Which shell fits the yard: fiberglass, vinyl liner, gunite or Radiant
A fiberglass pool arrives as one molded shell, so the choice is among the models the maker already shapes. Their project page names two of them: the Aspen at 16 x 40 ft, installed in Nicholasville and in Frankfort, and RiverPools Model D40, also 16 x 40 ft, in Midway. A shell that size has to travel on a truck and pass the gate and the power lines, which is the first thing to settle on the yard walk.
A hybrid vinyl liner pool is built to the yard instead. That is how the list on the projects page holds a 20 x 36 ft sports pool in Richmond, a 16 x 35 ft pool in Richmond, and a 20 x 40 ft pool with a 7 x 10 ft bump out. Custom gunite is shaped on site to a drawing, which suits a lot where nothing off the shelf will sit square. Bio Design is on the same installation list, and the Richmond office can say which of its models suits a given lot.
Above ground is a real option too. Juliana W., on their own site, wrote “They did a spectacular job on my Radiant Above Ground swimming pool.” The company is a Radiant Pool Builder, and it also installs semi-inground pools. The shell types are laid side by side in the sheet below, and finished pools are on the projects page.
Dig, set, plumb and backfill, in that order
Whatever the shell, the sequence is the same: lay out and excavate, build or set the pool on a level base, run the plumbing and equipment lines, then backfill and fill with water in step so the walls are held as the load comes on. A fiberglass shell is lowered into the hole and checked for level before anything is buried. A liner pool gets its wall structure, base and fitted liner. A gunite pool is formed in steel and concrete, then finished.
Some yards are harder than others. Nikki Morris, a Google reviewer, wrote, “We have a pool location that made the job challenging, but they were able to make it happen.” Another, C Meyer, spoke to four builders before settling on American Pool & Spa for a project that included the pool, the deck, a covered pavilion and a garage. Access and grade are worth raising early with the office on N Keeneland Dr in Richmond.
Deck, cover and the first opening, handed over together
A pool is not finished when the water is in. The deck comes next, and the same company pours it: broom finish, stamped and decorative concrete, pavers, and cool-deck concrete that stays up to 30% cooler underfoot. The options are laid out on the concrete page. They carry Coverstar and Mizu pool covers, so the cover can be settled while the pool is still on paper.
The first opening is handled by the service team, and so is every closing after it. Nikki Morris again: “They also closed our pool in the fall, and we will use them to open in the Spring.” Water testing at the Richmond office, weekly maintenance and repairs follow the same pool for as long as it is in the ground. Financing for a new pool runs through Hearth and HFS Financial; the details are on the financing page, and a free quote starts from the contact form or a call.
