Installing a pool can increase the property value of your home while providing your family with plenty of opportunities for fun, recreation and exercise.
But a pool installation is a big job that costs thousands of dollars, so it’s important to understand the various elements that go into the process, and what it will mean for you.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most important aspects of swimming pool construction that you need to consider before getting a pool.
Choosing the Best Type of Pool
After you decide to install a pool, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is what type of pool to install. Each type has its benefits, so deciding which one is right for you will depend on several factors. This includes whether the pool will be for commercial or residential use, whether it will be located indoors or outdoors, the size of the pool you want, your budget and the pool design you have in mind.
Concrete Construction Pools
Whether you want to install that looks like it’s part of the natural landscape or a fully customized backyard oasis, a concrete pool provides you with design flexibility, allowing you to install any number of unique and customizable features.
At Solda, we use high strength gunite concrete, which we apply using a hydraulic pumping system and reinforce with a rebar shell, then complete it with a marbelite and tile finish. The result is a pool that not only looks great but is also made to the highest standards in the industry.
Vinyl Pools
Vinyl pools feature a gunite bottom, but the sides are made up of steel walls and covered with a custom-fit vinyl liner. Custom features are also available with vinyl pools.
Cost and Maintenance Considerations
When assessing how much your pool will cost, there are two factors you’ll want to consider. The first is the cost associated with having the pool installed, and the second is the ongoing cost of maintaining the pool over time.
Generally speaking, while concrete pools are more expensive to both install and maintain, they are also stronger than vinyl pools and hold up better over time.
Construction and Installation Timeframe
While it’s more than worth it for the enjoyment pools provide in the long run, in the short term, installing a pool can be somewhat disruptive for businesses or home-owners.
Understanding how much time each of the different pool types requires for installation and construction can help you decide which one will ultimately be best for you.
Installing Concrete Pools
As a rule of thumb, concrete pools usually require the most time to complete the installation because the concrete needs to be fully cured before construction can be finished. This curing process takes a minimum of 28 days, and that’s under ideal weather and in perfect conditions — which unfortunately don’t occur as often as we’d like here in the GTA.
When having a concrete pool installed, depending on the scope of work and the complexity of the project, you should expect it to take anywhere from two to four months to fully complete, depending on the time of year and the weather conditions during construction.
Installing Vinyl Pools
The installation process for vinyl pools requires less concrete, so the process goes quite a bit faster. Installing a vinyl pool can be completed typically in four to six weeks. Once again, the process is dependent on the scope and complexity of the project, along with the weather and several other factors, including the size of the pool and the design selected.
The Pool Installation Process
Installing a pool is a tremendous job that consists of three different phases: obtaining all of the necessary permits, preparing the land for installation and construction, and finally, the installation of the pool itself.
Pool Installation Permits
Before any physical construction can get underway, the proper permits will have to be obtained from the county, city or municipality where the pool is going to be installed.
The exact permits needed for installation can vary from project to project, depending on the geography, the scope of the design and a number of other factors. That’s why it’s best to work with an experienced pool installation company that knows the ins and outs of installing a pool in the GTA.
Land Preparation
After the permits have been obtained, the physical work of preparing to install the pool can begin. This process involves many sub-steps, including excavation and grading the land for the pool, and any patio or planting areas are included in the design.
Completing this step creates a rough outline that will show you exactly where your pool will be installed and the area surrounding it, where the patio and landscaping elements will eventually live.
Installing Your Pool
Once the land has been prepared, we’ll be ready to start installing your pool. This is the longest part of the process because it consists of many steps, and often requires many different tradespeople, all of whom we employ in-house to ensure the highest possible standards are being met.
The first steps in installation involve framing the pool and installing the necessary plumbing and utility rough-ins. Then the concrete is poured, for either the bottom or the entire shell, depending on your pool type. Once the concrete is in, we can move on to pool masonry and tile coping and landscaping.
Later, after landscaping is complete, we install your pool equipment and finish the interior and carpentry of the pool, landscaping and restoration. Once those are in, we can plaster the pool and fill it with water. During this step, we’ll also address the patio, plants and other elements of the design that surround the pool.
Finally, we’ll balance your pool’s levels and perform a final inspection to make sure that your new pool is in perfect working order.
Pools provide families with a lot of great memories. And unlike other recreational activities, installing a pool can increase the value of your home when it’s done properly by a reputable and experienced pool construction and installation company.
At Solda Pools, we exclusively use quality materials, and we never sub-contract out your pool’s installation. Our expert staff installs our pools under the direct supervision of the experienced Solda Brothers.
To learn more about getting a pool for your home or business, call Solda Pools at (905) 796-6500 or contact us here.