Installing a swimming pool in the backyard is an excellent way to increase the charm of your home. It not only allows you to keep fit but gives you a safe and private space to have fun with your family. A swimming pool is a huge monetary investment. This means that all aspects related to it should be carefully considered before starting the installation. The depth of the swimming pool is one such important factor.
Factors affecting the choice of the swimming pool depth
Different homeowners have different reasons for investing in a swimming pool. Some people build a swimming pool to keep track of their fitness, while others build it to spend a good time at the weekend with their family and pets playing games. The depth of any swimming pool is greatly affected by the purpose for which the pool is used.
For homes with only adults
For homes that have kids
Children grow more quickly than adults, so there are no best or safest heights for them. However, a 2-foot deep pool is an ideal option for small toddlers. After a couple of years, having a depth of three feet or more is useful. The area where kids can walk or paddle through the pool water should not be overly big. You can also invest in a separate pool for the children, like a kiddie pool. A kiddie pool will allow the kids to stand in the pool comfortably with their legs touching the bottom. Children can also play and develop swimming skills in a kiddie pool. But if you have kids who are passionate about swimming, try designing an L-shaped pool.
Pool height based on activity
The height of the swimming pool is also decided based on the activity it is regularly used for, like swimming or diving.
For swimming laps
If you use your pool mostly for swimming, the pool water needs to be deep enough to allow for unrestricted motion. You should be able to swim different strokes, perform flip turns, and much more without being concerned about banging your feet into the pool bottom. You can also consider investing in a lap pool or a swim spa if you are someone who swims regularly. The ideal height for a swim spa is around 3.5 feet. The lap pool is also a good investment if you love having some occasional fun along with regular swims.
Consider every individual in your house who will be using the pool before deciding on its height. If you and your family members are advanced swimmers, the pool length should be greater than the depth.
For lounging or cooling off
A depth of waist-high water is required for lounging in the pool. The standard range is between 3.5 and 4 feet. If only a limited number of people will be using the pool for the majority of the time, the swimmers' height is also taken into account. Consider placing loungers in a particularly shallow area where people can dangle their feet in the pool water. The appropriate depth of water for cooling should also be higher than your waist.
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For diving
A deeper swimming pool is needed if you plan on installing a diving board. This is necessary to eliminate the risk of head injuries. You should also check with the local authorities to ensure that you can install diving boards in your locality. The ideal depth for pools with diving boards is between 7.5 and 9 feet.
For recreational sports
The pool’s depth should allow participants in recreational sports like volleyball and basketball to easily swim, stand up, and move around. There should be a region with uniform depths of around 3.5 or 4 feet that should be large enough to accommodate all the players in the game. This will allow everyone to participate in the game without any restrictions or difficulties.
For jumping in
If you are considering jumping in feet first, the pool should be no less than four feet deep. This is necessary to eliminate the risk of injuries. The pool water should be deep enough to take the impact of the jumping individual.
For multiple purposes
If you regularly use your pool for more than one activity, it is better to opt for a multi-depth pool.
Changing the pool depth
It is not impossible to change the depth of the pool once it is constructed. But for a fibreglass pool, this process is highly complex and may not always yield the best result. It is also an extremely time-consuming process. So, it is always good to carefully consider even the little aspects before deciding on the depth of your pool.
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In Conclusion
A swimming pool is a huge investment that serves numerous purposes for a homeowner. The depth of the swimming pool is one of the important considerations while constructing a swimming pool. You can choose the ideal depth for the swimming pool by considering your family members, the people regularly using the pool, and the purpose for which the pool is used.
