Above ground pools are a great alternative to an inground pool.  Most people would opt to install an inground if they could, but sometimes the cost of an inground pool is prohibitive.  Though an above ground pool is cheaper than an inground, it doesn’t mean that an above ground pool has to be “cheap”.  Installed properly we find that most people get years of enjoyment out of their above ground pool.

Having been in the pool business for years and installing hundreds of above ground pools, we know that questions abound about above grounds.  Below are some of the most commonly asked questions we typically receive concerning above ground pools.

Shapes And Sizes

What sizes and shapes does an above ground come in?

Above ground pools come in a variety of sizes and two different shapes.  Most pools can be divided into either the round or oval category.

 Round Pools 

Round shape above ground pools are the most common.  Round pools typically install more quickly than an oval.  Round pools also have less structural parts than an oval pool.

The sizes for a round pool are: 18’, 21’, 24’, and 27’.  There are larger sizes available in a round pool but we discourage anything larger than a 27’ due to chemical use and maintenance concerns.

 Oval Pools

Oval pools are longer than they are wide.  They take longer to install and they have more structural parts.  The straight side of an oval pool requires a heavier duty upright than does the radius end of the pool.  The uprights along the straight side of the pool will protrude farther than the uprights on the radius ends of the pool.  An oval pool also has metal straps that run under the sand bottom to connect both side of the pool.

Available Oval Sizes:  15’x30’ and 18’x33’

How deep is an above ground?

The depth of the pool is determined by the wall height.  A typical wall height is 52”.  Pools can also be purchased in 54” wall heights.

My yard is not very flat; can I still get a pool?

Yes you can get a pool even if your yard is not perfectly flat, though it will probably cost more money to install.  The way we determine how far out of level a yard is, is to first paint an outline of where the pool will go.  The outline will include the width of the pool as well as an 18” over dig.  The over dig allows us to work around the pool during installation.  Once the outline is painted we take a laser and shoot the highest and lowest points on the painted outline.  For example: let’s say you’re buying a 24’ round pool.  Once the outline of the pool is painted we use our laser to determine that your pool site is 30” out of level.  That means from the highest point of the outline to the lowest point of the outline there is a 30” difference.

 How much extra will it cost if my yard is not flat?

The extra cost for an over dig (our term for where the pool will be installed) is determined by the inch.  In our install price we have 12” of over dig included already.  That means that if we use our laser to shoot the highest and lowest points and there is a 12” difference or less, there will be no extra charge for the over dig.  This does not mean that we will sink you pool in the ground 12” inches.  We include this 12” because typically most yards will not be more than 12” out of level and the customer will not be charged extra for an over dig. 

For example: let’s say you buy a round 24’ pool.  We paint the outline and use our laser to shoot the highest and lowest points and the difference is 24”.  Your pool site is 24” out of level. Since 12” of over dig is included in the install price you take 24” (how out of level the pool site is)-12” (included in the install price) =12”. In this scenario the customer will be responsible for an additional 12” of over dig cost.  The cost that we charge is $25 per inch.  So $25x12” comes to an additional $300 dollars over the original install charge.

Will my yard be messed up from the installation?

Yes your yard will be messed up installing your new pool.  We try to keep the damage to your lawn to a minimum, but installing a pool is quite a large construction process.

Will I have to do any work after the pool is installed?

Yes.  When the pool is installed and the pool crew has left, the work begins for the customer.  When the crew leaves the pool will be completely constructed with a couple of inches of water in the bottom to set the liner.  The pool will have to be filled with water, electric will have to be run to the pump, and the pool will have to be back filled with dirt.  Depending on the size of your over dig this can range from filling in the over dig, to simply piling dirt around the bottom rail of the pool.  The backfill process cannot start until the pool is full of water.  Any repair to the lawn, etc. will be the responsibility of the homeowner.

 Do I need a permit for an above ground pool?

You may.  It is important to check with the municipalities in your area to see what permits are required for an above ground pool.  Every municipality is different, so you will want to check.

 How long does it take to install?

There are many factors that can affect the install time for a pool.  Some of them are:

•   Access to pool building site
•   How far the yard is out of level
•   Size of the pool
•   Is the pool round or oval?
•   Weather

In an ideal situation most times a round pool can be built in three to four hours, an oval pool can be built in about six to seven hours.

Are above ground pools hard to keep clean?

 We have found that keeping an above ground clean and ready for swimming can be obtained with minimal effort.  Remember that there is no pool that will be completely maintenance free; some effort will be required on a weekly basis.  Keeping the chemicals balanced and running the filter system 24/7 will go a long way to easing the work required to keep a pool clean.  We also suggest installing a main drain in the above grounds that we sell.

A main drain is a drain that is hooked up to the pump so that water is pulled from the bottom of the pool as well as the skimmer.  A main drain also tends to pull in any small dirt particles, thereby reducing the need to vacuum the pool. We have found that most of our customers may check their chemical levels a couple times of week and adjust accordingly.  They also shock the pool once a week if needed, and let the automatic cleaner run during the night/evening.  They spend a great deal more time swimming than they do cleaning!

 How long does an above ground pool last?

The vinyl liners in above ground pools are not designed to last forever.  We find that most customers on average can get about eight years of use out of a liner.  This is an average, so some customers get less, while some customers get quite a few more years of use.  Over time chemicals and sunlight will tend to fade the design on the liner.  Some people will choose to get a new liner simply to refresh the way their pool looks, even though their liner is functionally sound.

Aside from the liner the rest of the components of an above ground pool will last for many years.  Properly maintained we have seen the structural parts of some pools that have lasted twenty years or more.

What brand of pools does Edwards Pools sell?

We offer two different models of above ground pools.

Solstice

This model is sold under the Backyard Leisure brand.  The Solstice is a 52" wall.

The Matrix

This pool is an all resin model sold under the Sharkline brand.  The Matrix comes in a 54" wall.

The two models can be purchased in a round or an oval shape. 

How much does an above ground pool cost?

Pool pricing depends on the shape, size of the pool and the model of pool chosen.  While exact pool quotes may vary here are some ball park prices:

 Round

The entry level 18' Solstice model will start at $4,226.60 with the 27’ Matrix rounding out at approximately $7,115.57 (includes insallation up to 12" overdig)

Oval

The 15’x30’ Solstice will start at $6,354.20 with the 18’x33’ Matrix being approximately $9,351.60 (includes installation up to 12" ovedig).

*any required permits are not included in this price.                     

 What is included when I buy a pool kit from Edwards Pools?

 Included in our pool kits are:

• pool wall
• J bead liner
•  Pump
•  Filter
• A frame ladder *can upgrade to steps for $75-$155.
• Hayward Skimmer
• Vacuum pole, vacuum hose and vacuum cleaner head
• Wall brush
• Leaf net
• Winter cover
• Starting chemicals
• Digital test strip reader

Our pool kits do not include permits, the price of water to fill the pool, electrical work or any costs of an over dig in excess of 12”. 

The one option that we highly suggest is the "Main Drain".  The additonal cost of the main drain including installation is $445.00.

What kind of liner comes with an above ground?

There are three different styles of liners that can be installed in an above ground pool.

Overlap liner

This liner installs over the top of the pool wall and is secured by coping strips along the top of the wall.  Typically after installed you can see some portion of the liner along the top of the outside of the pool.  Overlap liners tend to be less expensive than the other types of liners.

 J Bead or J hook liner

This liner has a bead along the top of the liner that hooks over the top of the pool wall.  No coping strips are needed.  The top rail of the pool secures the liner to the wall.  With a J bead liner no portion of the liner can be seen outside of the pool wall.  It makes for a very clean looking pool install.  J bead liners are very popular and constitute the majority of the liners that we install.  When buying a pool from us a J bead liner is included automatically in the pool price.

Beaded liner

Beaded liners have a bead along the top of the liner that slips into a bead receiver.  The bead receiver is installed over the top of the pool wall, and then the liner bead is inserted into the bead receiver.  As with J bead liners no part of the liner can be seen on the outside of the pool after installation.  The bead receiver can be seen along the top of the inside of the pool wall, though only a couple of inches are visible.

We stock three different liner patterns that are included with an install, but there are other pattern options available.  Be aware that choosing a different style/pattern of liner than what is included in the original install quote may be more costly.

Take a look at the patterns we carry by clicking on the name!

Boulder Bay   Golden Beach   Siesta Key

So there you have a breakdown of what an abovground pool entails. You can contact us to have further questions answered, and receive more information on the types of aboveground pools we sell.

Happy swimming!!