5 things to think about when designing a lap pool
Aside from the usual equipment and design decisions, we believe that there are some other key factors to consider for a successful lap pool project. From our experience these include:
Pool Dimensions – There is no absolute length that a lap pool should be, however we would suggest as long as practical on your property to get a good swim in without having to do too many turns. Common lengths for domestic lap pools are 12.5m, 15m, 20m and 25m. Of course one of the great advantages of concrete pools is that they can be constructed to any size to suit your requirements. We have many clients that build lap pools down to 8m long, however they are not as practical for swimming laps; they are more for looks and general play. As far as width goes, a good comparison is that lap lanes at most commercial swim centres are 2.5m wide. This allows for two people lap swimming. We have built them from 1.5m to 4m wide. A common size is 2m-2.5m. In relation to the pool depth, you need to consider whether you want to be able to dive in from one end. If so, it should be around 2.0m deep. Many lap pools we build these days are 1.2m throughout. This depth allows for a swimmer to tumble turn, while also remaining cheaper to maintain and build due to less water and material volume. To summarise, think about how many swimmers will be in the lap pool at any one time, how many strokes you want to do before turning, and whether you need to dive in to start.
Heating – When do you want to swim in the pool? Will it be in the morning, afternoon; all year? This will affect how you heat the pool. If you are planning to swim laps every afternoon in Summer and want to swim at around 25 degrees, solar heating will be perfect for most people. If you want to swim all year round, or early mornings, you will most likely need to consider some other type of heating; typically gas or a heat pump. Your builder will be able to help you choose.
Pool Cover – If you are going to heat the pool all year round, you will need to maintain the heat in the pool to conserve energy costs. This can be done in a number of ways. You may decide to build the pool indoor for a year round facility. This can be a great option, but also expensive and does not allow you to enjoy the outdoor vibe in summer. There are a number of retractable polycarbonate domes available that offer the best of both words. Another method is to install an outdoor cover. This can be a simple thermal blanket on a roller, or a fully automated Remco Swimroll that will retract in under the pool.
Utility – Lap pools are great for exercise, however are they going to fulfill all of the family’s needs? It can be great to add an offset area for general play, or swim outs, spas and water features to satisfy everyone.
Access – If pools are to be used for swimming laps, the last thing you need are internal steps to swim into. Consider offset steps or niche wall steps with a stainless steel grab rail.
To see some examples of Neptune lap pools, click on the images below.
If you are ready to start designing your lap pool, click here to get in touch.