A new look at an old technology—sand filtration for above-ground pools

Market dominance

The type of filter that dominates any given geographic market depends somewhat on the natural surroundings and a lot on other factors. For instance, in desert climates, DE often dominates because of the fine particulates that find their way into pools, while sand is the prevalent filter type in most of Canada and the Northeastern U.S. However, it can easily be argued that market dominance of one type of filter over the others depends more on the preferences of larger pool builders and retailers in any given area than on environmental factors. That is, whatever the bigger companies prefer to sell is what dominates a market.

Finally, cartridge filters are increasingly being touted as the most environmentally friendly choice because they do not require backwashing, a process that consumes water. Also—and this is true more so of larger, more expensive inground pool filters—recent product developments in this category have centred on making cartridge filters more hydraulically efficient and, therefore, more energy efficient.

Money talks

Above-ground swimming pools tend to be purchased by homeowners who want a backyard pool, but are not able or willing to invest in a higher priced inground pool. By extension, they tend to have the least expensive and simplest-to-use equipment. However, this does not mean all above-ground pool owners want the cheapest equipment available. That said, they do not generally spend more on their filtration system than they spend on the pool itself.

Within the category of consumers who opt for above-ground pools, there is a further breakdown between steel-wall pools and soft-sided pools. Soft-sided pools are typically sold as do-it-yourself (DIY) installations. As such, they are viewed by most pool dealers as a product for mass merchants and discount stores—not professional pool dealerships. That is, most independent pool stores still do not carry these relatively inexpensive pools, nor do they provide service or stock replacement parts for them.

In 2012, however, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) for the first time recognized soft-sided pools as a separate product category from traditional hard-wall, above-ground pools. As a result, more professional pool dealers are offering products and services to these pool owners.

Further, as above-ground pools tend to be more lower-ticket sales items than inground pools, it seems appropriate the equipment sold with and for the latter also tend to be less expensive than the pumps and filters designed and sold for inground pools. And, for the most part, today’s popular, low-cost soft-sided pool packages come equipped with simple element cartridge filters.