Size Matters
The question of size seems to be an emotional topic for many people considering a backyard swimming pool. By emotional, I mean that people think of happy experiences they had enjoying a backyard pool at their parents or friend’s home. Or they might have seen a pool at a neighbour or acquaintance’s home that was “really big” or “beautiful” or some other “spectacular” adjective.
Though it seems to be changing, very few people come to me with a carefully executed plan showing the size of the pool they are planning. In fact, most people contacting us for the first time are trying to figure out if a pool will “fit” in their backyard! Of course the answer to that question is always YES, but we might later find out that what will fit compared to our customer’s emotional expectations are two different things.
To help set aside the emotional response, there are a number of things you should consider
The first and obvious consideration is the size of your lot. Some people live on large plots of land where they will not be restricted in pool size, but city building lots are getting smaller and smaller. On the smaller lots, there is an additional consideration of what is the usable space? This means that we have to account for setbacks required by the city, existing decks or patios that reduce the usable space, changes in elevation that would require retaining walls and perhaps drainage slopes between yards that cannot be changed.
In addition to identifying the obvious constraints, a person should also consider the placement of a swimming pool to benefit from sunlight or the privacy a certain tree or garden affords. If the yard is a clean slate then consideration should be made for where gardens or other landscape features like a pergola might be installed relative to the pool. When considering gardens you might also consider the size of the plant material that you expect when it has matured. A proper garden with shrubs or trees or vines will give your swimming pool project a more intimate and resort quality feel.
These considerations will lead a number of customers to needing a smaller pool than what they had growing up! Don’t despair; there are LOTS of benefits to having a right sized pool for your backyard space.
First, a smaller pool will be easier and cheaper to heat and maintain. A smaller pool has less water, so it it will be quicker to heat, which means that it will be more convenient and cheaper to operate. In addition, we can reduce the run time for our pump and filter, which means that we can have a smaller, more energy efficient pump that can be put on a timer to further reduce electricity costs.
Secondly, a smaller pool will be less expensive to install. This kind of goes without saying, but a smaller pool will have less decking, requires smaller equipment and therefore will be less expensive! This gives you more budget for landscape, furniture and other accessories that will really help to make your pool project POP!
Third, a smaller pool will allow you to have some space left over for the dog, or to throw a ball. Sometimes people forget to consider the other uses for backyard space. You may not have a dog or maybe your children are grown and don’t play on the lawn anymore, but there are other reasons to keep some open space. When friends or family visit, their kids will enjoy some lawn, or when you go to sell, your prospective buyer won’t be discouraged.
Speaking of my own experience, I have very small pool on a very large lot. I don’t heat the pool until we are going to use it, but I can increase the temperature 10 degrees Fahrenheit in one hour with a large gas heater. I spend less than five minutes per week cleaning and treating my swimming pool. I use an Ozonator and 225grams of chlorine per week. I have lots of decking for a patio table and chairs, a few lounges and a few club chairs with foot stools. My pool is nestled into the garden in the back corner of my lot and suits us perfectly!
