Are you ready for a new pool? You should know there are many affordable pool upgrades and add-on features that can make your pool a little more enjoyable and easier to maintain.
Some of our pool customers want just the pool, plumbing, and patio without any bells and whistles. If so, then you will still have an upgrade to your home that will bring years of enjoyment.
We still want to invite you to explore all available options when it comes to pool accessories.
Below we have some of the most popular pool accessories to consider adding to your inground pool project. We think you will be pleasantly surprised just how affordable these are!
The Most Popular Inground Pool Add-On Features
Pool accessories can be rather costly, but there are also plenty of cool add-ons that are extremely affordable. Here is a quick reference list of many of these:
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Pool Bubbler
Pool bubblers are fountain-like water features that typically go on steps and tanning ledges. The sights and sounds that bubblers make can create a calming atmosphere in your pool area and ramp up the fun for kids.
The height of the water that comes out of a pool bubbler is adjustable so that you can vary the noise level and amount of splash. Some bubblers may even have LED color-changing lights, but those will cost extra. If you want to add one or more bubblers to your swimming pool, you need to do it during the pool’s construction. Bubblers cannot be put in later.
When to Install: During the pool’s construction
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Deck Jet
A pool deck jet is an inground fountain that sprays water into the pool. We typically install them at different points around the pool’s perimeter, or you can place one or two near the shallow zone where kids like to play. Deck jets are also adjustable, and you can choose the direction and height of the stream. As a bonus, you might be able to control your deck jets with your smartphone.
When to Install: During the pool’s construction
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Pool Cascade Waterfall
Cascade waterfalls are among the most aesthetic pool accessories that money can buy. These modern water features can either be integrated into the pool’s coping or installed in a pool retaining wall. Ideally, you should install waterfalls and other water features when the pool is being constructed, as they are difficult to add in later.
When to Install: During the pool’s construction
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Pool Jet
Adding jets along seating areas can make your downtime in the pool much more relaxing while also boosting your water’s circulation. A jet releases water back into the pool with slightly higher water pressure, much like you might see in a bathtub or spa. These also need to be installed during your pool’s construction and can’t be added later.
When to Install: During the pool’s construction
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Salt Chlorinator
If you want to make sanitizing and maintaining your pool easier, you can always invest in an automatic salt chlorinator. An automatic chlorinator distributes slat to your pool steadily and evenly over time.
When to Install: Any time after the pool is installed
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Fire Pit
There’s no better way to warm up after a swim than to get toasty by a glowing fire. Poolside fire pits are among the most popular outdoor accessories because they can be used even in the early spring and late autumn. Many fire pits and fire bowls aren’t budget-friendly, but we see a lot of homeowners who DIY their fire pits for no more than $300.
Some prefab fire pits also have similar pricing, depending on the size and manufacturer.
Note: Always check with your local regulations before building a fire pit to avoid safety hazards.
When to Build: Any time after the pool is installed
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Automatic Pool Cleaner
If you have a robotic vacuum in your house, why not get one for your pool? Automatic pool vacuums clean up the floors and walls of a pool and require less labor on your end to keep the pool free of dirt and debris. Dirt, leaves, and fruit can all cause stains if left on the surface of the pool for too long, but an automatic pool cleaner can take care of it before it becomes an issue.
Bonus: If your pool pump ever stops working for any reason, your robotic pool cleaner can pick up the slack and help keep your water clear until you get your system up and running again.
When to Buy: Any time before or after your pool is constructed
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In-Pool Furniture
If your inground pool design includes a tanning ledge, you might eventually end up trying out pool furniture. In-pool loungers are the most popular furniture pieces by far, but many people also opt for tables, bar stools, umbrellas, and beds for their tanning ledges.
Tanning ledge furniture can get expensive, but you should be able to add a couple of loungers to your pool without breaking the bank, depending on the brand.
When to Buy: Any time before or after your pool is built
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Pool Cover
A pool cover can ensure that your pool is cleaner come springtime when it’s time to open the pool again. Unlike pool nets and security covers, winter covers are usually held in place with water bags or sandbags and don’t require you to drill into your patio. Because they are solid, you will need a pool cover pump, which can cost you an extra couple hundred dollars.
It’s important to note that winter pool covers aren’t the best option if you’re concerned about the safety of pets or children. For that, you will need to upgrade to a spring-loaded safety cover or an automatic pool cover.
When to Buy: Any time after the pool is built
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Solar Cover
A solar cover uses the sun’s rays to keep the pool warm and prevent heat from escaping. Adding one to your inground pool is a good way to raise your pool temperature by a few degrees and keep water from evaporating as quickly (which is a main factor in heat loss). Pool solar covers can vary in cost depending primarily on the pool’s size, but the cost can also be affected by the manufacturer or the cover’s material.
You should also invest in a reel for your solar cover to make putting it on and taking it off easier, which can cost you an extra $250 to $500. If your pool is large and a big solar cover is a bit too pricey for your liking, you can always try out a pack of solar rings, which have a similar effect.
When to Buy: Any time after your pool is built
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Pool Safety Alarm
You can never take safety “too far” when it comes to your inground swimming pool, and a pool alarm is the perfect accessory to make sure no one enters your pool without you knowing about it.
Pool alarms use underwater sensors to detect when something of significant weight (not leaves and bugs) enters the water. While some pool alarms can be very elaborate and expensive, many can be purchased for under $200.
When to Buy: Any time before or after the pool is installed
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Outdoor Shower
Adding an outdoor shower to your pool area can be an affordable and straightforward process, and most pool owners who have one agree that it’s a worthwhile investment. Rinsing off before a swim can help to keep the pool water sanitized, while rinsing off after a swim can prevent irritation from chlorine (and bleached spots on your outdoor cushions).
When to Build: Any time after your pool is installed
Aquamarine Pools has been installing pools with many add-on features for years. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your new pool with any of the popular add-on features available. Just give us a call at 800-432-8994 to speak with a backyard design specialist, or request your FREE POOL QUOTE.
We also invite you to take a look at our main website to look at the various brands and models of fiberglass swimming pools offered.