Summer is in full swing and many consumers are wishing that they had taken advantage of the cooler months to install a swimming pool in their back yards.  Some are vowing not to spend another summer sweltering in the record-breaking heat and are already planning ahead by looking at the options for an in-ground pool.  One of the newest trends in swimming pools is the popularity of salt water pools as opposed to the traditional chlorinated pools.  But is a salt water pool right for you?

The Pros of a Salt Water Pool

• The first reason most people look at installing a salt water pool is the lack of the "chlorine smell."  The highly chemical smell which can sting your eyes is absent from a salt water pool.  Salt water also doesn't cause the allergic reactions and skin irritation often associated with chlorine.  (Note:  A salt water pool does have chlorine.  In this case, the chlorine is created naturally by the salt instead of the chemical chlorine tablets.)
• Other people look at the cost of the pool.  Pool chemicals must still be added to a salt water pool but the difference in cost is significant.  Salt water pools cost roughly half what a chlorine pool costs in terms of annual maintenance.
• The environmental/green movement has been a boon for salt water pools as many people see them as a more natural alternative to chlorine pools.

The Cons of a Salt Water Pool

• Although salt water tends to be easier on human skin than chlorine, some experts say that it may lead to quicker wear and tear on your pool's equipment.
• The long-term maintenance cost for a salt water pool is less than for a chlorine pool.  However, the start-up cost for the equipment tends to be more expensive.  Here, the consumer is left with a typical dilemma:  higher up-front cost and smaller long-term cost or smaller up-front cost with larger long-term cost.
• Maintenance is low for salt water pools.  But, owners still need to check PH levels often since these can rise faster in a salt water pool.

  Regardless of which you choose, it is also a good idea to speak to a pool service to consider maintenance programs that they offer so that you can leave the work to the professionals while you kick back and enjoy the summer sun.  (Here again, the salt water options tend to be cheaper than the chlorine versions.)  Whether you choose a traditional chlorine pool or the newer salt water pool, decisions must be made in order to prepare for fun by next summer.