aluminum walls vs galvanized/copper wall

[JoshU]

The steel wall pools are "1 piece" , where the aluminum are several individual self mating pieces.

Most aluminum walls are also 1 piece rolled walls, the most expensive aluminum pools are extruded slot walls.

Josh

[gwrace1]

After doing a lot of research that included internet and AG pool books the bottom line came down to a hybrid pool. In terms of cost, durability and warranty the overwhelming advice was a steel/resin hybrid pool.

We ended up with an Artesian Echo Canyon that came with a lifetime non-prorated warranty. The bottom boots, bottom rail and top seat clamps are all resin. The rest of the pool is steel. Anything that could be exposed to corruption from the soil is resin. All I can say is it's a very sturdy, quality pool.

What you will find is that each type of material has it's pros and cons.

Aluminum does not rust but is more flexible and prone to corrosion over time. It also costs more than a steel pool.

Resin appeared to be an untested product without many years of real world pool trials. I've seen what the hot Texas sun can do to car interiors and other types of resin (plastic) over time.

For me the steel/resin seemed to make the most sense for the sake of durability and cost.

[drumr]

Josh,
Thank you for correcting me that only the higher end aluminum pools are extruded and not one piece as the steel ones are, I did not know that. When I looked at the pool at the pool store I told the salesman more about the extrusion than he could tell me.
When I bought my pool I did not even know they made ones out of aluminum, the store I bought mine from sells only the steel walls with stainless steel service panel which is what I have. I like the way the Johnny W pools look better than the way the steel walls look, but that pool was a couple of thousand dollars more than mine and I just couldn't afford it.