Small pool design

[HiddenGentleman]

Hello, we are in the design phase of a pool for our back yard. Our current design represents the max size we can do with current set backs. The pool will be used for swimming and play for the family (my wife, two young boys, and myself). I wouls like it to also be a nice place to lounge with a beverage. I could see people doing cannonballs into the deep end.

For safety and convenience there will be an automatic cover that goes over the entire pool except the sun ledge.

There will be no additional decking at this time as the pool will come to our existing concrete patio.

The pool will be elevated 2 feet at the patio and probably closer to 3 or so feet on the rear due to the slope of the yard. The elevation at the patio end is because we do sometimes get some flooding during king tide. The exposed exterior will be finished with pavers.

I am leaning toward Wet Edge Prism Matrix for the interior finish.

We are planning for a hayward heater/chiller to hopefully extend the usable season.

I have the depth going from 3.5 to 6 feet. I was considering a sport bottom but thought it would be too much slope for a shorter pool.

I'm not sure how deep to make the sun ledge but am leaning toward 12 inches.

I'm open to any feedback or suggestions.

Thank you!



For coping we are given the option of travertine or marble with no cost difference.

 

[kimkats]

That is a good layout if you think you will really use the sun shelf. Me? I would make the sunshelf into more swimming area. You can lay on a lounger to get all the sun you want. I would also go to 4' depth instead of the 3'6".

Now something else I need to ask about..............what is the "wall" made of right by the pool? Is it screen or glass?

 

[HiddenGentleman]

That is a good layout if you think you will really use the sun shelf. Me? I would make the sunshelf into more swimming area. You can lay on a lounger to get all the sun you want. I would also go to 4' depth instead of the 3'6".

Now something else I need to ask about..............what is the "wall" made of right by the pool? Is it screen or glass?

Thanks for the feedback. I think we will use thr sunshelf, I'm thinking maybe 12 inches deep. I like the idea of going 4 feet in the shallow end. I'm not sure what wall you are referring too. There is no wall near the pool. There is a fence to the rear. Here are a couple more renderings.

 

[kimkats]

I'm thinking maybe 12 inches deep.

That is my fav depth for a shelf. Sit on the floor and measure where 12" will hit you.

The wall-in the second pic on your first post it looked like there was a wall right by the pool. Now I see it is an open area for the patio. That is going to be awesome during football season!! Oh and movie nights!!

Now lets talk WATER depth. Some people use the bottom for the pool to the bottom of the coping as "depth". That is NOT water depth! Water depth is from the bottom of the pool to the middle of the skimmer opening. If it is measured to the bottom of your coping you lose several inches of water depth. Make sure all of your plans state water depth AND check it when they dig the hole to make sure.

 

[HiddenGentleman]

That is my fav depth for a shelf. Sit on the floor and measure where 12" will hit you.

The wall-in the second pic on your first post it looked like there was a wall right by the pool. Now I see it is an open area for the patio. That is going to be awesome during football season!! Oh and movie nights!!

Now lets talk WATER depth. Some people use the bottom for the pool to the bottom of the coping as "depth". That is NOT water depth! Water depth is from the bottom of the pool to the middle of the skimmer opening. If it is measured to the bottom of your coping you lose several inches of water depth. Make sure all of your plans state water depth AND check it when they dig the hole to make sure.

Thank you for the tips about the depth, I will definitely discuss that with my builder during our meeting tomorrow!

 

[ajw22]

For safety and convenience there will be an automatic cover that goes over the entire pool except the sun ledge.

I don't think a cover that leaves the sun ledge open is safe. Small children or animals can get under the cover.

Having a cover open like that can be worse then having no cover.

 

[HiddenGentleman]

That is a valid concern, I will need to talk with out builder about how this would work and what other options there may be.

 

[ajw22]

That is a valid concern, I will need to talk with out builder about how this would work and what other options there may be.

In addition you will get dirt and leaves getting into the ledge area then under the cover. And water evaporation and loss of water heat from the open ledge area.

That will eliminate much of the benefits of having a cover.

 

[ajw22]

You need to make the ledge the full width of the pool so you can have a rectangular cover that covers the entire pool space.

 

[HiddenGentleman]

You need to make the ledge the full width of the pool so you can have a rectangular cover that covers the entire pool space.

That would be optimal, but unfortunately we are restricted by set backs to the max dimensions it is now.

I was just talking to my builder and he said we could do a step up at the end of the sun shelf to be flush with the cover so it completely closes off the main pool. The step will have small channels that water can flow through.

 

[ajw22]

I was just talking to my builder and he said we could do a step up at the end of the sun shelf to be flush with the cover so it completely closes off the main pool. The step will have small channels that water can flow through.

You realize that children can drown in the ledge water?

With the ledge open you have the safety issues of any uncovered pool. Don't fool yourself that your pool cover gives you safety for small children or even old adults..

I think you will find that sub-optimal for many reasons.

 

[HiddenGentleman]

You realize that children can drown in the ledge water?

With the ledge open you have the safety issues of any uncovered pool. Don't fool yourself that your pool cover gives you safety for small children or even old adults..

I think you will find that sub-optimal for many reasons.

I realize someone could drown in a puddle if the situation lined up. My biggest worry was somehow a child got into the back yard and jumped in the deep end of the pool when they couldn't swim.

We also have a locking fence surrounding the area. We have a door alarm on the only door leading to the pool. No children will be allowed to be near the pool unsupervised. I'm not sure what other precautions to take besides not building a pool in the first place.

I'm also interested in the thermal benefits of the cover. Even though it is not as optimal as covering the entire pool the majority of the surface area will be covered.

 

[ajw22]

Don't have the uncovered ledge or have a manual cover you put over the ledge if the automatic cover cannot have an extension that covers the ledge.

 

[ajw22]

I realize someone could drown in a puddle if the situation lined up. My biggest worry was somehow a child got into the back yard and jumped in the deep end of the pool when they couldn't swim.

You are not liable for someone drowning in a puddle.

It does not matter which end of the pool the child gets into.

 

[HiddenGentleman]

You are not liable for someone drowning in a puddle.

It does not matter which end of the pool the child gets into.

Don't have the uncovered ledge or have a manual cover you put over the ledge if the automatic cover cannot have an extension that covers the ledge.

I will definitely add a manual cover for that ledge, thank you!