When entering swimming pool construction in North Houston, the first step to consider is your pool’s placement. This is, of course, a weighty decision, as once the pool construction is complete, it cannot be undone. With careful consideration of the following steps, this decision does not have to be as daunting as it seems.
With pool placement there are both practical and design elements to be considered. You want to consider the practical elements first, as they can eliminate some potential locations.
Slope and property-related issues
Your pool needs to be built on level ground. If you absolutely want your pool built into a slope, of course this can be accomplished, but you will have to carve into the slope and have a retaining wall built, which is a pricier job. Searching for a flat area of your backyard may be a better option.
Additional issues that could get in the way of building your dream pool? Watch out for low-lying areas that are prone to flooding and windy areas that could cause excessive evaporation. Watch for buried utility lines as well. Careful planning so that you don’t have to move any existing buried lines will save you money.
Also watch for local building codes on easements and/or setbacks and be mindful of any accessibility issues for pool construction equipment. The final issue to be aware of is your actual property lines, which are often misunderstood.
These may sound like a lot of issues to sort out, but custom pool builders can help you to understand these property-related issues.
Safety
Of course, safety is always a primary concern with pool construction, especially if you have children. If you do have children, or grandchildren, you will want to choose a location where you can keep an eye on them, unless you will stay beside them until they finish swimming. The depth of the pool is also a consideration with children. Later, when you get into the design of the pool, you can vary the depth, so kids can play in the shallow end, while adults relax in the deeper end of your custom pool.
Ease of access
If your pool is easily accessible, right as you step out your back door, you will be more likely to use it. If it is hard to get to, this will decrease your willingness and desire to use your custom pool, also decreasing its value to you. Part of what might play into this part of the decision is what you plan on using your custom pool for. Will your pool be used everyday for exercise or will it be strictly for relaxation? If you plan on using your pool every day, you will want to be able to get to it easily.
Once you have considered the more practical elements, it’s time to consider some of the location-related, design elements of your pool.
Sunlight
Study the amount of sunlight your backyard gets. Where does the sun shine most? Sunlight exposure is directly linked to the activity of swimming. Think about what kind of sun and shade exposure you prefer during and after a swim. If you like to sit and soak up some sunshine after taking a dip, make sure that sunlight will be available.
Proximity to the house
Your decision about how close to place your pool to your house is likely to be different depending on the size of the space you are working with. In both situations you still must consider how to accommodate features like a pool’s surrounding deck, landscaping, and adjoining patios, however there are differences, depending on the size of the space you are working with.
Small spaces
In smaller spaces the pool often must be located close to or adjoining the house itself. This can be a great option for a number of reasons. Pools close to the house are convenient to use and easier to watch over. If there is anything inconsistent, you’ll notice right away. They can also be an extension of the home’s architecture and compliment the style of the home. One thing to keep in mind, however, they can be noisy for occupants inside the home if children are playing and splashing.
Almost no garden space is too small for a custom pool. It just takes some creative engineering to make it work.
Large spaces
Larger spaces usually have more flexibility in their design and location. The downside with this is that the choices, when it comes to pool construction, can be overwhelming. Some things to consider include:
- When constructed away from the home, a pool can become a relaxing destination.
- It can have a larger deck, making entertaining easier and making the pool more of a focal point.
- Freeform designs are popular in larger spaces because they complement natural surroundings nicely.
- Pools set back from the house open up the yard and create more opportunities for other outdoor rooms.
- Pools set away from the house should still be visible from the house.
Considering the above practical and design related elements in a step-by-step fashion will help you to arrive at a proper and satisfying location for your custom pool. Some additional elements to keep in mind are questions like:
- What will be the view from the pool?
- Will I be able to store pool equipment and supplies nearby?
- Does the location I’ve chosen offer privacy?
Shape is something we’ve barely touched on, but it is worth mentioning, because location does impact the shape of your pool in many cases. Again, if you have a larger property, unencumbered by any of the aforementioned issues, you could potentially choose any shape, and have it work. With a smaller space, the shape will likely be impacted by the space available.
Working with your custom pool builder, you’ll be able to answer all of the above questions, and more. Pool construction is a major undertaking in the journey of home ownership, and pool placement is the very important first step. Having a solid understanding of what some of the limitations of your pools placement might be, and some ideas about the design element, will be helpful in the construction of your pool. Working with a custom pool builder who is familiar with pool construction in North Houston, like Mitchell Custom Pools, is helpful as well, because they know the area and can properly advise you about issues local to the North Houston area.
Choosing a location for your pool doesn’t have to be as intimidating a task as it seems. Once you have the task broken down into answering these simple questions, it’s just a matter of answering them.
