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The heat is definitely, literally, on with the summer season here once again. While many of us are planning vacations out of the city, the people in the metro (or in the now infamous NCR Plus) can only dream about the white sand beaches of Boracay and the clear, clean waters of Pagudpud. It would be no surprise if you’ve been catching yourself daydreaming about how convenient it is to have a pool by the yard, given all these restrictions in our GCQ bubble.
But in case you’re seriously considering installing a pool in your home this summer, then you must choose well which design would fit your needs. Be familiar with these swimming pool designs:
Family Pool
The most common in homes, the recreational pool is primarily for the homeowners’ leisure. Usually, this design has a shallow and deep end to accommodate both kids (or inexperienced swimmers) and adults (or seasoned swimmers). The average size of this kind of pool is 18 ft x 36 feet.
Depending on the layout of your yard and property, you can have a round, oval, rectangle, or Grecian shape for your pool. You may also add fun features, such as slides, tunnels, and fountains for the enjoyment of your kids.
Perfect for: homeowners with kids, family homes with a large outdoor space, homeowners who love to host family and friends for a fun time at home
Indoor Pool
By the name, you would already know what this is. It’s a pool inside the home or a building. This is most suitable for people who want to enjoy swimming all year round, the waters not too cool during the cold months and the weather not too hot during the summer. If you also want a little bit more privacy when swimming or training, then this pool design is for you.
It goes without saying that you should have ample space inside your home to make room for an indoor pool. Aside from space, it’s important to manage the humidity level in the room. Otherwise, mold growth and rotten wood would be a common sight in your pool area. Use a dehumidifier to control the moisture level.
Perfect for: homeowners who love to swim all year round, families who want leisure and privacy, homes with ample space indoors
Infinity Pool
Also called the vanishing edge pool, this style offers an optical illusion of some sort, as it appears like one end of it drops to a waterfall. More than a swimming area, this design intends to highlight scenic views. For this reason, it’s most suitable for homeowners whose houses boast of a grand landscape. If your vacation home is located near a beach, an infinity pool is the best option among all other designs as it offers a continuous line of sight, making the pool appear connected to the vast ocean.
Do note that these kinds of pools are more expensive than the others. It’s custom-built, and there are additional considerations for the catchment and recirculation systems, which may drive up the cost for your pool.
Perfect for: homeowners with money to spare for a beautifully designed pool, homes with a beautiful outdoor view, homeowners who love Instagrammable-spaces at home, property owners who want to put up their property for rent as a staycation spot or vacation home
Lap Pool
Primarily, these long and narrow pools are designed for fitness training. With that, it’s most suitable for homeowners who treat their swim sessions as sweat sessions. In some situations, however, these kinds of pools serve as the design solutions for properties that have smaller lots. As mentioned, they are long and narrow, able to fit in a tiny strip of land in the backyard.
Apart from being a functional design solution, they’re also a common aesthetic focal point in the home, especially when the divider between the indoor and outdoor space is glass. Viewed from the interiors, the lap pool makes for an eye-catching design element. As natural or artificial light bounces from the water and reflects onto the ceilings or walls, the space will have caustic reflections, an added visual interest for your home. Even though you won’t be using your pool every day, it still would have a purpose in your space.
Perfect for: homeowners who prefer swimming as an exercise, families who want to host guests and friends, young professionals who want to increase the appeal and value of their property as a primary residence or vacation home
Spool
This swimming pool design is named as such because it’s a combination of the words “spa” and “pool.” It’s a good idea to choose this type of design if you’re limited on space because it’s relatively smaller than the average swimming pool. If you’re not into massive construction works in your yard, such as excavation of land, this above-ground type of pool will fit your preference. To achieve the spa-pool combo, add features, such as massaging jets and jet sprays that would make your pool a relaxing space.
Perfect for: homeowners who want self-care corners at home, families looking for ways to bond at home, homes with ample space to accommodate a small pool
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Swimming Pool?
There’s no exact cost that we can attribute to each pool design, as it will all depend on your specific requirements. But in general, these factors influence the final price:
- Building permits and construction bonds: P10,000 to P15,000, depending on the location of the property
- Pre-construction Work (demolition, excavation): P50,000 to P70,000
- Plumbing: P35,000 to P45,000
- Water Filtration System and Pumps: P100,000 to P150,000
- Civil Works: P400,000 to P500,000
- Electrical Works: P8,000 to P10,000
- Finishing: P60,000 to P100,000, depending on the design
- Estimated Total: P700,000 to P900,000
Summer is here once again. If you want to make a big splash this season by building a pool in your yard, make sure to choose wisely among designs. That’s the only way you’ll know if you can indeed beat the heat.
