What is a decent size inground pool?
A decent size inground pool is a pool that’s custom made to fit your unique space, preferences and needs. That said, most pools you’ll find in the backyards of Minnesota homes will be 10’ by 20’ with a deep end bottoming out at around six feet. Larger rectangular residential pools can get up to 20’ by 40’ with deep ends of ten feet, but they’re less common because of higher maintenance and upkeep costs.
What should I consider when determining swimming pool sizing for my property?
There are a number of different factors that come into play when determining the ideal swimming pool sizing for your property. Before you decide how big you want your pool to be, you’ll have to decide what shape you want. The three most commonly found swimming pool shapes are:
- Rectangle. By far the most commonly chosen pool shape, and for good reason: rectangles make swimming laps easy. They also have the most straightforward installation and maintenance needs.
- Oval. There’s something very old school Hollywood glamor about a round or oval pool. They’re also benefited by their ability to fit into smaller spaces more easily.
- Kidney. This shape became pronounced in the late 1940s as a staple of Midcentury Modern design. They offer a good ratio of swimming square footage vs. perimeter square footage, making them slightly more cost effective when being designed and built.
There’s a lot of opportunity for customization when it comes to your pool’s shape. No matter what shape you choose (the options are truly endless), you’ll still have to determine how big you want the pool to be. Here are the questions you should ask yourself when determining what size pool you’d like installed:
- Why do I want a pool in the first place? Determining your ideal pool size starts by detailing why you want a pool in the first place. If you’d like to have a pool installed so you can use it for swimming laps, you’ll want a rectangular pool with extra length (typically 40 ft.) to accommodate your recreation. If you’d like your pool to be a fun-in-the-sun gathering place for your family, you’ll have more leeway with shape and your swimming pool sizing, in turn, will then be dependent on how big your family is.
- How many people will regularly be using this pool? You’ll see a lot of different information online equating different pool sizes with different numbers of regular users. There’s never going to be a set rule because there’s no way to determine how much space an individual will take up in a pool without knowing the person themselves. Some people like to splash and some people like to sit in the corner and chill.To make it easier to give sizing recommendations, however, we use the following rule of thumb:
- If you live alone or with a partner, start with 10 x 20 ft.
- For each individual who will be using the pool regularly, add another foot to the width and three feet to the length.
- How much usable space do I have? You can’t build a pool that’s too big for the available space. Do you have access to your property survey? Having that data will make determining how much available space you have a lot easier. Finding space for a pool, whatever the size, is about more than surface-level square footage. You have to make sure your yard can accommodate the depth as well. This can be hard to do on your own, so it’s recommended to have an expert come to your home for a consultation.
- Is depth a priority for me? The size of your pool isn’t just about its length and width. Choosing a depth is important as well. Average max depths range between 6 and 10 ft., but the amount and degree of your pool floor’s slope also comes into play. Do you have young children? In that case, having more shallow end square footage will likely be a priority.
Ready to talk to someone about your dream swimming pool, whatever the sizing? The team at Prestige Pools is ready and waiting to talk to you. We offer unparalleled support, communication, and collaboration from design to installation — and we’ve been serving the Twin Cities metro for over 40 years.