The choice of a pool water slide is a trial most pool owners must face. There are numerous slide styles along with varying costs. Once a pool owner decides these two factors, he can narrow down his search and hopefully purchase the pool slide right for his family.

 

First of all, the type of pool will limit a pool owner’s options right away. An above ground pool owner will only have a few choices available to him. An above ground pool is restricted because of the shallow depth of his pool, where as the possibilities for an inground pool owner are endless.

 

The next important step is to set a budget. How much money do you have to spend? The cost of a residential pool water slide will range from one thousand dollars up to fourteen thousand dollars plus shipping. One must then decide if he can mount the pool slide himself or will he have to hire a pool contractor to install it.

 

Pool slides come in countless sizes and styles. The two obvious distinctions between slides are open slides versus (enclosed) tube slides. In my opinion, tube water slides are much safer than open water slides. I witnessed an almost disastrous accident when a boy fell off an open slide so I will always be partial to tube slides. But open slides are less costly than tube slides so these are the most widely sold.

 

Next, we can move on and decide if we want to buy a straight water slide or a curved water slide. Open slides come in straight or curved with the majority being curved. Tube slides also are made straight or curved but the majority is straight unless you venture in to the commercial line. If a pool owner does buy commercial, the price just skyrocketed due to liability issues.

 

Another factor we must consider is the slide height. They will vary from four to eight foot high for residential pools. The children are always going to opt for the higher and faster slide. But the parents will cringe at the differences in prices. Minor points to evaluate are the slides warranty and weight restrictions. The bulk of pool slide manufacturers warrants their product for three years, but please read the fine print. If one of their stipulations is not met for installation, then the warranty is void. The weight limit for pool slides is generally two hundred and fifty pounds.

 

Finding the right pool water slide can be a grueling task, but if you use the outline above, it makes the process of elimination much simpler. Purchasing a pool water slide is a big investment for a pool owner so it should not be taken lightly. One last thought to ponder, have you ever considered saving thousands and build your own pool slide?