How To Choose A Pool Builder

If you live in Champaign and are in the process of making a decision on owning your own swimming pool this summer, what steps should you take to choose a pool builder in Champaign?

There are several items to consider both before, during and after your pool research and they include:

·         First and foremost will be the budget you have for your project. You don’t want to meet with a pool builder with a $10,000 budget and a $100,000 pool plan in mind! Let your potential pool builder know how much you have to spend, what you’re hoping for in your pool project and then work from there. Your pool budget may also determine the style and building material for your pool as well.

·        You need to determine the size and shape pool you want that will fit into your existing backyard landscape. Having a pool builder come out and inspect or survey your property will help solidify that aspect of the project.

·         Find a pool builder that is known in your area, has experience with the type of project you want and one that comes with referrals from satisfied clients. Ask for references from current and past clients – a quality pool builder will be happy to supply you with names and contact information of his past clients.

A swimming pool is a major investment and one that will be with you and your family for decades to come so you need to research both the pool builder as well as the building material and any accessories you will want to have installed as part of the project.

The Benefits of Fiberglass Swimming Pools

Swimming pool builders in Champaign work with potential pool owners to help them realize the pool design of their dreams. One of the steps that must be taken is to determine the building material for the pool. There are three basic building materials from which to choose:

1.    Gunite aka concrete

2.    Vinyl liner, and

3.    Fiberglass

A fiberglass swimming pool, bottom line, is a shell that is made up of small fibers of glass that give strength to the polymer and form the shell for a swimming pool. Fiberglass is ideal for many pool owners because it can be formed into many unique shapes. The material itself is smooth, makes it difficult for algae to take hold and is not prone to fading from the rays of the sun or from the pool chemicals. A fiberglass pool is also stronger than either concrete or vinyl liner models.

The swimming pool builders from Imperial Pools offer a checklist of the advantages and disadvantages of the various pool building materials:

·         Fiberglass versus concrete. Because a concrete pool can fracture in areas of the country that experience extreme hot and cold temperatures, it may not be ideal for everyone. Concrete also needs to be occasionally re-plastered. It can become stained by the chemicals used to keep it clean. In some cases when the concrete is wearing you may find it rough on your skin. Concrete also, because it is not a wholly flat surface, can offer nooks and crannies where algae may take hold. Fiberglass pools are smooth, always, and are well suited to any area of the country – even those that suffer extreme temperature fluctuations.

·         Fiberglass versus vinyl liner pools. In some cases a vinyl liner pool can lose its elasticity and this could lead to leaking or rips and repairs. Because your pool will be exposed to the sun on a daily basis it could be prone to fading and vinyl liners to fade, where fiberglass pools do not. A vinyl liner will typically need to be replaced every seven to ten years. A fiberglass pool will not stretch or fade and do not need replacement.

Because the surface of a fiberglass is smooth and non porous, it may require fewer chemicals to keep it clean and that can be a boon to many pool owners looking to cut back on chemical use. A fiberglass pool, because of its composite construction materials may also retain heat better than other building materials.

Talk with your pool contractor and see if a fiberglass pool might be right for you and your family.