Radiant Pools

[fred]

I am looking for an above ground swimming pool. I am very interested in a Radiant pool.

Radiant Pools used to be known as Trojan Pools. They are the only ones I have found to have insulated wall panels. The walls are made of two layers of acrylic coated aluminum sandwiched between 2" foam insulation and are supposed to be stronger than 12" of concrete. I would suppose the pool would be able to hold up to "kicking" off of the sides by big kids. (see www.radiantpools.com)

Does anybody out there have an insulated above ground pool? And is it a Radiant, Trojan or other?

We want an large oval pool but want a sturdy, long lasting pool also. Round may be the way to go.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

[Hot H2o]

I am looking for an above ground swimming pool. I am very interested in a Radiant pool.

Radiant Pools used to be known as Trojan Pools. They are the only ones I have found to have insulated wall panels. The walls are made of two layers of acrylic coated aluminum sandwiched between 2" foam insulation and are supposed to be stronger than 12" of concrete. I would suppose the pool would be able to hold up to "kicking" off of the sides by big kids. (see www.radiantpools.com)

Does anybody out there have an insulated above ground pool? And is it a Radiant, Trojan or other?

We want an large oval pool but want a sturdy, long lasting pool also. Round may be the way to go.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

We have sold above ground pools since 1973. The "insulation" really doesn't do anything. Stay away from aluminum. It corrodes. Go with a steel pool, which is stronger. Doughboy is one that has several layers of zinc, etc to prevent rust and will have a lifetime warranty. Radiant my be overpriced.

[Trigger]

... Stay away from aluminum. It corrodes. Go with a steel pool...

That's just silly.

[fred]

That's just silly.

Trigger, I agree!!!! I believe that "Hot H2o" owns stock in Doughboy pools. He speaks as if there are no other good pool manufacturers. He also stated that the "insulation" really doesn't do anything. Now that's just silly too. I have know pool owners with inground pools and their water stays much warmer in the fall than my old above ground (uninsulated) pool ever did. The ground will insulate too. So I figured an insulated above ground would be similar to temperatures of an inground.

Thanks for your comments Trigger. I hope to hear from a Radiant Pool owner too.

Fred

[Trigger]

Trigger, I agree!!!! I believe that "Hot H2o" owns stock in Doughboy pools. He speaks as if there are no other good pool manufacturers. He also stated that the "insulation" really doesn't do anything. Now that's just silly too. I have know pool owners with inground pools and their water stays much warmer in the fall than my old above ground (uninsulated) pool ever did. The ground will insulate too. So I figured an insulated above ground would be similar to temperatures of an inground.

Thanks for your comments Trigger. I hope to hear from a Radiant Pool owner too.

Fred

I agree the Hot h20 sounds like he owns stock in D.B pools

My experince has been the in ground pools tend to be colder than above ground. Above ground pools are surrounded by the ambient air (which in the summer in N.E is 85 or so). In gorund pools are surrounded by cooll damp earth. So in the hot summer, the inground will be cooler, but as the air gets cooler later in the season, there is probably a point where the inground retains heat better than the AG.

I question how much warmer the Radient pool will be. I suspect you're going to need a solar cover to help trap the heat escaping off the surface to really extend the swimming season....um, wait. where are you located? If you are in Maine, then that's true, but if you are in South Carolina, then it may be differnt.

Your personal preferrnces play a lot when it comes to temps too. My Father in law wil be swimming from april -late Sept. My wife is the same way. Me? I'm a wimp. I swim from July and August. The other 10 months, you'll find me in the hot tub.

When looking at pools, I personaly think the biggest failiure points are the liner, and the side wall. Liners, well that can be a funtion of chemicals detoriating the vinly, thin material, and or/impropely installed. Side wall failure comes from lack of proper support. not necesary the "Streaght of the wall". (You just don't want the wall to corrode at the bottom or the brackers under the supports.) Sure, Steel may be stronger per square inch, but if the uprights supporting the sides are thin stamped steel, then forget it. Thick extruded Al, with a wide surface area is going to provide much, much, more support. It's the side wall of the Radient that makes me nervous, (but as I mentioned in the other post, I've never seen one in person, so I'm just going by first impressions on the internet).

Have you contacted a radient dealer? Have you reviewed thier warrenty for exclusions?

I had a hard time finding decent info on the web, and had to go to different dealers and listen, and educate myself.

anyhow, Good luck and keep us updated.