9 Options for Affordable Pools

By

Sheryl Jean,

With summer temps climbing to record levels in some parts of the country and little relief in sight, this may be the perfect time to get a pool.

But you don’t need a big budget or a big backyard to swim laps or lounge in cool water. Take a pass on an in-ground pool, which can cost more than $65,000 and take months to install, and go

for a more affordable option that can be available almost immediately.

Interest in all kinds of pools “really boomed [in the] last two years as more people were spending more time at home and wanting to improve their living space indoor and outdoor,” says

Sabeena Hickman, CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.

As the average cost of installing an in-ground pool has risen, there’s been increased curiosity about alternative options ranging from the most basic splash pad to do-it-yourself projects

like pools made from livestock tanks or wooden pallets, says Jen Stark, a home improvement expert and founder of the website Happy DIY Home.

Here are nine cost-effective pool options:

A plastic kiddie pool is a cheap and easy answer to the summer heat. Simply fill it using a garden hose and then cool off, maybe even sharing the space with your grandchildren. You can find

one for less than $20 at Home Depot, Target and Walmart. DIYers can make a sitting pool with PVC pipe, a tarp and pipe connectors by following this 30-minute Instructables tutorial.

Pallet pool

To start, you’ll need a lot of wood pallets and a waterproof tarp or roofing membrane and a pool pump. The website Easy Pallet Ideas has a tutorial with a complete list of materials and

step-by-step instructions. The pool costs around $100 but requires quite a bit of work to construct and secure, Stark says.