table of contents
- In advance: available capital
- Property size
- Determine size: consider pool shape
- Recommended pool depth
- Number of users
- Pool size: purpose
- Don't forget: pool size and maintenance
- frequently asked Questions
A pool is something beautiful. If you want to add this luxury to your property, the right pool size is essential. With these 7 steps you can determine the perfect size of the pool.
In a nutshell
- no size should be chosen that exceeds the budget
- the pool size should not fill the space too much
- the pool shape affects the final size of the
- The number of people who use it regularly determines the width of the pool
- the purpose of the pool should be considered for the perfect pool size
In advance: available capital
If you want to install a whirlpool next to the actual pool, you should definitely include this in the cost calculation. An outdoor hot tub can add significantly to the price of the project. The prices differ significantly from the type of pool:
- Pool to set up: 100 to 2,500 euros (depending on material and size)
- Recessed pool: from 7,000 euros
Of course, the prices can fluctuate even more because you ultimately decide on the material, size and type of pool. This is exactly why it is so important that you think about your budget in advance. If you have a set maximum amount that you can spend on the pool, you shouldn't exceed it. Preferably, you should lower this further so that you have something left over in the event of problems.
Note: If you have problems with the cost statement, you should ask a specialist company for advice. He will not only realize the pool for you, but also list the costs that will result from the project.
Property size
Just as you shouldn't go over budget, the size of your property is important to the ideal size of the pool. Since you probably won't have a lot of space to spend on forever, you should think carefully about the maximum size you want your pool to be. For example, if your garden is an average of 300 square feet, it shouldn't exceed 75 cubic feet in volume. That corresponds to 25 percent of the property, which still leaves you enough space.
Determine size: consider pool shape
To be able to find the perfect size of the pool, one of the best methods is to get the shape you want. Each pool shape has a different effect on size, which you should consider accordingly in order to achieve the best result. The site shape, the rectangle, is particularly common. Angular and resembling a large tub, this pool shape is available in a variety of standard sizes that you will come across on the market:
- 600 cm x 300 cm
- 600 cm x 400 cm
- 700 cm x 300 cm
- 700 cm x 400 cm
- 800 cm x 400 cm
- 900 cm x 400 cm
- 1,000 cm x 400 cm
On average, these have a volume of 20 to 50 cubic meters and can be found in numerous gardens. The rectangle is the simplest and at the same time cheapest shape, as it is angular and can therefore be implemented without great effort. But there are other shapes that determine the pool size:
- oval
- around
- kidney shaped
If a pool is oval, the corners are rounded, which saves space. So you can still order a typical 800 x 400 centimeter basin that is no longer square. You can use an oval if the size should not deviate from the rectangle, but the corners steal too much space. If, on the other hand, it is round, the width and length no longer work, since only the diameter is decisive here. If the basin is to be round, select it according to your wishes. It is different with kidney-shaped and special pools. These do not adhere to the classic shapes and must therefore be planned very carefully. A kidney-shaped pool, for example, has a curve or a narrowed portion that gives them more space in one place and removes them in the other. Lanes of up to ten meters can still be implemented very well.
Recommended pool depth
In addition to the length and width, the depth is of course an important point in relation to the dimensions. Since the pool shape has only a minor effect on this, there are some dimensions that are available for most pools on private property. These are used for numerous standard models that you can find on the market and are mainly used for the swimming area. If you want to integrate pelvic areas at different depths, these can be deeper or shallower. The standard dimensions are:
- Recommended minimum depth: 135 cm
- comfortable depth: 150 cm
These measurements are recommendations for use in pools in which you plan to swim. If you only want a paddling pool, depths of 30 to 60 centimeters are perfectly adequate. In most cases, these just need to be deep enough for children and adults to sit down and use the water to relax. Of course, the water can be even deeper, just as you like it. If your family includes seniors who want to use the swimming pool regularly, you should definitely go over the minimum depth of 135 cm. 150 cm are to be mentioned here, because these allow older people to spend relaxing time in the water without putting too much stress on their joints.
Number of users
One of the classic methods of choosing the right pool size is the number of people who will use the pool together on a regular basis. The following applies here: the more people use the pool at the same time, the wider it should be. In this way, they offer enough space for a single person to ride a train, which is particularly recommended in larger families. You can orientate yourself on the following values:
- Width for 1 person: min. 250 cm
- Width for 2 people: min. 400 cm
- Length: from 800 cm
These determine the recommended width for a pool in your own garden and help to determine not only the dimensions but also the shape of the pool more precisely. If you want to use the pool specifically for swimming, these dimensions are essential and are often used for the standard pool designs. If there are more than two lanes, another two meters should be added for each lane. But keep in mind that this will quickly change the size and may no longer fit into your garden. In this case it would be advisable to swim one after the other, because a pool from six meters wide can cost a lot of money or use up space. Pools that are specifically designed for relaxing or splashing around don't have to be so strictly aligned with these values.
Tip: Especially with a large family, it is important to rely on a much broader pool. In this way, the entire family, including friends and acquaintances, can use the pool without any space problems.
Pool size: purpose
It is not just the number and age of people that are decisive in determining the optimal pool size. The real purpose of the pool is important and all too often overlooked. Not everyone builds a pool solely for relaxation, which needs to be taken into account. For this reason, you should look specifically at what you want to use the pool for. There are a variety of uses that should be considered when planning:
- Relaxation
- for playing or for large families
- as a natural pool
- for swimmers or divers
For example, if you swim extensively, you should not choose the pool size too small. For such a purpose, you should specifically build a so-called swim lane. This is a swimming pool that is not as wide, but much longer. The lengths of these start at ten meters and, depending on the available budget and the size of the property, can go up to 50 meters. On average, 15, 25 or 30 meters are chosen. A relaxation or family pool should be sized using the steps already mentioned. A relaxation pool can usually be a bit smaller compared to the family pool. It is completely different with the natural pool. The following points apply to this:
- Recommended minimum depth: 150 to 250 cm
- Recommended size: from 35 m³
- Pool shape is only marginally important
Such pools are also known under the term swimming pond. If you have decided on this variant, the swimming pool should not be too small, otherwise the water will be difficult to clean itself. In this case, you would have to pay more attention to cleaning or install appropriate devices that do the work for you. A pool for diving is particularly rare. Since you are building these down, you need to decide on a depth that is necessary. A deeper diving pool than necessary increases costs immensely and can have a negative effect on the structure.
Don't forget: pool size and maintenance
An important point in planning the ideal pool size is maintenance. You need to clean your pool, prepare for winter or refill completely. It is also necessary to check components such as the pump regularly so that there are no problems with the water circuit. These points will affect the final size of your pool. The reasons for this are the maintenance effort and the costs, which also increase due to the size of the pool and the adjoining terrace. If your swimming pool is solely for relaxation or family use, a smaller size is a good idea if you don't want to spend too much time, money, and effort on maintenance. Mini pools and swimming ponds in particular are very easy to maintain.
frequently asked Questions
If you are planning a swimming pool, a building permit from a volume of 50 cubic meters is required. This means that all sizes below this value can be implemented without any problems. It doesn't even matter which type of pool is chosen. All pools larger than 50 cubic meters require a permit, which you apply to the responsible office. A fee must be paid for the permit, the cost of which differs in each municipality.
The answer here is clearly no. Children should not play or swim in the pool without supervision, at the same time they grow very quickly and after a few years the pool is no longer too deep. It just wouldn't be worth reducing the pool depth because as a teenager or young adult, normal depth is needed to be able to swim in a relaxed manner. A comfortable depth should be selected, especially if several generations live in your household.
A countercurrent swimming system is a device that creates a current in the pool that allows swimming on the spot. It is often used by swimmers to train effectively even in smaller pools. For this reason, you should think about purchasing such a system if your pool cannot exceed a length of six meters due to lack of space.
Every swimming pool has a terrace, the size of which depends on various factors. As for the pool, this must be adapted according to use and equipment. This includes, for example, the possibility of sunbathing, setting up planters or a privacy screen, as well as placing a table for several people. It is best to take the size of the terrace into account when planning the pool.
When you have decided on the final pool size, all you have to do is order the pool or build it yourself. Autumn has established itself as the ideal time for this project. Reasons for this appointment are the end of the bathing season and the main work in the garden. If the pool is built in autumn, the swimming pool can be used immediately for the coming season. There is no time pressure here.