Summer swelter is here, and when the hot sun beams fourteen hours a day, what home amenity delivers more satisfaction than a backyard swimming pool? Pools provide relief from the heat,  entertainment and recreation, and a soothing ambiance of sight and sound. For our custom home clients who decide to include a pool, we assist with placement, design, installation, and  integration into the outdoor living space. When you’re thinking that it’s pool time, there are some important design considerations that can help you decide which style of inground pool is right for your property.

Do you prefer an organic or angular shape? Perhaps your home’s architecture can lend a hand. Traditional Georgian homes, modern farmhouses, and contemporary homes may clash with a curvy, meandering pool. A rectangular design may complement the architecture better. However, weigh this against your desired uses. Rectangular pools are typically better for activities like swimming laps or playing pool volleyball, but curved pools can better provide a sense of leisure, with integrated benches, solar ledges, and private “nooks.”

Regarding depth, the deeper the pool, the larger it  will need to be to maintain a gentle slope from the shallow section. Deeper pools require more excavation, concrete/plaster, and potentially larger pumps. We recommend that the average backyard pool be no deeper than seven feet. Steeply sloped backyards make for a challenging pool project. Remember that retaining walls and imported/exported earth are expensive. Most people prefer easy access and visibility from their home’s living space to the pool. If you have a high foundation on the back of the house, instead of one long staircase, consider a terraced hardscape design that leads from finished floor level down to a patio or landing area, then down farther to the pool deck.

Enjoy an extended usable season and the relaxing sound of a spillway with a heated spa that spills into and partially heats the pool. For spa placement, the closer it is to the house, the more likely you are to use it in colder weather. However, placing it on the opposite side of the pool from the house allows you to enjoy the spillway from the back porch or patio.

Because of its design flexibility, durability, and beauty, the most widely used construction method is a cast-in-place concrete pool finished with decorative plaster. Pool plaster comes in a variety of colors and textures, like a pebble or quartz-exposed aggregate upgraded finish. To achieve Caribbean  aquamarine water, lighter colored plaster should be selected. For a darker, natural appearance, stone-colored plaster may be desired. Also keep in mind that control of color-changing lighting, spa heating, and fountain pumps are all remote and even app controlled.

Most importantly, ensure that your pool is properly permitted, approved by appropriate inspection personnel, fenced in per code, and bonded for electrical safety. For custom home or renovation consultation, give us a call.