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Hot summers make everyone want a pool, right now
Every heatwave, the same thing happens. Garden centres sell out of paddling pools, online retailers run low on frame pools, and families across the country start dreaming of cool water in the garden. It is completely understandable.
A temporary swimming pool can be a quick way to get that feeling. You buy it, set it up and fill it, and the children are splashing about by the afternoon. For a few hot weeks it can feel like the perfect answer.
The question is whether it is a smart short-term fix or a false economy. In this guide we look at the main types, what they are good for, the hidden hassles and when it might be worth thinking about something longer lasting. HiLife Pools installs one-piece pools, swim spas and spas rather than temporary pools, so we will be honest about where each option fits.
The main types of temporary pools
The word covers a few quite different products. Here is a quick run through.
Inflatable pools
These range from tiny paddling pools to large family sized ones with inflatable rings around the top. They are cheap, light and easy to store. They are also easy to puncture and tend to sag as the air slowly escapes.
Frame pools
A frame pool has a metal or plastic frame holding up a tough fabric or vinyl liner. They are bigger and sturdier than inflatables, and some are deep enough to have a proper swim. Most come with a small pump and filter.
Rigid kit pools
Some rigid above-ground kits are sold as semi-permanent. They have metal or resin walls and a liner, and they can in theory be taken down. In practice, most people leave them up once they are built. Our guide to the above ground pool covers these in more depth.
Hired or event pools
For events, filming or community use, some companies hire out large portable pools for a set period. These are specialist projects with their own design and safety requirements. They are not something HiLife provides.
If you want something sturdier than an inflatable, our guide to hard sided pools is worth a read.
Inflatable and frame pools are usually a pvc pool of one kind or another, and our guide explains what that means day to day.
What a temporary swimming pool does well
There are genuine reasons people choose them, and it is only fair to say so.
Low cost to start
Inflatables and small frame pools are usually the cheapest way to get water in the garden. That makes them an easy impulse buy on a hot weekend.
Quick to set up
Most can be set up in an afternoon, then filled from the garden hose. There is no digging, no crane and usually no planning question to think about.
Easy to remove
When summer ends, you can drain the pool, dry it and pack it away. That appeals to renters, people who might move soon and those with limited garden space.
Fun for little ones
Toddlers and young children do not need depth or length to have a brilliant time. A shallow paddling pool on a sunny afternoon, with a few toys and a watchful adult nearby, can keep them happy for hours. For this age group, a simple pool can be exactly the right thing.
A good way to test the idea
For some families, a summer with a simple pool is a handy way to see how much they would really use one. If the children are in it every day, it may be a sign that something more permanent is worth considering.
The hidden hassles of a temporary swimming pool
This is where the shine can wear off. Many owners find that a cheap pool comes with more work than they expected.
Water quality is harder to manage
Small pumps and filters struggle to keep water clean, especially on hot days with lots of swimmers. Water can turn cloudy or green quickly. Many people end up draining and refilling more often than planned, which wastes water and time.
It is hard to keep warm
Thin liners and walls lose heat quickly. Unless the weather is very warm, the water can feel chilly. Heaters for these pools are often limited, and without a well fitting cover much of that heat escapes overnight.
Damage to the lawn
A heavy pool left on grass for weeks usually leaves a dead, yellow patch behind. Uneven ground can also cause the pool to lean or bulge, which is a safety risk.
Water use adds up
Filling a large frame pool takes a lot of water, and many people end up doing it more than once a summer. During a hot, dry spell there may also be local restrictions on filling pools with a hosepipe. It is worth checking with your water company before you fill up, especially in a heatwave.
Punctures and wear
Liners and inflatable walls are easily damaged by sharp objects, pets and rough play. Repairs are possible, but many pools only last a few seasons.
Safety is still important
A shallow pool can still be dangerous for young children. Supervise at all times, never leave water in the pool unattended, and empty small paddling pools after use. Larger frame pools need a secure ladder that can be removed when no one is swimming.
Chemicals need care
If you use chemicals, follow the label carefully. Wear gloves and eye protection, never mix chemicals, add chemical to water and never water to chemical, keep swimmers out until the water is balanced, and store everything away from children and pets.
Is a temporary swimming pool a false economy?
It depends on what you want from it. For occasional fun on hot days, a small pool can be good value. The trouble comes when people expect it to behave like a proper pool.
When it makes sense
- You are renting or likely to move within a year or two.
- You only want something for toddlers to splash in on sunny days.
- You want to test how much your family would use a pool.
- Space or budget rules out anything else for now.
When it can become a false economy
- You find yourself replacing the pool every summer or two.
- You spend lots of time fixing punctures, clearing cloudy water and refilling.
- The water is too cold to enjoy for much of the season.
- You really want to swim, exercise or relax, not just paddle.
If several of these sound familiar, it may be time to think about something more lasting. When you add up replacements, water, chemicals and your own time over a few years, the gap between temporary and permanent can feel smaller than you expect.
What a permanent pool offers instead
A permanent pool is a bigger step, and it is not right for everyone. For families who know they will use it, the difference in experience is huge.
A proper swimming experience
A permanent pool is deeper, larger and properly filtered. It can be heated and covered, so you can swim comfortably for much of the year.
Water that stays clear
A correctly sized pump and filter, plus a regular care routine, keeps water clean and balanced. You are not starting from scratch every few weeks.
A real part of the garden
A pool that sits flush with a paved terrace, with good lighting and landscaping, becomes a centrepiece rather than a temporary add-on. It can also add appeal to your home.
Less work each season
With a lasting pool, there is no annual setup, no hunting for a flat patch of lawn and no packing away damp liners in autumn. A good cover, a sensible care routine and a regular service keep things ticking over. Many owners find the weekly jobs take less time than they spent fighting with a frame pool.
Thinking long term
It helps to picture the next ten years rather than the next ten days. A temporary swimming pool might be replaced several times in that period, with a fresh setup, fill and pack away each season. A lasting pool is a single project that then simply becomes part of family life. Early morning swims, lazy weekends and evenings under the lights all become normal rather than something you have to organise. For many families, that is where the real value lies.
One-piece pools
At HiLife Pools we install one-piece pools. These are made in a factory as a single seamless shell, with steps and benches moulded in. Once the ground is prepared, the shell is craned into place, connected up and finished with paving. The result is a smooth, hard-wearing pool with no liner to replace. You can explore our full range of pools to see the shapes and sizes available.
For many families, a one piece swimming pool is the permanent option that makes the most sense.
Some people move from a temporary pool to a poly pool, so it’s worth knowing how that compares with a one-piece shell.
Swim spas are a halfway house worth considering
Not everyone has the space or the appetite for a full size pool. A swim spa can be a great middle ground.
What a swim spa is
A swim spa is a long, deep tub with a strong current that lets you swim in place. Many models also have a seating area with massage jets. They are heated and covered, so you can use them all year round.
Why they suit people moving on from temporary pools
- They take up far less garden space than a full pool.
- They offer warm, clean water all year, not just in heatwaves.
- They let you exercise properly as well as relax.
- Installation is usually simpler than a fully sunk in-ground pool.
Enjoying it all year
A heated swim spa with a good insulated cover can stay warm through autumn and winter. Many owners say their favourite swims are on crisp, cold mornings, with steam rising off the water. That is something a summer-only pool simply cannot offer.
Our guide to the swim spa explains how they work in more detail.
Where it could go
Because a swim spa is compact, it can fit into spaces a full pool never could. Some owners set it into a terrace, some partly sink it into a slope and others place it on a solid base beside the house. It can also sit in a garden room or under a canopy for extra shelter. We are happy to look at your garden and suggest a spot that works for access, views and privacy.
Planning and practical points
Swim spas and pools can often be installed without planning permission, but it depends on your property and the size and position of the installation. Always check with your local council first. Our guide to swimming pool planning permission is a helpful starting point.
Temporary swimming pool questions we get asked a lot
How long do temporary pools last?
Inflatables often last a season or two. Frame pools can last a few years with care. Much depends on how they are used and stored.
Do I need planning permission for a temporary pool?
Usually not for a small paddling or frame pool, but rules vary. If in doubt, check with your local council.
Can I heat a frame pool?
Some can be heated, but they lose heat quickly. A cover helps, although results are usually limited compared with an insulated pool.
Can I leave a frame pool up all winter?
Some are designed for it, but many are not. Always follow the maker’s guidance, as winter weather can damage the liner and frame.
Does HiLife install temporary pools?
No. We install one-piece pools, swim spas and spas, along with heating, covers, lighting and equipment. Talk to us about longer-term options for your garden.
Is a permanent pool worth it if we might move?
It depends on your plans and budget. We are happy to talk it through honestly and give you a tailored quote.
Making the right call on a temporary swimming pool
A small pool can bring a lot of joy on a hot day, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just go in with realistic expectations about upkeep, heat and lifespan.
If your family would use a pool every day, all summer and beyond, a one-piece pool or swim spa could be a far better long-term choice. We are always happy to come and look at your garden and talk through what would work.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
