Indoor or outdoor pool? What to consider

Choosing between an indoor or outdoor swimming pool is an important decision with both offering different experiences. In this blog, we will look at the key points that you will need to consider ensuring that you not only build the pool of your dreams but end up with a pool that best suits your needs.

As with any swimming pool project, the first questions you should ask yourself are, why do I want a pool, how long and how often do I envisage using my pool during the year and how much is it likely to cost?

For most people, installing a pool guarantees an excellent space to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle as well as a relaxing area for family and friends to enjoy. An indoor pool tends to be a slightly more private project whereas an outdoor pool lends itself to be more social as it involves the whole surrounding garden space where you can entertain.

When looking at choosing either an indoor or outdoor pool for maximum usage, an indoor pool is generally much more usable all year round although if you do choose the outdoor option, it is possible to extend your pool use by installing an attractive pool enclosure during the winter period.

Indoor pools often offer complete climate control, which can make it easy to maintain a comfortable pool temperature no matter what time of the year it is and without worrying about the weather. Garden pools are ideal for those who love to be outdoors and wish to create an oasis for entertaining and relaxing away from the house.

From a budget point of view, building an outdoor pool is less expensive than an indoor pool because you do not have to worry about installing a ventilation unit which is essential for an indoor pool.

In general, choosing to build an indoor pool is normally part of a bigger building project. When you are planning a new build property an indoor pool is something you can plan in beforehand. Similarly, if major refurbishments are about to be made to an existing property, then this would be an ideal time to think about an indoor pool.

It is typical for an indoor pool within a new build or property refurbishment to take around 12 to 18 months to complete. Generally, there will be a major contractor on site who will oversee the total build including demolishing/preparing the ground and excavating a basement. As such, the actual pool construction will be part of the overall process and therefore will take a while to complete as the pool contractor has to work around other elements of the project.

Building an outdoor pool is much quicker, on average three months, as it is an individual process not involving additional property work. If access to your garden is easily accessible there will be little disruption to your house and daily routine. When installing a pool outdoors, you typically have more space available for design and construction which means you’ll be able to build a bigger pool or install a larger pool leisure area.

It is possible to build an indoor pool within the same timescale (three months) but this would be dependent on the pool construction being carried out without any other project involvement.

In terms of space considerations, both types of pool will need a plant room and it is worth bearing in mind that an indoor pool plant room needs to be larger than an outdoor one because indoor pools must be built with a ventilation unit.

It has become popular for indoor pools to be constructed with a movable floor built into the base of the pool. The movable floor quickly turns the pool room into a multi-use space because the pool vanishes when the movable floor is raised to surface level. It is also possible to install a movable floor in an outdoor pool which will give you more garden space when the floor is raised. The movable floor is a super secure pool cover and on an outdoor pool will help to reduce evaporation during the day and heat loss at night.

Running costs for outdoor and indoor pools are also a consideration when making your choice on which to install. The cost of running an outdoor pool is generally cheaper than an indoor pool as you are likely to use your indoor pool all year round. It is wise to budget to have professional service on either type of pool once a week or every two weeks to keep it in tip-top condition.

Ultimately, the choice between indoor and outdoor pools should be based on factors such as your budget, property situation, personal preferences, and intended usage. Once you have made that decision, the next step is to conduct research into reputable pool contractors and book your consultation. Good luck!

At London Swimming Pool Company we specialise in swimming pool maintenance, servicing and refurbishment, so if you have a pool that’s in need of regular maintenance or a facelift, contact us for an initial discussion. There’s no substitute for expert advice. If you have an older swimming pool that needs upgrading, we suggest planning your refurbishment for the autumn, so all the work is done and dusted before the next swimming season.