aluminum walls vs galvanized/copper wall

[tbelle]

I'm soooo confused. Three different pool stores in my area are all telling me different things. One says to go with the aluminum walls. It will take 40 yrs to oxidize. One says to go with galvanized steel/stainless steel service panel/rim. Another dealer who sells Esther Williams says to buy the cheapest aluminum I can find in the size I want because either way, it'll rust in a few years . I've just about given up on this idea. Can everyone pleaaassse advise me on your opinions???

My hubby would certainly prefer to go the cheaper route

Thanks for your help!

[NWMNMom]

The first step would be to find a reputable dealer that has been in business for some time and stands behind their products. You should run, not walk away from one that tells you to buy a cheapie because all of them will rot soon. Check with the Better Business Bureau in the areas you will be shopping. If online, go to the BBB Online AND find out if the company has a brick and mortar real world business as well. Talk to others with pools to find out about theirs and satisfaction levels with brands and dealers.

You get what you pay for - do not go with the cheapest you can find, you will be sorry. If you do your research, you will see that there are many with warranties that give you a pretty good idea what the mfg expects for the life expectancy with normal wear and tear - they don't want to pay or reimburse you - so if the product is crap, then it probably won't be well warranted. Areas that rust first will probably be those that are in contact with moisture most, your bottom rail and base plates, service panel/skimmer/returns, top rails and/or uprights/caps. Look for materials in those parts that are guaranteed or give good detail about corrossion prevention or corrossion free (aluminum, special coatings, resin, stainless steel) Anything less than probably a 30 yr warranty should be avoided like the plague - try for a 40 yr or more, even lifetime if possible (more spendy) or go for a big Splash Pool brand, they are really tough soft sided that can remain up year round in all climates (not very attractive though) As the guys here will tell you, good planning, VERY good ground prep and proper chemical maintc go a long way towards extending the life of your pool.

If you only want the pool for a few years, then its an awful lot of work for just a few years enjoyment, even for a cheapie.

[matt4x4]

Warranties usually tell you a lot, the pool with the 30 year bumper to bumper waranty is likely built much better than the 15 yr warranty "on major or selected components".
I really don't think the SS skimmer/return panel is necessary - many manufacturers now make their pools with them, it really just tells me something else about their remaining wall structure.
Go with a reputable manufacturer over which reseller you will pick - resellers just get the item to your door, manufacturers have to stand behind it.

[hrsdennis]

Hi, The stores in Arizona sell only steel wall pools. Such as the well coated one by Doughboy. The aluminum ones I have seen in the past last just a few years. I don't know if that's an Arizona thing or if that happens everywhere. That's where the local dealers should be of help. I do know of many Doughboy brand pools that I service in my area that are well over 20 years old.

Good luck, Dennis

[tbelle]

Thanks for everyone's help. I have been researching for weeks. The two main dealers in the area do provide stainless steel service panels, steel bottom rail and the walls I believe are the galvanized (steel) not true steel as it's a copper alloy (???). Is that what you mean by steel walls??? The other dealer is actually in Hornlake, Ms (Splash Pools). He is the one that told me to buy an aluminum one. He referred me to someone who sells Esther Williams aluminum pools. Is the aluminum one stronger??? I do understand about the warranty; I guess maybe I'm asking if you prefer the aluminum( supposed to be stronger) or the galvanized walls? Wouldn't the steel bottom rim rust and the aluminum would oxidize?

Thanks,
Teena

[hrsdennis]

Doughboy uses a hot dipped galvanizing process plus many other coatings. I have found the steel walls to be much stronger than aluminum. And yes, the aluminum will oxidize much faster than the steel will rust.

Just from what I have seen, Dennis