Extruded Aluminum (SWCG)

[bradatkins]

Hi -

Now that we've decided to buy a pool, all of our pool expert friends have come out of the woodwork.

We are looking at the salt water type system.

What we are getting a lot of "advice" on is the material of the pool.

All say don't get Steel, as it will get corroded. Except for my neighbour, he has steel and salt water. He's had it for at least 6 years now and no problems.

The most vocal group says get "extruded aluminum"

The rest look at my like I have 4 heads when I say resin. They say what about the sun (+30C), the cold (-40C), flying pigs, etc.

The pool stores all say resin. I'm just not sure if that means top/bottom rails, and the walls are just coated with something.

Any light/links you could share would be great.

Thanks!
Brad

[PoolDoc]

There's no question that "resin" -- plastic, really -- is the most salt resistant material. To the best of my knowledge, salt has NO effect on plastics used in pool construction and gear.

But, it can have a LARGE effect on BOTH aluminum and steel.

It's complicated, though. Salt levels in pools are only a little higher than the salt that ALREADY builds up from chlorinating pools. In areas where there's enough summer rain to keep everything washed off, there may be no problem with either material. But in dry areas, where the pool water can splash out, and REPEATELY evaporate leaving salt behind, salt levels can accumulate to the point of being quite damaging.

I don't know enough about the climate of Ontario to know how this might apply to you.

Regardless, you probably want to look at warranties. Many AG pool makers void your warranty if you use salt. Most warranties are meaningless after the first year or two, but you might want to hold off till then.

[PoolDoc]

PS.

We call them SWCG's here, instead of SWG's . . . since they generate chlorine, not salt ;)

[bradatkins]

Does this help:

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/statistics/precipitation/cl6068150/caon0664

??

And say I go "regular" chlorine for the first year, do I need to drain my pool to switch to salt? I'm guessing not since both are chlorine, just a different way of getting it.

From a cost perspective, it's $600 difference for resin vs steel.

[PoolDoc]

Average 4" in August? Wow, that's much wetter than here in Chattanooga!

That rainfall definitely puts in you in the 'less likely to have a problem' category. That said, if you are spending more than a few thousand on the pool, and want to use salt . . . I'd go for the resin (plastic).