Summer temps in Houston can rocket to well over 90 degrees, with high humidity levels across the Gulf Coast for much of the year. Fight back against the heat and humidity with a custom-built pool made by Latham—an elegant addition to your Houston, Texas home.
From a lively gathering spot to spend time with friends and family to a private oasis where you can unwind, an inground swimming pool is the ultimate destination for fun and leisure. Best of all, you don’t have to leave the comforts of home. Not only does an inground pool provide relaxation and entertainment, it can also increase your property values and boost your home’s curb appeal.
With over 70 years of experience, we’re one of the oldest and most trusted pool companies in North America. Latham offers inground pools for every lifestyle and budget, and we’re proud to have helped countless Houston homeowners transform their backyard into an inviting everyday getaway.
If you live in the Houston area and are thinking about a new pool, this guide will walk you through the process of getting started. We’ll cover popular inground pool designs, typical installation costs, answers to FAQs, and more.
Inground Pool Options In The Greater Houston Area
Whether your dream pool is sleek and refined, or a whimsical playspace to splash with your grandkids, Latham’s extensive network of independent pool professionals can bring your vision to life in dazzling color.
With so many customizable pool designs and add-ons to choose from, it can be challenging to know just where to start. A good first step is to learn about the different styles of inground swimming pools available, including:
- Fiberglass Pools — Beloved for their quick installation and ease of upkeep, fiberglass pools are more than just beautiful to look at. Their smooth surface feels comfortable underfoot when wading in and durable construction offers decades of carefree enjoyment.
- Vinyl Liner Pools — Vinyl liner pool models are made from modular components, giving you total design flexibility and a completely custom pool. They also offer low up-front costs and impressive durability, making vinyl a popular choice for a variety of homeowners..
- Plunge (Cocktail) Pools — Plunge pools offer all the beauty and style of a full-size model in a compact design that’s perfect for smaller yards or patios.
Whether you choose a fiberglass pool, vinyl liner pool, plunge pool, or other pool category, you can count on Latham’s eye for detail and innovation to give you a pool that suits your lifestyle. With more than 70 years of experience installing half a million pools and counting, Latham provides the skill and expertise your project deserves.
Fiberglass Pools
For Houston homeowners looking for a combination of longevity and striking good looks, a fiberglass inground pool fits the bill. Not only are fiberglass pool models quick to install and silky-smooth for your comfort, they can last for up to 60 years or more, if properly cared for. As an added bonus, their sleek surface makes them easier to care for than other types of pools.
The secret behind our fiberglass pools’ durability is due to Latham’s proprietary Crystite Gel Coat, which is specially engineered to resist UV damage, scratches, and stains. It also slows down algae growth, making maintenance even easier. Fiberglass pools are also highly compatible with saltwater pool systems that reduce chlorine usage and evaporation, making your pool a welcome retreat from the heat during hot Houston summers.
Besides their durability and striking good looks, fiberglass pools are also resistant to “concrete cancer” that has plagued gunite pools throughout Texas in recent years. This alkali-silica reaction causes the steel frame of a concrete pool to corrode and swell, resulting in cracks spreading across its surface. Made from non-corrosive materials, a fiberglass pool is not susceptible to concrete cancer, making it a smarter investment.
Latham offers numerous fiberglass pool models, each with their own configuration of features that turn your pool into an experience. Some of our most popular models throughout Houston include:
- Axiom 16 — Measuring 16’ x 35’, the Axiom 16 provides plenty of space for swimming and splashing, plus an oversized underwater ledge ideal for relaxing.
- Corinthian 12 — With a sleek, refined look, this timeless rectangular style features slip-resistant steps and plenty of swim-up seating – ideal for entertaining.
- Lake Shore — Our Lake Shore model is autocover-ready and can be customized with bubblers, spillways, cascading waterfalls, and more.
- Vista Isle — Featuring a playful design and shallow wading area, the Vista Isle is perfect for kids—especially with its slip-resistant steps.
Explore Latham’s other fiberglass pool shapes, or learn more about the benefits of fiberglass.
Vinyl Liner Pools
Want complete control over your new pool’s look and features? Vinyl liner pools offer unparalleled customization, letting you get creative with your own bespoke design. From colorful LED lighting and luxurious spillover spas, to soothing bubble jets and spacious full-size tanning ledges, vinyl liner pools allow you to mix and match features freely.
A popular alternative to concrete or gunite pools, vinyl liner pools give Texans a wealth of options to customize a pool that reflects their lifestyle and offers decades of worry-free enjoyment. Durable, non-corrosive pool walls are resistant to “concrete cancer,” making vinyl liner pools a smarter, safer choice than concrete. These walls are then overlaid with a vinyl liner that gives your pool its color and personality. Latham pool liners are fabricated using a specific process, designed to increase your liner’s lifespan, resist damage, and retain their beauty for over a decade. We offer a growing collection of exclusive liner colors and patterns, from subtle hues inspired by nature to our sparkling Pearlscape series.
Latham vinyl pools come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Four of our most popular vinyl liner styles include:
Explore additional vinyl liner pool shapes, or browse our vinyl liner collection.
Plunge Pools
Plunge pools are also referred to as “cocktail pools” or “dipping pools.” Engineered for small spaces, plunge pools deliver all the benefits of a full-size swimming pool—without taking up as much room or requiring as much maintenance.
Another perk of their compact size is that plunge pools require less water to fill, helping you meet Texas’ water restriction guidelines. Plus, their space-saving design translates to less pool to take care of and a lower cost of maintenance, typically starting at around $50,000.
Blending efficiency with exquisite beauty, plunge pools are ideal for anyone looking to cut down on costs or upkeep. Latham offers vinyl, fiberglass, and semi-inground plunge pools, including:
- Enchantment 9.17 — This fiberglass plunge pool model features a spacious built-in tanning ledge and easy-access steps.
- Milan — Another fiberglass plunge option, our Milan can be fully customized with LED lighting, bubblers, and more.
- The Calypso Series — Meet the Calypso I, II, III, and IV—Latham’s striking new collection of luxurious vinyl liner plunge pools. Each model measures a compact 8’ x 16’ and can be installed with automatic covers for added safety.
Pool Financing Options
There are numerous loans and financing options available to help you manage the cost of a new pool. Even if you have a limited budget, financing makes it possible to start enjoying your dream pool right away.
Depending on factors like your FICO score and credit history, you may qualify for loans with low interest rates, such as personal loans from banks, credit unions, or reputable online lenders. As a homeowner, you may also be able to obtain a home equity line of credit (HELOC), or as an alternative, apply for a home equity loan.
Another convenient approach is to work directly with your pool builder, who may be able to arrange a loan with one of their preferred lenders. Latham partners with two trusted lenders, Lyon Financial and LightStream Loans, to give our customers more flexibility.
The typical starting price to install a fiberglass or vinyl liner pool is around $50,000 in Texas. Costs can range up to $150,000 or more depending on customizations and features, such as spas or pool decks. Our free pool cost estimator can help get a clearer picture of associated costs. When you’re ready, chat with a trusted Latham builder to get a quote for your new pool project.
Start Your Pool Project in Houston
Latham makes it easy to plan the pool of your dreams in Houston. With flexible financing options, generous warranty coverage, and limitless potential for design customization, Latham offers superior quality pools for every budget.
Our independent pool professionals proudly serve Harris County and the Greater Houston area, including Baytown, Bellaire, Cypress, Houston Heights, Jersey Village, Katy, Memorial, Memorial Village, Midtown, Montrose, River Oaks, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and West University. To find an independent Latham builder near you or get an estimate, contact us online and share a few details about your project.
FAQs About Pools In the Greater Houston Area
What is the average cost to install a pool in Houston?
The average cost for a vinyl liner or fiberglass pool installation in Houston, Texas starts at around $50,000, with luxury designs topping out at $150,000 or higher. However, pool installation costs can vary depending on numerous factors Your pool’s size (such as full-size vs. plunge), construction materials (such as fiberglass vs. vinyl liner), custom features (such as fountains or covers), permits, and backyard constraints can all impact the total cost of installing your pool.
Are there any specific regulations for pool installations in Houston?
Yes. Homeowners and swimming pool contractors in Houston must comply with Texas’ pool construction and installation laws, which regulate everything from pool safety barriers to the permissible distance between your pool and your home. For example, state laws require pools to be enclosed by child safety barriers that measure at least 4’ tall and satisfy other technical requirements. Additionally, you must comply with local requirements around safety inspections and permits or other documentation. According to the Houston Health Department, “All applicable fees are paid through the Houston Permitting Center.”
What are the typical challenges homeowners face when installing a pool in Houston?
Houston is located in Southeast Texas near the Gulf Coast—a region known for its heavy clay soil. This type of soil tends to shrink and expand due to factors like heat and moisture, making it important to carefully plan out the pool installation process and opt for a knowledgeable contractor. Houston also tends to experience high temperatures, high humidity, and a high UV index. Over time, these factors can take a toll on a pool. To prevent sun damage and algae buildup, it’s important to stick to a routine care and maintenance schedule, choose materials that are suitable for Texas’ climate, and work with experienced swimming pool builders who understand local geographic considerations.
Houston’s hot temperatures can sometimes result in a city-wide drought contingency plan, which can make it challenging to refill your pool when you want to use it most. This is one of several reasons why saltwater pool systems have become popular with Texans. These systems use salt instead of chlorine to balance your pool’s water chemistry. Not only can a saltwater pool system help save on pool chemicals, but salt resists evaporation, making it easier to conform to periodic water restrictions and still enjoy your pool on the hottest of Houston summer days.
How does a pool typically affect property values in Houston?
The addition of a well-maintained inground swimming pool can significantly increase the value and curb appeal of your home. Data shows that nationwide, the average value increase ranges between 5% and 8%. However, that value hike may be even larger in hot climates like Texas, where swimming pools are in high demand. Various sources report that adding an inground pool to your Texas home may boost its property value by as much as 7% to 15%—nearly double the national average.
What financing options are commonly used by Houston homeowners for pool installations?
If you’re thinking about taking the plunge and buying a pool in Texas, a swimming pool is a major investment, but there are multiple financing options that can help you manage the costs by spreading your payments out over time. Some examples include home equity loans, which provide you with a lump sum, and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) that allow you to borrow against your equity on an as-needed basis. You can also apply for a personal loan from a local bank, credit union, or online lender you trust. However, for many homeowners, the simplest option is to set up an in-house loan through the pool installation company, who may have existing partnerships with specific lenders.
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