How Much Does It Cost To Install a Radiant Pool?

Radiant offers fully customizable inground, semi-inground, or above ground pools with various shapes. They’re strong, lightweight, and resistant to heat loss. This all sounds fantastic, but how much does it cost?

To install a radiant pool, it costs from $16,000 for an 18 by 30 sq ft (roughly 50 sq m.) free-form above-ground pool to $50,000 for an 18 by 30 sq ft oval inground pool. This is actually quite reasonable, considering the average concrete pool costs $50,000 to $100,000.

Read on for an in-depth explanation of why Radiant Pools cost what they do and whether they’re worth the price.

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Radiant Pool Installation Costs

Radiant pools are versatile and fully customizable. There are three main categories, namely:

Above ground
Semi-inground
Inground

Inground pools are widely considered the most desirable because they’re the most durable and arguably take up less space. The downside is they’re generally more expensive.

Radiant creates its inground pools with virtually unlimited custom features, allowing the buyer to choose:

The size and shape of the pool
Benches and steps
Railings
Sun decks

Naturally, the larger and more complex the design, the more expensive the pool will be. Accessories like inside steps and benches, of course, add to the cost.

Inground Radiant pools cost anywhere from $12,000 for an 18 square foot round pool to a maximum of $50,000 for an 18 by 34 square foot pool (5.49 by 10.36 sq m). These are just ballparks; you should get a quote from Radiant Pools for an exact amount.

Above-ground pools are significantly cheaper. These range from $8,000 to $30,000 maximum. The above-ground pools are just as dynamic and come in six different shapes with incredibly durable wall construction.

A semi-inground pool combines inground construction with above-ground, so the barrier is raised above the ground to imitate an above-ground pool, offering more pool space and a unique design.

Radiant Pools Materials

Radiant pools are created to insulate heat from the sun. The walls are 2 inches of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and aluminum sheets. These materials are:

Lightweight: This makes for relatively quick and easy installation.
Durable: These sheets are incredibly durable and weather-resistant, so a Radiant pool is not just a purchase but an investment.
Sustainable: Radiant pools have excellent heat retention since aluminum and polymer are great conductors. This reduces the need for pool heaters or pumps to warm the water.

Many pools also incorporate vinyl lining, which isn’t as durable as concrete but lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 years without repairs. Most pools are made with a concrete lining, which is the preference for robust pools that last a lifetime.

Radiant pool stairs are also not made of concrete, which some prefer, but instead a durable thermoplastic. This may not be as durable as concrete, but it’s still an excellent insulator and reduces installation costs and the cost of materials.

Cost Of Materials

HomeGuide lists the average costs for pool installation:

Low end: $28,000
Medium end: $35,000
High end: $55,000

Vinyl typically falls on the low to medium end of pool installations, whereas concrete and fiberglass are far more costly.

However, vinyl pools have a higher maintenance cost over time, whereas concrete and fiberglass pools have lower maintenance costs.

Vinyl pools are an excellent choice for reasons other than the fact that they’re cheaper:

Easy to clean.
Resistant to algae.
Vinyl is easy to shape.

Unfortunately, the vinyl liner must be replaced every 10 years or so, and even more frequently if the pool isn’t correctly maintained. Vinyl lining also runs the risk of flaking and peeling, in which case, a replacement costs around $3,000 to $4,000.

Radiant vs. Other Pools on the Market

The best way to ascertain whether or not Radiant pools are good value for money is to compare them to some other well-known names on the market.

Blue Haven Pools & Spas: A rectangular, freestanding plunge pool made of fiberglass measuring four, five, or six meters starts at around $21,000. An inground concrete plunge pool with similar measurements would be $38,500.
California Pools: A basic inground pool costs around $50,000 without any add-ons or amenities like jets and lighting.
River Pools & Spas: The average above-ground pool costs about $4,500, which increases as the quality of the material and complexity of the design increases. With features like a wrap-around deck, expect a price closer to $10,000.

From these comparisons, we can deduce a few things:

Radiant pools are high-quality but have lower costs for pools within their quality and complexity level.
The materials are durable but generally relatively inexpensive, particularly regarding vinyl-lined pools and fiberglass pools.
Their various features fluctuate the price, but not to the degree that many other companies do.

Would a DIY Installation Be Cheaper?

Sourcing your own materials and labor could cut costs when you’re installing a pool, but it takes a lot of planning and forethought. It’s also incredibly time-consuming, so you’ll need to set aside significant time to oversee and complete the project.

The following factors play a considerable role in the final cost of installing a pool:

Size: Naturally, the bigger the pool, the more resources are required and the more expensive it will be. Larger pools are typically about $38,000 overall.
Design: A complex, unique pool shape will take more time and planning to get right, which plays a significant role in the total cost at the end of the process.
Materials: Deciding on the materials for your pool is vital, and with different materials come different costs. Cement will cost more than fiberglass and polymer, but you also have the option to mix sand with cement or to use aluminum.
Labor: Paying professionals to assist you hourly can become quite costly if you don’t utilize your time well. A typical overall cost for this is $1,500 to $3,000.
Excavation: Hiring professionals with the right machinery to dig a hole for your pool and move the dirt is about $1,000 to $1,500.
Plans and permits: Before you can even begin digging, you must acquire permits and a proper plan for your pool. This includes a license from the city to build your own and a permit from a qualified structural engineer.
Material delivery: Hauling the materials to build your pool isn’t an option unless you hire a truck, which would still cost money anyway. Cement delivery costs $800 to $1,200.
Pool equipment: When the pool is done, you’ll need to ensure you have a filter, a pump, pool cleaning solutions, and possibly some LED lights for extra ambiance.

An example of a feature you may want to install, especially for the winter months, is the AquaComfort Solutions heat pump. They’re efficient, economical, and highly sustainable.

Overall, this could absolutely work out cheaper than paying a company to complete the entire process from scratch. However, it will take longer to complete and run a greater risk of slip-ups and damage, especially if workers aren’t adequately trained or qualified.

Inground pools will always be on the higher end of pool costs, regardless of whether you hire someone to do it or you do it yourself. A more affordable option would be an inflatable or steel-frame pool that you can put together at home in no time at all.

The Bestway: Steel Pro MAX (available on Amazon.com) is an excellent choice for a durable, made-to-last above-ground pool that’s quick and easy to assemble. A corrosion-resistant coating keeps the pool from UV and abrasion damage.

Conclusion

Installing a pool through a professional pool company will always be pricey, no doubt about it. But for an exquisite Radiant pool, it’s a relatively small price to pay. The prices are pretty average and, in some cases, below average, without compromising on quality.

If this isn’t the route for you, you could always take a whack at installing your own pool.