Both indoor and outdoor pools are a fun addition to any home, providing cool relief in the summertime and a great space for entertaining. There are many benefits of having a pool, including receiving essential nutrients from the sun and having an accessible, low-impact way to exercise.
Deciding between an indoor or outdoor pool is a big decision. Your lifestyle, preferences, taste and budget will all play a significant role in finding the best fit for you. Both types have many pros and cons, and you may find that one type is more convenient than the other based on location and needs.
Different Kinds of Pool Options
A pool can transform your space into a family fun zone, a fitness center or a relaxing retreat. With so many sizes and styles available, finding the best fit for you can be challenging. On top of deciding how to use your pool, you’ll also need to determine whether you want an indoor or outdoor pool.
You can transform your home with many backyard pool options or indoor pool selections, such as:
- Above-ground pools: These sit on your lawn’s surface and are generally the most economical option. You can assemble and disassemble an above-ground pool and put them together on your own or with professional aid.
- In-ground pools: In-ground pools are a permanent aspect of your landscape. These pools are very durable, and professionals can construct them with various materials and amenities to fit your style and preferences.
- Lap pools: Athletes and fitness lovers can use lap pools for swimming unobstructed laps for training and exercise. These are in-ground pools, but they are narrow and long, making them more suitable for swimming laps rather than casual cool-off sessions.
- Swim spas: A swim spa is an elegant pool that is great for homeowners with a small backyard. These pools have jets that motivate swimmers to push harder against the water, making them great for fitness. You can also heat these pools to serve as a spa for yourself or guests.
- Hot tubs: Homeowners use hot tubs and spas for relaxation rather than fitness or fun. These structures are much smaller than pools and typically have seats around the interior for guests to enjoy warm water and jets.
- Infinity pools: These elegant pools are structures that showcase magnificent views and create the illusion that the water has no bounds because the edge of the pool is lower than the water level, allowing it to flow over the side. These pools are typically expensive to install and maintain.
- Plunge pools: These structures are small and cold because they ease body aches and stiffness and provide cool relief from the sun. Despite their size, these pools are relatively expensive, but they’re often worth the investment for athletes or those who live in hot climates.
If you want to truly transform your home’s entertainment space, you can add more than one of these options to your property. For example, many homeowners install hot tubs with their infinity pools so they can relax in different manners. Even those with smaller yards can find options to enjoy the water in multiple ways — add a hot tub on your deck for people to hang out in when they don’t want to swim in your indoor pool.
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Outdoor Pools for Homes
These pools offer a way to connect with nature and spend time outside with friends and family. During the summers, they give relief from the hot, humid air and create a fun environment to cool off. However, homeowners who live in areas that experience chilly falls and cold winters can only use their pools in the summer months, making their backyard fun a seasonal occasion.
Pros and Cons of an Outdoor Pool
An outdoor pool can be a great way to keep a party outside and have some sun exposure at the same time. With numerous sizes and styles to choose from, you can typically find a terrific fit for your lifestyle and budget. Pick between above-ground and in-ground pools and transform your backyard using as little or as much space as you prefer.
The benefits of outdoor pools include:
- Connecting with nature by swimming outside
- Enjoying the sun while staying cool
- Gathering with family and friends outside
- Increasing safety with above-ground pools
While outdoor pools can be wonderful for the months you get to use them, they lose their use in the cooler months, and some types are more susceptible to damage. You must also maintain an outdoor pool more often and take extra precautions to secure your privacy and safety.
The cons of an outdoor pool include:
- Needing to clean it frequently
- Failing to increase home value because they’re personal property items
- Removing debris, leaves and dirt often
- Using it only during the summer months
- Restricting use when it’s raining
- Above-ground pools can damage easily
Cost of an Outdoor Pool
The cost of an outdoor pool will vary based on your preferences and lifestyle. For instance, the cost of an outdoor heated swimming pool will be higher than a DIY above-ground pool. On average, an in-ground pool can cost between $28,000 and $55,000 to install.
After installation, you can expect to spend an additional few thousand dollars on maintenance each year between repairs and an increase in utility bills. Other upgrades such as a deck, light fixtures, a patio and high-quality materials will also increase your project budget. If you opt for an infinity pool or a swim spa, you should expect to pay further costs for the features you want and higher utility bills.
An above-ground pool can be an affordable option for many homeowners. With DIY kits, you can save on installation costs and still enjoy a refreshing dip in your backyard retreat. Some above-ground pools can go for under $1,000, while others are more than $5,000 — the average in the United States is just under $3,000.
These pools often don’t come in a wide variety of sizes or styles and won’t be as deep as an in-ground pool. They’re also not as aesthetically pleasing and may not last as long as the alternative, meaning you could spend more to get a new one or pay for additional repair costs to keep it running.
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Indoor Pools for Homes
Indoor pools can be used all year long, no matter where you live. An enclosed pool can still give you a beautiful look outside while keeping you comfortable and warm during the year’s cold months. Also, indoor pools are cleaner than outdoor pools because they don’t have dirt, leaves and other debris floating in. While outdoor pools are subject to the elements, indoor pools are safely tucked away in an enclosure.
Pros and Cons of an Indoor Pool
These pools can add a touch of elegance to any home, and you can enjoy them whenever you please — even when it’s freezing outside or a storm is about to roll in. You can always be sure you won’t have to cancel your next big event because you’ll still have the space and environment to entertain your guests.
The benefits of indoor pools include:
- Using your pool all year long
- Swimming in any weather
- Needing to clean minimally
- Saving money on maintenance
- Protecting your skin from sun damage
- Increasing safety for passersby
- Keeping your swim time private
- Increasing your home’s square footage and value
These kinds of pools offer more privacy and safety than outdoor pools. If you live in a neighborhood with close next-door neighbors or see many people walking near your home, an indoor pool can obstruct their view. With doors and windows, you can keep your pool secure when you’re not using it by locking it up, ensuring kids or pets don’t accidentally fall in.
The disadvantages of a swimming pool in your house mainly involve the cost they require. They have a higher upfront cost because you must account for the additional space and utilities to build and maintain the pool and enclosure.
A few cons of an indoor pool include:
- Being more expensive than an outdoor pool initially
- Limiting walking space around the pool to the enclosure
- Increasing your budget to account for building an addition, lighting, temperature regulation and ventilation
- Being patient while you obtain the proper permits for installation
Cost of an Indoor Pool
The price for an indoor pool can span beyond the pool itself because you must also account for the ventilation, heating and cooling system and the pool room enclosure. An indoor pool can cost around $190,000 or more by the time you’re finished with all the costs.
You can use an indoor pool cost calculator to estimate your budget and decide what features are worth the additional expenses. There will be some maintenance and protection costs you won’t be able to skip, but you can always choose more simple designs or opt for a small pool.
Indoor pool maintenance and additional costs include:
- Ventilation system
- Pool heater
- Pool cover
- Insulation
- Dehumidification system
- Heating and cooling system
- The enclosure itself
Although the upfront cost is higher compared to an outdoor pool, the cost to maintain an indoor swimming pool can be less expensive than an outdoor pool in the long run because it won’t experience as much wear and tear from the elements. You can also save additional costs by investing in energy-efficient windows, finding an energy-efficient heater, opting for a retractable roof or finding a quality pool cover to keep water from evaporating when it’s not in use.
Depending on your home and location, an indoor pool could add a value of around 5-10% to your property. While that number might seem insignificant compared to how much you need to spend to invest in it, it’s still a nice tidbit to consider, especially when you note that above-ground outdoor pools don’t add any value to your home. With an indoor pool installation, you get some return on your investment.
Indoor Pool Enclosure Styles
Another benefit of indoor pools is the freedom to choose the style of pool enclosure that best complements your home. Each home and homeowner is different, and your enclosure should be a reflection of your taste and refinery.
Maryland Sunrooms offers three roof styles to take your pool enclosure to the next level. Whether you opt for studio, cathedral or curved eave, you can feel confident your pool room will be elegant and beautiful while showcasing your landscape.
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1. Glass Studio Enclosures
Glass studio enclosures might be the traditional look you’re going for. These rooms feature a subtlety and simplicity that makes your pool and decor the focal point for you and your guests. These elegant, light designs are perfect all year long while bringing in an abundance of light.
2. Cathedral Style
Cathedral-style pool enclosures have an interesting architectural style that is beautiful and eye-catching. This design creates a stunning high ceiling that allows light to shine through the roof and onto the water. With windows on the walls, you can have an illuminated pool room while keeping a sense of privacy and ensuring your safety.
3. Curved Eave
A curved eave-style pool room features slim profiles and a curved design that refine your space with graceful lines. These enclosures are perfect for wall-to-ceiling windows that give you a completely unobstructed view outside. With energy-efficient windows, you can create the ideal retreat while saving on energy and ensuring your safety.
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Maryland Sunrooms offers top-notch experience and service. Our team is committed to giving you personalized attention and taking excellent care of recognizing the little details while maintaining a tone of professionalism. As leaders in our industry, we value you and your needs, and we want to help deliver you quality home additions.
We pride ourselves on working with local homeowners and providing the highest-quality materials to complete home renovation projects. We know our enclosures can add value, functionality and appeal to your home. Each homeowner has varying tastes and preferences, and we’re prepared to meet and exceed your expectations. We offer a large variety of finishes, styles, designs and customization options to create the best space for you and your family.
Adding an indoor pool is an excellent way to promote healing, health and relaxation. If you’re installing one for your home, browse our selection of sunroom styles and discover the best fit for your indoor pool’s enclosure.
