Hello everyone. I want to purchase an above-ground pool and need help deciding what brand to select. I have been searching for a salt-friendly pool due to my son having eczema and have looked at the Embassy Royal Retreat for H.I.I. of Doughboy and or the Matrix from Wilbar. I like the 54 height of the Wilbar but have found that most of the installers in my area have only dealt with Doughboy. Does anyone have any suggestions on the pool brand? My yard is relatively small, and I am looking for a 12 x 18 oval pool or a 16-round pool. I prefer an oval-shaped pool but am limited to the 12 x 18 size, and I would like it to be salt friendly.
Purchasing an above ground pool
- Thread starter Annie2
- Start date
VinnyinNJ
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 20, 2022
- 1,044
- Pool Size
- 13500
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
Welcome to TFP!
I believe both brands are good brands, a quick search looks like the Wilbar may be salt water compatible as it's all resin (what I found on Doughboy didn't say anything about salt water). Get the one that works OK for you and can handle salt water. We had a Vogue pool as our last pool and it lasted 20 years but salt wasn't a thing for AG pools back then. Our new pool is salt friendly and the manufacturer labels it that way, make sure the manufacturer says a pool is salt water compatible to not void any warranties. I think what makes a pool salt water compatible is the top rail, up rights and bottom track need to be resin, my pool has a galvanized steel wall and seems the Wilbar pool comes with a resin wall. 54" height will be nice, I have a 52" and like it.
Something to be aware of is building and electrical codes associated with pools. Our pool is round so the walls act as a barrier to the water but some oval pools have (maybe had - things have changed a bit) buttresses that when we first went pool shopping years ago the pool itself needed fencing around it so if a child climbed on the buttress they couldn't fall in; at least that was the code in NJ at the time.
This is my first full year using a salt water pool so I can't comment on much other than the water feels different but remember you still are generating chlorine using salt. Look at the equipment you'll be getting with the pool, no mineral system add on, no inline chlorinators - use liquid chlorine to supplement the salt system if need be. Think about your needs in what type of ladder/step system to get, filter and even the pool cleaner. You'll get great advice here but it could be (will be) different from pool store recommendations. Read up on pool care once you select your pool here: Pool School
If you have any more, maybe specific questions, feel free to ask!
I believe both brands are good brands, a quick search looks like the Wilbar may be salt water compatible as it's all resin (what I found on Doughboy didn't say anything about salt water). Get the one that works OK for you and can handle salt water. We had a Vogue pool as our last pool and it lasted 20 years but salt wasn't a thing for AG pools back then. Our new pool is salt friendly and the manufacturer labels it that way, make sure the manufacturer says a pool is salt water compatible to not void any warranties. I think what makes a pool salt water compatible is the top rail, up rights and bottom track need to be resin, my pool has a galvanized steel wall and seems the Wilbar pool comes with a resin wall. 54" height will be nice, I have a 52" and like it.
Something to be aware of is building and electrical codes associated with pools. Our pool is round so the walls act as a barrier to the water but some oval pools have (maybe had - things have changed a bit) buttresses that when we first went pool shopping years ago the pool itself needed fencing around it so if a child climbed on the buttress they couldn't fall in; at least that was the code in NJ at the time.
This is my first full year using a salt water pool so I can't comment on much other than the water feels different but remember you still are generating chlorine using salt. Look at the equipment you'll be getting with the pool, no mineral system add on, no inline chlorinators - use liquid chlorine to supplement the salt system if need be. Think about your needs in what type of ladder/step system to get, filter and even the pool cleaner. You'll get great advice here but it could be (will be) different from pool store recommendations. Read up on pool care once you select your pool here: Pool School
If you have any more, maybe specific questions, feel free to ask!
