Seven Swimming Pool Planning Tips

Swimming pools are no longer a luxury that only the rich can afford. Today family of middle income status can have a pool right in their backyard. But before starting to build one, a home owner or his representative in this case an architect, must know the laws and responsibilities governing pool design.

Depending on the local definition of a “private or residential swimming pool,” the zoning ordinance or association law may impose certain restrictions on how the pool should be built in the interest of the entire community. These restrictions may include - construction methods, design and size, location on your lot, among others.

After a thorough review of all the laws and restrictions, the builder must think of the best orientation for the pool with regard to existing structures and conditions.

a. Consider the relation of the house to the pool. After all restrictions have been met and there is no ample land space left for accessory structures such as a dressing room or toilet, the pool should be closer to the house.

b. Orientation to the sun. Put your pool where it will be “sun-sprayed” during the day. If you are adding a diving board, orient the board so the diver does not face the afternoon sun.

c. Orientation to the wind. To prevent chilly winds while swimming during cool months (October - February) consider using windbreaks such as trees existing plantings and shrubs or fences. These also serve to screen your pool from neighbors, sidewalks and roads.

d. Slope of the site. A relatively flat site is the easiest to build a pool on. Problems such as retaining walls, excavation, and water seepage present on steep slopes are eliminated.

e. Landscaping. The landscaping around the pool may vary from an amateur effort by the homeowner to a skilled professional such as a Landscape Architect. Consider utilizing natural site features as a first step. Then you can add or plant more trees, shrubs, hardscapes such as pebbled walks, stone walls, rocks, cascading falls or barbecue. Avoid overhanging branches or leaves near the pool.

f. Pool design and size. Community restrictions may limit your choice of a dream pool. But there will still remain a sufficient choice - from regular rectangular to more complex shapes. The complex ones such a kidney shaped pool will definitely add to the cost in contrast to a rectangular pool, however, they will look more pleasing and “natural.”

g. Safety. Children love swimming pools, consider putting slip resistant tiles around the pool’s surface deck. If space permits you can also have the pool depth designed in three stages: Non swimmers, swimmers, and divers.

It is always necessary to have extra money whenever you plan to build a pool, because the projected swimming pool, landscaping, accessory structures and utilities may be higher than you had planned. If you have a tight budget, consider building in phases. Start with the items you can finance and plan carefully how you will build it thereafter.