There are several different pool styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages and uses.
Above-ground pools -These are the cheapest construction option, as well as the easiest to build. Most above-ground pools are made from prefabricated kits, which even an amateur can put. First, the installers level off the ground to form a flat building surface. Then they assemble a perimeter track, which supports the outer wall made of metal, plastic or wood. Next, they spread sand in the pool area and lay the plumbing. Finally, they secure the vinyl liner over the pool walls, fill the pool with water, smooth the liner and fasten it into place. As soon as they hook up the pump and filtering system, the pool is ready to go.
The main disadvantage of this sort of pool is that it’s less durable than other designs, and generally less attractive. It’s also less permanent, which can be a good thing, it’s relatively easy to disassemble the pool and move it to a new location.
In ground Pools- In ground pools are built into the ground and require construction work for installation. In ground pools can be built to allow for diving or not, depending on the depth. These are all samples of in ground pool materials.
Fiberglass pools -
These are made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which has been molded into a basin shape. To install the pool, a construction crew digs an appropriately sized hole, lays the necessary plumbing, adds some sand filler and lowers the preformed pool structure into the hole. Then they level the pool, hook up all the plumbing and backfill in the area around the pool. Usually, the pool is surrounded by a concrete deck structure.
While a fiberglass pool is typically the quickest to install, there are fewer choices for size, shape and depth compared to other pool types. Because the surface is non-porous, fiberglass pools are easy to care for and long lasting.
Vinyl-lined Pools-
Compared to other in ground pools, vinyl-liner pools are generally the most affordable, easy to maintain and are available in a standard set of designs. They are a lot like above-ground pools, structurally, but they look more like conventional in-ground designs. The construction crew digs a hole and assembles a metal, plastic or wood frame wall around the hole’s perimeter. As in an above-ground pool, the crew lays sand along the bottom of the hole and secures the vinyl lining to the structural wall.
These types of pools are popular in cold-weather states, since the panels have some degree of flex and hold up well under freeze/thaw conditions. Vinyl-liners are available in many colors, patterns and designs and will last an average of 8 to 10 years, after which time a new liner can be installed.
Gunite pools -
Gunite or a variation called Shotcrete is a type of reinforced concrete; it is strong and adaptable to unusual shapes. There are also a variety of color / speckle finishes available. To build one of these pools, the construction crew digs a hole, puts the plumbing in place and assembles a framework grid with 3/8-inch steel reinforcing rods (rebar). The rebar rods are spaced about 10 inches apart, and secured together with wire. When the grid is in place, the crew sprays a heavy coating of gunite, a mixture of cement and sand, around the rebar. The sprayer unit combines dry gunite mix with water just before spraying — this produces the wet concrete material. The crew trowels the gunite smooth and lets it sit for a week or so before applying a smooth finish to the rough surface. The most popular finish is called plaster but a lot of people finish their pools with special concrete paint.
Gunite pools can also have tile, exposed aggregate or even fiberglass finishes. Gunite pools (and their cousins, shotcrete pools) are highly durable, and they can be built in any shape or size.
Poured-concrete pools -
These are similar to gunite pools, but they’re a lot harder to build. Instead of spraying concrete material around a rebar framework, concrete is actually poured into conventional wooden forms. With the rise of gunite methods, poured-concrete pool construction has mostly fallen by the wayside. In masonry block pools, the walls are constructed with concrete blocks.
Pool styles
Play pool -
A play pool typically is no deeper than five feet. Play pools generally are built for cooling off and relaxing in, playing volleyball, other water sports, as well as for swimming laps
Diving Pool -
Diving pools are generally about 8-1/2 feet deep with a diving board or platform. Diving pools can be a real safety hazard, and should only be built to NSPI and ANSI standards.
Freeform Pool -
A freeform pool is a lagoon style pool or naturalistic pool. It usually has have rock features and is built to mimic an oasis.
Geometric Pool-
Geometric pools usually have very straight lines or or a consistent radius and are typically more traditional looking. There seems to be a shift back to the geometric pool. A geometric pool can be more formal and upscale looking.
Lap Pool-
Lap pools pools are typically narrow and long, usually over 50’, to facilitate exercise and swimming for health and fitness.
Negative Edge Pool-
Negative edge pools require an expert to build. They are also referred to as infinity swimming pools or infinity edge pools. These are designed to look like the pool extends all the way out to the horizon. The mechanics and engineering of infinity pools cannot be compromised.
Spool-
The word spool is a combination of a spa and a pool. Spools are typically oversized spas somewhere around 12’ X 14’. Unfortunately, due to construction issues, spools are not necessarily less expensive than an average swimming pool. They might be easier to maintain due to the smaller size, and a spool certainly might be an option for someone with a very small yard.
Perimeter Overflow Pool-
This would be a pool where the water level in the pool is the same as the top of the decking. Around the pool perimeter is a channel or notch that the water drains into creating a visual masterpiece. It looks like a big mirror lying on the ground.