Pool glossary

Gunite / shotcrete — concrete sprayed into a steel-reinforced form to create a pool shell. Allows any shape. Thursday Pools puts concrete pools at $50,000–$120,000 or more, with resurfacing at $8,000–$10,000 every 10 to 15 years.

Vinyl liner — the waterproof membrane in a vinyl pool. A consumable, replaced every 5 to 15 years at $3,000–$7,500 per Thursday Pools. Acid washing — a surface cleaning treatment for concrete pools, $300–$1,000 every 3 to 5 years.

Barrier — in CPSC's terms, the fence, wall, door alarms and power safety cover that keep a child from reaching the water. Power safety cover — a motorized cover complying with ASTM F1346-91, which CPSC treats as an acceptable protection measure where a dwelling wall forms part of the barrier. Self-latching gate — a gate that latches by itself on closing; CPSC recommends the release be at least 3 inches below the top on the pool side when it sits under 54 inches from the gate bottom.

ISPSC — the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, a model code from the International Code Council that states and localities may adopt, often amended. Variable-speed pump — a pump that can run slower for longer; ENERGY STAR certified inground models use about 20% less energy than standard pumps.

How to choose

Ask for the standard number, not the adjective

"Safety cover" means little. ASTM F1346-91 means something specific.

Get consumables named as consumables

If a quote calls a liner a permanent feature, correct it. It has a 5-15 year life per Thursday Pools.

Translate every line of a quote before signing

If you cannot explain a line item in your own words, you cannot tell whether it is fairly priced.

Do not let 'code compliant' go undefined

Ask which code, which edition, and which jurisdiction adopted it.