For some people, a back garden will always be incomplete as long as there isn’t a pool. Maybe you have always wanted one or your children have been asking you for years. An outdoor pool can indeed be a great addition. It will make your garden more entertaining. It can also turn the garden into a nice getaway oasis or a beautiful setting for a romantic night. There are plenty of things people won’t tell you about owning a pool that you should know, however. Here are some of the pros and cons of installing an outdoor pool.
Pro – It Automatically Enhances Your Space
Unless your contractor does a horrible job or you make a design blunder, your garden will automatically be better with a pool. You can also add all sorts of features to make it better. One thing you could do is add decking to make accessing the pool from the house easier. This will be perfect if you like taking late-night dips from time to time. Alternatively, you could use the decking as a spot to unwind.
This is exactly what a client wanted when they went to Ecoscape, one of the country’s leading decking and cladding manufacturers. Ecoscape was able to provide them with high-quality WPC boards that made for a perfect lounging spot after getting out of the pool. Their Midnight WPC boards are very low maintenance, naturally waterproof, and will resist UV rays as well. If you want to know how the project turned out, read more here.
Con – Maintenance
One of the biggest issues with pools is maintenance. Very few people know how much maintaining a pool can cost in one year. You have to pay for everything from pool covers to cleaning agents. How much you have to spend to maintain the pool will also depend on the size and type, features, and everything around it, and that’s even before you get to the repairs. Pool components will eventually fail and you will have to pay to repair them. It’s estimated that using the pool during the summer will cost you about £5 per day, or £10 if you use it all year long when factoring in heating and chemicals. That’s a nice chunk of money when you think about it, so you have to be prepared for this.
Pro – Your House will be More Luxurious
It’s not a guarantee that a pool will increase a home’s value. It depends on things like the design and your market. If your home is in a market where pools are customary, then a pool will certainly help your house sell for more and get more offers. The house will certainly feel more luxurious, however. Some homeowners will decide to have something simple, but you can go all out with beautiful tiling and lights, water features, stone paths, statues, and plants. You’ll feel like you’re in an exotic locale every time you step into your garden.
Con – Installation Costs
The price of pools can vary greatly and will depend on the size, what you want in it, the shape, and many other factors. At the lowest end of the spectrum, you can get a pool professionally installed for about £15,000. But that will only get you the tiniest of pools without special features. If you want a concrete pool with mosaics, £25,000 will get you one, but the average pool in the UK will cost around £40,000 to install. So, make sure that you are ready for this investment before you start. Don’t expect to get it all back at sale either, as it could actually detract from it in certain markets. Not everyone will be crazy at the idea of maintaining a pool. However, pools have a better chance of helping you sell if you’re in a high-end market. In this case, pools are often expected. The design choice will also make a difference. Something very personal is less likely to be a winner, so you will need to keep that in mind.
Pro – You Have a Great Entertainment Spot
If you love having people over and want them to have a blast every time they visit, getting a swimming pool is a no-brainer. It will also make your garden much livelier if you have children. You won’t have to convince them to get outside anymore. Children love swimming and it will give them a chance to get some exercise as well. You’re free to join in on the fun too. You can make nice additions like a sound system or a bar to make things even more interesting. This is also a great place to swim some lanes if you want to get some cardio work in.
Pools can be a great addition in some cases, but they’re not for everyone. This is why you must know what it means to have a pool and be ready for the responsibilities that come with it.