A Guide to 12 Typs of Swimming Pools (2024)

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Outdoor Spaces

• 01 of 12

  Kiddie Pool

  

  Best for: Providing a portable play feature for children.

  A kiddie pool can be either an inflatable device or a rigid plastic shell. Either way, these pools can be pulled out of storage whenever hot weather arrives and the kids need a place to cool off, then put back into storage at the end of the season. Just make sure you drain the pool after each use.

  Kiddie pools often cost just a few dollars, especially if you purchase at the end of the season when prices may be discounted as much as 75 percent. It's entirely possible that this affordable option will satisfy your main reason for wanting a swimming pool. And no pool is easier to maintain. For this type of pool, expect to pay up to $50.

  Pros

  • Portable

  • Affordable

  • Easy to Maintain

  Cons

  • No Filtration

  • Small

  • Not Completely Swimmable

• 02 of 12

  Above-Ground Swimming Pool

  

  Best for: Owning a fully functional recreational pool for an affordable investment.

  Above-ground pools serve as a symbol of attainable pool ownership. There are both hard-sided and soft-sided options in this style, and some pools are almost indistinguishable from much more expensive in-ground pools, especially if you add an elevated deck or frame around the outside of the pool. In many climates, in-ground pools are drained, disassembled, and put away in seasons where they aren't needed. In this case, soft-sided above-ground pools are an excellent choice.

  Above-ground pools are relatively easy for DIYers to assemble. The national average for installing an above-ground pool is about $3,000, but it's possible to spend $20,000 or more if your pool includes add-ons, such as built-up decking. While easier to maintain than large in-ground pools, above-ground pools do require managing water chemistry, as well as filtering and cleaning.

  Pros

  • Affordable fully functional pool

  • Comes in soft and hard side options

  • Removable

  See Also

  What Are the 4 Types of Inground Pools?Deze zomer nog een inbouwzwembad in uw tuin - A Perfect PoolSwimming pools in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

  Cons

  • Higher maintenance cost than kiddie pool

  • Needs more space

  • Liner must be protected from sharp objects

• 03 of 12

  In-Ground Family Swimming Pool

  

  Best for: Active families needing a multi-use recreational swimming pool.

  Increasingly, swimming pools aren't just a feature of the luxury real estate market. In some housing markets, especially in sun-belt regions, a swimming pool is now an expected feature even in middle-class neighborhoods.
  

  Broad "for-all-ages" appeal is what recreational pools are all about. If you like to entertain, this may be the pool of your dreams—or at least your kids' dreams.

  Nationally, in-ground swimming pools average about $55,000 to install, and it's easy to spend $100,000 or more on an upper-end poured concrete pool. But for active families, this can be an excellent investment, both for current enjoyment and for long-term property value. However, you must plan on spending several hours a week on water and filter maintenance and cleaning—or plan on hiring someone to do it for you. You can also look into a robotic pool cleaner to save some time.

  Tip

  Costs for building a pool can vary greatly depending on the price and availability of labor in your region. For example, costs for building a pool in a major metropolitan city in the Southwest, where there are many contractors familiar with pool construction, can be much more affordable than in a rural area of the Midwest.

  Pros

  • Unlimited Shapes

  • Several finish options

  • Good for entertaining

  Cons

  • Costly Install

  • Hidden plumbing

  • Higher repair cost

• 04 of 12

  Lap Pool

  

  Best for: Individuals with limited space.

  A lap pool is a swimming pool built and used for fitness. Relatively shallow and narrow, these are not pools for diving boards and water slides, but rather for enjoying daily workouts by swimming laps. Typically, lap pools are rectangular in shape, which can make them ideal for long, narrow lots.

  Nationally, installing in-ground lap pools costs about $44,000, on average, for an 8 ft. x 40 ft. x 4-foot-deep pool. And such pools come with all the maintenance work required for any in-ground pool.

  Pros

  • Great for swimming laps

  • Perfect for Aerobics

  • Good for narrow spaces

  Cons

  • Shallow

  • Narrow

  • Cannot accept diving board or water slides

  Continue to 5 of 12 below

• 05 of 12

  Indoor Pool

  

  Best for: Affluent families with plenty of space and a healthy budget.

  An indoor swimming pool is pretty straightforward: It's inside, under a roof, and usually insulated by at least one wall of the home. Indoor pools are generally simple, geometric shapes and are built for swimming or training throughout the year, especially in cold climates.

  In most cases, indoor swimming pools feature a standard in-ground pool (average price, $55,000), with a constructed glass enclosure that costs an additional $10,000 to $30,000. However, it is also possible to enclose an above-ground pool in the same way.

  The cost of maintaining an indoor heated pool may sometimes be lower than outdoor pools. Because the pool room is protected from the elements, it retains its heat better than outdoor pools. The enclosure keeps leaves and other debris out of the pool, reducing cleaning chores.

  Pros

  • Year round use

  • Lower heating cost

  • Good for swimming or training

  Cons

  • High cost of maintenance

  • Increased install cost

  • Creates a humid environment that promotes corrosion

• 06 of 12

  Olympic-Size Pool

  

  Best for: Serious athletes and health enthusiasts with plenty of space and a large budget.
  

  Olympic swimming is one of the most widely followed sports in the world and has the largest number of events and participants from different countries. It's no surprise that aspiring Olympians and swimming fans get caught up in the big event and want an Olympic-sized swimming pool of their own.

  But adding an Olympic-sized swimming pool is not for the faint of heart. An official Olympic pool is 25 meters wide and 50 meters long, holds 500,000 gallons of water, and costs at least $300,000 to build. Anyone owning such a pool will probably need to hire a pool service for the basic maintenance work.

  Pros

  • Excellent for athletes

  • Used for a variety of events

  • Can be sectioned off to become several smaller pools

  Cons

  • Size

  • Cost

  • Increased maintenance

• 07 of 12

  Architectural Pool

  

  Best for: A pool that makes a design statement as it serves recreational functions.

  Just the name gives it away: An architectural pool must have structure, definite lines, and use the same materials for a cohesive look. An architectural pool is usually geometric, sophisticated, and designed by an architect. If the house is custom-built, the pool is normally built at the same time, taking in the size of the lot and the layout and relationship of the house to the pool.

  These are pools for more affluent owners who are likely to hire architects to design their properties. Costs are usually incorporated into an overall master plan for the home and landscape, but such pools can easily add $100,000 or more to the cost of a home. Pool and water quality maintenance are the same as for any in-ground pool.

  Pros

  • Aesthetically pleasing

  • Size conforms to lot size

  • Matches house

  Cons

  • Increased construction cost

  • Unique elements increasing labor cost

  • Puts form over function

• 08 of 12

  Infinity Pool

  

  Best for: Taking advantage of surrounding landscape vistas.

  Infinity pools are also known as infinity edge pools, vanishing edge pools, negative edge, zero edge, or disappearing edge pools. Infinity pools are always custom-built and should be designed to highlight a view. Done right, an infinity pool gives one the illusion of a sheet of water dropping off over the edge of the property, like a waterfall, although you can't see or hear falling water.

  They're definitely on the more expensive end of residential swimming pools. Like architectural pools, infinity pools are usually designed and built as part of a master plan at the time of home construction. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of $55,000 - $87,000 for an infinity pool.

  Pros

  • Highlights View

  • Unique Look

  • Can be any size

  Cons

  • Expensive

  • Custom built

  • Usually needs a drop-off for desired effect

  Continue to 9 of 12 below

• 09 of 12

  Natural Pool

  

  Best for: Combining water recreation with natural landscape appeal.

  Natural swimming pools are self-cleaning pools that combine swimming areas and water gardens. Most natural pools are lined with rubber or reinforced polyethylene. A separate-within-the-pool "regeneration" zone is equipped with aquatic landscaping, which acts as a sort of organic cleaning system.

  Like any in-ground residential swimming pool, a natural pool can be designed in a freeform, rustic style with boulders and waterfalls, or it can be modern or architectural—sleek and elegant.

  Natural pools usually cost about the same as or slightly more than conventional swimming pools ($75,000 - $150,000), depending on landscaping. They often appeal to gardeners because of the great variety of plant life that can be grown in them, as well as to green advocates and others who don't want to swim in chlorinated water.

  When the ecosystem is kept properly balanced, these can be fairly easy pools to care for, but this can be tricky to do. If the water chemistry gets out of balance, or if the pool is overcome with algae, it can be hard to recover without considerable work.

  Pros

  • Self cleaning

  • Can be any shape

  • Natural

  Cons

  • Cannot use entire pool

  • Tricky to balance chemicals and plant life

  • Closer to a pond than a pool

• 10 of 12

  Spool

  

  Best for: Relaxation and socializing.

  Blending the words spa and pool, you get a spool. In recent years, pool builders have increased business with homeowners with tighter budgets and smaller properties who request water features that are smaller than traditional swimming pools but larger than standard spas. Many homeowners use a spool mostly for relaxation and entertaining—a place to soak and cool off on hot days or to enjoy drinks with friends on pleasant evenings. Spools may even have directional jets against which you can swim.

  Some spools are in-ground affairs made of poured concrete, but more often, they are created by using a large manufactured spa/whirlpool shell surrounded by a wide elevated deck. Depending on how you outfit your spool, costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000. Maintenance is usually easier than with larger pools, but you will still have water chemistry and filter equipment to manage.

  Tip

  Some spools are large enough to fall under the code requirements for full-sized swimming pools. So you may be required to add protective fencing and meet other local code requirements.

  Pros

  • Good for relaxing and socializing

  • More affordable than a full size pool

  • Can incorporate a surrounding deck

  Cons

  • Size

  • Not big enough to swim

  • Shallow

• 11 of 12

  Saltwater Pool

  

  Best for: Owners who prefer to avoid chemicals.

  Saltwater pools (sometimes called ocean pools) are not a design or style of pool, but rather an alternative method of water filtration and purification. These pools use a saltwater chlorine generator to convert bulk salt into natural chlorine to kill bacteria and algae. The generator can be added during the pool-construction process or afterward—a standard pool can be converted by adding key components.

  A salt-water chlorine generator can also be added to an above-ground pool, as long as it's made especially for above-ground swimming pools.

  Maintenance for these pools is similar to traditionally chlorinated pools, with regular cleaning of pool surfaces and filter equipment needed. This type of pool usually cost anywhere from $12,000 - $38,500.

  Pros

  • Great for chlorine allergies

  • Avoids chlorine

  • No chlorine smell

  Cons

  • Higher maintenance cost

  • More difficult to chemically balance

  • Expensive to repair components

• 12 of 12

  Plunge Pool

  

  Best for: Alternative health enthusiasts.

  Plunge pools are small, cold-water pools that have been for quite some time. Many swimmers and athletes like to plunge into a pool of cold water after a heated workout or sauna or spa session, believing it has therapeutic benefits.

  Plunge pools can be separated or attached to a larger in-ground pool. Although they look like an ordinary spa, one cautious toe-dip into the pool will reveal otherwise. For this reason, expect to pay $10,000 - $35,000 for a plunge pool.

  Pros

  • Therapeutic

  • Can be incorporated into a normal pool

  • Health benifit

  Cons

  • Small

  • No heat

  • Not swimmable