A partial inground pool (also called semi-inground) pool sits partly in the ground and partly above it. That might sound like a compromise, but for a lot of homeowners, it's actually the smartest way to build.
Sloped yard? Rocky ground? Limited excavation access? Don't want a massive hole on your property for months? A partial inground pool solves all of those problems while giving you something that looks every bit as good as a fully inground swimming pool, sometimes better.
Here's what you need to know before deciding if a semi-inground pool is right for your backyard.
A semi-inground pool (also called a partial inground pool) is a pool that's installed with part of the structure below ground level and part above it. How much sits above ground varies. Some are sunk with just a foot or two exposed, while others are raised several feet, with the exposed walls becoming a design feature.
There are two very different versions of this, and it's worth knowing which one you're looking at:
Above-ground pool kits are installed partially in the ground: These are standard above-ground pools (steel wall, vinyl liner) that are partially buried to look more like an in-ground pool. They're the more affordable option ($7,000 to $25,000 installed), but they're not built to inground structural standards. They typically last 7 to 15 years and have limited design flexibility.
In-ground-quality pools are installed semi-recessed: These are concrete (custom or precast) or fiberglass pools built to inground standards but intentionally raised above ground, with the exposed walls clad in stone, timber, tile, or other materials. They cost more ($40,000 to $100,000+), but they're permanent, durable structures with a 25 to 50+ year lifespan. This is where the design possibilities really open up.
Both are technically semi-inground pools, but they're very different products at very different price points. The rest of this article focuses on the inground-quality version, since that's where the real design and practical advantages are.