An inground pool is a permanent property improvement, built (or installed) below grade rather than sitting on top of your yard — which is exactly why it costs more than an above-ground pool and lasts decades longer. This guide introduces the four main inground pool types, what they typically cost, and the design decisions — depth, entry style, and built-in features — that apply no matter which type you choose.
Why Choose an Inground Pool?
- Permanence: an inground pool becomes a genuine part of your property, integrated with your landscaping and backyard design rather than sitting on top of it.
- Resale value: inground pools show a real, if modest, average resale impact — commonly cited around 6% of home value — while above-ground pools are often treated as removable personal property with little to no resale credit. See Does a Pool Increase Home Value in Toronto?
- Design range: every inground material offers far more shape, depth, and feature flexibility than an above-ground kit.
- Structural longevity: inground pools commonly last 25–50+ years depending on material, compared to 7–15 years for a typical above-ground structure.
For the full side-by-side comparison, see Above-Ground vs Inground Pools.
Costs at a Glance
Inground pools typically run $50,000–$220,000+ depending on material and size. For the full pricing breakdown, see Cost to Install an Inground Pool.
The Four Types of Inground Pools
| Type | Typical Cost | Best Known For |
| Vinyl liner | $50,000 – $90,000 | The most accessible entry point, with considerable shape flexibility for the price |
| Fibreglass | $65,000 – $120,000 | Lowest maintenance and fastest installation |
| Concrete | $100,000 – $220,000+ | Unlimited design freedom and the longest potential lifespan |
| ICF | $110,000 – $200,000+ | Concrete’s design freedom plus built-in insulation for energy efficiency |
Vinyl Liner
Built from a steel or polymer wall panel system custom-fit to your yard, then lined with a vinyl sheet shaped to your pool’s exact design. The lowest-cost true inground option, with a recurring liner replacement roughly every 7–12 years. Full guide: Vinyl Liner Pools.
Fibreglass
A single pre-formed shell, manufactured off-site and craned into place. Faster to install and lower-maintenance than the other two, with a defined range of shapes and sizes rather than fully custom dimensions. Full guide: Fibreglass Pools.
Concrete
Built entirely on site from rebar and gunite or shotcrete, then finished with plaster, pebble, quartz, or tile. The only material with no real limit on shape, depth, or built-in feature. Full guide: Concrete Pools.
ICF
The same poured-concrete structure as standard concrete, but built using insulated forms that stay permanently in place — adding continuous insulation that reduces heat loss through the pool’s walls and floor. Full guide: ICF Pools.
For the full head-to-head on cost, maintenance, and lifespan across the three most common materials, see Fibreglass vs Vinyl vs Concrete Pools.
Design Options Across Any Inground Type
These decisions apply regardless of which material you choose:
Depth Profile
- Recreation/play depth: a consistent 3.5–5 ft throughout, suited to lounging, games, and casual swimming rather than diving.
- Traditional sloped profile: a gradual slope from a shallow end to a deeper end, the most common layout for general-purpose family use.
- Diving depth: 8–10 ft in a dedicated deep section, with specific clearance requirements if you’re adding a diving board.
- Constant/lap depth: a uniform 4–5 ft depth throughout, suited to lap swimming and exercise rather than play or diving.
Entry Style
- Traditional steps: corner steps or full-width entry steps, the most space-efficient option.
- Beach/zero entry: a gradual, sloped entry like a natural beach — popular for young children, older adults, and anyone who wants easier access than a stepped entry provides.
- Ladder or swim-out: a compact option suited to smaller pools or limited deck space.
Common Features
Most of these are available across every inground material, though the cost and design freedom to add them varies — concrete offers the most flexibility, fibreglass the least, with vinyl in between:
- Tanning ledges and built-in benches
- Water features (deck jets, bubblers, waterfalls)
- Underwater and deck lighting
- Automation and remote control systems
For depth on any of these, see Pool Water Features Toronto, Pool Light Installation Toronto, and Family-Friendly Pool Designs for guidance on choosing depth and entry style for households with kids specifically.
Choosing the Right Type for You
The right inground material depends on how you weigh upfront cost, ongoing maintenance, and design freedom against each other — there’s no universal answer. See Best Pool Type to Install for a full decision framework based on your yard, family, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of inground pools?
Vinyl liner, fibreglass, concrete, and ICF (insulated concrete form) are the four main types, each with different trade-offs between cost, maintenance, and design flexibility.
How much does an inground pool cost?
Typically $50,000–$220,000+ depending on material and size, with vinyl at the low end and custom concrete or ICF at the high end. See our full cost guide for the complete breakdown.
What’s the difference between a beach entry and a standard entry?
A beach (or zero) entry slopes gradually into the water like a natural shoreline, while a standard entry uses steps. Beach entries are easier for young children and anyone who prefers not to navigate steps, but use more pool footprint to achieve the same usable swimming area.
Can I have both a shallow play area and a deep end?
Yes — a traditional sloped depth profile or an L-shaped two-depth design can combine a shallow recreation zone with a separate deeper section, depending on your material and yard size.
Which inground pool type is best?
It depends on your priorities. Vinyl wins on upfront cost, fibreglass on low maintenance, concrete on design freedom, and ICF on energy efficiency. See our decision guide for help matching a type to your situation.
Get Matched to the Right Inground Type
The best inground type for you depends on your yard, your budget, and how you’ll actually use the pool.
Contact Easy Pools at (647) 449-9512 for a free, no-obligation consultation on your inground pool project.