are headquartered. We wanted to give you a few points to think about when it comes to making a pool purchase. Should you go with in-ground or above ground? What is the best value? What makes the most sense for your family's needs? Read on to learn more.

COST

This is likely the first thing that you want to know about. How much is it going to cost? Generally speaking, an in-ground pool, regardless of whether it is vinyl, concrete, or fiberglass is going to cost around $30-70,000. This is a wide range, definitely, but it is a true estimate of how much the job is going to cost you. 

You may have seen popular TV commercials or kits sold at your local home improvement store that say that you can have an in-ground pool installed for less than $15,000. This is nowhere close to being accurate. Sure, maybe the cost of labor will be this much, but this total does not include: the shell of the pool, the excavation and ground leveling work that will be needed, the pool deck that will need to be added around the water, the accessories you want, lighting, electrical hookup, and the fence that will be required around the pool if you live in an area where it's in the city code.

When purchasing an above ground pool, the costs are much less. You can get the entire pool set up, pool deck and accessories included, for MUCH less than $30,000! This is good news for any homeowner working with a budget, which let's face it, that's all of us! Also, when you get an above ground swimming pool installed, you won't need to worry about getting a special fence installed, and you won't have to pay any yearly taxes on it as is the case with the in-ground variety. 

MAINTENANCE

When comparing the two types of pools, in-ground pools require a lot of chemicals to be sure that the water stays clean and healthy for your family to swim in. Also, if there is a crack in the walls or floor of the pool, it can be difficult (and expensive) to have repaired, especially if the shell is made from concrete. With an above ground pool from Ambassador Pools, you get a practically maintenance-free pool. That is just how they are designed! It is recommended that you make sure that the filter is kept clean, and be sure that you also skim across the top of the water to remove any leaves, twigs, seed pods, or so on which may have gotten into the water between uses.

SIZE

Both types of pools are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. However, with above ground pools from us, you have the ability to get a versatile rectangular pool installed which will fit perfectly in the space allotted for it in your backyard. These pools are great for swimming laps and getting your exercise. They are also perfect for all types of water sports and games, including water volleyball.

LONGEVITY

Typically speaking, the average above ground pool will last for around 15 years with proper care and upkeep. The liner in the pool will last for about 5-9 years before it is going to need to be replaced. An in-ground pool's lifespan will vary depending on what type of material the shell is made out of. For most fiberglass pools, they should last for about 20 years. Vinyl pools will last for about that long, as well, but their liners will need to be replaced often. And concrete pools will last for a long time, but they are the most difficult to maintain because they can easily crack and chip.

CONCLUSION

As you can easily see, an above ground pool is a great choice if you are a family in New England wanting to get a swimming pool for your family for the upcoming spring and summer months. For more information, or to schedule a consultation in your home, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-798-6039. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Creating Your Own Backyard Oasis

While many people probably aren't thinking about cooling off with these chilly temperatures and snowfall totals. However, there is no better time than now to start thinking about next spring and summer and how you can turn your backyard into a hot spot - not literally, of course! 

Adding an above ground pool to your backyard is a great way to keep cool during those scorching hot summer days. Also, it's a great way to get exercise and fresh air. It will also keep your kids entertained when they are out of school on vacation, and this will certainly keep them out of your hair and keep you from hearing, "We're bored!" numerous times a day, everyday.

Pool Styles and Designs 

So, what pool styles and designs are available to you? When you choose to use Ambassador Pools as your pool installer, you have many different options. We work with what is known as an above ground pool. This means that the pool isn't installed in the ground, and you won't have to wait around for weeks or months for the project to be finished! Another great benefit of having an on-ground pool installed versus an inground one is that you won't have to pay any special taxes on your above ground style - and you won't have to get a special fence installed around it, unless of course, you want to have one installed.

Above Ground Pool Cost

It is MUCH more affordable to get an above ground pool installed. An inground style could cost upwards of $60,000 when all is said and done. So, needless to say, it is going to cost you A LOT less to get this style installed at your home! We are known for being affordable, and our pools are even maintenance-free! 

The cost of labor is included in the price of your pool, and typically speaking, an above ground pool can be installed in just a few days.

Contact Us for a Consultation

So what are you waiting for? Call us now at 1-800-798-6039 to learn more about getting an above ground pool installed in your backyard to turn it into the paradise you have always wanted!