Some things are better when they come as a pair. Crackers and cheese or peanut butter and jam are two perfect pairings. But in our opinion, the best pairing for your home combines the summer heat with a pool. Whether you’re soaking up the sun beside the pool or taking a refreshing dip in it on a hot summer’s day, the pool is the ultimate space for you to enjoy. But since you’re living in Canada, deciding between an outdoor swimming pool or an indoor swimming pool for your inground pool installation is a decision you’ll need to make. Given Canada’s extreme climate, you’ll want to consider if you want your pool to be used during all weather conditions or one that will be used primarily during the summer months. To help you with your decision, we’ve created a pros and cons list for both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. To decide what’s best for your home, keep reading!
Outdoor Swimming Pools
Image: Stone Landscape and Pools
Pros: An outdoor pool is the perfect way to get outside during the most anticipated season of the year. Get in touch with nature and merge your pool’s design with your home’s gorgeous landscaping. There are a number of Pinterest boards that can help inspire the design of your large garden pool but if your backyard is looking tired and needing a refresh, like this homeowner’s from Toronto, connect with Stone Landscape and Pools to transform your yard into a beautiful backyard pool oasis. Make your pool the place to be this summer and enjoy a swim in the great outdoors.
Cons: An outdoor pool is truly one of the best places to enjoy the summer, however, it does come with its fair share of maintenance. If a fiberglass inground pool is on your dream project list, be prepared to dedicate some time for essential pool cleaning. Although Canadian summers tend to stay consistently pleasant, it’s important to invest in the proper pool cleaning supplies, like a net and pool cover, and to hire a Swimming Pool pro for regular maintenance. On a windy or rainy day, your pool can be filled with dirt, debris, and bugs. Thankfully, a covered swimming pool can protect your pool during poor weather conditions and help keep your water looking sparkling clean.
Indoor Swimming Pools
Pros: There is a long list of benefits to having an indoor pool, but one of the biggest ones is unlimited access. You will get the best ‘bang for your buck’ with an indoor pool install as you can swim 24/7, 365 days a year. When it comes to cleaning, an indoor pool will be the cheaper option to keep clean as you won’t have to worry about bugs or debris dirtying up your water. On top of that, an indoor pool is the ultimate luxury! Not only will it be a crowd favourite by friends and family, but it’ll excel on the real estate market should you decide to sell.
Cons: The main drawback with an indoor pool comes down to cost. An indoor pool tends to rack up a higher utility bill as it comes with additional running costs. You will need to heat both the pool and room during the winter months and install proper ventilation to ensure moisture and mold don’t become an issue. It’s important to connect with a Verified HVAC pro to ensure your heat, humidity, and moisture levels are always being properly managed. Over the year, your utility bill for an indoor pool may be higher than an outdoor, seasonal pool.
Below are the average costs of swimming pool building and maintenance services across different cities in Canada:
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Barrie | $19,841 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Calgary | $10,017 | $100 | $48,000 |
| Edmonton | $11,705 | $150 | $40,000 |
| Hamilton | $12,999 | $150 | $50,000 |
| Oshawa | $16,331 | $180 | $50,000 |
| Ottawa | $10,763 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Toronto | $6,344 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Vancouver | $2,840 | $500 | $6,000 |
*Costs based on 1,329 verified Canadian homeowner reviews as of March 2022
What’s the Right Pool for Me?
Once you’ve lived in a home that has an indoor or outdoor pool, you won’t be able to go back! Not only is a swimming pool an amazing place to entertain family and friends, swimming is also a great form of exercise. The indoor versus outdoor pool has been an ongoing debate for many years. Although it’s hard to decide, with the right amount of research and support from a Swimming Pool pro on HomeStars, you’ll have the perfect pool to splash in and enjoy the summer months ahead. Regardless of which option you move forward with, a pool installation is a fantastic asset for any Canadian home.
