Inground Swimming Pools
We all know that swimming is one of the best exercises around, giving you the best aerobic workout possible, using all of the major muscle groups, building endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness all with minimal joint stress and impact and with the lowest risk of injury of all sports. And if all that isn't enough.. it's just plain fun!
So with the decision to build an inground swimming pool, comes the decision of the pool design. There are many types of pool designs on the market, with a variety of materials to make them with. And each new choice will be dependant upon the decision made before it. It is important that you carefully consider what you want, because once built, it can't be easily changed.
There are several factors to take into consideration as you determine what kind of swimming pool you want. First, and rather obviously, would be your budget. Almost every piece of your pool design will have an impact on the bottom line, and sometimes it can be rather drastic. Everything from the quality of the supporting equipment (pumps, filters) to the type of pool, to how many extra features you include (fountains, waterfall..etc.) will affect the bottom line. And beyond this, even the shape of the pool can add to the cost. (What should NOT add to the price is the level of support and responsiveness you get from your builder.)
When thinking about the shapes of swimming pools, you first need to decide if you want something traditional or something with more personality. This could mean anything from a standard rectangle to the kidney shaped swimming pools design made to look like a piece of the tropics, all the way down to Lilly pads and waterfalls. You might prefer an L-shaped swimming pool or even something as unique as a star. Today's construction methods can create virtually any shape you would like, but realize that irregular shapes do cost more.
The next item to factor in would be the space you have to work with. It would be helpful to have a space relatively level and not too rocky, and if known, away from any underground water sources. And, clearly, you don't want your swimming pool in a patch of trees as this would be a maintenance nightmare. If you are working with a smaller space, then you may want to let the available space drive the pool design and shape, as in a kidney shaped pool, or even a small square. With a larger space, you won't have such a restriction, but that doesn't mean that you want to create a pool so large that it uses all your space. Larger pools do mean more maintenance, so it is possible to go overboard. Many would recommend larger and longer swimming pools if you intend to use your pool for working out with laps, however, with the stationary swimming equipment on the market, you could easily make a smaller pool work just as well.
(There are primarily two methods to creating an environment where you can "swim in place." The first is a special jet which creates a current in the pool. You won't move forward as you swim against this current, so you are "swimming in place." The second method involves the use of a tether, which holds you in place as you attempt to swim forward. You can find a comparison of some of the more popular stationary tether swimming pool equipment.)
For a little more money, you can add some elaborate tile, heating, or underwater lighting and give your swimming pool a more luxurious feel. And then of course, fountains, walls of water, and waterfalls often provide a touch of class. One thing to note is that some waterfalls hang over into the pool from the side or in a corner, and may have a bit of a ledge to create the waterfall. These are a temptation for the young-at-heart and you will need to strictly adhere to a "no hanging like a monkey" policy. They are definitely not made for that.
One further consideration is where you would prefer to have the deep portion of the pool. (Surprise surprise...It doesn't need to be in one of the ends.). And if you wish to have a slide or a diving board, then you must ensure that the deep portion of the pool is deep enough. Specifically discuss this with your builder so you understand the requirements, and if at all possible, do better than just the minumum requirements. Basically, when considering the depth of your swimming pool, there are four pool designs to consider.
1. Level - The depth of this pool is consistent for the entire length of the pool . In other words, there isn't any specific shallow or deep end as they are the same depth.
2. Traditional - The traditional is shallow on one end and deep on the other. Typically these will have a small level area off of the steps which begins to drop a few feet into the pool
3. Gaming - The gaming pool is a very popular style and its depth is such that the two ends of the pool are shallow and the deep end can be found in the middle. The reason this is considered to be a gaming pool is that it's designed so that you can hang a net across the center of the pool to play volleyball, and both sides are playing in the same depth of water. (In a traditional pool, playing volleyball means that one side is going to have to survive in the deep end, where the shallow side had the court advantage.)
4. L-shaped - The L-shaped pool is typically a larger sized pool, but it provides a combination of gentle slopes giving an extended shallow area and a large area of some depth giving an excellent spot for a diving board.
It's very possible that your builder will have a portfolio of pools they have built in the past, and you can browse through these to help select what you would like. One comment about the builder…. It is VERY important you apply some effort when picking your pool builder. Your pool is a very personal item and will cost tens of thousands of dollars, but that is nothing compared to the costs associated with selecting a substandard builder. The Better Business Bureau has seen a 166% increase in consumer complaints in the last 6 years, against the swimming pool industry, and you would be horrendous to have you become one of their statistics. Use the best resources you have available to help in finding an inground swimming pool builder so your installation is done correctly.
Finally, there is always a great debate on whether your best swimming pools are gunite pools, vinyl pools, or fiberglass pools. But in actuality, most of this debate is fed from the pool builders themselves. The pool type you choose is largely driven by the features you want in your pool, the "feel" of the pool, and your budget. You can read a comparison on the different types of inground swimming pools and pool designs here.
RE: Inground Swimming Pools; Pool Designs |
