STEALTH POOLS
Half in and half out of the ground?
Yep, we've got that.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INGROUND, SEMI-INGROUND AND AN
ABOVE GROUND POOL?
A semi-inground pool is not actually "a thing", it's an installation choice.
Semi-inground pools only come in two versions:
· Above ground pools that can be partially buried
· Inground pools that can be partially exposed
Because the term "above ground" lowers the perceived value, manufacturers and dealers choose to use the term "inground" to add value.
What sounds better to you?
This is a semi-above ground pool or this is a semi-inground pool?
Remove the word "semi" and say it again. There's your answer.
Your brain latches onto the word "inground" and assigns it more value.
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So which one are you looking at when shopping? The salesperson is never going to call it an above ground pool that's partially buried or an inground pool that's partially exposed. They are always called semi-inground pools as a rule.
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If you are standing there talking to the salesperson, ask a simple question. "Can this pool be built on top of the ground?" If the answer is yes, it's an above ground pool by definition. Inground pools MUST be buried at least 12" or more.
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If the pool wall is painted, it's an above ground pool. Inground pools are not painted because they get buried. Why would they paint the pool wall with a pretty pattern then bury it never to be seen again?
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If you can walk up to it, kick it or give it a good whack and it dents, it's an above ground pool. Unlike the above ground version, if you kick an inground pool, it's not the pool that's going to break. Have the salesperson bring out a hammer and whack it. Not kidding, do it. Anyone selling an inground pool wont be afraid to give it a good smack.
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If they only offer the pool in round shapes, it's an above ground pool. Most above ground pools are only available in round or maybe oval. You wont see any grecian or rectangular shapes. The structure of the pool wont support it and the walls cant bend at angles.
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So why would you or wouldn't you want a partially buried above ground pool?
Asthetics
Any way you say it, any way you build it, an above ground version never really looks "built in". There are components holding an above ground pool together that just cant be buried or covered. You are always going to see pieces of it and that's why they are painted. You are not even supposed to sit on the top of an above ground pool for fear it will collapse the wall. If you cant sit on it, how are you supposed to stack brick or concrete on it?
Structure
An above ground pool is deigned for one purpose only, to keep the water inside. There is simply nothing in the design of an above ground pool to support any pressure from the outside. The greatest failure of these pools is when customers need to replace the liner and remove the water. The water inside the pool is the only thing holding the dirt back. Remove the water and you remove the structure and that's a problem they wont tell you about.
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An inground pool has to be as strong as a retaining wall for just this problem. At some point you have to change the liner on all pools. Did somebody, somewhere, once put an above ground pool in the ground and it worked without collapsing? Yeah, sure but all you have to do is Google "collapsed pool" to see the hundreds that didn't make it.
PRICE RANGE:
Positioned between above ground and full inground, semi-inground pools can be a good value for a customer willing to participate in the project after the installation crew leaves. This is by no means the price of any particular pool but simply an idea of the range most of these pools are sold in.
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Above Ground under $3,000 to over $10,000
Semi-Inground $10,000 to over $30,000
Full Inground over $50,000
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CUSTOMER PARTICIPATION
This is the great disconnect between a full inground and the above ground / semi-inground category.
An inground pool is a completely finished project. When we are done with the installation there is a concrete deck around the pool and the yard is graded ready to landscape. We also provide the building permits required, schedule inspections and only ask you write the check. We handle the rest.
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Above ground and semi-inground projects are coordinated through a network of sub-contractors that you pay and work with directly. We provide the pool and accessories only. The customer must provide or contract for everything else. From permits to completion, the customer must coordinate all aspects of the project and either DIY or contract for all materials labor required beyond the pool and accessories listed on your purchase receipt.
When the contractor leaves, you must build the deck, stack the wall blocks or pour the concrete. However you would like it finished, it's up to you to get it done.
There are a few basic shapes available, not nearly as many as the inground category.
Semi-inground and above ground pools include the same filtration systems and accessories.
Semi-inground and above ground pools share a similar installation process. There are a few major differences.