Can You Install an Indoor Pool Without Getting in Over Your Head?

Outdoor pools are great, but you can only use them in certain weather conditions. Ready to make a splash? Consider getting an indoor pool instead. You can use this type of pool anytime, giving you more bang for your buck. Before you dive in, however, it's important to understand the pros and cons.

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Is an Indoor Swimming Pool a Good Idea?

It all depends on your budget and lifestyle. Ask yourself these questions:

• Can we afford to install an indoor pool and keep up with ongoing maintenance costs?

• Will we use an indoor pool more often than we'd use an outdoor pool?

An indoor pool might be a good idea if you answer yes to both. When thinking about affordability, remember that you'll have to pay for permits, labor and materials. You'll also need a separate structure to house your indoor pool. If you don't already have one, you'll have additional construction expenses.

If you can't afford an indoor pool without going into significant debt or don't think you'll use the pool very often, you might want to install a pool outside or rely on a wading pool during the hottest months of the year.

Pros and Cons of Indoor Pools

Indoor pools have several advantages:

• Year-round swimming. If you have an outdoor pool, you can only swim in good weather. Chilly day? No swimming. With an indoor pool, you can swim anytime you want, whether it's snowing or pouring rain.

• Enhanced privacy. Unless you have a large yard with plenty of trees and shrubs, it's easy for neighbors or passersby to see what you're doing. If you don't want the whole neighborhood to see you in your bathing suit, an indoor pool offers a major privacy advantage.

• Reduced cleaning requirements. Leaves, grass and other debris can easily build up in an outdoor pool, forcing you to clean more often than expected. When you have an indoor pool, you don't have to worry about this type of debris getting into the water.

• Increased property value. If you decide to sell your home, potential buyers view an indoor pool as a desirable feature. This can help you get better offers.

• Sun protection. When you swim indoors, you don't have to worry about protecting your skin and eyes from the sun's rays.

Despite these benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to installing an indoor pool. One is the high cost of materials and labor (more about that later). You also need specialized heating and ventilation systems, increasing your long-term maintenance costs.

Because an indoor pool is housed inside a structure, there isn't as much room for large pool parties or other special events. You may even miss swimming around in the sunshine.

How Much Does an Indoor Pool Cost to Build?

Indoor pool cost varies significantly from one home to another. The total cost depends on several factors, such as the type of pool you want, the reputation of the builder you choose and the cost of permits in your neighborhood. The pool itself is likely to cost $75,000 to $200,000 (CAD 103,418 to CAD 275,780), but you also need a dehumidification system. Installing this system can add another $20,000 to $30,000 (CAD 27,578 to CAD 41,367) to your tab. A dehumidification system removes excess moisture from the air, which improves air quality and helps prevent mold and mildew growth.

Cost of an Indoor Pool Vs. Cost of an Outdoor Pool?

Unfortunately, the average indoor pool cost is generally higher than the cost of installing an outdoor pool. Depending on the type of material you select, an outdoor inground pool typically costs $30,000 to $120,000 (CAD 41,367 to CAD 165,468). An above-ground pool costs much less, with estimates ranging from $1,500 to $7,500 (CAD 2,068 to CAD 10,342). You also need to account for installation labor, landscaping and other expenses.

If you install a concrete pool with lush landscaping and high-end water features, it's possible to spend more than you would on an indoor pool. However, indoor pools generally cost more than outdoor pools.

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Is an Indoor Pool a Good Investment?

According to the experts at Realtor.com, an indoor pool can increase the value of your home by 5% to 10%. If your home is worth $400,000 (CAD 551,561), for example, that's an expected increase of $20,000 to $40,000 (CAD 27,578 to CAD 55,156). That said, an indoor pool isn't always a good investment. The increase in home value can easily be offset by the increased cost of maintaining your new pool.

If your ventilation system doesn't work properly, it's also possible for your indoor pool to cause permanent damage to the surrounding structure. The cost of repairing this damage before a sale may far outweigh the 5% to 10% increase in value. Additionally, not every family can afford to spend $75,000 (CAD 103,418) or more on an indoor pool. If you're looking for an investment with a more predictable return, you might be better off putting money in a high-yield savings account or investing in index funds.

Are Indoor Pools Expensive to Maintain?

Yes, indoor pools are expensive to maintain. Although you don't have to worry about leaves clogging the filter, it typically costs more to run the heating and pumping equipment for an indoor pool. You also have to consider the cost of controlling humidity and adding chemicals to maintain a desirable pH.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.