Maximizing Pool Depth for Optimal Functionality
There are plenty of factors to consider as you design your swimming pool. Even before you decide on the pool’s architectural style or shape, you’ll want to determine its depth.
The depth of your pool will affect everything from the total scope of the pool construction to your ultimate swimming experience. When choosing the ideal depth, take the following factors into account.
Consider Pool Designs With a Sun Shelf for the Kids
Even if you don’t currently have children, there are plenty of reasons to include a kid-friendly shallow section in your pool’s layout. Your friends or relatives might bring their children for a pool party or a regular visit. Alternatively, you might invite a guest with limited swimming abilities. In those situations, you’ll want guests to enjoy the water safely.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to create pools with shallow depths or large shallow sections. Consider adding a sun shelf. This design feature takes up very little space while providing enough room for children to play. It’s also useful for anyone who wants to learn how to swim. Even older adults can use the sun shelf to relax and enjoy the refreshing water on a hot day.
Leave Room for Uninterrupted Swimming
When looking at designs for pools, keep in mind that your builder can alter the dimensions of any design that appeals to you. That’s a service that will matter as you customize a swimming pool for your enjoyment. Anyone swimming in the pool should be able to freely move their arms and legs. This involves leaving the recommended depth of three-dimensional space for multiple swimmers.
If your swimming pool is too shallow, swimmers will scrape or bump their limbs on the pool’s shell. This can lead to serious abrasions if you have a shell made out of concrete or another rough surface.
Make sure your pool has enough depth to let a swimmer of average height move in the pool without obstructions. A pool that’s at least four feet deep will provide sufficient space. For good swimming, ensure the pool also has a length of 25 feet.
Include a Minimum Depth for Relaxing in the Water
As you think about customizing pool designs for your property, it can seem impossible to envision every situation. Even so, some occasions are easy to imagine. For example, you may not always feel like swimming or engaging in physically strenuous activities while in the water. Some days, you may just feel like cooling off in the pool while soaking up the sunshine.
In this situation, you won’t want a pool that’s too deep for relaxation and comfort. At least one section of your pool should offer a water level that comes to the waist. This is another situation when a depth of four feet is ideal.
Most people can stand in the pool with their feet touching the floor at a four-foot depth. Even if you have a shallow section for children, a moderate depth makes the transition to deeper water more comfortable to navigate.
Make It Deep Enough for Water Sports
Over the years, it has become common to play sports in the water. Volleyball and soccer are common examples. Adding the appropriate pool safety features and equipment is essential.
It’s just as important to make sure people can play team games safely and effectively. This means choosing a depth that offers the benefits of water play without inhibiting the range of motion. Water that’s too shallow won’t cushion players as they jump in the water. A depth that’s too great can hamper players by preventing contact with the pool’s surfaces. When playing sports in a swimming pool, a depth range of three to four feet is ideal.
You should also consider the other dimensions of the pool. A longer and wider pool is ideal when two teams of players will enter the water at the same time. Each player should be able to move their arms in any direction without striking another player.
There’s No Need to Choose One Perfect Depth
As you review the various situations you might encounter with your custom swimming pool, you could start to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry. Your builder can help you choose from a wide range of pool designs that address the likeliest scenarios. This might involve designing a pool/spa combo or creating a swimming area that offers personalized features.
Additionally, you can work with your builder to design a pool with several different dimensions. Include a shallow end or sun shelf for children and non-swimmers. Make this section a part of the pool or design a separate space that offers beginners a safe swimming experience.
Transition to a section that offers more moderate dimensions. A waist-high depth will create the perfect setting for relaxing or playing water-related games. You’ll find a variety of situations in which a four-foot depth is ideal.
Finally, a deep end will deliver a more challenging experience for divers and advanced swimmers. Even if you don’t include diving boards and similar features with the initial design, you might decide to add them later. Designing a pool with a deep section will help you avoid future pool renovations.
Start Customizing Your Swimming Pool
Tampa Bay Pools offers a wide range of custom pools to help you create a stylish swimming pool or pool/spa combo. We’ll offer design suggestions to ensure your pool provides the swimming experience you expect. Contact one of our pool builders to start planning your pool construction today!