Backyard Pool Sizes ~ Unsure what pool size you should get for your backyard?
When you’re installing a pool, you should ask yourself this fundamental yet crucial question: “How big should my pool be?”
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It’s a fairly simple question and a very important one at that.
Knowing what pool size you’re getting means you can envision the rest of the pool’s composition. You’ll be able to narrow down your choices on materials, budget, and so on.
Don’t Know What To Get?
When we talk about size, you can play with a variety of pool shapes, depths, and dimension. But the truth is, you can get just about any size as long as it’s doable. Meaning, you’re only bound by your yard size and budget.
Once you settle that, you can mind sketch how big your pool should be.
Needless to say, you wouldn’t want to get a pool smaller than a bathtub. How else would you be able to fit that inflatable flamingo to laze around on in your pool?
That said, you have to consider the function your pool will serve as well.
Looking into some standard pool sizes might help you get started. This will give you an idea of the size you should get.
Pool Sizes According To Function
Most common pool sizes are pre-planned according to its usage. For example, you might want to get a smaller, shallower pool if you’re planning to build one solely for kids.
Conversely, if your budget and space allow it, you might want to get a 25m pool if you’ll use the pool for practicing your laps.
For Recreational Purposes
If neither of those are on the list, you can start with a mere 6×3 meter swimming pool. This will be perfect for just a quick dip but not necessarily for actually swimming around.
Feel free to stretch it up until 10×4 meters if your backyard and budget allow it.
Some go beyond the box and opt for a kidney-shaped swimming pool. That said, you can let your creative juices flow on this one since your pool is mainly for leisure and active play.
Standard depth: 3ft to 6ft
For Sports
Swimmers are well familiar with the 50-meter Olympic-sized swimming pool. If your backyard is big enough to accommodate that, then I salute you.
Unfortunately, most of us only have so much to work with.
That’s why pool builders came up with the les couloirs de nage, a pocket-sized lap pool to serve a unique purpose.
In order to fit the compactness of the modern world, these mini lap pools usually go by 10 meters or 25 meters in length and up to 4 meters wide.
Because of their small size, you can find them in the most unexpected of places. You’d be surprised to see them in offices or even condominium cafeterias, too!
There’s no excuse not to put this in your backyard unless you’re not really into water sports.
Standard depth: 6ft to 7ft
For Decoration
With real estate prices on the rise, it’s understandable that areas of the house are beginning to decrease. Pools will naturally follow suit on that decrease as well.
Some are privileged enough to build a pool just for the heck of it, while some just have a cramped backyard that needs a little waterscaping.
If you belong to either of the two, mini pools can be built to serve as the focal point for your outdoor yard.
Because of their size, mini pools can be installed in the most unpredictable of places. You can install them in the courtyard, front yard, and everywhere else you like but the back yard. Of course, that is totally up to you.
Generally, a swimming pool is considered small if the area does not exceed 10m2 or 100sq ft.
Limitations To Building Your Backyard Pool
Here you are, envisioning the final look of your yard together with the swimming pool you’ve imagined. The patio’s all set over there, opposite the grilling station.
You wonder if this dream will become a reality. That really depends, though. You’d have to consider some things that might hinder you from reaching your backyard pool goals.
Budget
The foundation for your pool isn’t about digging ground—it’s about the budget.
Without the money, how will you build the pool of your dreams? And they say money can’t buy happiness.
The cost of building a pool depends on heaps of factors. You’d have to consider materials, pool installations like lighting and such, contractor fee, permits, and so on.
Perhaps, the most accurate way to compute the cost is not through Google, but through a contractor.
However, it does help that you have a very rough estimate for the cost before contacting your contractor.
Space
In most cases, you can’t really alter the space you have. If you want a big pool, you’d have to manage your expectations and make adjustments.
Eventually, you’d have to come around and settle for a small pool—which isn’t a bad thing at all! Mini pools are rising to prominence due to rising real estate prices.
Lands have shrunk compared to the past. Naturally, backyard or indoor pools will follow. As they say, work with what you’ve got.
Also, remember to allow enough space for a patio or at least a deck. You wouldn’t want to find yourself falling on the edge of the pool the moment you step foot on your backyard.
Maintenance
Ask yourself if you’re up for the responsibility of investing more time for a bigger pool. You’d have to invest energy maintaining the cleanliness and overall appearance of your pool.
Besides that, you also need to allow more time for cleaning your pool. Think about all these responsibilities before you finalize your pool size.
Law Restrictions
Let’s say you have the size and the budget part down. You ask yourself, “Is there anything else I need to consider?”
Unfortunately, yes. News flash—building a pool is not easy. There are responsibilities that come with it. After all, having a pool presents extra risk in the household.
Aside from foreseeing simple problems like pool maintenance, you also need to familiarise yourself with the laws on residential pools.
Most states require you to get several permits below before building a pool:
- Building permit – for pools with a surface area greater than 150 square feet, hold more than 5000 gallons or are deeper than 24 inches
- Electrical permit – for pools that have installed lighting, circulation equipment, or receptacle outlets
- Mechanical permit – for pools with field-installed heaters
- Gas permit – for pools with fuel-fired heaters
- Plumbing permit – for pools with a permanent fill line or connection to the sanitary sewer
Apart from permits, you should also consider other safety precautions such as walking surfaces, handholds, drain covers, barriers and such.
A Few Tips
Remember that there is no perfect universal size for your backyard pool. It all really depends on your preference and situation.
Let this read serve only as your guide for finding the right pool size. Only you and your contractor can reach a consensus on what pool size will fit you best.
That said, there are safer bets than others. Generally, a large pool leaves room for more water activity compared to small ones. If that’s your number one priority, then do get a big one by all means.
However, if you’re a fan of just chilling around with the occasional splashing by your kids, you might want to consider a smaller pool with a shallow surface. You can also do separate pools for adults and kids if space allows for it.
It all just really comes down to personal preference. As long as your choices are well-calculated, that is, also considering the responsibilities that come with building a pool, you are guaranteed to make a smart choice.
