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Salt Water vs. Chlorine Pools

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As we’ve touched on in some of our previous posts, pools are the most popular summer addition to any landscape. The long, hot summer days call for cool, relaxing dips in your pool, and if you don’t have one, you’ve probably considering giving your local pool builders a call to get started on installing your own. But, often times the planning phase is the most important and it requires a great deal decision making so that you’ll be completely satisfied with the end product.

Decisions when it comes to pools include picking your location, deciding on material, and whether you’ll go with a salt water pool or a chlorine pool. Each of these pools comes with its own perks, but it ultimately comes down to your preference and ability to finance and maintain the pool that you choose. Here are some differences between the two pool options to give you an idea of what you might want before you get in contact with your local pool builders.

Salt Water Pools

Salt water pools are a great option for those who want a lower concentration of chlorine in their pool. These pools use a salt chlorine generator to produce their own chlorine, and since the chlorine level in salt water pools is lower than the levels in traditional chlorine pools, they are softer on the swimmer’s skin, as well as swimsuits.

As for the financial aspect of salt water pools, there are some pros and some cons. The good news is that these types of pools are cheaper when it comes to chemical and overall maintenance (the yearly chemical cost of a saltwater pool is around $70 to $100 dollars). The downside, however, is that they will be more expensive to install, and they use more electricity, which will give your monthly power bill an extra $36 to $48 dollars on average.

It’s also important to keep in mind that salt water can damage pool features, plants and soil, and repairs will require the attention of professional pool builders.

Chlorine Pools

Chlorine pools are the most common pools that you’ll see at private homes. The reason that these are the most common types of pools is because they are the most affordable, costing less to set up initially, and using less electricity than a saltwater pool. Another upside to chlorine pools is that they can be maintained by the homeowner, whereas salt water pools almost always require the attention of professional pool builders — chlorine pools also don’t cause significant damage to pool features.

The downsides to chlorine pool are that they do contain a higher concentration of chlorine, which can be harmful to those who have sensitive skin and to your swimwear. The chlorine in the water can also cause skin to dry out and become irritated. As for maintenance, chlorine pools rack up higher costs than saltwater pools in this aspect.

Contacting the pool builders here at Odyssey Pools is the best way to really get the information that you’re looking for when it comes to building a pool, but this guide was created to help you get an idea of what you might prefer. For more information on what pool might be best for you, contact us today — we’re ready to answer any questions you might have.