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ABOVE GROUND POOL BUYING GUIDE

Above Ground Pool Buying Guide

Backyard Ocean ™ wants to make it as easy as possible to splash into the summer fun. Just follow our simple steps to choose your perfect above ground pool solution. Shop all Above Ground Pools »

1. Select a pool type

The first step in buying an above ground pool is to discover which type of pool best fits your lifestyle and budget. Backyard Ocean carries a wide selection of the best hard-sided above ground pools, frame pools, and ring pools to choose from.

	Hard-Sided Pools	Frame Pools	Ring Pools
Support/Frame	Steel, aluminum, and/or resin walls. Vinyl liner usually sold separately.	Sturdy steel frame with vinyl liner included.	Vinyl pool with inflatable top ring which rises as you add water.
Costs	$$$	$$	$
Durability	Most durable with replaceable liner. Can last 15-30+ years.	Durable. Provide many years of summer fun.	Long lasting. Provide years of economical fun.
Permanence	Permanent pool made to stay up all season. Perfect for homeowners looking for the best long-lasting above ground pool.	Easy to take down and store in the winter or move. Perfect for renters and homeowners who want an easy-to-care-for pool.	Easy to take down and store in the winter. Perfect for renters and homeowners who who want an easy-to-care-for pool.
Pump & Filter System	Filter system and pump usually sold separately. Can use cartridge, sand, or DE filter systems.	Skimmer filter pump attached to side skims debris from water surface. Included with purchase of pool set.	Cartridge pump sits on the ground. Included with purchase of pool set.
Pool Sizes	12 foot to 36 foot	12 foot to 24 foot	5 foot to 20 foot
Pool Shapes	Round & Oval	Round & Rectangular	Round & Oval
Setup Time	1-2 days. Self-installation or can hire a pool installer.	Self-installation. 1 hour+ setup + 2 to 10 hrs to fill	Self-installation. 30 min+ setup + 1 to 10 hrs to fill
	Shop Hard-Sided Pools Now »	Shop Frame Pools Now »	Shop Ring Pools Now »

2. Select your pool size

The next step is to decide what size and shape will fit your needs. Measure how much space you have in your backyard and think about who will use the pool. Round pools are a standard favorite while rectangular or oval swimming pools are perfect for narrower yards or for lap swimming.

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3. Select your pool chemicals

There are a wide variety of pool chemicals to sanitize your pool, remove algae, maintain the proper pH balance, and more. For hassle free pool maintenance choose a pool chemical kit with a season's supply of the pool chemicals you need. Please note that our ring and frame pools with RP and SFS pumps utilize 1" chlorine tablets.

Select your pool chemicals »

4. Choose your pool accessories

From pool maintenance accessories to fun pool toys and relaxing pool floats, we have what you need to care for your pool and have fun in the sun all season long!

Note that hard-sided pools are often sold separately without the liner, ladder and other necessary accessories. For more information on what you need to get your hard-sided above ground pool up and running see our Hard-sided Above Ground Pool Buying Guide.

Choose your pool accessories »

	Automatic Pool Cleaners Above Ground Pool Vacuum Cleaners In-Ground Pool Vacuum Cleaners Pool Cleaner Parts
	Pool Slides
	Pool Diving Boards
	Pool Fencing & Decks Above Ground Pool Fencing & Decks In-Ground Pool Fencing