A chic pool alternative for small backyards - Yes, we recommend (2023)

FAQs

What can I put in my backyard instead of a pool? ›

When it comes to what shape pool is best for a small yard, freeform pools are very common in small backyards, due to the fact that they allow space for decking, patio furniture, and landscaping options. Small pools can still have many of the features that large pools can have.

The CHIC is a compact, classically styled swimming pool that delivers on multiple levels. It has a crisp, clean look that has understated design brilliance.

People have made temporary pools from beer crates, dumpsters, truck beds, bricks, cardboard and giant tires. Keep in mind that any pool without a filter will become stagnant and can quickly attract mosquitos and other pests, so these alternative pools are best used for a weekend then drained.

Any swimming pool smaller than 12 by 14 feet will probably be too small for swimming, playing, and exercising. Some tiny pools are made specifically for relaxing and cooling off in the summer, but you won't get the traditional inground pool experience with anything smaller than 12x14 (or 400 square feet).

When it comes to construction, take note: Rectangular pools typically cost more than curved pools. The reason why is increased perimeter footage. Rectangles may require more square footage in a backyard. A perfect rectangle provides zero flexibility to incorporate or allow for the intrusion of other structures.

Six to eight people will comfortably share an 18-foot by 36-foot pool. This pool size is spacious for larger groups with enough room for games. Five or fewer people would fit a 16-foot by 32-foot pool. This pool size allows for swimming and casual use.

What is a Small Pool? While the sizes and dimensions of pools vary, anything that's about 10 feet by 10 feet or smaller is typically considered a small pool. In terms of depth, three feet is standard for soaking and floating, and four to five feet and above is the best depth for lap pools. From there, it's up to you.

Most of the smallest in-ground pools across all pool types, on average, are around 12' by 24', 10' by 15', or even a 10' x 10' Spool/Cocktail pool! In-ground pools can be even smaller.

What is the least expensive pool to install? ›

Overall, vinyl liner pools are the cheapest inground swimming pools that money can buy. It's rare to find a pool builder who can build a concrete or fiberglass pool at a vinyl liner pool price.

A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.

Pool building costs can run anywhere from $700 to $125,000, but the overall price is affected by the materials. A concrete pool will cost $35,000 to $65,000, but it will last longer than a vinyl pool, which costs $20,000 to $40,000. Fiberglass is the other option for an inground pool and can cost $20,000 to $60,000.

The main disadvantage of an above-ground pool is that it generally adds no value to your home. They also have some of the same problems as in-ground pools, such as water evaporation and maintenance issues.

A country-style twist on inflatable kiddie pools, they're made using large tanks originally intended to be water troughs for farm livestock. Usually made of galvanized metal, the tanks can be filled with water and hooked up with a filter pump to create an outdoor wading pool.

Apply landscaping fabric around the perimeter. Install a border or edging against the pool wall to keep rocks, mulch, or debris from reaching underneath the pool wall. Place mulch or rocks on top of the landscape fabric. Add a border or edging on the outside edge (boulders, rubber edging, steel, wood, bricks, etc.)

The cheapest and most ecologically sound way to build a swimming pool is simply to hollow a hole in the ground. You can make your pool as shallow or as deep as you want, but the key is to make sure the sides slope: Otherwise the soil will cave in. The ratio should be a 1-foot vertical drop for every 3 horizontal feet.

Not only are smaller pools easier to maintain, but they're less expensive as well. Installation will surely be cheaper, and you'll spend less money on chemicals or tools for maintenance. Plus, a small pool is easier to insulate, so you can keep your pool at the perfect temperature without breaking the bank.

Average Backyard Pool Sizes

A smaller rectangular pool measuring 12 x 24 that reaches 5-feet deep typically holds up to 10,800 gallons of water. A larger 16 x 32-foot pool with 5-feet in depth can hold 19,200 gallons of water. A 20 x 40-foot pool can hold nearly 30,000 gallons of water, on average.

Is a 300 sq ft pool small? ›

What Size is a Small Pool? Most average/mid-size pools are more than 600 square feet. Therefore, when we say “small,” we're referring to pools that are 600 square feet or less.

Cheaper to Maintain

Pool-grade salt also costs a lot less than chlorine and other chemicals that are needed for chlorine pools. So when it comes to day-to-day maintenance, saltwater systems are both easier and cheaper to maintain.

Small pools go by different names: spools, plunge pools, cocktail pools, and wading pools.

A concrete pool has the highest lifetime cost and takes the longest to install (approximately three to six months), but it can be built to any specifications. They are the most difficult to maintain, but they also last the longest.

Generally speaking for both above and inground pools, your pool should be at least 10 feet or more from your house. This rule of thumb goes for any size pool you may be considering.

Because they have lower chlorine levels, saltwater pools are gentler on the eyes and skin. Research indicates that saltwater systems may be safer than chlorine pools, which require pool owners to store and handle harsh chemicals. Saltwater pools produce softer-feeling water, which many find desirable.

As the Chic Style Type, you often choose clothing in black, white, and neutrals, saving color for a bold statement accessory such as an alligator skin purse or a bright red lipstick. In the Chic Style Type's wardrobe you'll find sleek, modern shapes and of-the-moment accessories.

What is lazy pool? ›

Lazy River Pool – Relax and Enjoy Laid-back Time

The circulator generates a slow current (30 – 35m/min.), just enough to allow visitors gently ride along lying on rafts or rubber boats, as if rafting down quiet stream of a river. Because the pool is generally shallow, it is safer for small kids.

These two types of small-surface pool are distinguished mainly by their size. A small pool is one that is between 10m² and 20m², while a mini pool is under 10m².

The most common pool size and shape is a 16 by 32-foot rectangle. That's the minimum size you need for an 8-foot deep end. That gives you 8 feet of the shallow end. Bump up to a 16 by 40-foot pool, and you double your shallow end to 16 feet.

The minimum depth for fun pools, to accommodate kids and adults both, should be three feet and 4-5 feet maximum. The depth and length of the swimming pool should be 5 feet and 25 feet if you want to have swim laps in it.

Pool Size:

Pool Series sizes range from 6'x6' to 16'x16', depending on the model, and are customizable in 1' increments.

If you have children, it's important to offer a large shallow area where they can play safely. For the shallow area, we recommend a depth of between 2.5-3.5ft. The pool should also slope from shallow to deep at a gentle rate, so as to avoid any sudden drops.

Fall or winter pool installations usually offer lower prices, avoid the yearly increase of cost of goods, allow more time for landscaping to grow back, and may be eligible for tax write-offs.

A popular choice is a gunite swimming pool because it is highly durable and it can be created in just about any shape. Gunite pools use a rebar framework that is sprayed over with a concrete and sand mixture. Gunite is exceedingly durable, so swimming pools made of this substance are built to last.

What wish I knew when building a pool? ›

Pools Can Be Big Money Pits

After all, it takes an awful lot of water to keep a pool filled up, and when combined with the heating, cleaning, and maintenance expenses, simply owning a pool can add thousands of dollars to your annual household budget.

Pool Builders Offer Realistic Timelines for Swimming Pool Construction. Most pool projects take, on average, between 8 and 12 weeks, depending on the scope of the project. But many factors can affect your pool building timeline, including the time of year you plan to build among other things.

Save as much as $7,500 on an average project, and as much as $25,000 or more on a high-end project. Here's what we do that helps you keep that savings in your pocket, while you get the same or better pool that you would get from most pool companies. You can schedule your own pool faster than pool companies.

If you still have electricity, you can use a robotic pool cleaner or a submersible pump to clean, move and circulate the water. If you are without power, grab your pool brush!

Natural pools rely on filters and moving water to do all the heavy lifting. Natural pools are constructed with walls or membranes that keep out soil and silt. They can be created from scratch or converted from an existing in-ground pool system.

Apply landscaping fabric around the perimeter. Install a border or edging against the pool wall to keep rocks, mulch, or debris from reaching underneath the pool wall. Place mulch or rocks on top of the landscape fabric. Add a border or edging on the outside edge (boulders, rubber edging, steel, wood, bricks, etc.)

Want to truly simulate open water swimming? Don't use the wall. Instead, use the lines on the bottom of the pool to signal when it's time to turn. Practicing without the wall will help you better understand how to turn in open water if you need to redirect yourself throughout the race.

Can a pool sit without water? ›

How long can a pool stay empty. As much as possible, a swimming pool should remain empty only for as long as needed! Once the repairs are done then it should be refilled and rebalanced immediately. Most major pool repairs only need a few days, a week at the maximum to complete.

To keep the pool clean without a filter, it is necessary to use chlorine with a flocculant or to use a flocculant chemical. This product groups the impurities that float in the water, causing them to fall to the bottom of the pool so that they can be removed later with a cleaner.

The cheapest and most ecologically sound way to build a swimming pool is simply to hollow a hole in the ground. You can make your pool as shallow or as deep as you want, but the key is to make sure the sides slope: Otherwise the soil will cave in. The ratio should be a 1-foot vertical drop for every 3 horizontal feet.

Do They Attract Mosquitoes? Since natural swimming pools have constant moving water, they are almost completely mosquito-free (mosquitoes prefer standing water).

Sprinkle white vinegar or ammonia around the pool area.

At night, just before going to bed, sprinkle white vinegar or ammonia around the area of the pool. Snakes absorb liquids through their skin and won't cross a line of either liquid.

Use rock rather than mulch in planting beds.

If possible, refrain from using mulch in planting beds in close proximity to the pool. Mulch can be displaced rather easily and, if used near the pool, will inevitably end up in the water. Save yourself the hassle by using decorative rock or gravel in its place.

Concrete or Pavers

Concrete patios are a dependable and easy-to-care for addition with your swimming pool. You can achieve a clean and uncluttered look that is sure to last a very long time. Paver patios are a perfect way to get a truly unique and elegant landscape.

First being that the crushed stone acts as a barrier from letting hard rains to penetrate underneath the pool wall and deteriorate the base. Second is that having crushed stone against the wall instead of dirt will allow water to dissipate and dry quicker.