kardut - I'm willing to give a brief rundown, but remember this: everyone will have an opinion on what type of pool that have (or didn't get) so don't be surprised if no one agrees with me. This is the part that you want to do some research and come to the conclusion by yourself. Gunite (or concrete) pools have the most options for sizes/shapes (pro) but also have the highest costs associated with then (con). I have seen some awesome pool designs and shapes, but those usually cost about 50k or more. You will eventually need to resurface the pool (con) and (at least for me - my folks in FL have a gunite pool) it wears rough against skin (con). I would swim in it almost daily and had a problem with the pads of my feet flaking away (actually, it scared the crap out of me and I discontinued pushing off the side of the pool after that) Also, I heard that you have to use caustic chemicals to clean the pool out (con). Build time can be excessive (con) as they have to not only dig the pool but put down forms for the concrete, pour it and wait for it to set. Fiberglass is less expensive than concrete (pro) but still expensive (con) - build time is considerably less because it comes in one piece (pro) but has to be dropped by a crane (con as it is costly and cumbersome). Again, you will eventually have to resurface/repair the pool (con) and I think it is pretty expensive (but don't quote me on that one.) One bad thing about fiberglass pools is that I have heard of them "popping" out of the ground from groundwater or earth tremors. Obviously, not everyone experiences that or no one would have this type of pool! Vinyl lined pools. These come in three (or more) types: steel, polymer (plastic) and wood. Wood is probably the cheapest (pro) but also the least durable (con - remember, you get what you pay for.) Polymer will last much longer than steel and some polymer panels are as durable as steel (pro). Steel will rust (con), no matter what anyone says or if it is galvanized. I have seen far too many pictures that people send when they want a replacement liner to believe the fallacy that steel doesn't rust. Steel panels can be shaped more easily than polymer (pro) while you have to "take what you can get" with the polymer since those are molded (con) In general, vinyl lined pools should last for 8 to 10 years before you need to replace the liner (pro) and the replacement cost shouldn't be as much as a resurface (pro). If you are going to have a pool installer do it for you, I would recommend getting references on their installs. Also check out the local BBB and chamber of commerce. Make sure to read over any contracts you sign and make sure you know what is included and not included. If you are going to do it yourself, make sure that you budget enough money for the install portion and can find people to help you with the things you'll need to outsource (excavating, plumbing, electrical and concrete) and check with your local township for permits, rules and regs, etc. Hope this helps - let me know if I didn't cover something well and I'll try to expound. Ted

Like automobiles, there is a huge variety of doors and windows with varying prices. If you're in Florida, I'd check out PGT.

Thanks to you both for replying. I'm in central california, inland if that's of any help. Eta* are there any vinyl companies worth looking into where black would be offered as an interior color option? I've only come across black as exterior option .

There are some manufacturers who offer painted interiors and some who offer a laminate. I prefer the laminate but the colors are limited. You can paint vinyl on the inside however if you have a warranty issue and it is due to the paint, the factories have the right to deny the warranty claim because you modified their product. I really doubt painting the interior could cause a problem as long as you use paint made for vinyl and avoid anything with nasty chemicals like acetone. Funny thing is that many factories offer painted interiors and will warrant the window if you have them do it but will deny a warranty claim if you do it yourself. If that's an installed price on the Marvin, I'd go for it. To me, the jury is still out on Serious. They gained National attention when the bought Kensington Windows in bankruptcy and saved a lot of jobs. Even got a huge government contract out of it and a visit from the President and V.President. That doesn't equate to a first rate window or factory service. I'm not saying the aren't a fine company, it's just that I've been around the business long enough to take a wait and see attitude with situations like this. I don't recall where you live but if you are building to those specs, you may want to consider triple pane glass.