Dreaming about your new pool project is exciting and full of possibilities! But before you get started, here are a few basics to consider in the planning stage:
- How do you use your pool? Are you a lap swimmer? Do you love diving into deeper waters? Is relaxing with a cocktail your thing? How you and your family intend to spend your time in the pool is crucial to think about before you dive into design. For example, you may want a large sunshelf when you have pets or small children so they have a place to splash around without knowing how to swim. But when your children are older and swimming, have you allowed enough space for in pool activity? It’s also important to consider where you spend the most time in pools you frequent. If you’re often in the deep end, plan for a pool large enough to accommodate steep depths while still keeping a moderate slope on your pool floor. If you find that you and your friends huddle in the shallow end during get togethers, you may want to consider a sports depth pool, with shallow ends on either side and a slightly deeper cove in the middle of the pool. If you swim laps, you will want to keep an unobstructed lane open in the pool, preferably 40′ or longer. Be sure to consider your current and future use of your pool during the planning stages so you don’t end up needing major modifications in the near future.
- What features are most important to you? There are endless possibilities when building a pool, and while some are purely for aesthetics, others may be multi-purposed depending on your location and needs. For example, if you have road noise you want to block with your pool, you may want to consider a raised wall with waterfall features, a rain curtain, deck jets, or bubblers. If your yard has southern exposure, adding in ground umbrella mounts for larger cantilever umbrellas in key locations on your deck can help prevent too much sun in the hot afternoons. Do you want your pool warm year round? An automatic pool cover is the easiest way to prevent heat loss at night and keep your pool warm 24/7, even during those brief Florida cold snaps. Discuss these needs with your pool designer so they can be incorporated in your outdoor plans.
- How will you keep your pool safe? Whether or not you have non-swimmers in your household, protecting your pool from accidental drownings is something you must consider in the planning stages. In Florida, you are required to provide a barrier for your pool for those off property, and those inside your home. An automatic pool cover or a child safety fence (surrounding your pool on all sides) both serve as stand alone barriers. If your property has a fence or wall that meets code regulations, you will also need a secondary barrier to prevent undetected entry into the pool from inside your house. A UL listed door and window alarm on all openings within 4′ of the ground is one option. Alternatively, if you have a large number of windows and doors, you may consider a UL listed motion alarm mounted under the coping of your pool and spa, which sets off an alarm when the surface of the water is disturbed. Some newer safety technologies include the CameraEye, which is a subscription based camera monitoring system that will alert you to distressed swimmers. Your pool contractor can help you pick the most appropriate safety barrier method for your individual household’s needs.
After you’ve given consideration to how you intend to use your pool, the most important features that are “must-haves” for you and your family, and how you intend to keep your pool safe, the fun part can begin! Your landscape architect or pool designer can help you incorporate these goals into your design so you can bring your vision to life.