Considering a Swimming Pool? 4 Things to Know

A pool is one of the biggest additions that you can make to a house. It also tends to be permanent. When you get a pool installed, there’s usually no turning back, and you have to live with whatever you have. This means that you could end up regretting mistakes for the whole duration of your stay in that house. This is also why you need to take your time and ask yourself some important questions. Here are four things to know if you are considering a swimming pool.

Photo by Engin Akyurt

1. How Do You Intend to Use the Pool?

The first thing you need to assess is how and who will be using the pool. Some people may want something for aesthetics only, while others might need something more functional. Some may want to be able to train, whereas others want a spot to entertain, for instance.

The age of the people who will be using the pool makes a difference too. If you have kids, you may want to add shallow areas, or you may want to add rails for the elderly. These are all things you’ll need to look at if you are considering a swimming pool for your property.

2. Is Your Backyard Suitable for a Pool?

You also need to know if you can get a pool installed in the first place. Most installers will recommend that you have a soil test performed before you start the installation.

Rocky, sandy, or expansive soil could cause some issues during installation. A high water table could also increase your installation costs.

3. What Type of Material Will You be Using?

Plaster has been the most common material for years when it comes to building pools, but tiled and aggregate surfaces are now the norm. Choosing the right materials is essential for a number of reasons.

One is to make sure that the pool complements the rest of the house. If you have a natural landscape, then natural pavers might help the pol blend in better. Glass tile, on the other hand, could work perfectly with a house with contemporary architecture.

There are tons of other factors when choosing material for your pool, including how it reacts to heat, durability, and safety. If you want to know more about pool and pool deck materials, we suggest you check out Architectural Landscape Design.

4. Do You Want Any Special Features?

You can also let your imagination roam free and think of special features that you could add. If you’d like to enjoy some hydrotherapy from time to time, you could have a pool/spa combination, or maybe you like music. If you do, then you could have speakers installed under the water.

Others may want elaborate water features or areas where you can play sports like volleyball, for instance. These are all things you could discuss with your installer to make sure you pick one who’s used to these types of features.

Maybe your home is in a colder climate so you would greatly benefit from having an enclosure built over your pool. This would extend the “swimming season” for your major investment.

These are the main things to focus on if you’re considering a swimming pool. Whatever you do, make sure you and your installer are on the same page, and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as possible.