An above-ground pool could be a smart investment this summer

An above-ground swimming pool could be just the thing to keep your friends and family cool while increasing your property's value.

With the heat coming on as strong as it has lately, it's not too unreasonable to start thinking about adding a pool to your back yard. They can increase a home's overall value as well as add a convenient cooling off option for kids that does not involve travel or contending with crowds.

But a pool is no small investment, neither with time nor money. While you can get a loan from your bank to install one, given their benefit to property values, materials, installation and corresponding maintenance equipment can build up fast.

But there are options that can give you a large, private swimming venue without the need for a second mortgage, such as an above-ground pool that can be moved and disassembled as needed.

Above-ground pools can come in many forms and most of them can be assembled by a homeowner. They will most often be made of steel, aluminum or wood and can be designed as a stand-alone pool or can include decking around the edge as well. As the pool becomes more complicated, it becomes more preferable to hire a contractor to install it, but adept do-it-yourself-ers should be able to tackle basic to more complex projects.

But these kinds of pools, though long-lasting and functional, can still run a few thousand dollars just for materials, can will require yearly care and maintenance, even when shut down for the winter. The most basic above-ground pools made of plastic and rubber are only a few hundred and, though they are not as long-lasting, they do offer advantages appealing to a Pacific Northwesterner.

A pool made from synthetics does not need to have a dedicated spot in the yard, as they can be disassembled (oftentimes as easily as one can deflate them) as soon as the weather cools off and stored in a garage. They are also easy to transport if you happen to move or want to treat your friends to a pool party at their house.

The drawbacks are they can break in the hands of larger, rowdier crowds, and you have to dispose of a few hundred gallons of water every time you take it down (not to mention the potential cost of filling it up in the first place). Some families are quite content with these challenges and have been using plastic pools for years without issue. It's a question of what you are prepared to maintain and how willing you are to care for your investment.

If you're curious about adding a pool to your house, it doesn't hurt to find someone with an above-ground pool and ask if they feel it was worth the investment.