Planning your dream pool

When most people picture a dream home, one of the first things that comes to mind, apart from a sprawling mansion, is usually a swimming pool, perhaps with a waterfall or vanishing edge.

If you are planning on making at least part of your dream come true, by adding or perhaps just updating an existing pool, there are many factors that should be taken into account. If you are adding a pool, you will need to choose a location, and working with your pool contractor, come up with a theme or concept, and a design for both the pool and its immediate surroundings. In addition, there are several other items that need to be added to the checklist, including obtaining any necessary planning approvals and choosing the best equipment for your type of pool (eg pumps, filters, heaters and lights).

Considerations for an outdoor pool

Outdoor pools come into their own in the summer and offer a cool escape from the heat, but the location of the pool requires careful consideration. A south-facing site is preferable, as it will catch the early spring and late autumn sun, extending its period of use. Somewhere that is sheltered from the wind is also preferable, and if you have children, a spot that facilitates their supervision is advisable.

Considerations for an indoor pool

Indoor pools, on the other hand, offer you year-round use, whatever the weather outside, and afford complete privacy. They also require less maintenance, including less chemical intervention, and are easier to control in terms of temperature. In addition, they do not need to be covered, although some pool owners prefer to do so to further reduce maintenance and heat loss.

If you are simply looking for a pool in which you can relax and cool off, or for therapeutic purposes, a full-size pool is not a necessity. If, however you want a pool to swim and exercise in, then you will need a larger pool. And if space is limited, but you want to exercise and swim, you could always opt for a smaller pool with a counter-current unit so that you can ‘swim on the spot’, against the current.

Equipment and materials

There is a choice of materials to be made, too, which can be limited by your chosen design. For example, do you want a pool that is rectangular or free-form? Do you want a sloped or flat, bottomed pool ? You can opt for a tiled pool which, although more costly, will last and is pleasing on the eye. Or maybe concrete blocks and a liner, which is less expensive but less durable. To ensure that you get a swimming pool that looks like the one you pictured in your dreams, it is advisable to work with a long-established, reputable pool design and construction company that can guide you through the entire process.

Whether you are building your dream pool, or refurbishing an existing one, you will need to think about the heating and filtration systems too. The latest breed of heating systems use heat re-purposed from the outside air, via an Air Source Heat Pump, to heat the water in the pool. In principle, they work in the reverse sense to a fridge. A filter pump will be required to circulate and filter the water in the pool. Traditionally, single-speed pumps were used, but these can be noisy, making it impractical to leave them running overnight, resulting in increased levels of bacteria, requiring more chlorine. Variable-speed pumps are now available, which can run at a lower speed for a longer period of time. Not only do they help reduce noise, but help the filter to work more effectively, which increases its lifespan. In addition, since they have more efficient motors that can be set to run at the optimum speed, variable speed pumps will also save you the most on your energy bill compared to other pumps.

In summary

If your pool is to be located outdoors, and you wish to close it down over winter without emptying it, you will also need a frost thermostat. Using a variable-speed pump enables you to have it run at the lowest speed required to prevent the water from freezing, when triggered by the thermostat, should the temperature drop to say two or three degrees Celsius. This helps to minimise energy costs.

Whether the pool is large or small, indoors or in the garden, providing you consider all the necessary design elements, your pool is likely to be the focal point of many happy memories for you, your family, and your friends, for many years to come.

At London Swimming Pool Company, we specialise in swimming pool design, construction, refurbishment and servicing, so if you need advice on any of these services, contact us for an initial discussion – there’s no substitute for expert advice.