Tips to keep in mind when building a pool

Now that the good weather is approaching, the idea of having a pool is on the mind of more than one person, right? And it is that, whether private or shared, a pool allows us to spend the summer heat in a much more pleasant way.

Swimming pools do not go out of style because their advantages are multiple, evident and enduring over time. Taking a dip on a very hot day is possibly the most important advantage (or, at least, the one we all appreciate the most residential pool plans.

Of course, Despite the fact that swimming pools do not go out of style, trends do change with respect to their design, construction, benefits... For this reason, we bring you different tips to take into account when building a swimming pool.

Tips for building a pool

If you are thinking of adding a pool to your home, hotel or campsite, among others, we give you some tips to keep in mind when building it.

Location

Before carrying out the construction of a swimming pool, we have to be clear about its location. And it is that a pool is not like a piece of furniture... You cannot change its location whenever you feel like it!

Therefore, it is important to be clear about your purpose to build the pool in an ideal location. Locating it in an area with maximum sun exposure, not only in hot weather, will increase its comfort and hours of use.

On the other hand, whether it is a private or collective pool (hotel, community, camping...), it is advisable not to locate it too far from the house as such -due to accessibility and integration issues- but not excessively close either, since chemical odors or the noises derived from your activity can bother you a bit.

Tip: To avoid increased maintenance costs and to increase thermal comfort, it is recommended to locate the pool in a place free of windy areas 🌬

Land and regulations

When building a pool, it is not only important to be clear about its location, but also the land where it will be built. It is vitally important to be clear about the type of soil to avoid future unforeseen events. If not, it is better to consult a professional to make sure.

The most common and recommended option is to build it on a firm and horizontal surface. Also, it is advisable to avoid wet, loosely compacted or rocky terrain. Even so, you have to know that it does not always have to be built by excavating the ground, but there is also the option of building above ground.

Of course, before carrying out the construction of a swimming pool, we have to make sure if the regulations allow it or not. Normally, regional or local regulations allow it or not depending on the type of land where it has to be installed (urban, rustic, developable land, etc.). Making sure before making any decision is essential!

In fact, to build a pool it is essential to obtain a license. This, despite the fact that it is usually easy to obtain, takes several aspects into account: that the land is buildable, that the distance between the pool and the neighboring plots or the road is optimal, etc.

Measures

Before embarking on the adventure of building a swimming pool, the measurements must be taken into account, which must be proportional to the surrounding space. It is clear, yes, that they have to adapt to our needs and objectives.

Therefore, the purpose of its construction must be clear. Is it built with a playful purpose? Is it built with a relaxing purpose? Sporty? It is important to be clear about this in order to be able to implement the appropriate measures.

Advice: keep in mind that the larger the dimensions, the higher the cost and the more expenses. Therefore, think carefully about the measures you need. The greater it is and the deeper it is, the more the cost will increase -not only because the water required will be greater, but also because of the products necessary to maintain it and because of the time it takes to filter and recirculate the water-. Both factors will also be higher.

materials and techniques

Building a pool is not an easy decision. Well, maybe making the decision doesn't cost much, but deciding and choosing its characteristics, yes. And there are many types of materials and techniques to choose from to build a pool.

Having so many options is fine because we make sure that one will suit our needs, but it makes decision making more complicated. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with professionals in the sector to choose the materials and techniques that best suit what we are looking for.

So, we are going to see some materials that can be applied in the construction of a swimming pool.

Fiberglass or polyester

Prefabricated pools. Being prefabricated, they are the fastest to install, as well as the cheapest. However, they also have a disadvantage, and that is that they are very susceptible to the appearance of cracks and wear. They already say it... Cheap can be expensive!

Stainless steel

Prefabricated pools somewhat more expensive than the previous ones. The solution, yes, is just as fast. They are more resistant than the previous ones and adapt better to difficult terrain. Therefore, despite the fact that they are not as cheap, they have more advantages than those made of polyester or fiberglass.

Concrete

Pools with much more durability They offer great adaptability to the terrain, infinite design and construction possibilities, richness of finishes, etc. In addition, the useful life of the pool is greater than those mentioned above. Of course, they are the most expensive and slow to build.

Now that we have seen some of the most common materials in the construction of a swimming pool, we are going to see some characteristics:

Overflowing

Pools that have the water at the same level as the top of the terrace or floor. With this they make the visual effect spectacular. However, they are the most expensive.

Elevated

Pools that do not require excavation since they are built directly on top of the ground. They are removable and quick to install, even though they do take up a bit of space. These are mostly made of wood or steel.

Transparent

Magazine pools. Both in the case of above-ground and infinity pools, there is the possibility that one or more faces of this are made of a transparent material - methacrylate, for example. Although they are usually seen in hotels, there are also individuals who opt for this option, since they provide lightness, durability and resistance. Of course, they are quite expensive.

finishes

Focusing a little more on aesthetics, we must take into account the finishes that we want our future pool to have. As in the case of materials and characteristics, the possibilities of finishes are also many and varied. Let's see them!

Gresite

The traditional lining of swimming pools, made up of small tiles. Surely many of the pools you know make use of this type of finish, since it is the most used coating in concrete pools. And it is that it adapts to any type of surface and its installation cost is quite low. In addition, it is resistant to thermal shock, humidity and chemical products. Of course, by requiring so many joints, maintenance is more expensive.

Porcelain stoneware tiles

An elegant solution increasingly used. By reducing the number of joints, the maintenance cost is greatly reduced. In addition, it is a resistant, hygienic and safe material (since it is a type of non-slip floor).

Microcement

This type of coating is very popular thanks to the absence of joints; therefore, its finish is very elegant. However, its installation is quite expensive and, in fact, care must be taken to avoid the appearance of cracks.

Reinforced sheet

Solution consisting of a sheet that is both waterproofing and finishing, made up of 2 layers of polyvinyl chloride and a polyester mesh between them. It is one of the most modern finishes with the best features, as well as being resistant to bacteria.

Access

Last but not least, another factor to consider when building a pool is access. We have to be clear about the purpose of the pool and the people who will frequent it in order to adapt its access in the most appropriate way possible.

And it is not the same to build built-in stairs integrated into the pool than to implement traditional steel ones. Of course, the latter are cheaper and take up less space, but if the pool has to be used by children or older people, it may not be the best option.

The stairs of work are safer and more comfortable, therefore, although they take up more space, it is worth betting on them. Ensuring the safety of users is essential!