Beach Entry or Tanning Ledge? Choosing a Fiberglass Pool Design for Your Lifestyle

Perhaps you have always loved the aesthetic of a zero-entry pool, but you have heard it takes up too much space, so you’re also considering a tanning ledge fiberglass pool design. Choosing between a beach-entry fiberglass pool design or one with a tanning ledge for your backyard is not just about building a pool. It’s about building your home life. A place where you’ll drink your coffee in the morning, splash with your kids at noon, and watch the sunset over rippling water. The choice isn’t about which one is more luxurious—both are. Think about your lifestyle and imagine the moments you’ll create. Here’s how each option shapes up and how you can decide.

 

What’s a Beach Entry?

A beach entry is just what it sounds like—a gentle slope into the water that starts at zero depth. It’s like stepping into the ocean, except the sand doesn’t come home with you. The beach entry portion of the pool gradually slopes from 0 inches at the edge to approximately 18 inches deep, where it transitions into the main swim area. The water comes up to you around nine to twelve inches near the end of the downslope.

 

Why You’ll Love It

• Natural, Easy Access: Whether you’re five or seventy-five, descending into the water feels effortless and welcoming. It’s particularly great for families with young children or older adults.
• Built for Togetherness: The gradual slope creates a large wading area where kids can splash, friends can gather, and you can sit and relax without fully submerging yourself.
• A Resort in Your Backyard: A beach entry evokes a high-end, vacation-like vibe, perfect for turning your backyard into a private escape.

 

What’s a Tanning Ledge?

A tanning ledge is a flat, shallow platform—about 12 inches deep—designed for lounging. With no slope, the water comes up to you around six to eight inches across the whole ledge.

 

Why You’ll Love It

• Relaxation Central: The tanning ledge is a dedicated space for sunbathing or unwinding with a book and a cool drink.
• Keeps Swim Space Open: Unlike a beach entry, the tanning ledge is compact, preserving most of the pool for swimming, games, or floating.
• Versatile for Families with All-Aged Children: It’s great for sunbathing and for small children to play while you keep an eye on them. At the same time, it leaves a larger open space for the active swimmers.

 

Grace and Aspen: Modeling the Differences

The Grace and Aspen pool designs from Thursday Pools can help illustrate how these two shallow-end features work. Both are rectangular, beautifully designed fiberglass pools with identical dimensions—16 feet wide, 40 feet long, and a deep end of 5 feet, 10 inches. The key difference? The shallow end.

 

Feature	Grace (Beach Entry)	Aspen (Tanning Ledge)
Design Specs
Shallow End Design	Gradual slope from 0 inches to ~18 inches	Flat platform, ~12 inches deep
Swim Space	Reduced due to slope	Larger area for active swimming
Relaxation Zone	Large wading area	Compact, dedicated lounging space
Overall Mood	Resort-like, luxurious	Modern elegance with practicality

 

Your Pool, Your Story

How will you use your pool? A beach entry is ideal if your vision includes young kids splashing in the shallows while grandparents dip their toes. Its gradual slope creates a shared space for play and relaxation that everyone can enjoy. On the other hand, if you prefer defined spaces for different activities, like lounging on a tanning ledge while others swim freely, the tanning ledge offers more structure. It keeps the deep end wide open while providing a relaxing spot.

 

The mood you want to set can also guide your choice. A beach-entry pool creates a resort-like atmosphere that feels luxurious and relaxed. This pool type is perfect for homeowners who want their backyard to feel like a private vacation spot. Meanwhile, a pool with a tanning ledge blends sleek practicality with a stylish aesthetic. This pool design delivers a polished, contemporary look and fits beautifully into a contemporary backyard.

 

The Final Word: Build the Life You Imagine

Here’s the truth: it’s not really about the beach entry or the tanning ledge. It’s about the memories you’ll create and the life you’ll live around your pool. Either way, you’re not just choosing a pool feature. You’re choosing how you’ll spend your mornings, your weekends, and your summers for years to come. Are you ready to stop debating and start creating? Your pool is waiting for you.  Schedule a design consultation with a dealer today.