You want a big pool. I get it. There is something almost hypnotic about looking at a backyard and imagining a 28 foot above ground pool dominating the landscape. It feels like luxury. It feels like having a private lake where the kids can actually swim laps and you can float on a giant unicorn without hitting the ladder every three seconds. But here is the thing: a 28-footer is a beast. It’s not just "a little bigger" than the standard 24-foot model. It is a massive jump in volume, weight, and maintenance that catches most homeowners completely off guard.
In the world of backyard water, scale is deceptive.
A 28-foot round pool holds approximately 19,000 to 20,000 gallons of water depending on the depth. For context, a 24-foot pool—the most common size in America—holds about 13,500 gallons. That is a 50% increase in water volume for just four extra feet of diameter. That means 50% more chemicals, 50% more pumping power, and a much higher water bill. If you aren't prepared for the physics of that much water, you're going to have a bad time.
The Footprint Reality Check
Most people measure their yard and think, "Yeah, 28 feet fits." But a 28 foot above ground pool doesn't just need 28 feet. You need a "clear zone." Most local building codes, including those often based on the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), require specific setbacks from property lines, usually between 5 to 10 feet. Then there is the electrical. You can’t just run an extension cord to a pool pump this size. You need a dedicated 20-amp circuit, and in many jurisdictions, that outlet has to be at least 6 feet away from the pool wall but no more than 20 feet.
Space matters.
Ground prep for a 28-footer is an absolute nightmare if you're doing it yourself. You are leveling an area of roughly 700 square feet. If one side of that circle is even two inches lower than the other, the pressure of 160,000 pounds of water will eventually cause the wall to buckle. That’s not a "maybe." It’s physics. I’ve seen DIY installs where the owner thought "level enough" was fine, only to have the pool burst three years later, flooding the neighbor's basement.
Why 28 Feet Is the "Goldilocks" for Big Families
Despite the warnings, there is a reason brands like Doughboy or Wilbar Group keep selling these. If you have four kids and they all want to bring a friend over, a 24-foot pool feels like a crowded bathtub. The 28 foot above ground pool is the first size where you can genuinely have two separate groups of people hanging out without kicking each other.
One group can be playing volleyball on one side while someone else is floating in peace on the other. It’s the "party size."
- Deck Integration: A pool this size almost demands a deck. Walking up a 52-inch ladder to get into a 28-foot pool feels like climbing into a silo.
- Liners: You won't find these at a local big-box store. You’ll likely be ordering a 25-gauge or 30-gauge overlap or beaded liner.
- Heating: Forget those tiny solar covers if you live in a chilly climate. Heating 20,000 gallons requires a serious BTU output from a gas heater or a high-end heat pump.
Honestly, the water circulation is the biggest hurdle. Most standard pool kits come with a 1 or 1.5 horsepower pump. For a 28-footer, that pump is going to be screaming. You really want a variable speed pump here. Not only does it save a fortune on the electric bill, but it ensures that the "dead spots" in the middle of that massive 28-foot circle don't turn into an algae farm.
The Maintenance Math Nobody Tells You
Let's talk about chlorine. Or salt. Whatever your poison.
A 28 foot above ground pool has a lot of surface area. More surface area means more sun exposure, which means faster chlorine degradation. If you're using traditional tablets, you'll be burning through them. If you're using a salt-water chlorine generator, you can't use the entry-level models designed for 15,000-gallon pools. You need the "heavy duty" versions, often rated for 40,000 gallons, just to keep up with the demand during a hot July.
Winterizing is also a different beast. Pushing a winter cover over a 28-foot span is a two-person job, minimum. If you try to do it alone, the cover will end up in the water, you'll get soaked, and you'll say words your grandmother wouldn't approve of.
Does Brand Actually Matter?
Yes. Sort of.
If you're going this big, the structural integrity of the "uprights" and the "top rails" is everything. Cheap pools use skinny 4-inch uprights. For a 28-footer, you want 6-inch or even 8-inch resin or galvanized steel uprights. Resin is better if you're going salt water because steel will eventually corrode. Companies like Sharkline make heavy-duty frames specifically because they know the lateral pressure on a 28-foot wall is immense.
Don't buy a "budget" 28-foot pool. It's like buying a budget parachute.
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The Cost Breakdown (Real Talk)
You can find a 28 foot above ground pool kit online for maybe $3,000 to $5,000. That is a lie. That is just the beginning of the bleeding.
- Installation: Professional installers will charge between $1,500 and $3,000 for a pool this size. They have to use bobcats to level the dirt.
- Sand/Base: You need tons of masonry sand for the base.
- Water: Unless you have a very robust well (don't do it) or a cheap municipal supply, you’ll be calling a water truck. Filling 20,000 gallons via truck can cost $1,000 to $2,000 depending on where you live.
- Fencing: Most insurance companies require a 4-foot or 5-foot fence with a self-closing gate.
So, that $4,000 pool is actually a $10,000 project before you even buy a swimsuit.
Making the Final Call
Is it worth it?
If you have the yard space and the budget for the "hidden" costs, the 28 foot above ground pool is arguably the best value in the industry. You get nearly the same swimming area as an inground pool for about 1/10th of the price. It transforms a backyard into a destination.
But if you are on a tight budget or have a small, sloped yard, step down to the 24-footer. You’ll save thousands, and honestly, you might not even notice the difference once you're in the water.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Local Setbacks: Before buying, go to your town hall or check their website for "accessory structure" setbacks. Don't assume you can put it against the fence.
- Get an Electrical Quote: Call an electrician and ask what it costs to run a dedicated GFCI line to your desired pool location. This is often the most expensive "surprise" cost.
- Verify Soil Type: If you have "expansive clay" soil, a 28-foot pool needs extra site prep (like a deeper crusher run base) to prevent the walls from shifting during the winter freeze-thaw cycle.
- Compare Resin vs. Steel: If you plan on using a salt system, only look at pools with resin top rails and uprights. Steel will show rust within three years in a salt environment.
The 28-foot pool is a commitment. It’s a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. Just make sure you’re ready to be the "pool person" of the neighborhood, because once that 28-foot giant is filled, everyone is going to be at your back door.