Every home owner cherishes the space in their back yard and they want to use it to create a relaxing sanctuary. A swimming pool is the perfect touch for creating that "Oasis" feel for your back yard. For those of us who don’t have a large back yard, it can be a tough decision to fill the space with a swimming pool.  As much as we would all love a swimming pool, we also want to maintain some yard space for other activities. One thing is for certain, an in ground swimming pool is relatively permanent and it can be a major factor if you want to sell your home in that people who don’t really want a pool may not be interested in buying your home. If you plan to sell your home within a few years but find that you still really want a swimming pool, you might consider installing an above-ground pool.  But there are also in ground pool options that will accommodate a smaller back yard. You may be wondering about the best type of pool for your small backyard - should it be concrete (in ground), vinyl or fiberglass?

What are the advantages to each type of pool?

Concrete in ground pools can be configured into any shape that you want.  You do need to have an excavator remove enough material to install a pool into your back yard; the area needs to be prepared for the concrete and finally, the concrete needs to be installed.  Concrete pools typically have a higher overall cost and require more maintenance than a fiberglass or vinyl pool as algae tends to grow faster, requiring more chemical use. Fiberglass pools generally have a range of shapes and sizes available but these may be fairly limited.  If you are interested in flexibility of choice for size and shape, you may want something other than fiberglass.  Fiberglass is durable, and many of these pools are designed to be placed in the ground like concrete pools, except that they cost much less than concrete pools and require less maintenance.  If you have tight quarters around your home, a fiberglass pool can be lifted over your home with a crane if necessary. Pools that are set up for the season are designed to be taken down at the end of the summer.  These portable vinyl pools have sides that rise as the pool is filled and can be a good option if you do not want to utilize the whole back yard all year around to be occupied by a pool.  They aren't as structurally stable as concrete or fiberglass pools and will usually be quite smaller.

Which of the choices of pools require the least amount of maintenance?

When you are comparing vinyl, concrete and fiberglass, concrete pools require the most amount of work.  Concrete pools are durable and last for a very long time, but vinyl liners need to be replaced as soon as they start to break down – in about ten years.  Fiberglass is the one material that has the lowest amount of maintenance both seasonally and long term.

Which shape of pool works the best in a small back yard?

The shape of the pool you install can vary; it is up to you to decide.  What else do you want to have in your back yard?  Do you want a patio with a fire pit and landscaping as well as a pool?  If you want several elements, you need to carefully plan your back yard and choose a pool that fits in with what you have planned. Round pools can be large without having a large footprint.  Kidney shaped pools can engulf a deck on one side while rectangular pools take up the most space in the yard.  Odd shaped pools can allow you to have more deck around the pool where you can relax and enjoy the space. If you live in Canada and have questions about choosing the right pool for your small back yard, feel free to contact us here, we're happy to answer any questions you may have.