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Swimming Pool Buying Guide

Swimming Pool Construction

Swimming Pools can be constructed using numerous methods, the most common used in the UK are: 

a)        Inflatable
b)       Sheet Metal Frame with PVC Liner
c)        Wooden Frame with PVC Liner
d)        Concrete Block Work with PVC Liner
e)        Concrete Block with Tiles
f)         Concrete Block, Render, Fibreglass and Gel Coat
g)        One Piece Reinforced Fibreglass with Gel Coat

We discuss the pro’s and con’s associated with each as follows:

Inflatable Swimming Pool

Inflatable swimming pools are very cheap to manufacture, distribute and install however they do not last and puncture very easily most get thrown away after only a few weeks.
They have no heat retention properties. No special installation skills required. Installation time low - few hours

Sheet Metal Frame with PVC Liner

This type of pool is constructed using a thin metal sheet frame with a PVC liner put on the inside. Can be easily damaged.
The cost is low to medium. Low heat retention properties. Medium / high installation skills required. Installation time medium 4 days

Wooden Frame with PVC Liner

This type of pool is generally the same as a metal framed pool except the wooden structure is thicker. Being wood based the frame gives the swimming pool some insulation benefits.
The cost is medium. Medium heat retention properties. Medium / high installation skills required. Installation time medium 5 to 7 days

Concrete Block Work with PVC Liner

This type of pool is generally only installed by swimming pool contractors. It requires the building of the swimming pool using concrete and block-work with the installation of a PVC liner on the inside.
The cost is high. Medium heat retention properties. High installation skills required. Installation time high 12 weeks

Concrete Block with Tiles

Generally as concrete block work and PVC liner except the liner is replaced with tiles and grouting. The tiles do sometimes come off and required regrouting into place.
The cost is very high. Medium heat retention properties. High installation skills required. Installation time high 16 weeks

Concrete Block, Render, Fibreglass and Gel Coat

Generally as per concrete & PVC liner above except the internal wall is coated with fibreglass and gel coat. Most pool owners replace a liner with fibreglass and gel coat when the liner fails.
The cost is high. Medium heat retention properties. High installation skills required. Installation time high 14 weeks

One Piece Reinforced Fibreglass with Gel Coat

This type of pool is constructed within a factory environment and transported to site as a pre built swimming pool. Installation can be carried out by more competent DIY persons, but most customers choose to have the pool installed.
The cost is medium. Medium heat retention properties. Medium installation skills required. Installation time 3-5 days

You will notice that the maximum heat retention properties for the swimming pools above is medium at this stage, this is due to 80% plus of heat lost is from the water's surface. So a good cover for low heating costs is essential for the UK climate – this we discuss later.

Swimming Pool Heater

All swimming pools in the UK need some form of heating and there are several methods to choose from.

1)      Electric
2)       Gas
3)       Heat Pump
4)       Solar

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are compact units and are approx 99% efficient. For every £1 spent on energy you get back 99% of heat energy.
Purchase price: Low. Annual service: Not Required. Running Cost: High

Gas Heaters

Gas heaters can either be installed indoor or outdoors and are approx 80% efficient. For every £1 spent on energy you get back approx 80% heat the other 20% is lost.
Purchase price: Medium. Annual service: Required approx £150 to £200. Running Cost: Medium
(Watch out for increasing gas prices)

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are the super efficient way to heat your swimming pool and are fast becoming the number one way to heat your water. They are approx 400 to 500% efficient. For every £1 spent on energy you get approx 400 to 500% in heat.
Purchase price: Medium. Annual service: Not Required. Running Cost: Low

Solar

Solar panels are slowly becoming a popular way to heat a swimming pool in warm sunny countries. However due to current technology they are not as yet really cost effective / suitable for the UK.
Purchase price: High. Annual service: Not Required. Running Cost: Very Low (Where suitable)

Swimming Pool Cover

Swimming pool covers are generally used for several reasons a) to help keep leaves out, b) safety and c) heat retention as more than 80% of your pool water's heat is lost from the water surface. There are several types of cover available for your pool:

a)        Solar
b)       Thermal Blanket
c)       Automatic Roller
d)       AquaWarm

Solar Covers

A solar cover (bubble cover) is the most basic and lowest price option for a swimming pool cover. The cover requires a large roller system to be mounted at the end of the pool to roll the cover up when you want to use the pool. You generally also need a winter debris cover.
Purchase price: Low. Heat retention: Very Low. Safety: None

Thermal Blanket

The thermal blanket (foam cover) is similar to a solar cover and requires a roller at the end of the pool for when the pool is in use. The heat retention properties are slightly higher than a solar cover.
Purchase price: Medium. Heat retention: Low to Medium. Safety: None

Automatic Roller Cover

Roller covers are generally automated covers and can come with or without reinforcing safety bars.
Purchase price: High. Heat retention: Low to Medium. Safety: Medium

AquaWarm Cover

AquaWarm swimming pool covers are sectioned covers which float together on the pools water and offer very good heat retention properties
Purchase price: Medium. Heat retention: Very Good. Safety Medium

Water Sanitation

All swimming pools need some form of sanitation to keep the water clear and germ free. There are currently several main methods in use.

a)        Chlorine or bromine
b)       UV
c)       Salt

Chlorine or bromine

The tried and tested method of sanitising your swimming pool. However there are growing concerns over the associated links with asthma. Chlorine or bromine requires adding to the pool water daily.
Initial cost: None. On going costs: Medium

UV

UV (Ultra Violet) is growing over recent years. In simple terms germs are killed as they pass over an UV light bulb in the plant room area. A low dose of chlorine or bromine is also required to kill germs which may be present within the pool area.
Initial cost: Medium. Ongoing costs: Low to Medium

Salt

Salt sanitising again a tried and tested method of sanitising your pool. A low amount of salt is added to the swimming pool's water a small electronic device then coverts the salt to sanitiser within the plant room area and passes it to all the pools water.
Initial cost: Medium. Ongoing costs: Low

Pool Lighting

There are 3 types of swimming pool lighting.

a) Halogen
b) LED
c) Fibre Optic 

Halogen Lighting

The lowest cost option to light your pool but only comes in one colour – white.
Purchase price: Low to Medium. Running cost: High

LED Lighting

Becoming very popular due to the achievable static and colour changing lighting effects, patterns and running costs.
Purchase price: Medium. Running cost: Low

Fibre Optic

Fibre Optic lighting can be used to achieve some stunning lighting effects and patterns.
Purchase price: High. Running cost: Medium