New building options for above-ground pools

by Sally Bouorm | February 1, 2013 11:07 am

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By Eric Gohn

When it comes to selling and installing above-ground swimming pools, today’s builders are no longer limited by the traditional installation methods concerning these pools, which are typically built ‘above’ or ‘on’ the ground. Thanks to product development by various manufacturers, new options are available to homeowners that allow these pools to be installed above-ground, semi-inground, or even completely inground. Further, these options provide both retailers and builders a variety of selling options to meet a number of consumer price points and backyard configurations.

Meeting a market need

In recent years, several above-ground pool manufacturers have introduced new, high-end hybrid models that are much stronger than the typical above-ground pool, thus enabling the different installation methods described above. Rather than using a single, rolled-wall sheet, these pools comprise heavier-grade steel panels.

This new generation of above-ground pool is designed to meet specific market needs that were not being met previously. For example, these pools can be installed in sloping backyards and provide a budget-friendly option for consumers looking for more than a traditional above-ground pool. Further, these hybrid pools provide better longevity, especially in extreme weather situations, more possibilities when it comes to backyard esthetics and landscaping, and more choices when it comes to the consumer’s price point.

Weather and terrain

One company that has had success in offering these hybrid pools is Blok Pools of Pembroke, Ont., which has been selling pools for more than 45 years.

“The traditional above-ground pool (if not winterized properly) has a hard time surviving an extremely cold winter,” says the company’s general manager, Dan Fraser. “If the liner gets damaged and starts to leak, even slightly, the pool walls get pulled in by the winter cover and are virtually impossible to repair.”

After the winter of 2006, which destroyed more than 5,000 above-ground pools in Ontario and Quebec, Fraser found consumers in his area were looking for a better onground option.

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“In response to this, we started offering high-end onground and semi-inground pools three years ago,” he added. “These pools comprise 14-gauge steel walls and come with a full 20-mil, virgin-vinyl liner, which will provide the consumer many years of service.”

When it comes to terrain, many consumers have backyards that are sloped, which in many cases eliminates the option of installing a traditional above-ground pool. By comparison, hybrid pools were developed with a sloped backyard in mind as they are well-suited for these landscape configurations.

From an installer’s perspective, these pools can be easily set up as less time is required for ground preparation, and equalizing the distribution of water weight to ground is not required to keep the pool in place. Further, a sand/cement slurry mix also is not needed. Finally, if the installation requires excavating into a slope, the same dirt can be used as backfill against the pool.

For example, B Z Pools and Decks Inc., of Johnston, Pa., which started offering hybrid pools this past season, sold and installed six pools that were all semi-inground and mostly on slopes.

“We use ‘cap blocks’ below each panel joint,” explains the company’s Brian Zettle. “After excavation, we mark the ground with paint every 1.2 m (4 ft) and place a 203- x 406-mm (8- x 16-in.) solid ‘cap block’ down, set via a transit level. A small level is also placed on each block to ensure they are all level. Then we assemble the panels on top of these caps without the need to worry about levelling the panels after assembly.”

According to Zettle, it takes more time to level the entire pool if the panels are bolted together first—especially when dealing with a sloped terrain.

Backyard esthetics

One of the biggest objections some consumers have with traditional above-ground pools has been the wall. Typically, they do not want to see the wall as it tends to stand out in their backyard landscape and is not attractive. This is one reason why consumers spend considerable sums to build surrounding decks to avoid looking at the pool’s walls. However, the ability to bury the wall—partially or fully—helps to eliminate this objection. Some manufacturers even provide vertical siding kits that snap onto the outside of the wall panels to replicate the siding found on homes.

By matching the pool’s siding to what is being used on the home helps co-ordinate everything, while also giving the impression the pool was built at the same time as the house.

Deck options

In today’s market, all pool builders will agree the deck area is the hottest part of the backyard. To install a deck on a traditional above-ground pool, a ‘deck kit’ is usually required, which is bolted to the pool. These decks usually have space restrictions and are limited in design. However, these limitations can be eliminated when installing a hybrid pool as their panel strength can accommodate the same size and weight of deck surrounding most inground swimming pools.

For example, a hybrid pool that is installed fully inground, similar to an inground pool, can incorporate a concrete receiver, bullnose, and aluminum coping where concrete is poured.

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“We recently installed a 4.6- x 7.4-m (15- x 24-ft) oval pool completely inground,” added Zettle. “The homeowner spent $11,000 on the pool and an additional $10,000 on the brick paver deck.”

By removing these deck limitations, pool builders can create more sales opportunities by building large surrounding deck areas that meet the needs of today’s consumers.

These hybrid pools are also great for homeowners who want to add a pool off of their existing deck. The ability to install them at any depth in the ground allows them to be easily matched up with the height of the deck.

“All you have to do is bury the pool to match the existing deck,” says Zettle. “You can put high-end flagstone decks, concrete decks—whatever you want—just like an inground pool if it is installed fully inground.”

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In addition, most builders will agree, many consumers prefer to have an easy entrance/exit for small children and the elderly. In these regards, most hybrid pools provide the option of replacing one of the wall panels with a standard plastic step—similar to an inground pool.

However, to incorporate this feature, it is important that a concrete footing is poured to accommodate any walk-in plastic steps being installed. A number of drop-in step options, which work well with this pool construction, are also available.

Water depth

The ability to offer additional water depth is another big selling point for these pools.

“Having a full 1.2 m (4 ft) of water is important to some consumers,” says Fraser. “Traditional above-ground pool walls are typically 1.2 m (4 ft) high, which provides an approximate water depth of only 1 m (3.5 ft).

“Most consumers in our region are not concerned about depth; rather they are interested in a pool that accommodates a variety of play by many ages. If water depth is important, oval-shaped hybrid pool models allow builders to create different depths by customizing the pool floor.

Similar to an inground pool, for example, larger 5- x 9.7-m (17- x 32-ft) oval hybrid models can be installed with a custom pool floor that has a flat shallow end, slope, and deeper hopper area. These pools still have to conform to industry specifications and will never be diving pools; however, they provide more flexibility in the overall design. The vinyl liners for these pools are made of 20-mil virgin vinyl, which is thicker than traditional embossed vinyl, and can be custom made to fit any pool floor configuration. In fact, approximately 40 per cent of the hybrid pools sold today are designed with customized pool floors.

One reason for this is consumers are looking for a pool that looks and feels as much like an inground pool as possible. The fact the pool walls are 1.3 m (4.3 ft) high is a huge selling point.

When it comes to installing an oval hybrid pool, they require a concrete bonding ring to be poured at the base of the straight walls.

Price point

There are some consumers who want the least expensive pool available. In these cases, traditional above-ground pools are ideal; however, for those consumers who do not want to pay the price of an inground pool installation, but are willing to spend more than the cost of a traditional above-ground, a hybrid pool is perfect for them.

“When a potential customer enters our store, they are often familiar with the traditional above-ground pool, but they become intrigued and interested when seeing our 2.4-m (8-ft) round, in-store display of the hybrid pool,” says Dean Rice of Rice Pools in Hermitage, Pa. This display model provides a side-by-side comparison and allows customers to see the wall panel difference of a traditional above-ground pool. Once the consumer sees the difference in strength and becomes aware of the various installation options their eyes light up.”

Granted, the price point for a hybrid pool is not for everyone. An average hybrid pool installation will cost approximately $3,000 to $5,000 more than a traditional above-ground pool. In fact, these pools should really be compared to inground pools. For instance, the cost of a typical 5.2- x 0.7-m (17- x 32-ft) oval inground pool is approximately $30,000, while the same size hybrid pool will typically cost less than $20,000. The only limitation to the hybrid pool is its shape—oval or round.

The future of above-ground pools

Many retailers and builders will agree that providing their customers with the option of a hybrid pool has helped expand their business.

“We have doubled our sales of this particular pool in the last year,” says Rice, whose company has offered these pools for the last three years. “Our region has been a bit depressed, but the ability to provide these installation options is great for those who want their pool to look like an inground pool installation without investing the same amount of money.

 

Eric Gohn is the national sales and marketing manager for Fabcote and Fox Pool Corp. He has more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and product development. He can be reached via e-mail at eric@fabcote.com[5].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/new-building-options-for-above-ground-pools/

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