Growing up with a pool is so much fun!
But, buying a pool is also a major investment. As with any major investment, the more you know, the better your decision will be. The materials and processes used to make the components of an above-ground pool will ultimately determine the long-term value of your purchase. With so many different types of swimming pools on the market today, it's difficult to know which one is best. Hopefully, these notes will help.
Minimum maintenance means maximum fun.
When shopping for a new swimming pool, keep this important rule in mind: The amount of maintenance your pool will require depends entirely on what materials are used in it's construction. As time goes by, maintaining an initially inexpensive pool can become costly and time-consuming. That's because inferior materials used in construction tend to rust, crack, or warp. As a pool owner, you'll want to spend your free time enjoying your pool.
What is the difference in pool types?
As technology enhances our lives with new and improved products on a regular basis, it is no wonder that choosing a pool has become more difficult. The slick marketing of the new millennium has made it difficult to differentiate between fact and fiction.
Steel framed pools
most pools sold today are made of steel. These pools combine the key features of strength with an affordable price. In other words, value! All steel pools have the same basic traits and are galvanized to provide rust protection against minor nicks and abrasions. In order to minimize the amount of maintenance on the steel pools, manufacturers have developed several coatings designed to provide additional corrosion resistance. These coatings can be classified as the traditional painted steel, the textured resin coated steel, and the vinyl coated steel.
Painted steel pools
painted steel pools are coated with a good polyester enamel paint, just like your car. Your pool can have a showroom look for years. However, this requires that you care for your investment. Periodic use of a quality automotive wax will help extend the life of your painted steel pool.
Resin coated steel pools
a textured resin coating is applied to the outer surface of the pool frame and the wall to provide extra protection against the elements. The resin coating is approximately 33% thicker than the painted coating. This reduces the amount of maintenance and further increasing the life of your pool.
Vinyl coated steel pools
vinyl coated steel pools are the best protected steel pools today. A true vinyl coated pool will be approximately 880% thicker than a painted steel pool and approximately 660% thicker than a resin coated pool! The weather resistant nature of the vinyl coating greatly reduces the amount of maintenance required, protecting your investment, just like the vinyl siding on your home.
Resin framed pools
technological advances in the automotive industry have influenced today's swimming pools. Most cars today have a resin bumper, and now swimming pool frames are being manufactured out of resin. The frame components are manufactured three different ways; extrusion, blow molding and injection molding.
Extruded resin pool components
the extrusion process has components which are pushed out through a die similar to a child's "play dough" toy. This process allows engineers to place "ribs" in the component for additional strength. The manufacturing process limits all components to being straight. The extrusion process is perfect for manufacturing top rails and upright supports very economically.
Blow molded resin pool components
the blow molding process uses air to "blow" resin into a mold allowing the components to follow any contour or shape! Blow molded pools often feature a true "round" shape that has no sharp edges. Blow molding is a better manufacturing process that provides infinite design possibilities.
Injection molded resin pool components
the injection molding process provides the strongest resin products available today. The process is similar to making waffles in a waffle iron. The process also uses a mold which is "injected" with resin, causing all voids to be filled. The mold is then taken apart allowing the removal of a frame component which has a reinforcing "webbing" which makes it the strongest resin framework today!
Aluminum framed pools
gary's aluminum line of swimming pools are all made by esther williams - the industry leader in the above ground aluminum marketplace. Aluminum pools will never rust and feature up to 60 year warranties.
Rolled wall aluminum pools
rolled wall pools by esther williams consist of an 5052/h34 alloy which offers a load capacity of 850 lbs./in. Most other manufacturers are using sheet aluminum which contain 3003/h14 alloy which offers a load capacity of only 500 lbs./in. Esther williams pools are up to 170% stronger.
Extruded wall aluminum pools
extruded wall pools are manufactured just like extruded resin components. The process of "extrusion" allows engineers to place extra aluminum in areas that require a greater strength. Extruded aluminum 6063-t6 alloy offers a load of 1260 lbs./in - allowing esther williams to coin the phrase "metal with muscle".
It's up to you!
It is up to you to decide what pool fits your life-style and budget. We at gary pools feel that the more information you have, the better the decision you can make. We guarantee the quality that is in each pool package we offer. Therefore, you can breathe easy, knowing you will always be getting the best value for your money at gary pools & leisure
