In Ground Pool Questions

SO if you have an in-ground pool or even if you just have an opinion on one please come in:

1) Location - two choices - locate your pool closer to your house - back deck or move it further down your back yard - away from the house -just a little - its only one 1/2 acres but it would leave some grassy area for kids to play between pool and deck.

2) Size of pool - would you go 20x40 or smaller?

3) Liner color for pool - dark or lighter?

4) Any ideas for solar heating pool so we are not destroyed paying to heat pool - my heats will swim in an ice box but I will not.

5) Pool Depth - would you go 5 feet throughout or make it deeper in one end?

Anything else that I am not considering?


Thank you so much.

Message edited 4/17/2018 9:28:50 PM.

In Ground Pool Questions

One thing my grandfather's pool has that everyone always loved was the ledge or lip around the interior wall that allowed someone to stand even in the deep end. Haven't seen it in too many pools but it was great.

Re: In Ground Pool Questions

Message edited 4/18/2018 8:01:44 AM.

Re: In Ground Pool Questions

I can answer a few
I prefer a darker liner...have had both. Darker to me looks nicer and it does keep the water warmer.
But it's a matter od preference.

Solar covers IMO don't work. We had one. It was a HUGE pain in the a to roll on and off. And we grew mustard algae with it on.
Plus it didn't really heat the pool much.
We finally bit the bullet and got a heater. It makes a world of difference. Living in NY you kind of need it or the pool really isn't enjoyable. I hate going in a pool that is under 80 degreea. Not pleasant to me

In Ground Pool Questions

We just got our pool last summer. I’d be glad to answer your questions.
I would move it further back in my opinion if it will allow for a little bit of grass play area.

In Ground Pool Questions

Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit submit. Since you’re spending all that money already, I wouldn’t go any smaller than 20 x 40. Ours is actually 18 x 36. I wish we had gone a little bigger. It’s still enough for us to have fun in, but I do wish it was a little larger. We have the darkest color. I believe it is called tie-dye. It does keep the pool a lot warmer. And I feel like it gives the water a sapphire look. Our shallow end it is three or 3 1/2 feet and thei deep end is actually 6 1/2 feet. I didn’t want 8 feet because we weren’t doing a diving board or anything like that. And I didn’t want such a huge contrast between the shallow end and deep end. Also, you may want to consider a mommy bench. That is a little ledge you can sit on in the deep end. It’s fun for people who don’t want to go all the way in. You could sit and enjoy a drink on it. And you can also watch your kids while they’re in the deep end if you don’t feel like going all the way in. Good luck. What company are you using? We are happy with the end result, but had a awful experience with the company we used, even though they came highly recommended.

Re: In Ground Pool Questions

We just installed one last summer, but have gunite.


1) Location

Most people I know keep their pools away from their home and I even had neighbors try to convince me to put it towards the back of the property, but I was set on having it close to the house. I hate the idea of having to walk far away when you need stuff, so ours is probably 30 feet from the back of our house. Our patio extends around the pool.

BUT we also installed an auto-cover. BEST THING EVER! Not only does it give me peace of mind when it comes to safety, but it helps keep the pool clean and maintain temperature.


2) Size of pool - would you go 20x40 or smaller?

Ours is 20x45 and I wish it was bigger. We have an 8x8 spa that is integrated into the pool, which "eats up" a bit of the shallow end. But it's still a nice size pool. I don't think I would go smaller than 20x40 unless you were limited to space in your backyard.


3) Liner color for pool - dark or lighter?

This is a tough one! When we started out looking, I liked the darker colors like onyx. Then I fell in love with the tan liners which gave off a hint of green (teal water), eventually we settled on gunite (Pebblesheen) and I went with a blue/green color which gives off a medium blue water color.


4) Any ideas for solar heating pool so we are not destroyed paying to heat pool -

We have a gas heater, but the auto-cover makes a huge difference! And as another poster stated, we get full sun, so that helps quite a bit.


5) Pool Depth - would you go 5 feet throughout or make it deeper in one end?

Ours starts at 3 1/2' and goes to 8'. We put in a slide at the deep end, so I wanted to make sure no one would be slamming into the bottom. Plus the kids love jump into the deep end and diving down for toys. I wanted them to learn how to swim without being able to touch the bottom.



Again, as others stated, we have a 6' bench on one side at the deep end and a corner bench on the other side. We wanted to make sure it was easy for kids to exit the pool. The kids love sitting on the bench!


And saltwater is the way to go.

Message edited 4/18/2018 11:29:56 PM.

Re: In Ground Pool Questions

Thanks everyone! So many good ideas here. Still not sure about location - near or away from house. Will go with a 20 x 40 and saltwater. Had not thought of an auto cover for the pool - I am guessing lots of $$$?

We cannot do a ledge as we are doing a liner do don't think we have that option.

Some families we know have a 5 feet deep pool throughout as they like to play volleyball in the ball...decisions, decisions...

Thank you!!

Re: In Ground Pool Questions

Re: In Ground Pool Questions

Message edited 4/19/2018 11:05:14 AM.

Re: In Ground Pool Questions

I don't have a pool, but, FWIW, I think I'd like it off to the side of the property so it leaves more continuous usable space in the yard. I'd probably want a small deck or paver area next to the house, then a fenced in pool area.