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Ready to take on that backyard pool project this summer?
If so, our team over at Swain Pools & Spas has come across a rising trend in 2016 in the pool industry due to the current peak of interest in more natural solutions – and that is whether or not one should go with the traditional chlorinated pool system or install a saltwater system. Although DoItYourself has a very interesting blog post on this same matter, there are a few things our team would like to add on the subject as well.
First of all… What’s the difference?
To get right to the point, there isn’t a whole lot of difference when comparing the two under a microscope. When you dissect the components that make up a chlorinated pool vs a saltwater pool system, you’ll learn that the underlying commonality between the two is chlorine. Below are some of the following pros and cons of each system, and the Swain Pools & Spas verdict on which system we recommend and have had the most success with installing in over 36 years of experience as pool builders.
PROS:
Saltwater Pool Systems – This pool system is essentially the same process as a chlorinated pool – the only difference is that this system requires a salt water generator that takes salt and converts it to chlorine through a process called electrolysis.
- Health: Saltwater Pool Systems typically offer a much more comfortable swimming experience for its users. Customers report that in comparison to a chlorine pool system, the saltwater pool system does not irritate the skin, eyes, or any open sores as the chlorinated pool systems typically due. This system offers a much more natural swimming experience akin to taking a swim in the ocean.
- Maintenance: Once properly set up, saltwater pool systems typically require less maintenance in the short term.
Chlorine Pool Systems – The chlorinated pool system is the more traditional of the two methods – this process conventionally consists of the purchasing of chemicals that are then added to help sanitize and balance pool water.
- Cost: The initial installation of a chlorine pool system is typically much easier than that of a saltwater system. The main reason for this is that chlorine pool system does not require a chlorine generator, thus making the overall system itself cheaper to install in comparison to the saltwater pool system.
- Easier Initial Setup: The setup of a chlorine pool is much easier than setting up it’s saltwater counterpart. It requires the use of chemicals to properly balance the water, however, this process is much easier when comparing to balancing the proper saline levels to your saltwater system pool counterpart.
CONS:
Saltwater Pool Systems
- Cost: Most customers typically will shell out more cash in their initial set up of their new salt water pool system. This is mostly due to the requirement of a chlorine generator which must be replaced every 1 – 3 years and can cost over $700.
- Meticulous Initial Set Up: These pool systems require an extensive balancing of the salt in the water to ensure the system is functioning at optimal levels. It is of utmost important to properly balance the salt levels in the water – and must weigh the following variables in the process of balancing: evaporation, rain levels, and back-washing.
Chlorine Pool Systems
- Maintenance: These pool systems require more maintenance to ensure the water is being properly taken care of. Regularly scheduled purchasing and implementation of pool chemicals and chlorine tablets are required to keep the water sanitized and balanced.
The Bottom Line:
While the health benefits from using a saltwater pool system V.S. a chlorinated pool system are well documented, the Swain Pools & Spas team highly recommends that you stick with the traditional chlorinated pool. This is due to the maintenance practices and the fact that the initial setup of the chlorinated pool systems is typically much more cost efficient and effective when the water is properly balanced by pool professionals. Contact Swain Pools & Spas today for more information regarding saltwater vs chlorine pool systems, or for a free quote today!
Need a quote?
Have an inquiry?
Ready to take on that backyard pool project this summer?
If so, our team over at Swain Pools & Spas has come across a rising trend in 2016 in the pool industry due to the current peak of interest in more natural solutions – and that is whether or not one should go with the traditional chlorinated pool system or install a saltwater system. Although DoItYourself has a very interesting blog post on this same matter, there are a few things our team would like to add on the subject as well.
First of all… What’s the difference?
To get right to the point, there isn’t a whole lot of difference when comparing the two under a microscope. When you dissect the components that make up a chlorinated pool vs a saltwater pool system, you’ll learn that the underlying commonality between the two is chlorine. Below are some of the following pros and cons of each system, and the Swain Pools & Spas verdict on which system we recommend and have had the most success with installing in over 36 years of experience as pool builders.
PROS:
Saltwater Pool Systems – This pool system is essentially the same process as a chlorinated pool – the only difference is that this system requires a salt water generator that takes salt and converts it to chlorine through a process called electrolysis.
- Health: Saltwater Pool Systems typically offer a much more comfortable swimming experience for its users. Customers report that in comparison to a chlorine pool system, the saltwater pool system does not irritate the skin, eyes, or any open sores as the chlorinated pool systems typically due. This system offers a much more natural swimming experience akin to taking a swim in the ocean.
- Maintenance: Once properly set up, saltwater pool systems typically require less maintenance in the short term.
Chlorine Pool Systems – The chlorinated pool system is the more traditional of the two methods – this process conventionally consists of the purchasing of chemicals that are then added to help sanitize and balance pool water.
- Cost: The initial installation of a chlorine pool system is typically much easier than that of a saltwater system. The main reason for this is that chlorine pool system does not require a chlorine generator, thus making the overall system itself cheaper to install in comparison to the saltwater pool system.
- Easier Initial Setup: The setup of a chlorine pool is much easier than setting up it’s saltwater counterpart. It requires the use of chemicals to properly balance the water, however, this process is much easier when comparing to balancing the proper saline levels to your saltwater system pool counterpart.
CONS:
Saltwater Pool Systems
- Cost: Most customers typically will shell out more cash in their initial set up of their new salt water pool system. This is mostly due to the requirement of a chlorine generator which must be replaced every 1 – 3 years and can cost over $700.
- Meticulous Initial Set Up: These pool systems require an extensive balancing of the salt in the water to ensure the system is functioning at optimal levels. It is of utmost important to properly balance the salt levels in the water – and must weigh the following variables in the process of balancing: evaporation, rain levels, and back-washing.
Chlorine Pool Systems
- Maintenance: These pool systems require more maintenance to ensure the water is being properly taken care of. Regularly scheduled purchasing and implementation of pool chemicals and chlorine tablets are required to keep the water sanitized and balanced.
The Bottom Line:
While the health benefits from using a saltwater pool system V.S. a chlorinated pool system are well documented, the Swain Pools & Spas team highly recommends that you stick with the traditional chlorinated pool. This is due to the maintenance practices and the fact that the initial setup of the chlorinated pool systems is typically much more cost efficient and effective when the water is properly balanced by pool professionals. Contact Swain Pools & Spas today for more information regarding saltwater vs chlorine pool systems, or for a free quote today!