Finally time to install a pool in our FL home

[MikeFL]

Hi everyone, I am just getting started contacting contractors with a goal of having a pool in sometime in 2020. One of our contractors is known for selling Ozone so I hit up Google this morning to learn about Ozone vs. Salt vs. Chlorine and found this group - I have so much to learn!! After searching this site it sounds like salt is the way to go ... I am also researching concrete vs. pavers, and screened enclosures.

If you have any recommendations on what I should be researching or thinking about in this initial phase, feel free to reach out and thank you!!

 

[duraleigh]

Welcome to the forum
You are very wise to start your research now. As you are reading, TFP promotes very accurate testing and, importantly, a really good understanding of pool water management. Primarily a group of "hands on" folks, there are a lot of people here who will offer expert advice on EVERY aspect of your build.

 

[kimkats]

MIKE! You are "just down the road" from me!!! HI and welcome! Head over this part of TFP and start reading and learning! Under Construction

One thing you can do is take a pic of where this pool will be going and start a build thread so we can start you on the learning path.

Kim

 

[YippeeSkippy]

A good start would be to decide on the outset what you want to be able to *do* in your pool? Swim? Seems obvious but for real swimming you need space and certain minimum *depth*. Volleyball game? You'll want enough flat/more shallow surface area. Dive? Gotta go at least 7-8' deep in the deep end, anything less is a *non-diving pool*.

Those questions will help you in a jump off point....perhaps you want to be able to do all of the above?!

We'll help you.

Maddie

 

[MeowMeow724]

Maddie makes many good points.
Our build started off as the PBs typical 15'x30' in size, 5' deep. We wanted to be able to float around on floats, and swim, and one of us is on the taller side so 5' deep wasn't going to cut it. The more we progressed into the quotes and actually mapping the pool out in our yard with electrical cords (I highly suggest doing something similar if you can, but understand that the actual pool having depth DOES make is feel a lot larger so the flat view on the ground is helpful but not the entire picture), we realized we wanted to go bigger and a little deeper. We've never had a pool before and sure we've swam in other's pools, but it's a different point of view when you're in someone else's and are not thinking about a pool of your own at that time.

 

[MikeFL]

A good start would be to decide on the outset what you want to be able to *do* in your pool? Swim? Seems obvious but for real swimming you need space and certain minimum *depth*. Volleyball game? You'll want enough flat/more shallow surface area. Dive? Gotta go at least 7-8' deep in the deep end, anything less is a *non-diving pool*.

Those questions will help you in a jump off point....perhaps you want to be able to do all of the above?!

We'll help you.

Maddie

Hi Maddie

MIKE! You are "just down the road" from me!!! HI and welcome! Head over this part of TFP and start reading and learning! Under Construction

One thing you can do is take a pic of where this pool will be going and start a build thread so we can start you on the learning path.

Kim

Hi Kim!

So should I post the following links showing our backyard and proposed designs to the Under Construction page asking for feedback? I have questions around size and screen enclosure.

Backyard: Backyard pics - Google Drive

Vinyl (3 pics), Gunite (1 pic) Mock Ups - Google Drive

 

[kimkats]

I have questions around size and screen enclosure.

Ask away! Lets get this party started!

 

[MikeFL]

OK Great, my first questions are around concrete vs. pavers. We are trying to justify the incremental expense of $5K plus up to $2K for a screen enclosure footer. I hear the biggest downside of concrete is the cracking ... looking for feedback from anyone who has struggled with this decision.

 

[kimkats]

This is one of the times you need to think short term (big money now) to long term (what you like the best and will want to look at down the road). Both surfaces work and can last a long time. What do you like the look of the best? Another thing to think about is you can buy a lot of pretty pillows and large, brightly colored flower pots to dress up the decking if you the "plain" concrete. Believe me, NO ONE will even notice what your decking looks like as they walk out to play and swim in your pretty pool!!