Thoughts on my plan/design

[MarshRun]

Hi all. First post. I'm in south Louisiana and we are about to start constructing a pool. I wanted to share some photos of my design so those with more experience could critique us. I've never done this before so please let me know if you think there are some things we should be considering, things we shouldn't be considering, etc. Here are some photos of our plan:

Some notes on design:

1. We are adding the covered area over an existing patio, which will have a masonry fireplace with a TV over the mantle. Idea would be for the barstools to be able to have an unobstructed view of TV. I went back and forth on having the spa where the steps are, but felt like it would be nicer to be able to see the spa's water feature from the house/porch area.
2. Pool water depth would be starting at 4' and going to 6.5'. Bench depth would be 22" and sun deck depth would be 12". 2 bubblers there.
3. We eliminated the brick wall between the spa and sundeck/tanning ledge. We live on a bigger piece of property and want an unobstructed view out back. We are also going to extend the flatwork away from the pool adjacent to the sundeck for chaises and a firepit.
4. The "long" side of the pool adjacent to the house is 32'. The "short" side of the pool adjacent to the covered patio is 24' including spa. Total pool square footage is 700sqft.
5. Currently planning for 3 lights. One on the long side of pool facing away from house and one in the soft curve facing back towards the covered area. Undecided on where to place the other. I've read that it's not great to place it facing the house, so maybe on the spa facing the sun deck?
6. Equipment bid specifies Hayward pump, Fusion 2 purifier, and Glacier chiller. Doesn't mention cartridge brand. Heat will be natural gas. 2 skimmers. Location TBD.
7. I was considering raising the brick coping on the flowerbed side to try to keep dirt/etc. out of that end.

This is all new to me, so any responses to the above are appreciated.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Get specific model numbers for all equipment in the contract.

What automation will you get?

We recommend the spa spillover not run continuously as it causes aeration which causes the pool pH to rise rapidly and requires constant addition of acid. You use spillover mode on the automation to schedule the spa water to be refreshed a few times a day.

Put a handrail on the pool steps. You or your guests may be handicapped someday and require assistance getting in and out of the pool.

More things to consider in...

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[MarshRun]

Welcome to TFP.

Get specific model numbers for all equipment in the contract.

What automation will you get?

We recommend the spa spillover not run continuously as it causes aeration which causes the pool pH to rise rapidly and requires constant addition of acid. You use spillover mode on the automation to schedule the spa water to be refreshed a few times a day.

Put a handrail on the pool steps. You or your guests may be handicapped someday and require assistance getting in and out of the pool.

More things to consider in...

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks! I will check all of that out and will definitely get model numbers on equipment. I was also hoping for some thoughts on overall design, placement, etc.

 

[ajw22]

Those three pier tables are impracticable. It will be difficult keeping the pool clean around them. Pool cleaners can get stuck around them.

I also think that rounded planter area on the right is impractical. Square off that end and give the pool more room. Having plants and soil that close to the pool will lead to dirt in the pool and be a source of algae.

Things that look good often don't work well in day to day life.

 

[Newdude]

Where does the sun track in regards to the shelf umbrella. I don't like fixed umbrellas as they're only good at lunch. Outside of 11A to 1:30P, the lower angle of the sun will shade either side of the tanning ledge while you'll be squinting under the umbrella.

I'd put a honking cantilever just to the side that can swing as needed depending on the time of day.




I had 2 at my old place and in the late afternoon when we were often 10ft away from the umbrella, yet completely shaded.

 

[ajw22]

Where will the skimmers and returns be placed?

Skimmers should be placed into the prevailing winds.

 

[Jimrahbe]

MR,

Things that 'look cool' are often just not functional..

Your three 'stools' are just one example.. How is any pool cleaner going to work around them?

Are you building a pool to swim in, or to impress your neighbors? How would you swim a lap with the stools in the way??

You really don't want things growing right next to your pool..

Have you ever been in a gunite spa before?? If not, you owe it to yourself to try one before you buy one.

I would recommend going with a saltwater pool.. They make their own chlorine, so you don't need those nasty tablets.

Get a large VS pump (3 HP instead of a 1.5 HP) and a large cartridge filter.

I agree on a handrail, even if you don't need one right now.

Two skimmers makes the most sense.

If you have plenty of land... now is the time to go bigger. No one ever says.. "I wish my pool were smaller."

Thanks and good luck with your pool build.

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Consider storm runoff and drainage from the house and deck around the pool.

You want runoff to go around the pool and not in the pool as much as possible. Especially from dirt areas. Otherwise you are going to be dealing with a pool cleanup after storms.

 

[MarshRun]

Where does the sun track in regards to the shelf umbrella. I don't like fixed umbrellas as they're only good at lunch. Outside of 11A to 1:30P, the lower angle of the sun will shade either side of the tanning ledge while you'll be squinting under the umbrella.

I'd put a honking cantilever just to the side that can swing as needed depending on the time of day.

View attachment 557279View attachment 557280


I had 2 at my old place and in the late afternoon when we were often 10ft away from the umbrella, yet completely shaded.

The house is due north. The (eliminated) brick wall is due south. So the sun tracks from right to left in the photo in the quote in the summer. In the winter, it is generally shaded by trees on the back of the property.

 

[MarshRun]

Where will the skimmers and returns be placed?

Skimmers should be placed into the prevailing winds.

TBD, but would love some thoughts on all of that. That's a really good point. Our summer winds are generally out of the southeast.

 

[MarshRun]

MR,

Things that 'look cool' are often just not functional..

Your three 'stools' are just one example.. How is any pool cleaner going to work around them?

Are you building a pool to swim in, or to impress your neighbors? How would you swim a lap with the stools in the way??

You really don't want things growing right next to your pool..

Have you ever been in a gunite spa before?? If not, you owe it to yourself to try one before you buy one.

I would recommend going with a saltwater pool.. They make their own chlorine, so you don't need those nasty tablets.

Get a large VS pump (3 HP instead of a 1.5 HP) and a large cartridge filter.

I agree on a handrail, even if you don't need one right now.

Two skimmers makes the most sense.

If you have plenty of land... now is the time to go bigger. No one ever says.. "I wish my pool were smaller."

Thanks and good luck with your pool build.

Jim R.

Thanks for all the input. Let me try to answer in order:

1. I went back and forth on the stools. Still may 86 them. I just like the idea of being able to sit there and be able to see the TV under the covered area. May be able to put a bench there and accomplish the same general idea?

2. The rounded flowerbed is already there and I'd like to keep it, though I'm planning to shave a few feet off of the curve so there will be 4' or so between the flowerbed and the pool. I was thinking about adding a raised brick coping on that side in the soft curve to try to help that problem.

3. I have been in a gunite spa - my mom has one. What would your alternative suggestion be? Honestly, I hadn't even given an alternative a thought.

 

[Newdude]

So the sun tracks from right to left in the photo

Ok so if you like the idea (feel free not to )

You come home from work a little early and want to lounge at the pool but the sun is no longer above the umbrella. (Or any weekend once you're free of all the chores). A cantilever on the back side can swing left to keep the tanning ledge shaded.

 

[Newdude]

May be able to put a bench there and accomplish the same general idea?

A bench would have you facing the wrong direction, awkwardly sitting sideways and your upper body twisted to see the TV.

The 2nd step is already a great bench and it'll be comfortable to sit 45 degrees pointing towards the house.

The rounded flowerbed is already there and I'd like to keep it,

Would you consider crushed bluestone (3/8 gravel) or river rock ? It'd be less likely to blow as much, or tracked around by and dogs if you have them.

What would your alternative suggestion be?

A standalone hot tub, or $40k of other aesthetic beauty such as firebowls, waterfalls, etc. Spas are spendy and you can buy many other pretty things instead. Built in spas are more for entertaining IMO because when you're all in there laughing away, nobody realizes you're sitting on a concrete bench with 1 jet each. A standalone hot tub is the heavenly spa experience by comparison. Or skip them both altogether and buy a loaded car with heated seats.

But it's beautiful to look at, and moving hot water still feels nice, just not as nice as some wish. You're well familiar with them so that was the intent of the original question.

 

[MarshRun]

A bench would have you facing the wrong direction, awkwardly sitting sideways and your upper body twisted to see the TV.

The 2nd step is already a great bench and it'll be comfortable to sit 45 degrees pointing towards the house.

View attachment 557316



Would you consider crushed bluestone (3/8 gravel) or river rock ? It'd be less likely to blow as much, or tracked around by and dogs if you have them.

A standalone hot tub, or $40k of other aesthetic beauty such as firebowls, waterfalls, etc. Spas are spendy and you can buy many other pretty things instead. Built in spas are more for entertaining IMO because when you're all in there laughing away, nobody realizes you're sitting on a concrete bench with 1 jet each. A standalone hot tub is the heavenly spa experience by comparison. Or skip them both altogether and buy a loaded car with heated seats.

But it's beautiful to look at, and moving hot water still feels nice, just not as nice as some wish. You're well familiar with them so that was the intent of the original question.

Good point about the step. It's not drawn for one, but I'd thought about adding a bench all the way around the spa, so that would put another bench from which the TV/etc. could be seen.

The spa is definitely expensive. We would use it though. We lived with my folks for about 3 months in between selling one house and completing a new build a couple of years ago, and I was in their spa 4-5 nights a week. I agree though - it's just for the flowing hot water. Not so much the jets.

I'll give some thought to the river rock. Crushed bluestone might look kinda wonky just because our decking (most of which already exists) is "bluestone" colored porcelain tile.

Also, great point about the cantilever. That seems like a much better idea than a fixed umbrella.

 

[Newdude]

I'll give some thought to the river rock.

The thing I like most about the weed prevention options is that if you hate them after the fact, it's super easy to change on year 3. The patio, notsomuch.

But yeah. Think of heavier options that are less likely to blow or get tracked, or roll with the mulch knowing you may change your mind after living with it for a bit.

Our job is to throw all kinds of +/-s at you so you get your best pool. Then we high five you that you went in eyes open no matter how you chose.

 

[Jimrahbe]

I have been in a gunite spa - my mom has one. What would your alternative suggestion be? Honestly, I hadn't even given an alternative a thought.

MR,

I only asked, because about 50% of pool/spa owners rarely, or never, use their spa, as it was just not what they imagined when they bought it. If you have been in one, and liked it, then there is no reason not to buy one.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[kimkats]

The first thing I thought of was someone jumping into the pool from the covered area and jumping right on to those stood I would nix them for sure!

 

[Newdude]

The first thing I thought of was someone jumping into the pool from the covered area and jumping right on to those stood

I saw hopscotch. (and broken ribs)

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Some construction considerations.

You mentioned that you like having the spa water feature visible from the house, think about having the spa spillway continuously around the spa that faces the pool, more visually appealing than the small spillway currently.

The sun deck depth at 12” of water = a step from the deck to the sun deck at possibly a 18” drop if the coping is a 3” poured in place.

Consider 2 lights on the 32’ wall facing away from the house, 1 light in the spa facing the same direction, 1 light on the sun deck, if you were to consider shortening the entry steps or even having them at a 45 to the two walls you would not have the shadows that the large entry step are going to produce, I see entry steps as a tool and not something cosmetic and from your drawing the entry steps are as long as the spa wall inside the pool.

Raising the brick coping on the flower bed side will make the pool look chopped up with elevations of the surrounding deck work and you would have to end it prior to the sun deck to keep maintaining a clean look around the sun deck area.