Do you want to take a dip in your pool when you get out of bed or come home from work? Building your own pool is not that complicated.

The task can seem very daunting...unless you know what to look for and have some key information in mind!

Deciding between an above-ground or in-ground pool

This is the first thing to determine, depending on your land, your needs and your budget.

Above ground pools

Sf you want to focus on ease of installation and start enjoying swimming without a large investment then opt for the above ground pools. But which one?

• We forget about the inflatable pools ! Small and shallow, they are perfect for children under 10 years old but once they have reached a certain age, their only advantage is that at the end of the season, your garden will be in its usual state.
• In the same spirit of simplicity of installation, the self-supporting pool is becoming more and more popular. It lives up to its promise of being a "real" swimming pool and can offer you the kind of swimming experience you expect. It is a form of inflatable swimming pool that consists of an inner liner and a flexible pocket that takes shape when filled with water. This simple system makes the self-supporting pool perfectly stable.
• In this range, you will also find all the swimming pool kits. These are "ready-to-install" pools, so they do not require any earthworks. Although they are generally very affordable, their price can vary from a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. They can be made of wood (undoubtedly the most aesthetic), steel (the most solid), above ground, semi-buried or buried.

In-ground or underground pools

If you prefer to have a "hard" pool that you can enjoy all year round, you can opt for a completely in-ground pool. In this scenario, the pool is built by a specialist company. You will have to spend several thousand (or even tens of thousands of euros)

This is the most expensive solution, but also the most durable and the one that gives the best visual results.

Building a swimming pool: installation time

The installation time depends on the type of pool you choose:

• For an above-ground pool: it will take you no more than 3 days to install it
• If you choose an in-ground pool, allow two weeks to two months. The work must be carried out by masons and may require a building permit. The installation time therefore depends on the time it takes to obtain planning permission, the weather and the hazards of the site.

Designing the surroundings of your swimming pool

Once the pool has been installed, you can think about the fittings around it...

• The traditional in-ground pool is the concrete pool. This material will give you a certain flexibility in the choice of the shape and depth of your pool. You will be able to be as original as you like!
• Longevity and durability are the hallmarks of the stainless steel pool which is a material that combines several advantages: it is easy to maintain, it is very resistant to shocks, deformations, high and low temperatures and it does not age!

A steel pool does not require a liner (the liner is the pool lining that is normally applied to the sides of the pool) because stainless steel is smooth, waterproof and the water reflects its silver colour!

• The in-ground pool is also sold in kit form. You can install a polyester shell directly in the space reserved for your pool or steel or stainless steel panels that will form the walls of the pool. This type of pool does require some work and, above all, good DIY skills. This option allows you to significantly reduce the cost of installation and to save a lot of time. Nevertheless, it can pose problems of space and delivery and also requires a certain technical mastery.

© Desjoyaux

Building a natural swimming pool, for an ecologically responsible bathing 

There is one last way to build a swimming pool that is in the air today. This is the "natural pool". The principle is simple: to reconstitute a natural environment in which a biological balance will be established that will allow the life of the pool to be maintained. Some explanations on bio-swimming with water lilies and dragonflies:

• The natural pool consists of a swimming area and one or more planting areas. The spaces created in this way develop an ecosystem within the pool that will take on the roles of regeneration and purification of the water in the swimming pool.
• The lagooning technique is used here. Micro-organisms, algae and aquatic plants are used to purify and filter the water.
• Thanks to the simple principle of gravity, the water circulates between the different areas of the natural pool.
• No need for chemicals or a purification system to keep your pool water clean, maintaining your pool becomes child's play and is good for the environment at the same time.
• Compared to a conventional pool, you will save a lot of water and energy.
• The good news is that they can be installed anywhere, even on small surfaces (100m² is enough).

© Held Teichsysteme GmbH

So whether it is above ground, in ground, concrete or organic, keep in mind that a swimming pool, in addition to the many moments of pleasure and well-being it will give you, will add considerable value to your home.

Are you hesitating between a chlorinated pool or a natural pool? Read this article.