Pools and similar features offer many benefits, but which type is right for you? If you’re thinking about installing an above ground pool, swim spa, or hot tub in Birmingham, AL , then continue reading to learn about the differences between these water features.

Above Ground Pools

For families with kids, above ground pools are typically the best choice for backyard water features. Pools offer plenty of room for playing and exercise, and they are ideal for creating an outdoor area for entertaining. However, above ground pools can take up a significant portion of your yard and can’t be used year-round, although the use of a pool heater can extend your pool season by a couple of months. Finally, pools can require more upkeep and safety precautions than swim spas and hot tubs.

Swim Spas

For individuals who want to enjoy many of the activities that they can in a full-sized pool but within a smaller space, swim spas offer an excellent solution. Swim spas are ideal for exercise and have water jets that can be set to various levels of resistance so you can swim laps with no need for making turns or having a large pool. Also, you can use a swim spa for hydrotherapy by warming the water temperature and relaxing against the comfort of the water jets. Swim spas are the best choice for individuals who want the therapeutic benefits of a hot tub combined with the exercise qualities of a swimming pool.

Hot Tubs

If you’re looking for a water feature that is compact and designed for comfort and relaxation, then a hot tub could be the best choice for your needs. The warm, pulsating water provided by these features is perfect for relieving stiffness and pain in aching joints. Additionally, when in a hot tub, the body can release endorphins that decrease muscle tension and improve mood. Hot tub maintenance is simple when done properly, and you can choose to install either an indoor or an outdoor hot tub for maximum convenience.

Above ground fiberglass pools offer both health and recreational benefits, so it’s no wonder that many families are choosing to add one to their property. If you’re on the fence about installing a fiberglass swimming pool in Birmingham, AL , then watch this video for some reasons why you might like to own one of these popular backyard features.

Above ground fiberglass pools are perfect for families who like to spend time outdoors and have a way to cool off in the summer. Pools are also great for entertaining and for getting plenty of exercise. Having a swimming or therapy pool is like being on vacation all year long and can turn your boring outdoor space into a backyard oasis. Don’t miss another pool season—call a pool contractor today.

Having a backyard pool offers you many benefits, but these features do require a bit of maintenance to be kept in good condition. Do you own a therapy pool or an above-ground fiberglass pool in Birmingham, AL? If so, then there are a few essentials that you should always have nearby.

Your pool system requires a well-functioning pump and filter to keep the water clean and circulating properly. Also, regular treatment with chemicals helps control algae and bacteria that would otherwise grow in your pool water. For the off-season, pool covers are essential for winterizing your pool and keeping leaves and other debris out of the water. Finally, if you have kids or love to entertain in your backyard, then be sure to keep some floats, toys, and games in your pool area.

If you feel confused about where, to begin with, pool care, then contact a local pool company. These experts can get you started with a maintenance plan that will keep your fiberglass pool or therapy pool in excellent condition year-round.

When it comes to staying comfortable and calm during the winter months, few things can be as beneficial as having your own hot tub . By choosing to install a hot tub in Birmingham, AL, you can enjoy several advantages that will help you stay warm and relaxed this season.

Get Better Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health, but chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders are common problems in the United States. Research has demonstrated that soaking in a hot tub 2 or 3 hours before heading to bed can promote deeper and more restorative sleep in insomniacs, something that can be particularly beneficial during the stressful holiday season.

Enjoy Outdoor Luxury

Do you love enjoying your backyard area with friends and family? If so, then you may be looking for a better way to make the best of your yard in the winter months. If you want to be comfortable and have a good time outside despite the chilly weather, then consider installing an outdoor hot tub. These features can keep you warm and relaxed even when the air is icy cold.

Find Stress Relief

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that can induce feelings of pleasure, improve your mood, and provide relief from pain, and one of the best ways to stimulate your body to release endorphins is to soak in a hot tub. Also, sitting in the hot water and enjoying the massaging water jets can increase blood flow and relieve soreness, fatigue, muscle tension.

Achieve Joint Comfort

Once cool weather rolls around, it’s not uncommon for people to experience more pain and stiffness in their joints. Whether you have arthritis or suffered a joint injury in the past, using a hot tub this winter can help keep you comfortable. The warm temperature, water buoyancy, and massaging water jets can ease tension and soothe joints that are stiff and sore. For these reasons, soaking in a hot tub can be particularly beneficial for individuals who play sports or have arthritis, knee, or back pain.

If you have been deciding between installing a large or small pool in your backyard, then perhaps you have yet to hear about swim spas in Birmingham, AL. Swim spas are an above ground pool option that will greatly benefit your backyard. Once you install a small swim spa, you will be happy with the amount of landscaping space you have left over, and you will greatly enjoy the increased savings. Let’s take a closer look at how you will benefit from a small swim spa in your backyard.

More Room

Having more room in your backyard, while still enjoying the benefits of a pool, is one of the biggest benefits you will find with a small pool. It is easy to swim and enjoy a fun time with your family in a small swimming pool. When you exit, you still have a significant amount of your backyard to enjoy as well. You can incorporate an outdoor kitchen, a grass lawn, or a large garden. When you choose a small pool, such as a swim spa, then you never have to worry about taking up too much space in your backyard.

More Savings

From the purchasing process to installation to maintenance, you will notice much more savings from a small, above ground, swim spa than you would from a large, in-ground pool. Swim spas use fewer materials and have an easier installation, making them less expensive than larger options. You will typically use less water to fill a swim spa, which will also amount to greater savings.

Less Maintenance

The smaller your pool is, then the less maintenance you will have to do. Most pools require the same type of machinery and chemicals to keep the water sanitized and clean-looking; however, a smaller pool will use these items less than a larger, inground pool. This reduced amount of maintenance means less work for you and more savings for your bank account.

Speak with your local swim spa installer about how to enjoy a small pool in your backyard.

Your pool liner is essential for maintaining the function and appearance of your above ground pool. Above ground pool liners in Birmingham, AL should only need replacement every seven to ten years, but the replacement should not be delayed for too long. Here is a brief look at why you should not put off replacing your above ground pool liner:

• As your pool liner ages, its look will diminish greatly. Your pool will have a faded or dingy appearance that will make it unappealing to swim in. The longer your pool liner is not replaced, then it will continue to worsen in appearance.
• If your pool liner ages beyond a safe time limit, then it could rip. If your pool liner rips, you could be looking at expensive repairs or costly leaks in your above ground pool.

Once your pool liner rips from old age, the water and sanitizing chemicals could damage the rest of your pool’s structure. This could mean even more repairs or a replacement of your entire above ground pool.

When winter comes around, you may think your swimming days are over for quite a few months. However, with a swim-spa in Birmingham, AL , you can swim as much as you want, any time of the year. By owning a swim-spa, you can maintain your daily exercise and stress relief. Continue reading to learn about the year-round benefits you will enjoy with your new swim spa.

Maintain Your Exercise Regimen

If your daily exercise is found in an inground pool, then you may dread the coming winter. Inground pools are often only used during the summer, which makes it difficult to maintain a steady workout regimen. You, like many other swimmers, may need the low-impact quality of the water to exercise comfortably. What kinds of indoor, low-impact exercise can you find during the winter months that give you the same health benefits as swimming in an inground pool? With a swim-spa, though, you can enjoy your swimming exercises year-round in heated water.

Enjoy Your Heated Spa

In addition to maintaining your exercise habits year-round, a swim-spa is a great solution for year-round parties. You, your friends, your kids, and the rest of your family can enjoy a fun day or night in your heated, backyard swim-spa any time of the year. A swim-spa is a great gathering tool for people to enjoy a holiday party or a simple get-together. Surprise your friends and family by telling them to bring their swimsuits for the next winter party you host. Everyone will be pleasantly surprised that they get to experience a heated spa any time they want.

Relax Your Muscles

Finding ways to relax is a crucial step to achieving a well-rounded and healthy life. Whether you deal with a stressful job, busy family life, or both, you need to find the time and a simple way to relax your muscles and ease your stress. A swim-spa is the perfect solution because you can enjoy it any time you want during the winter or summer.

Many people prefer swimming for exercise, because it offers a low-impact way to burn a maximum number of calories. Swim spas and small swimming pools near Birmingham, AL are perfect places to perform the exercises seen in the short video. Continue reading for a short breakdown of these simple exercises that can be done in a small swimming pool.

• To work on the triceps, perform reps of modified push-ups from the wall of a small swimming pool.
• To work on the core, head to a deeper end of the pool. Do several reps of a jump and knee tuck exercise. Only use the arms and hands for balance.
• To work on the legs, arms, and core, try a knee-high run in the water. Make sure the arms are in motion with the legs to burn the maximum number of calories.

Adding a swim spa or hot tub in Birmingham, Alabama, can benefit you in a variety of ways. The question isn’t whether it’s a good idea to get a swim spa or a hot tub—the question is which one is right for your home. Hot tubs range in size so you can soak with one or two other people, or with a number of guests. By relaxing in a hot tub, you can ease your stress and anxiety, and reduce muscle pain and stiffness. A swim spa allows you to exercise in the form of swimming and running and can double as a place where you can relax and let the jets wash your cares away. Check out this infographic to learn more about hot tubs and swim spas as you try to decide which one is right for you.

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One of the drawbacks to building an inground pool is that you often cannot change the way it looks. Thankfully, that is not the case with pool liners in Birmingham, AL. You can update and change the look of your swim spa and pool with a vinyl pool liner replacement . Vinyl pool liners will typically last about 20 years, but you may want a change or need a replacement in that time. Use this opportunity to try out something new.

Pool liners are manufactured in such a way that they can represent any tiled, sanded, or pebbled look that you might find in a typical inground pool. They can also come in a multitude of colors, designs, and styles. For example, if you want to update your pool or spa to look like a Grecian bathhouse, then you may try the pebbled waves of a Riverside or Santa Barbara pool liner. If you are looking for something simple, then try out a Rio or Sedona pool liner. In case you want a truly exotic-looking pool, then install a Monterrey or Baja liner. You cannot go wrong with the many pool liner choices available to you.