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There are many factors to consider when building an in-ground concrete pool. This includes the pool’s primary purpose (relaxation or exercise) if you live in a warm or cold climate (how often it’ll be used), and if you have the budget for chemical treatments and pool maintenance. In-ground pools are often more costly than aboveground pools, but they’re considered more luxurious and hold more value.

The safest pool fence depends on what you’re trying to protect against. If you’re concerned about children and pets, a fence with gaps between or under the material isn’t advisable, as they could get through it. Mesh fences tend to reach the height requirements needed for pool fence safety, although they are not the most durable. Solid fence types, such as wood, concrete, or stone have the best chance of protecting the surface area around a pool, so long as they are high enough to discourage anything, or anyone, from climbing over them. 

A retaining wall can only function as a fence if it’s high enough on all sides to prevent someone from accidentally falling into the pool. However, most retaining walls retain dirt, which means their purpose is not related to safety. There would need to be nothing on the other side of the wall for it to be considered a fence, but in that case, it wouldn’t retain anything and would cease to be a retaining wall.  

Evaporation causes up to 70% of outdoor pools’ energy losses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. While you can’t completely prevent evaporation, different types of pool covers can help a lot. Pool enclosures, however, don’t do much to stop evaporation—and the cost to build a pool enclosure likely won’t tempt you to try.