Swimming Pools

Say "swimming pool" and visions come to mind of kids splashing in a pool while mom and dad sip sodas from under the patio umbrella. If you are anxious to beat the heat with a pool this year, it pays to do your homework. Installing a swimming pool is a chunky investment and at the end of the day, you don't want to find yourself all financially wet with no pool in sight.

If you are dreaming of a pool, first figure out why you want a pool and what you will use it for. Are you thinking

• daily exercise?
• recreation for the kids?
• pool parties for the neighborhood?
• making your family "water" safe?
• landscaping scheme?

Each of these reasons can help you determine what kind of a pool and how much of a pool you need to install.

There are essentially two types of pools: inground and above ground.