Best pool quick set or metal frame?

[Corbin3]

We are looking at one of the cheaper above ground pools. We've had the one with the inflatable ring before and it was alright. It lasted for 2 years but the ring got to many holes and wouldn't inflate right. Anyone have one of those metal frame pools? I am wondering if they would last longer and be a better buy for the money. They should start going on sale soon I would think. I want to be prepared because I know they usually fast when they get discounted. Any info would be appreciated!

 

[Justsyd2]

We're on year 3 with our Intex metal frame pool that I purchased on clearance at Walmart for $50.00. We love it! It has held up really well, and we all have enjoyed it, a lot!

 

[GoofyMomInOhio]

This is our second year with a metal frame one and we love it! Prior to this, we always had inflatable ring ones and this seems to hold up better with the kiddos.

 

[bartleby1]

We've had both. We had a smaller one with the blow-up ring for two seasons and then switched to a larger metal frame.

I would never go back to the blow-up ring one. I have heard too many horror stories about kids leaning over the edge and getting swept out of the pool with a gush of water. I really don't feel they are safe.

We bought our metal frame one at toysrus and DH took out a 2 year protection plan on it (available through toysrus) for $40. We used it two seasons, but when we went to set it up this year, one of the seams was ripping and it was leaking. We were still within our 2 yr protection plan and they determined that it was covered so they sent us a TRU gift card for the full purchase price. We were able to get a new one with the gift card. The protection plan is now $50 I think and we chose not to get it because we want to get a real pool in a couple of years anyway, but it might be worth looking into if you get one.

The metal frame ones do feel much sturdier and safer.

 

[stsomewhere]

We have a metal ring pool. We've had it for 4 yrs. We keep it up all year. We have never had a problem . We have had to replace the pump becasue the motor went.

 

[Debbie7452]

We have the Intex metal frame pool going on year 2. It still looks new! We paid about $250 at Sam's club for the 16' size. It survived Hurricane Ike which dropped several large oak tree limbs into it. We took it down over the winter because we wanted to move its location. Put it back up this year and only had a tiny pin hole in the liner which we patched with a vinyl repair kit.

Ours has a floating fountain added($40) which shoots water into the air...it's so pretty, I love it!

We have four kids and it has already gotten our $$ worth of use.

I wish it had nighttime lighting...Does anyone have a recommendation for lighting one up?

 

[momma_mouse]

We have an Intex pool. We got it at TRU 3 years ago and it is still in great shape. They even have salt water systems you can buy for them now. We had friends who had an easy set pool. It only lasted a year and a half. I would definately go with one of the metal pole pools. Everyone has them on sale right now, too!

 

[MetalPrincess]

We have had our metal frame Intex pool for four years and LOVE it! We had the inflatable ring pool for three years but Katrina destroyed it, so we upgraded to the metal frame.
We purchased the saltwater chlorine generator this year and have VERY little maintenance as far as chemicals go.
As for lighting, we purchased a pool light at our Wal Mart. It attaches to the top metal bar on the pool and extends into the water and lights up the pool very nicely. It can also be purchased at walmart.com.

 

[Tammysue5]

We did not like the Ringed Pools so we bought the metal frame one! LOVE IT! This is our 4th year of using it and it looks great. The one leak we had was fixed easily with the patch kit. We have the 'foutain' as well and DDs enjoy that. DH takes the pool down during the winter months...but I am thinking it would be fine staying up. All our kids spend hours in that pool all summer...... We went ahead and bought the deepest one and glad we did. DDs taught themselves to swim in it. I think this pool is a great buy and definately worth it.

 

[unionville]

As part of our summer "staycation", we purchased the Intec metal frame pool from Sam's Club (around $300). We love it! My neighbors even went out and bought the same pool after seeing how much we enjoyed it. My sister has a quick set pool that is the same size. Just looking at it, I think the metal frame pool gives you more swimming surface than the quick set.

 

[Corbin3]

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I will be looking for the metal frame pool this year. For those of you who mentioned the floating fountains...where did you get those? I haven't paid much attention in recent years but how long do the pools usually last once they go on sale? I'm always torn between waiting for the price to drop and then waiting to long and they are all gone!

Also for those of you who leave it up all year round do you leave the water in it too or do you drain it? We live in Illinois and have some crazy winters and I wasn't sure how it would hold up.

Has anyone built a deck for their pool? I have considered that but wasn't sure if we had to take it down if we would be able to get it back in the right place the next year!


Deana

 

[MetalPrincess]

I purchased a floating fountain at Big Lots last month for $10. It is made by Dirt Devil.

 

[terrier72]

I wish it had nighttime lighting...Does anyone have a recommendation for lighting one up?

We have an inground and with the last liner replacement we decided to have the light covered up, because it was so expensive to replace. We purchased a floating rechargeable led light on ebay and it works great. Just throw it in the pool and let it float around when you are done you remove it and plug it in.

 

[Debbie7452]

Thanks for the tips on lighting! I was ready to order the Wal-mart light, but DH doesn't want to have to run electricity out to it. So now I will check out the rechargeable one. I saw a solar one but it was $$$.

We love our "Grecian Style" fountain that we got at Leslie's Pool Supply for $39.99 but I just saw the identical one on the Wal-mart.com site when I was looking at the lightsfor $24.99 so I majorly overpaid...

 

[DisMomme]

We're on year 3 with our Intex metal frame pool that I purchased on clearance at Walmart for $50.00. We love it! It has held up really well, and we all have enjoyed it, a lot!

We would be on year 3 as well and loved our pool. The In-Laws however gave us their full size pool. It was too much maintenance for them. We gave our Intex pool to the neighbors and they are getting good use out of it!

Edit: We did put small cement blocks under each of the posts