The decision to install a swimming pool is not something to be taken lightly and it brings with it myriad decisions that must be made — 
size, shape, style, location, building material, accessories such as diving boards, slides, hot tubs, fountains, sun shelves… the list is seemingly endless! Because there are so many decisions, it’s crucial that you find a swimming pool builder in Memphis, Tennessee that you can work closely with during the process from initial visit to the first time you jump into the new pool!
Among the many decisions you will be faced with is whether you should have a gunite swimming pool or a vinyl liner swimming pool. Both options provide many options as it relates to the pool’s shape and overall design. The crucial differences that your pool contractor from Advanced Pool Care will point out are as follows:
- Gunite is a cement and loosely compacted stone mixture and is rough to the touch. Gunite is sprayed into the pool shell over mesh and steel rebar.
- A vinyl liner is a plastic material that is stretched over the main structural supports of the pool.
- Gunite will hold up longer to wear and tear and a lot of swimming and chemical use and can be applied to any shape or style of pool you decide to design. It is also more costly than a vinyl liner pool.
- Vinyl liner pool are flexible but not as readily adaptable to unique shaped swimming pool designs. One of the main advantages of a vinyl liner over a gunite pool is the cost. A vinyl liner swimming pool can sometimes cost you up to $20,000 less than a gunite pool construction.
- Gunite is more expensive because of the additional work and manpower that goes into its construction. When considering the up front cost of a swimming pool, the cost of gunite may seem daunting but when looked at over the long run, consider that gunite is more durable and typically requires less maintenance and repair. It will, however, have to be replaced every 12 to 15 years.
- Vinyl swimming pools, again, carry a much lower price tag up front, but they will have to be replaced eight to ten years. With a vinyl swimming pool you will need to be cognizant of rips and tears and also you can’t drain a vinyl pool or it will collapse. A vinyl pool is a popular choice and they are smoother to the touch than a gunite swimming pool. The best way to decide what material is best for your family, spend some time with your swimming pool builder because he can fully explain the advantages and disadvantages of each building type.
Regardless of the type of pool construction material you choose, making the decision to install a swimming pool is a decision you and your family will long enjoy. Check out Pool Info Site for more information about swimming pools, swimming pool design and pool maintenance.
