Pool Shapes
What is a Spool Pool & Why You May Want One
With a spool pool, you can have the best of both worlds no matter the size of your backyard. The word spool stands for Spa+Pool in one. You can run both hot and cold! Crank up the heat and turn on the jets for the soothing tranquility of a true spa experience or, turn the dial down for more tranquil and cooler waters to allow you to swim or do water aerobics for some exercise. It's a "two birds with one stone" type of pool.
What is a spool pool?
Spool Pools
These may be on the small side of the pool spectrum, but spool pools are feature-rich because they combine the best of several worlds. A fusion of “spa” and “pool” a “spool” generally adds up to no more than 16’ long and 8’ wide. Although smaller than the average pool, they’re larger than the average spa.
What Makes Spools Special
Space-saving.
Regardless of your yard’s size, you may not wish the pool to take up too much real estate. If you want to set up a badminton net or expand your deck to include a tanning surface, or have been eyeing all the amazing outdoor kitchen configurations available, you may wish to rein in your pool area allocation.
Affordability.
Do you want to enjoy the best of both worlds but can’t afford both a pool and a spa? A spool brings those two diverse elements together in one unique setting.
Temperature Control.
With a spool you can literally run both hot and cold! Crank up the heat and turn on the jets for the soothing tranquility of a true spa experience. Or, turn the dial down for more tranquil and cooler waters to allow you to swim or do water aerobics for some exercise.
Powerful Jets.
If you want to get the most distance in, you can set your spool to enable you to literally swim against the current; essentially swimming in place as you stroke and kick against the jets. A major maximization of this smaller footprint!
Versatility.
It is totally worth getting a cost estimate on adding a detachable partition. Just say you want to get some laps in and your partner wants to bubble away the day, the partition acts as a barrier so your spool can not only run at two different temperatures simultaneously, it will be half pool, half spa…everyone’s happy!
Maintenance.
Because it’s smaller in scope than its swimming pool counterparts, the time and money you need to spend on caring for this structure is less. Besides all its other features, this affordability makes a spool even more attractive.
Climate Control.
Your pool season is dictated by the area in which you live. So, every year you need to say goodbye to your pool for several months. With a spool, you can throw it into “spa mode” and heat that water up for a decadent soak in the cooler months.
Décor.
Just because a spool is not your run of the mill, traditional pool solution doesn’t mean it can’t be treated to the same scope of amenities.
- Surround it in pavers or steppingstones embedded in the grass.
- Frame it in foliage or decorative ceramic planters.
- Erect a changing cabana and plug in a towel heater.
- Install a little frig to keep that champagne chilled.
- Position an all-weather chest that can house suits and flip flops and sunscreen.
- Place a cantilever umbrella to make a bold statement. (Plus, you can tilt it against the sun as needed and wheel it away in inclement weather.)
- Finish the picture with a few Adirondack chairs and a side table to establish your respite away from the world.
>>Reach out to Custom Creations West and let us help you custom create backyard bliss! (760) 248-3297 or mmead@customcreationswest.com
DESIGN | BUILD | POOL & SPA | HARDSCAPE | LANDSCAPE
Newbie’s Guide to Inground Pool Shapes
New to pools? You’re in the right spot. Today’s topic is Pool Shapes. The simple way to look at it is there are two ways to go when it comes to pool shapes. You either do Geometric (pools with 45-degree angles) or Freeform (which is pools with curves). After knowing that, today’s post gets a little granular on standard pool shapes, custom pool shapes, and what works best for certain spaces and budgets. This way you will have an idea of what you want when the time comes to hire a pool contractor.
POOL SHAPES
Rectangle
This is by far the most common shape and fits efficiently and attractively in most yards. Many other pool shapes are simply variations of the rectangular shape. Rectangle pools present a modern style of simplicity, elegance, and clean lines.
Pros: Great savings on material costs compared to any free form pool, fewer grout lines, and cuts, and can fit on most spaces. Rectangle pools are the perfect shape for those modern homes looking for a clean look and a simple design. Because of their “straight lines,” a rectangular pool provides ample space for children to play and to swim laps.
Cons: Are mainly used for modern properties due to having straight edges.
Roman End & Double Roman End
Roman-shaped pools are large rectangular pools with domes that emerge outward on both sides. One of the domes usually has stairs to enter the pool. This shape is excellent for sunbathing since the stairs provide a rather large platform to relax on while in the water.
Pros: Presents a regal design and can accommodate more people at a time. The domes are usually used as baja step saving up swim space.
Cons: Corners require a lot more attention to detail and materials to move the water around, which can lead to additional costs. Not a great choice for small backyards.
Figure 8
Figure 8 shaped pools taper a bit from the middle and are rounded on both ends. One of the best things about figure 8 shaped swimming pools is that you can feel the free flow of water. On sharp edges of a rectangular pools, the water tends to refract strongly after hitting the walls. The curves of this pool shape help the water to circulate instead of being refracted backward.
Pros: Feel the free flow of water, can work with most spaces.
Cons: A figure 8 shape pool requires more detail than a straight line pool, which can lead to additional material cost and labor.
Kidney Bean
This is like an oval pool, but with a slight bend; the crook creates a nice space for landscaping, a patio, or a hot tub/spa. Kidney-shaped pools are a classic custom free-form pool, shaped like a kidney bean, round on both sides and curved inwards on one edge. The kidney pool shape is excellent for pools with added water features such as spas, waterfalls, and grottos.
Pros: Works for any kind of space, more curves that allow other components to blend in such as landscapes, decorations, water features, rocks, etc.
Cons: Kidney shape pools are usually no bigger than 90 feet in perimeter, a very large kidney can look a little odd. Custom coping pieces will have to be installed or straight pieces need to be cut, then more grout lines will show. A kidney shape pool requires more detail than a straight-line pool, which can lead to additional material cost and/or labor.
L-Shaped
This is a rectangular pool with a second, shorter length. The shorter length is often the shallow play area or Baja step, whereas the longer length is ideal for lap swimming. L-shaped pools are as impressive as the name. The vertical shank of the L is generally shorter and of smaller width, while the other part of the oasis is longer and has more breadth. This form of a pool is useful for courtyards with unique needs, most people that like L shape pools use the vertical shank of the L to install a baja-step to not take away much swim space.
Pros: Clean look and lines, baja-step, and pool steps won’t take up swim space. Plus, they work wonders when dealing with small backyards.
Cons: Are mainly used for modern properties due to having straight edges.
Freeform
This is not really a shape but instead, a style resembling a natural body of water with lots of curves. Freeform pool shapes are the most space-friendly and popular pool shape. You can customize your pool’s shape in any way that works best for your yard and your budget. Free-form pools generally have more curves than other pool shapes, allowing you to build a truly unique pool.
Pros: Freeform shapes work for any kind of space and the curvest allow for other components to blend in such as landscapes, grottos, decorations, water features, rocks, etc.
Cons: When not designed right, it can eat up too much swim space, coping pieces will have to be cut and more grout lines will show. This type of pool requires more detail than a straight line pool, which can lead to additional material cost and/or labor.
And so many more…….
Overall, sky is the limit on shapes you can choose from for an in-ground concrete pool. In fact, if you’re building a concrete pool, you can have it shaped however you like.
>>Reach out to Custom Creations West and let us help you custom create backyard bliss! (760) 248-3297 or mmead@customcreationswest.com
DESIGN | BUILD | POOL & SPA | HARDSCAPE | LANDSCAPE