We’ve told Santa we’ve been looking at inground pools for next year, and I think he’s going to deliver. We’re amazed at all the cool features available, and our friends with pools have told us how great tanning ledges are. Since we love both the sun and the water, it seems like a great option for us. Can you give us the lowdown and some recommendations on an inground pool with a tanning ledge?
Your friends are right. Tanning ledges are killer. If you like the concept of “the best of both worlds,” an inground pool with a tanning ledge is for you. They give you the ability to enjoy the nice, cool water while still soaking up the rays. They’re also a perfect spot for the kids to play, in just enough water to cool off and still stay well within your sight. Additionally, they’re great for old guys (like me, for example) to get in and out of the water without navigating a bunch of big steps. Tanning ledges are available for most inground pools. (To the best of my knowledge, they’re not available for above-ground pools.)
The tips that follow are from lessons learned through conversations I have had with homeowners, installers and manufacturers of inground pools with a tanning ledge along with my own experience over the years. Bear in mind that you need to use a company that is well versed with tanning ledges, wading depth pools, fountains, benches, bubblers, all building codes, safety codes, and structural techniques. That said, let’s take a look at tanning ledge options for vinyl liner pools, gunite pools and fiberglass pools so you can decide what’s the best pool for you.
Today’s vinyl liner pools have many different configurations of ledges, steps, corner seats, benches and wading depths that at one time were thought to be impossible. So, if you’re feeling like a vinyl liner pool is for you, a tanning ledge is possible, but you need to be aware of some issues:
If your budget is unlimited, then the sky’s the limit for how you can configure the shape and size of your tanning ledge on a gunite pool. Gunite pools are completely customizable. If you’re feeling like gunite is the pool for you, here are some things to think about when it comes to gunite:
For me, a fiberglass pool with a tanning ledge is the best bet. Fiberglass pools with a tanning ledge have come a long way over the last few years and manufacturers of offer many sizes and configurations of tanning ledges. Here’s what I think is great about them:
So, in summary, when it comes to the question of an inground pool with a tanning ledge, my answer is a resounding YES. Especially because I consider durability, affordability and safety. So, Happy Holidays. Tell Santa you’ve narrowed down your wish list, and you’d like an inground fiberglass pool with a tanning ledge. You’ll be loving the ledge life before you know it.
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