You're making a big decision. A pool is one of the largest investments you'll make in your home, and the type you choose affects everything: how it looks, how long it lasts, and how much you'll enjoy it for the next 30 years. This guide breaks down the real differences between gunite and fiberglass so you can choose with confidence.

From tanning ledges to swim-up bars, adding style and shade to your pool & spa

Swimming pools and patio umbrellas make great backyard companions.

When you see one, you often find the other. After all, when the temperature soars, having a spot for retreating from the beating sun makes outdoor living more comfortable.

Your backyard should feel like a retreat, not a fishbowl. Whether you're swimming laps, relaxing in a spa, or grilling with family, it's hard to fully unwind when neighbors have a clear view into your space.

The good news: there are plenty of ways to add privacy to a pool, patio, or outdoor living area, at almost any budget. This guide covers the most effective options, from landscaping and fencing to shade structures and architectural features, so you can choose what works for your property.

—Answers for homeowners buying or remodeling a swimming pool

Financing is a popular approach that many homeowners use to pay for a new gunite pool or to remodel an aging one.

If you plan on financing a new backyard resort, it’s important to understand how home improvement loans work before you apply for or accept one.

—Going small for big benefits with compact swimming pools 

What is a plunge pool?

Is it different from a cocktail pool or a dipping pool?

And how are these three kinds of compact swimming pools different from a design known as a spool?

—A photo-packed guide to this attractive, functional aquatic amenity

What is a swimming pool sun shelf—also called a tanning ledge or Baja bench? While this feature is simple in concept, it delivers big benefits.

Fundamentally, a sun shelf is a shallow platform or ledge inside the pool perimeter upon which one or more chaise lounges can be placed or upon which you can directly lie submerged in 6 to 9 inches of water.

—Beauty, comfort, health, convenience, and water and energy savings

Your new or remodeled inground pool may come equipped with some fundamentals such as a variable-speed pump for energy efficiency and automatic pool cleaner for convenience.