How to Choose the Right Above Ground Pool for Your Yard

Choosing the right above-ground pool can turn your backyard into the ultimate summer retreat, offering relaxation, fun, and a splash of style. Whether you’re in Phoenix, AZ, looking for a pool to beat the desert heat, Orlando, FL, creating a family-friendly outdoor space, or Dallas, TX, designing a backyard oasis, finding the perfect fit for your yard and lifestyle is key to making the most of your investment.

Above ground pools are no longer just temporary summer fun — they’ve become long-lasting centerpieces of outdoor living spaces. But choosing the right one means more than browsing for size and shape. To make a smart decision, you’ll need to evaluate your yard, how you plan to use the pool, and what extras matter most to you and your family. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you choose an above ground pool that fits your vision –and lasts.

Think beyond the pool itself

Start by considering what kind of experience you want your pool to support. As James Sarver of Sarver Pools explains, “Have you and your family been thinking about adding a new pool to your backyard? Maybe it’s something you’ve wanted to do for a long time, but have no idea where to begin. You’re not alone.”

Sarver recommends beginning with these questions:

• What will be the primary purpose of the pool: family fun, exercise, or relaxation?
  
• Are there permitting restrictions or HOA guidelines you’ll need to navigate?
  
• What physical obstacles exist in your yard — fences, patios, or grade changes?
  
• Do you want custom features like waterfalls, lighting, seating, slides, or tanning ledges?

These answers will help you decide the type, layout, and size of pool you need — and what the surrounding landscape should support.

Evaluate your landscape and drainage

Before you start filling the pool, assess the land it will sit on. “Even a 10×10 pool exerts immense weight when filled with water,” says Sully H. from Ponti Landscapes. “It’s critical to assess the topography of the property to account for drainage and earth composition.” Failing to confirm proper compaction can lead to shifting or structural issues down the line.

Justin Hoskins of JH Landscapes adds, “Slope, drainage, fencing, and retaining walls can all dramatically affect how your pool functions — and looks — in the long run.” This part of the process isn’t just technical. It’s fundamental to the pool’s success.

Pick a pool that fits your goals

Once you’ve addressed your site and purpose, it’s time to decide on a pool type. Sarver outlines several common styles to consider:

• Above ground pools – Affordable and easier to install, but may have customization limits.
  
• Semi-inground pools – Partially recessed for a more integrated look.
  
• Hybrid pools – Combine features of both inground and above ground.
  
• Plunge pools – Smaller and deeper, good for relaxation or tight spaces.
  
• Vinyl liner pools – Customizable and soft underfoot, but liners require periodic replacement.
  
• Fiberglass pools – Durable and low-maintenance, though often pricier.
  
• Natural pools – Use plants and biofiltration for eco-conscious swimming.
  
• Concrete or shotcrete pools – Highly customizable and long-lasting, but usually the most expensive.

Not every style will be compatible with your sanitation system, terrain, or features. That’s why it’s essential to understand each type’s trade-offs from the beginning.

Choose the right sanitation system

Sanitizing your pool is non-negotiable, but the method you choose impacts long-term durability. Sarver explains that not all pools are compatible with every system. Common options include:

• Chlorine – Effective and widely used, but requires regular maintenance.
  
• Salt chlorination – Gentler on the skin, but as Clay Norman of Hydra Hot Tubs & Pools warns, “Salt is highly corrosive to metal and will eventually damage the structure of your pool.”
  
• Ionizers or mineral systems – Lower chemical use but require supplemental sanitization.
  
• Natural filtration – Ideal for eco-friendly builds, though less common with above ground pools.

Match your sanitation choice to a pool designed to handle it. Otherwise, you may face faster deterioration or voided warranties.

Avoid design mistakes that lead to costly repairs

Norman also shares advice from years of fieldwork: avoid customizing your setup in ways that create long-term maintenance problems. For example:

• Don’t create a deep end. “We replace hundreds of liners each year. Most customers ask us to fill in deepened areas because they’re slippery and make games like volleyball harder.”
  
• Don’t build your deck over the top rail. “Eventually, your liner will need to be replaced. Pools fully decked in are much harder to service. Build decks below the screws on the top cap and consider a half-deck instead of a wraparound.”

These practical choices can save you thousands in service and replacement costs down the line.

Plan for the total experience

A pool isn’t just a water feature — it’s a lifestyle feature. Sully H. from Ponti Landscapes emphasizes the importance of blending landscape and function: “The surrounding landscape should always reflect and enhance the pool’s function. A swim spa might call for calming, flowered plantings, while a family pool benefits from open hardscaping or play zones.”

Don’t underestimate the cost of what surrounds the pool. Lighting, fencing, outdoor showers, drainage, and gathering areas all add to the experience — and the budget.

Making the final call

Choosing from the many available above ground pools comes down to clarity: What do you want? What can your yard support? What’s realistic for your budget and maintenance plan?

As Sarver says, “If you’re still not sure of your individual pool needs, we can help with that.” Whether you turn to a pro or plan it solo, don’t rush this decision. You’re not just installing a pool—you’re investing in how your summers will look, feel, and flow for years to come.