How To Choose The Perfect Pool For Your Backyard

Posted by  on 23 June, 2014

Deciding whether or not to get a pool of your own can feel pretty daunting. Even after you choose to get one, there are more big decisions to make about which kind of pool to install. In most cases, once you put in the pool, there are no options to make big adjustments. So you want to make sure you get it right the first time.

The main things to consider are the size, the shape, and the material of the pool.

Size

When considering the size your future pool will be, it is tempting to go for as big as possible! But don’t forget to take into consideration all of the other things you will want to do with your back yard. With the limited amount of yard space, make sure to budget for things like a patio or a deck, garden, lawn, and other play space for any children. Think about designing the entire yard as a composition of multiple elements, instead of just the pool by itself.

It is a good idea to think carefully about who will be using the pool and for what purposes. Unless you anticipate regularly swimming laps, it can probably be less than 10 metres. If you will be frequently having guests over to enjoy the pool, that might warrant a larger size, but bear in mind that not everyone will be in the pool at once.

Shape

Pools come in lots of shapes, so you will want to pick the one that will suit your needs the best. Kidney shaped pools can curve around other yard fixtures like a deck or a barbecue. Round pools tend to take up less overall space, especially when compared to rectangular pools.

Material

There are three main materials that your pool can be made from: concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl.

  • Concrete will give you the most flexibility for size and shape, since it can be completely customized to your needs. Concrete pools also tend to last the longest of all the other materials. However, they can be more expensive. The construction requires more preparation than other materials.
  • >In-ground vinyl lined pools have pre-defined shapes but there are a wide variety to choose from compared with fiberglass. The cost is less than concrete but more than fiberglass and the durability and construction is better than fiberglass.
  • >Fiberglass pools arrive pre-formed, so the variety of shapes available is more limited than with concrete and vinyl-lined. They tend to cost less and require less maintenance than concrete pools, but are not as strong.

No matter which variety you ultimately decide upon, a pool can be a great addition to your back yard. Bear these factors in mind, and you will be able to select the right one for your home.