10 Jan Choosing the Right Depth for Your New Swimming Pool
When you are designing a custom backyard pool, you will have a lot of details to think about. One of the most important is the depth of your new swimming pool. Most homeowners will opt for a shallow end depth of about 3 feet with a gradual transition to 5-6 feet deep in the deep end. However, this layout may not be ideal for your needs if you have small children, want to swim laps or dive in your pool, or plan to do a lot of entertaining in your backyard pool.
One of the top benefits of working with an experienced pool designer like Valley Oasis Pools is that you can discuss your vision at a one-on-one design consultation and get expert insight to help you make the best decision for your needs and goals. We have built hundreds of pools in Tucson in our 20+ years in business, so we can help you choose the perfect depth for your new pool, along with all the other details you need to consider for your ideal backyard oasis.
Here are the top questions we will ask as we help you determine the right pool depth for your household.
Who will primarily be using the pool?
Will your pool be a place for you to unwind and float in the sun, or will it be a place for your children and their friends to gather and play? Maybe it will be a little bit of both. If you have young kids, you might consider adding a shallow splash zone to your pool. A tanning ledge or splash area will only be about 6-12 inches deep, making it the perfect depth for toddlers to splash around while still being able to stand up in the water—just remember that adult supervision is still a must even in the shallowest areas of the pool. This shallow area is also the perfect place to add lounge chairs so that you can relax and work on your tan while still enjoying the cool water.
When considering the right pool depth for the adults in your house, think about your height. If you are between 5 and 6 feet tall, a depth of about 5 feet will allow you to comfortably stand at the deepest end of the pool.
What kinds of activities do you want to do in the pool?
The types of activities you’ll use the pool for should guide you in choosing your pool depth. If you plan to regularly swim laps in your pool, you’ll want a more uniform depth throughout with at least 5 feet of water to give you plenty of space to move. If you will be using your pool more for games like volleyball, you will want a shallower depth throughout to allow everyone to comfortably stand while playing pool games. For diving, you need a depth of 8-10 feet to safely accommodate a diving board.
How big is your backyard?
The size and shape of your backyard will impact your pool design. If you don’t have much space but want to be able to swim laps every morning, a long and narrow lap pool at a depth of 5-6 feet throughout will allow you to get the low-impact exercise you want without taking up your entire backyard.
What is your monthly pool maintenance budget?
It is important to consider how your pool depth will affect your pool maintenance costs. For example, deeper pools simply require more water to fill, and that will mean higher costs for heating the pool. Cleaning the pool may also prove to be more challenging if you opt for a higher depth of 7-9 feet.
Keep in mind that your pool depth will also impact your pool construction costs. The deeper your pool contractor must dig to build the pool, the more complex the project becomes, which will drive up costs.
Valley Oasis Pools can help you balance your design vision with your budget and create the backyard pool of your dreams. Your journey towards a new pool begins with a free design consultation, which you can schedule at (520) 293-5818. We also welcome you to visit our showroom at 3321 N. Freeway Rd to explore our design portfolio and speak with our expert pool builders in person.
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