If you've been thinking about getting a swimming pool for your backyard, but aren't sure about the costs associated with doing such a thing, here's a tip: you can have an above-ground swimming pool for less than what it would cost you to buy a used car. That's right - you get everything that an in-ground pool could offer, but at about a third (or less) of the cost. And you can buy and install it yourself, saving money on contractors!

Why Choose Above Ground?

An above ground swimming pool, while offering you the same enjoyment as something that's built into your backyard, costs far less to purchase and install. You aren't digging up the backyard, you're not paying for contractors to pour a cement base, you don't have to pay for someone to install non-slip surfacing around the outside ' and that's all apart from the cost of the pool itself. An above ground pool is fraction of the cost and it won't hurt your home's resale value. Why? Because you'll still have an intact backyard ' you can uninstall the pool and take it with you when you move!

Above ground pools are also not considered permanent structures, which means you won't need to get a building permit or a planning permit. No waiting for a green light on the project, you can just buy and set it up. As well, there is a great variety of pools to choose from when considering an above ground pool, so you can match it to the surrounding landscaping ' anything from wooden, to metal frames, to 'splasher pools' which are plastic and durable.

What's the Best Pool to Buy?

The kind of above ground pool you purchase should depend on what exactly you're looking for and what kind of family you have. Wooden pools tend to blend into the surroundings better, and look far less obtrusive than brightly colored structures. They provide a natural feel, and are relatively simple to install. Metal framed pools are the easiest to install by far, and they are extremely durable. They're also quite flexible, but can be harder to clean in the long run.

For families with small children, splasher pools or plastic pools are the best option. They won't last as long, but they are the most inexpensive and can be replaced once the children get older ' and if you don't want another pool when the kids grow out of it, no problem! Just take the pool down and they can spend time in the whole backyard!

Above ground pools also come in a seemingly infinite number of shapes and sizes, which makes it easy to accommodate space and the needs of your family. Each pool will require about the same amount of routine maintenance, though of course a larger pool will need a more rigorous cleaning regimen each season.

What Kind of Care Does it Require?

There are a number of tasks that you'll have to be willing to undertake to care for your pool once it's been installed. For example, you'll need to keep an eye on the filtration system, since this is needed to remove solids from the water. When the filter is full, you'll need to clean it out and 'backwash' the filter. You'll also want to vacuum clean the pool at least once every few months during use ' or at least before using it for the season ' since it's not unusual for dust and debris to settle to the bottom over time.

Other tasks include conditioning and stabilizing the water in the pool, which is done by first getting your calcium hardness and alkalinity levels in the water in balance with the water's pH, for safety reasons. This allows the chlorine to work effectively, which you will need to apply to the water in order to disinfect and sanitize the swimming environment. It will also assist in controlling the growth of algae.