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Category: Inground Pool Shapes

Choosing an Inground Pool Shape for Your Family’s Stage in Life

Posted on by krista

Selecting the right  inground pool shape goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about creating a space that fits your family’s lifestyle and stage in life. Whether you are a couple looking for a serene escape or grandparents seeking a safe and accessible pool design, your pool shape can impact its functionality and appeal. Explore inground pool shapes tailored to different family types, ensuring a cherished spot for relaxation, fun, and a lifetime of memories.

 

Families with Small Children

Families with small children need a pool that prioritizes safety, easy access, and designated shallow areas for play. A well-designed pool for young kids ensures peace of mind for parents and creates a fun and inviting space where children can safely enjoy the water as they grow and gain confidence in their swimming skills.

Key Considerations:

  1. Safety First: Shallow zones, non-slip surfaces, and secure access points are crucial.
  2. Visibility: The pool shape should allow clear sightlines for parents to keep an eye on the kids.
  3. Multi-Level Play Areas: Zones with varying depths cater to toddlers, beginner swimmers, and older children alike.

Thursday Pools Diamond Grace Beach Entry poolRecommended Pool Shapes:

  1. Beach Entry Pool: The gradual, sloping entry mimics the feel of a beach, providing an ideal play area for small children. It allows them to enter the water slowly and safely, perfect for toddlers and young kids just getting comfortable in the water. With a gentle slope into the pool, the beach entry is ideal for wading, splashing, and sunbathing.
  2. Wading Pool: A wading pool features a shallow, uniform depth, making it an excellent space for young children to play and for adults to relax. It provides a perfect environment for toddlers and pets, offering peace of mind with its shallow water (typically around 18 inches deep). Look for a non-slip surface and built-in benches for easy supervision.
  3. Rectangular Pool: The simple rectangular-shaped pool allows for easy oversight, and a built-in tanning ledge is a perfect spot for small children to splash and play. A defined shallow area is great for play or for parents to relax close to the kids.

Families with Teenage Children

Families with teenagers need a pool that matches their active lifestyle and provides ample space for fun and socializing. From swimming laps to playing water games and lounging with friends, the right pool shape can turn your backyard into the ultimate hangout spot for teens and their friends while ensuring safety.

Key Considerations:

  1. Active Lifestyle: Teenagers often enjoy active water activities like swimming, water games, or just lounging in the pool with friends.
  2. Space for Socializing: The pool should comfortably accommodate groups of friends, with areas for swimming and hanging out.
  3. Safety Considerations: Ensure the design includes proper depth transitions for safe enjoyment.

Thursday Pools Monolith in MayaRecommended Pool Shapes:

  1. Rectangular Pool: Rectangular pools offer plenty of space for swimming laps, water sports, and general relaxation. The shape is versatile for various activities and may include tanning ledges for lounging and socializing, as well as built-in steps and swim-outs for easy entry and exit.
  2. Freeform Pool: Freeform pools are natural and playful, perfect for a fun and relaxed environment. The shape features curved edges that create nooks for relaxation while still offering ample swimming space. Tanning ledges, built-in steps, and wraparound benches enhance their aesthetic and functional value.
  3. Spa: Adding a spa to a pool creates a perfect relaxation zone for teenagers and their parents. It’s an ideal space for resting after an active swim or quiet conversation.

Couples

For couples, a pool is often more than just a place to swim—it’s a retreat for peace, romance, and entertaining close friends. The ideal pool shape should prioritize aesthetics, tranquility, and a touch of luxury, creating a serene environment that enhances the atmosphere of your home while catering to intimate gatherings and quiet moments.

Key Considerations:Thursday Pools Pearl in Maya

  1. Relaxation: Couples often prioritize tranquility, aesthetics, and space for quiet, romantic moments.
  2. Entertaining Small Groups: The pool should provide ample space for socializing.
  3. Elegant Design: A focus on style and elegance with mood-enhancing features.

Recommended Pool Shapes:

  1. Roman Pool: The classic Roman pool shape offers a touch of elegance with its symmetrical design and rounded ends. It provides ample swimming space with a refined, sophisticated look. Elevate the experience with a tanning ledge, wraparound benches, and built-in steps.
  2. Freeform Pool: A freeform pool offers a more organic and flowing design, perfect for creating a tranquil and romantic environment. Its natural, curving shape blends seamlessly into the landscape, adding a sense of elegance and serenity. Tanning ledges, wraparound benches, and built-in steps are perfect for conversation and relaxation.
  3. Rectangular Pool: The sleek and straightforward rectangular pool design makes it a versatile and sophisticated option for couples. This shape is perfect for swimming laps or simply enjoying a quiet, reflective swim. Clean lines create a modern aesthetic, and options for swim-outs, tanning ledges, and built-in steps add form and function.
  4. Spa: Spas provide an intimate space for relaxation and hydrotherapy, making them a great addition to any pool area. They offer a perfect spot for couples to unwind, soak in the warm water, and experience the therapeutic benefits of jets, enriching the overall ambiance of the backyard retreat.

Grandparents

Grandparents often seek a safe pool that is easy to access and designed for relaxation and family bonding. With a focus on gentle entry points and versatile spaces, the perfect pool shape allows grandparents to enjoy light exercise, cool off on warm days, and spend quality time with grandchildren in a safe and comfortable environment.

Key Considerations:

  1. Ease of Access: Safety and ease of entry/exit are top priorities, with designs considering limited mobility.
  2. Low Maintenance: Simple designs that are easy to maintain and clean.
  3. Relaxation and Family Time: A focus on relaxation with areas for grandchildren to play safely.

Thursday Pools Wellspring with Round SpaRecommended Pool Shapes:

  1. Freeform Pool: The freeform’s gentle curves are ideal for creating a relaxing environment with designated areas for both lounging and safe play. Beneficial features include non-skid surfaces, easy entry and exit with built-in steps, swim-outs, and enough space for gentle swimming.
  2. Wading Pool: Shallow, versatile pools for relaxing, light exercise, or letting grandchildren splash safely. It’s perfect for older adults who want a low-impact space to enjoy the water. Features often include uniform shallow depth, non-skid surfaces, and benches.
  3. Beach Entry Pool: The gradual, sloping entry makes it exceptionally easy to get in and out, catering to all mobility levels. It’s perfect for grandparents and young grandchildren alike, providing an accessible space. The gentle slope mimics the beach feeling and allows for sunbathing, wading, and safe play.
  4. Spa: A spa’s hydrotherapy benefits often appeal to grandparents. The warm water and soothing jets help relieve joint pain and promote relaxation, making it an ideal spot for unwinding.

Get the Right Shape For Your Family: Consult a Pool Builder

Choosing a pool shape brings you one step to creating your dream pool and enjoying many memories with your loved ones. In no time, you’ll look out your window and won’t even be able to remember what your yard looked like before your fabulous new pool.

If you need help selecting a shape, contact a local pool builder. Their years of experience designing pool projects and insights from countless backyards can offer invaluable guidance. Get a  design consultation today from an independent Thursday Pools dealer.



What’s the Lowdown on Tanning Ledges

Posted on by krista

The Lowdown on Tanning Ledges

 

It’s easy to get excited about the variety of available features as you explore  inground pools. Built-ins add to the pool’s luxurious feeling, from wrap-around benches to swim-outs to tanning ledges. Because  inground pool costs vary depending on the pool type and features, you may choose one pool type over another based on the price and availability of a particular feature. If a tanning ledge tops your priority list, compare the different pool types.

 

Tanning Ledges

 

Why People Love Tanning Ledges

 

If you like the concept of “the best of both worlds,” an inground pool with a tanning ledge may be just what the doctor ordered. They allow you to enjoy the cool water while still soaking up the sun’s 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 getting in and out of the water without the need to navigate steps. Tanning ledges are available for all inground pool types. 

 

Based on conversations with homeowners, installers, and manufacturers, along with our own experience, choosing a company skilled in installing pool features such as tanning ledges is essential. They should also know the technique, building, and safety codes. That said, let’s take a look at tanning ledge options for vinyl liner pools, gunite pools, and fiberglass pools so you can decide which pool type is the best for you.

 

Tanning Ledges in Vinyl Liner Pools

 

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, it is possible if you’re feeling like a vinyl pool with a tanning ledge, but you should be aware of the following issues: 

  1. Durability is a concern. One of the biggest joys of a tanning ledge is the ability to put a ledge lounging chair on it for maximum water-to-sun relaxation potential. The biggest problem with a vinyl-lined tanning ledge is the chance of poking a hole or tearing the liner. Also, a tanning ledge on a vinyl liner pool is not a great spot to share with your pet. Dog claws can cause vinyl liner wear and tear (literally).
  2. Safety measures must be taken. Vinyl liner pools have the propensity to attract algae and become slippery. So, if you’re looking for a tanning ledge as an easy landing pad on the way into and out of the pool, be advised to use extra caution and frequently brush the ledge.
  3. Water weight is critical. Depth of water is crucial to hold a vinyl liner in place. The shallow water of a tanning ledge area may not carry enough weight to keep your liner in place. Getting the corners to pull in without ballooning or wrinkling can be very difficult.

 

Tanning Ledges in Gunite (Concrete) Pools

 

If your budget is unlimited, then the sky’s the limit for configuring the shape and size of your tanning ledge pool. Gunite pools are entirely customizable. If you’re feeling like gunite is the pool for you, here are some things to think about when it comes to your tanning ledge:

  1. They’re durable but can be costly. Gunite pools are highly durable, so there’s very little chance of damage to the pool surface with ledge loungers. However, in the Midwest especially, gunite pools are costly and tanning ledges are an extra expense.
  2. They can be high maintenance. There can be a lot of problems with plaster finishes, and in climates that require winterization, the tanning ledges should be tiled or painted (so make sure you take that into consideration when you’re planning).
  3. They’re safe (to the point of tough love). You won’t have to worry about slipping on the surface of your gunite pool’s tanning ledge. The plaster finish on a gunite pool is non-skid. However, it can be rough on the feet and paws and can snag your swimsuit.

 

Tanning Ledges in Fiberglass Pools

 

Fiberglass pools have come a long way over the last few years, and manufacturers offer many  sizes and configurations for tanning ledges. Here are reasons why fiberglass tanning ledges are so great: 

  1. Extreme durability. Innovations in fiberglass pool manufacturing provide integrated structural support, so they are highly durable.
  2. Affordability. Particularly in the Midwest, a fiberglass pool with a tanning ledge will be much less expensive than a custom gunite pool with one. That is because the tanning ledge is already built into the fiberglass design.
  3. Non-slip (but gentle on feet and paws). The surface of a fiberglass pool is a gel coat finish that’s the ideal combination of elegance, durability, and smoothness. Of course, everyone needs to be careful when entering and exiting any pool, but it’s the best you’re going to find for combined comfort and safety.

 

Love The Ledge Life

 

Adding a tanning ledge to your inground pool can significantly enhance your pool experience by offering a perfect spot for relaxation, play, and easy access. However, weighing the pros and cons of each pool type is essential to determine which best suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Whether you prioritize safety, cost, or design flexibility, a tanning ledge can be a fantastic addition that brings enjoyment, style, and functionality to your pool space. Check out some of the  best fiberglass tanning ledge designs and book a  design consultation for detailed cost information.