With its location in the Chihuahuan Desert, El Paso has one of the hottest and driest climates of any U.S. city. Fight back against the summertime heat with a custom-built pool made by Latham — one of the oldest and most trusted swimming pool companies in North America. Our nationwide network of independent builders has helped countless homeowners transform their backyard into a private oasis, even on the hottest El Paso summer days.
An inground pool boosts the value and curb appeal of your home while creating a versatile outdoor space for relaxation and entertainment. Whether you’re splashing around with your kids, lounging poolside on a tanning ledge,, or squeezing in a few laps before work, a custom pool elevates and enhances every part of your lifestyle.
This guide will help you get started on your pool ownership journey by comparing some of the most popular pool styles in El Paso, Texas. It also breaks down pool installation costs, covers a few common pool financing methods, and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about inground pools.
Inground Pool Options in El Paso
One of the most important questions that comes up for new pool owners is what type of pool they should choose. There are multiple options to explore, each with their own unique strengths and features.
Three of the most common pool categories are fiberglass, vinyl liner, and plunge pools. Here’s a quick overview:
- Fiberglass Inground Pools — Fiberglass pools offer the fastest installation speeds and the longest lifespans, balancing rugged durability with radiant beauty. They’re also simple to maintain, making pool care a breeze.
- Vinyl Liner Inground Pools — Vinyl liner pools provide almost limitless possibilities when it comes to customization, giving you flexibility to create a pool design all your own. They also offer low upfront installation costs.
- Inground Plunge Pools — Plunge pools are scaled to complement small spaces, bringing a luxurious touch to any deck or lanai.
No matter what type of inground swimming pool you choose, the experienced El Paso pool installers at Latham can bring your vision to vivid life.
Fiberglass Pools
Offering top-tier durability and ultra-fast installation, fiberglass pools are a popular choice among Texas homeowners. With proper care and maintenance, a Latham fiberglass pool has a lifespan of up to 60 years, providing you and your family decades of enjoyment. Installation can be completed in a matter of days, compared to weeks or months for other types of pools like gunite (concrete).
Unlike gunite pools, fiberglass pools are not prone to developing “concrete cancer,” a phenomenon that compromises the structural integrity and useability of a concrete pool. With concrete cancer, a corrosive reaction occurs within the steel pool walls of a gunite pool, causing the steel to swell and degrade. This results in cracks forming and spreading across the surface of a concrete pool, making it unusable and incredibly expensive to repair.
Latham fiberglass pools feature our proprietary Crystite Gel Coat, which has a silky-smooth texture that resists algae growth thanks to its non-porous design. Fiberglass is also resistant to scratches, stains, and UV damage, protecting and preserving your pool’s beauty.
Popular fiberglass inground pool models we offer in Texas include:
- Apollo 14 — Featuring a spacious tanning ledge, this rectangular design is perfect for sunbathing and lazy weekends.
- Axiom 12 — With roomy swim-up seating, multiple points of exit and entry, and a wading area perfect for kids, Axiom 12 offers a deluxe experience.
- Genesis — Over 40’ long with a distinctive freeform footprint, Genesis boasts unique style and ample space.
- Valencia — Valencia measures 14’6” x 28’ and ranges in depth from 3’7” to just under 6’, offering deep and shallow ends for all swimming skill levels.
With optional features like swim jets, LED lighting, and bubblers, fiberglass swimming pools are customization-friendly. Learn more about the unique custom features available for Latham fiberglass pools in El Paso.
Vinyl Liner Pools
Vinyl liner pools are another popular option in El Paso. The main benefit that vinyl offers over fiberglass is that any design can be heavily customized, giving you freedom to create a look that’s truly one-of-a-kind. From the liner style and pattern to pool shape and add-on features, almost every detail can be adjusted to fit your taste and budget.
Another advantage of vinyl pools is that they only take weeks to install, which is a faster setup process than inground pools built from concrete or gunite. Vinyl liner pools also have some of the lowest upfront costs, which can make them an even more attractive option for homeowners in El Paso.
Vinyl liner pools are also highly durable, engineered to resist fading, staining, and UV damage. With regular care, Latham vinyl liners can last for more than a decade before any replacement is needed. However, if you want to update the look of your pool, replacing your liner can transform your pool at a fraction of the cost of refinishing or resurfacing a gunite pool. Choose from Latham’s growing collection of exclusive liner patterns and colors, from bright Mediterranean blues to glistening Pearlscape styles.
To get started, try out our vinyl liner visualizer, or explore popular vinyl liner pool styles like:
Plunge Pools
Plunge pools help you save space, save money, and save time on pool care — without sacrificing style or beauty. Offering an attractive alternative to full-size swimming pools, plunge pools are compact enough to fit almost any outdoor space. They can even act as backyard spas through the addition of features like water jets.
Thanks to their small size, plunge pools have low installation costs, lightning-fast setup times, and minimal maintenance needs. They also use less water than full-size pools, making plunge pools a budget-friendly, eco-conscious match for El Paso’s desert climate and local water restrictions.
Latham offers a variety of plunge pools, including fiberglass and vinyl liner styles. Plunge pool models available from Latham include:
- Enchantment 9.17 — With a spacious built-in tanning ledge and durable fiberglass construction, Enchantment 9.17 makes an alluring addition to any home.
- Milan — Measuring 10’ x 16’ with a maximum 4’ depth, Milan is a fiberglass model compatible with an assortment of pool covers.
- The Calypso Collection — Meet Latham’s new Calypso series, featuring four distinctive vinyl liner styles each measuring 8’ x 16’.
Learn more about small pool options in Texas.
Pool Financing Options
Pool loans and other financing options make getting a new inground pool affordable, even when you’re on a budget. Depending on your credit history and other factors, you may qualify for various loans that can help you manage your payments more easily. That means you can start enjoying your new pool right away, and pay gradually over time.
Some popular examples of pool financing options include home equity loans, which offer lump sums, and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). Another possibility is to apply for a personal loan from your bank, credit union, or a reputable online lending service. For many people, the most convenient approach is to obtain a loan from the pool builder’s lending partners, which offers security and simplicity.
Regardless of which financing methods you plan on using, it’s important to create a budget and understand some pricing basics. The average starting cost to install a vinyl liner or fiberglass pool in El Paso is around $50,000, compared to $60,000 for concrete (gunite) pools. In addition to your choice of pool construction materials, costs are also dependent on factors like pool dimensions, pool features, and local regulations.
Ready to start planning your pool budget? Explore Latham’s free pool cost calculator, or get an estimate from one of our El Paso pool installers near you.
Start Your Pool Project in El Paso
A custom swimming pool is a major investment. Place it into trustworthy hands by choosing a builder with a legacy of excellence and a reputation for quality. With cutting-edge pool construction technology, industry-leading warranty coverage, and expertise rooted in over 70 years of hands-on experience, Latham offers superior craftsmanship, service, and value.
Since 1962, Latham has installed more than half a million swimming pools throughout the US, including Texas. Our network of licensed builders is proud to serve El Paso County, including Canutillo, Castner Heights, Chaparral, Cielo Vista, Horizon City, Manhattan Heights, Mesa Hills, Mountain View, Socorro, Westway Boulevard, and beyond.
Don’t wait another year to start enjoying the beauty, luxury, and excitement of a custom-built inground pool. Find a Latham builder in El Paso near you, or contact us online and share a few details about your project.
FAQs About Pools in the El Paso Area
What is the average cost to install a pool in El Paso?
Pool installation cost varies by project because it depends on numerous factors, including pool size (such as full-size vs. plunge), pool construction materials (such as fiberglass vs. gunite), and optional pool features (such as fountains or spa jets). Factors like labor costs, site excavation equipment, and zoning fees can also impact the cost of pool installation in El Paso. You’ll also need to plan for items like insurance coverage, and pool maintenance supplies in your budget. Keeping these points in mind, the average starting cost to install a fiberglass or vinyl pool is around $50,000, with high-end designs ranging toward $150,000.
Are there any specific regulations for pool installations in El Paso?
Like other cities throughout Texas, El Paso follows the state’s regulations on swimming pool construction and installation. These laws can be found in Chapter 757 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, which deals with pool yard enclosures and child safety barriers. Under Section 757.003(b), the Code requires certain types of residential swimming pools to feature enclosures that measure at least 48” high. In addition to following state laws, El Paso residents must also comply with local regulations around zoning and permitting. Various official forms for the city of El Paso are available here. From paperwork to inspections, Latham’s experienced swimming pool contractors in El Paso can help you successfully navigate state and local regulations.
What are the typical challenges homeowners face when installing a pool in El Paso?
El Paso, Texas is a region of the United States where high temperatures are common throughout summer. Texas also has a high UV index, which means frequent exposure to strong sunlight. Together, these conditions can damage your swimming pool by encouraging algae growth, bleaching or fading colors, and causing brittleness in vinyl liners. You can prevent these issues by following recommended pool care routines, protecting your pool with a safety cover when not in use, and working with pool builders who use premium construction materials that are designed to resist UV damage and algae growth.
Due to El Paso’s intense heat, water evaporation is another issue that plagues pool owners. Water evaporation can disrupt your water chemistry and pH, as well as pose a problem with refilling your pool if the city and surrounding areas are under a water advisory. An automatic pool cover can help reduce evaporation and maintain more stable water levels. However, another option that’s become popular with Texas pool owners is leveraging a saltwater pool system, which also reduces evaporation. Saltwater pool systems are highly compatible with fiberglass pools and offer added savings on the cost of pool chemicals since you won’t need chlorine to balance your pool’s water.
How does a pool typically affect property values in El Paso?
Adding an inground pool to your home in El Paso can increase its value by thousands of dollars. According to real estate industry data, inground swimming pools increase a home’s listing price by 5% to 8% on average in the United States. In El Paso, where the average price of a home is around $230,700, that’s a value lift of $11,535 (5%) to $18,455 (8%). Since pools are in high demand in El Paso due to Texas’ hot climate, adding an inground pool can potentially raise your home’s value even more — especially for a custom-built pool that incorporates luxury features.
What financing options are commonly used by El Paso homeowners for pool installations?
If you’re a homeowner in El Paso, Texas, you can explore various pool loan and financing options depending on factors like your credit history and FICO score. For example, you may be able to qualify for a home equity line of credit (HELOC), or as an alternative, a lump-sum home equity loan. Another popular approach is to take out a personal loan, which you can apply for from your bank, local credit union, or an online lender. For many people, the most convenient option is to get an in-house loan, where the pool builder partners with trusted lenders such as LightStream to offer financing for eligible customers.
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