Should Your Tampa Bay Pool Include a Deep End? The Pros and Cons
You have many decisions to make when designing a new swimming pool in Tampa and the surrounding area. With all of the features, finishes, accessories and technology available today, it helps to have an experienced professional in your corner. At Tampa Bay Pools, our expert design team has made a name for itself navigating customers just like you through the ins and outs of the pool design process to the backyard destination of their dreams.
Should I Get a Deep End in My Pool?
This is the question most homeowners eventually ask once the excitement of designing a new pool sets in. The honest answer is: it depends on how you actually plan to use your pool, not just how you imagine using it.
Many people picture kids jumping in, adults floating comfortably, or the occasional cannonball on a hot Tampa afternoon. But when you think about day-to-day use, most families spend far more time standing, socializing, and playing casual games than they do diving or swimming laps in deep water. If your pool will be a gathering place for relaxing, talking, and cooling off, a larger shallow or mid-depth area may get more use than a deep end ever would.
On the other hand, if you have teenagers, love active water play, or plan to include features like a diving board, slide, or jumping rock, a deep end can absolutely be worth it. Taller adults also tend to appreciate the comfort of being fully submerged rather than crouching in chest-deep water.
Ultimately, the best pool design matches your lifestyle today and a few years down the road. That’s why working with an experienced Tampa Bay pool designer matters. They’ll help you think through how your family will really use the pool and design a layout that delivers enjoyment for years to come.
Like most major pool design decisions, choosing whether to include a deep end isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. While a deep end can add fun, comfort, and versatility, it also comes with trade-offs that affect space, cost, and everyday usability. It’s important to weigh both the advantages and the drawbacks before finalizing your design.
Pros
Typically five feet or more, deep areas are usually found at an end of the pool and are desired by customers for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, a family wishes to incorporate a diving board or other structure such as a jumping rock or wall or a water slide for recreation, and understands the importance of water deep enough to allow for safe usage.
Often, deep areas are requested by customers with taller family members. Adult men and those of above average height often find it difficult to enjoy themselves in water that only reaches their chest or stomach. Many are more comfortable in water deep enough to submerge most of their bodies, and fun activities such as water polo for example, require deeper water to enjoy.
Another advantage, though one less often thought of by most homeowners, is the tendency of deeper water to stay cooler throughout the Tampa Bay area’s long, hot season. Who doesn’t love a cool, refreshing dip on a hot summer day?!
Cons
With the pros in mind, let’s take a look at a few cons. First, and most notable is the amount of pool real estate that a deep end consumes. Remember that a pool’s floor doesn’t suddenly drop to deep end depths, but gradually slopes. This prevents the unsafe condition of a harsh underwater corner that swimmers risk falling off of or swimming into, but the transition also eats up a lot of valuable space- area that may not be quite deep enough to accommodate diving, but is too deep for children or even shorter adults to stand in, and is therefore not very conducive to play.
The space hogging nature of a deep end also means that less area is available for typical play purposes. Most customers are limited in the size of pool they can build not only by the size of a conventional backyard but also by the fact that in pools, as in most construction, size is in direct proportion to expense. In other words, a bigger pool usually costs more money. The size of an average pool, if it has a deep end, will not also have enough space with shallow to moderate depths suitable for, say, a game of water volleyball!
Finally, the deeper a pool, the more it costs to build. Pools with a deep end require more excavation, and deeper depths mean more surface area which requires more materials such as steel, gunite and plaster to cover. This also equates to more water required to fill a deep pool, which then requires higher horsepower pumps and/or demands longer pump run-time to ensure proper water circulation and filtration. Not to mention that more water means more chemicals needed to maintain proper ph levels! All of these “mores” cost more money to build and maintain.
How a Pool Builder Can Help You Decide
With so many factors to consider, including depth, size, features, cost, and how your family will actually use the pool, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice on your own. A professional pool builder can guide you through the pros and cons, show you layout options, and help you visualize how a deep end or no deep end will affect your pool’s functionality and enjoyment. With their guidance, you can make a decision that balances fun, safety, and long-term satisfaction for everyone in your household.
Contact Tampa Bay Pools To Discuss Your Custom Deep End Pool Ideas
Whether you know exactly what you want in your backyard retreat, or are just getting started collecting ideas, you have come to the right place. Browse through our galleries of award-winning pools, spas, and outdoor living areas. Then, for further advice on all of your pool design considerations, call the experts at Tampa Bay Pools and schedule your free design consultation today!