Taking the Plunge: Is Adding a Swimming Pool to Your Home a Smart Move?

Before you call up a local pool installer, consider the costs, hassle and potential added value that a pool could bring.

As we head into the heart of summer, thoughts naturally turn to fun in the sun while staying cool. For some, that might even mean contemplating the addition of a sparkling swimming pool. But what does it take to turn your backyard into a watery oasis? And do swimming pools add value to your property? To answer these questions and others, let’s take a deep dive (pun intended) into the wonderful world of swimming pools.

Humans have been building pools as communal baths and gathering places for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the post-World War II era that their popularity skyrocketed in residential use. In those early days, private pools were seen as a coveted luxury and a celebrity status symbol, but over time, in-ground pools have become more prevalent and accessible to all homeowners. (read more)