Owning a backyard swimming pool is the dream for many Canadian homeowners, but what do real estate experts say about the issue?
Don’t bother. Pools don’t work in Canada. What’s the purpose when you can only use it for a few months of the year?
The reality is far more nuanced than that. In the U.S., the swimming pool industry was worth $1.8 billion in 2025. And despite the beliefs of many in real estate, the Canadian swimming pool market was worth $682.35 million, so who is buying all of these swimming pools and why?
The truth is, there is a positive Return on Investment (ROI) on pool installations in the 2nd largest nation on earth. Although there are challenges due to our unique climate, we explore why pool installation in the Great White North can deliver an excellent return for homeowners who dream of installing a pool of their own.
Real Estate and Residential Pools – What’s the State of the Canadian Pool Business?
Before going into the intricacies of swimming pools, let’s examine the Ontario housing market and some of the residential pool trends we’ve noted across Canada over the past few years to answer:
Are Canadians even interested in swimming pools in their homes?
Snapshot of the Ontario Housing Market
Ontario real estate has been in the news for its near-constant growth over the past decade. In April 2025, the average resale price of residential homes was $859,645. It’s also remained a highly competitive market, with Redfin giving Ontario a competitiveness score of 70 out of 100.
It illustrates that while prices have remained high, competition has cooled since the days of the pandemic. Although homeowners will be happy to see prices have stayed high, recent comparisons show that the market is actually entering bear territory.
In March 2025, transaction values had dropped 4.8% year-on-year, but while this might not sound like much, it’s down by almost 20% from the recent high seen in November 2024.
Are Swimming Pools in Demand Among Canadians?
The idea of installing pools in residential settings is often dismissed as something only relevant in the Southern U.S. states. Still, any Canadian knows about the sweltering hot summers we experience here.
An older article indicated that Quebec had 300,000 pools within its territory, amounting to one pool per 29 people. In terms of a per capita rate, Quebec had the highest concentration of swimming pools in the entirety of North America. Yes, even more than the U.S. state of California.
Another article also highlights the demand in Ontario for pools. Public pool shortages have resulted in more residents taking matters into their own hands. One survey said that 70% of Ontarians would use a pool more often if they had one nearby. Some have acted on this, with the latest data available from 2021 showing a 33% year-on-year increase in swimming pool permits issued.
Here in Ontario, Ottawa remains the swimming pool capital, with figures from 2022 showing that it’s held this title for a third straight year, with another 780 permits in 2022, followed by Hamilton.
Even though the data we have is a few years old, there’s no reason to suspect that Canadians have changed their minds in the intervening years.
How Much Value Could a Pool Add to Your Home?
Swimming pool ROI isn’t uniform across Canada, just like how it isn’t consistent across the U.S. Climate is an enormous factor, as is local demand. That’s why Quebec and Ontario tend to have a higher concentration of demand than, say, New Brunswick.
Generally, the accepted figure from a prominent national survey is that most homeowners average a 7% ROI from swimming pool installation. However, the quality and maintenance of said pool will heavily influence this figure, and you may enjoy an even higher ROI.
With 94% of Canadian homeowners planning to stay put over the next year, and 25% committing to major renovations over the same timespan, expect to see renewed interest in pool installation.
But your mileage will vary. Let’s break down the factors and compare Ontario to other provinces.
Ontario
Pools are a popular urban luxury in Ontario, especially in the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe region. Compared to previous generations, these locales experience longer, hotter summers, enabling Ontarians to get more use out of them than ever. Some of the most popular locations for pools include:
- Oakville
- Mississauga
- Vaughan
Ontario’s location puts it in a great position for increasing swimming pool demand. Since 1948, average summer temperatures have risen across Canada by two degrees Celsius. In Ontario, we’ve seen an increase of one degree Celsius, alongside longer heatwaves since at least the 1850s.
It’s also why Toronto is second only to Quebec in the demand for pools.
British Columbia
In Canada’s Westernmost province, British Columbia has much in common with Ontario’s booming real estate market. Its position in the west means that a relatively mild year-round climate allows homeowners to use their pools for longer seasons, especially if they have heated swimming pools.
Luxury homes in areas where it’s common to find pools include:
- Kelowna
- North Shore
- West Vancouver
Alberta
Neighbouring Alberta is a less popular location for swimming pools simply because of the climate. Relatively short seasons and bitterly cold winters mean that pool owners may only get to enjoy backyard pools for two or three months per year.
Instead, homebuyers in places like Calgary and Edmonton are more interested in other features to survive the winter, including heated garages and finished basements. The same can be said for provinces to the north of Alberta as you head toward Alaska.
Quebec
Canada’s French-speaking province is the heart and soul of the Canadian swimming pool market. As Ontario’s neighbour, Quebec sees the same climate as the capital province, meaning residential pool ownership rates are high.
Pools are incredibly common in suburban areas, with many upper-income families now expecting them rather than seeing them as a surprise luxury. Locales such as Montreal, Laval, and Quebec City are the most popular destinations for pools of all kinds.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Manitoba and Saskatchewan are aligned in their market challenges for the Canadian swimming pool industry. Both provinces suffer from the impracticalities of incredibly harsh winters and shorter summers, meaning pools tend to be rare here.
Some places, like Linden Woods and Tuxedo, in Winnipeg’s suburbs, have pools. Likewise, the same goes for Saskatchewan, where some rural and custom-built homes may have them. The problem is that both provinces usually have no more than eight to ten swimming weeks.
It’s also worth mentioning that the buying power of Canadians in these two provinces is another barrier to installing pools. Manitoba’s largest city, Winnipeg, sees an average home price of $385,300 in April 2025. In contrast, Saskatchewan’s average home price falls even lower at just $345,364.
Combine relatively low buying power, impracticalities, and much higher repair costs during the harsh winter months, and it’s easy to see why these two states are a relative graveyard for the industry. The same goes for the northern provinces and many of the easternmost provinces.
Factors That Influence Your Pool ROI
We mentioned that ROIs on residential swimming pools vary hugely, and that’s not just because of the market but also the type of pool, as well as its quality, age, and maintenance costs. Your ROI in Toronto may be different from Ottawa, Hamilton, or even another neighbourhood in the same city.
Here’s a breakdown of the various factors impacting pool ROI wherever you are in the province and beyond.
Swimming Pool Type
Not all swimming pools are created equal. Each comes with its own installation costs, lifespans, and maintenance requirements. Your choices will ultimately be the most influential factor involved.
Let’s examine the most common types of residential pools and the general perception from the real estate industry on whether they add value, based on recent figures from NerdWallet Canada.
Vinyl Pools
Vinyl-liner pools are the most common inground pools in Ontario because of their affordability. Generally, maintenance is relatively simple and they’re considered to be an entry-level pool, but you should expect to budget for future liner replacement costs, estimated to be anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000.
- Cost – $20,000 – $90,000
- Lifespan – 8-12 years
- ROI Impact – Modest
Fiberglass Pools
Fibreglass pools are the mid-range pool of choice and are popular because of their non-porous surfaces. People who want minimal maintenance often go for the fibreglass swimming pool because they’re highly resistant to algae, thus negating the need for many of the usual chemicals.
They’re also much quicker to install, since they’re pre-manufactured and put into place by a crane. It’s a level of durability and customization that fits the buyer who wants luxury without the hassle.
- Cost – $75,000 – $100,000
- Lifespan – 25+ years
- ROI Impact – Significant
Concrete Pools
Concrete pools, known as Gunite pools, are considered the gold standard of swimming pools. Practically all high-end real estate with pools will use concrete as their luxury material of choice. With the longest lifespan of any pool type and custom features like hot tubs, infinity edges, and even waterfalls, they’re the most visually impressive option for those upscale real estate markets.
- Cost – $50,000 – $200,000
- Lifespan – 30+ years (resurfacing every 10-15 years)
- ROI Impact – High
Above-Ground Pools
Above-ground pools are the cheapest option, with some smaller pools available for as little as $5,000, but they also have the lowest lifespan and are viewed as a temporary installation. Typically, these pools have little to no impact on your ROI, and their temporary nature means they’re not even considered in most property valuations.
Based on figures from HGTV, here are the total costs of above-ground pools:
- Cost – $1,000 – $10,000
- Lifespan – 5 – 15 years (depending on the material)
- ROI Impact – Neutral to minimal
Pool Quality
The type of pool means nothing if it’s poorly installed and needs extensive maintenance. It’s no secret that homebuyers would rather not have to commit to fixing parts of a home they buy. Already, one in ten Canadians expresses dissatisfaction with the condition of their dwellings and the burden of maintenance.
In other words, any ROI gains from having a pool will be wiped out if you haven’t built it with quality materials, kept up with maintenance, and kept your pool clean, because anybody moving in would have to spend thousands to bring it back to its proper condition.
And this doesn’t apply exclusively to maintenance, but also to a pool that’s nearing the end of its natural lifespan.
Backyard Pool Integration
How your pool fits into your overall landscaping arrangement will also influence your ROI. According to one study, a pool should ideally take up no more than 25% of your total backyard space. Any more and it begins to look cluttered.
There’s also the issue that prospective homebuyers don’t want a pool to dominate their yard. It impacts the aesthetic and reduces the amount of usable space available for other activities.
The Lifestyle Factor
Modern buyers don’t look at a pool area in the same way they examine your front yard for curb appeal. It’s not an added extra but a part of a lifestyle.
A family sees a pool as a way to keep the children engaged. Likewise, a young professional may view a pool as a social hub. A remote worker may view it as an in-house private oasis to help them unwind from the office in their living room.
Don’t discount the emotional attachment that a pool can bring, and the influence that it might have on your ROI.
Neighborhood Influence
The neighbourhood your home is in can either help or harm your ROI. In Ontario neighbourhoods where pools are common, such as many of the high-income suburbs of Ottawa, the very act of not having a pool damages your home’s value as buyers see the real estate as incomplete.
If we flip this and you decide to install a pool in a low-income area of Winnipeg, where pools are practically unheard of, your pool could become a burden. The demand is low, and many buyers in this income strata don’t want the hassle or the cost of maintaining a pool, meaning the pool works against you.
Think about the swimming pool trends in your area by speaking to a local realtor or pool installation contractor first if you’re worried about your future ROI.
Value-Added Features
Pools are not just pools. Conventional swimming pools don’t always look the same. You see differences in materials, pool design, and pool sizes. Extra customizability can either add a unique selling point or be too specific and turn potential buyers away.
Basic concrete pools are one thing, but what other high-end features are available? For example, think about:
- Above-ground pools vs. in-ground pools
- Night lighting systems
- Saltwater pools
- Water features
- Temperature-controlled water
Marketing a property to a high-end buyer becomes much easier when you have that turnkey luxury they expect. The finer points of a pool installation then significantly increase the overall value of your home, thus driving up the ROI, even with the additional costs.
Local Regulations
Most real estate websites never mention the impact of local regulations on the Canadian homebuyer. Every town and city in Ontario and beyond takes its own approach to how it manages its regulations.
Aspects to consider include:
- Zoning bylaws
- Setback requirements
- Fencing rules
- Liability insurance costs
You may not think most of these issues matter once your pool is already installed, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Pools have implications, including higher ongoing costs, which is why real estate appraisers factor in the local regulatory landscape when calculating the value of properties with pools.
When Does a Pool Hurt Home Value?
Swimming pools in Canadian real estate are often viewed through the lens of how they might increase property values. What few talk about is how they might work against you. And by working against you, we mean either having no impact on ROI or actively making your home more challenging to sell.
So, what should most homeowners consider to avoid getting a lower price for their homes?
Above-Ground Pools
Above-ground pools are consistently viewed as temporary structures as standard. They don’t blend into a property’s natural aesthetics, meaning they’re viewed in the same way as a child’s trampoline.
This is why above-ground pools are typically excluded from home appraisals. Real estate professionals have long agreed that buyer preferences indicate that they add little to no value to a home, meaning your ROI is basically zero.
Overwhelming Yard Space
Some homes are simply unsuited to swimming pools because of the size of their yards. Just because it can fit doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea if you’re thinking about your future ROI. Taking away space for other activities and other landscaping opportunities can work against you.
According to the National Association of Realtors in the U.S., a good size for a small pool is a 12 x 24 square foot installation, but it will vary depending on your space. You should also try to keep this to 25% of your total yard space. It’s a guideline that’s also used on this side of the border.
Safety and Insurance Costs
All pools come with ongoing costs that spread beyond maintenance. However, the cost isn’t purely measured in higher insurance premiums due to liability risks but also safety concerns.
Families with younger children may be put off by pools because they’re worried about the risk to their children. If you live in a neighborhood favored by younger families, this will cripple your ROI and reduce the marketability of your home generally.
Regional Considerations
ROI swings can be enormous as you move between Canadian provinces and within those same provinces. Beyond the demographics, the big consideration is the local climate, as we discussed when comparing the differences between provinces like Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
In the absence of firm figures from Canada to support this, we can look to the U.S. for recent data.
For example, in Los Angeles, California, a residential pool could add as much as $95,000 USD to the overall value of a home. In contrast, Phoenix, Arizona, only sees an increase of $11,000 USD on average because it’s not part of the lifestyle in that city, despite the hot climate. We can also see that within the colder areas of California, the value of a pool is much lower, with Oakland seeing an average value increase of $29,000 USD.
Naturally, if the climate is cold and the number of usable swimming weeks is minimal, the value of incorporating a pool into your home will be diminished.
Final Verdict: Are Pools Worth It in 2025?
The value a swimming pool brings to a property shouldn’t be measured purely in how many dollars it adds to your home’s resale value. Pool maintenance requirements, including all the time and hassle, mean that you should install a pool because you want to install a pool, not just because you think it makes your home more valuable.
Swimming pools are a lifestyle choice, bringing immense benefits to those who seek an active lifestyle and those who want some of the finer things in life. Although a pool can add a significant ROI to your home under the right circumstances, it should never be the driving force behind your decision.
At GTA Landscaping, we understand that landscaping makes all the difference when it comes to outsider perceptions and the quality of life of your home. Swimming pools represent but a single part of a well-landscaped home exterior.
If you’re wondering whether a new pool makes sense for you in Ontario, speak to the experts to learn more about your options and the pros and cons of a premium pool in your backyard. Get in touch with us for free estimates on installation, and let’s talk about the difference a swimming pool could make to your home today.
