Installing an in-ground pool is the ideal way to turn your backyard into a destination this summer. To have it ready before the beautiful warm weather arrives, now is the time to start planning. Part of this will involve deciding on which type of swimming pool material will best meet your needs. Gunite and vinyl liner are the two most popular options you’ll encounter. The guide below will break down what each one is as well as their pros and cons. 

Gunite

A gunite in-ground pool consists of a rebar frame that is sprayed with a sand and concrete mixture. They’re preferable to traditional concrete pools because the gunite is dry and doesn’t come into contact with water until it’s sprayed through the nozzle, which allows the designers to build a number of unique structures on-site. 

While concrete is a durable material and the steel will retain its shape for a long time, these materials do not come together overnight. If you were planning on having a pool up and running by the summer, construction on a gunite version should start around March or sooner.

Additionally, gunite pools can be finished in a number of materials, including plaster, paint, pebbles, or glass. However, many homeowners still find the concrete material to be abrasive and are not fond of the way it feels underfoot or occasionally snags bathing suits. And while these pools can easily last for over a century when properly maintained, the surfacing must be refinished every 15 years or so. 

Vinyl Liner

Modern vinyl liner in-ground pools are assembled using various curved and modular panels. This allows for an unlimited number of shape and size options that weren’t available in the past. Today they are also structured over much more durable materials, such as Structural Armor®, that are made to last a lifetime.  

While modern vinyl liners are thicker and more resistant to sun damage, they are still prone to fading and can develop stains and tears if not properly maintained. In many instances, the liner should be replaced at least once a decade to restore the look of the pool.

In many instances, a vinyl liner pool is less expensive to install than other materials. The construction process is also much quicker and only takes two to five weeks in many instances. 

If you’ve decided on the right in-ground pool for your home or need more assistance, contact the experts at Practical Pools & Ponds LLC in Robertsdale, AL. Since 2001, this locally and family-owned business has provided complete swimming pool installation and maintenance services to the Baldwin County area.  If you hope to be swimming in your own custom pool this summer, call them today at (251) 945-4769 to begin discussing options. For more information about their range of services, you can also visit their website.