Given that our climate in Central Florida allows for year-round outdoor entertainment, we see a number of homeowners choose to put in a swimming pool.
If you're currently in the early stages of the custom home building process and are considering putting in a swimming pool at your new home, you'll want to give some careful thought to the lot that you select. This is one of the reasons why it's a good idea to walk a prospective lot with a builder to best determine if it will be able to accommodate your needs, such as a swimming pool.
If you're currently in the early stages of the custom home building process and are considering putting in a swimming pool at your new home, you'll want to give some careful thought to the lot that you select. This is one of the reasons why it's a good idea to walk a prospective lot with a builder to best determine if it will be able to accommodate your needs, such as a swimming pool.
To take this one step further, knowing the ideal size for your desired swimming pool can really help with lot selection during the custom home building process. Here are some important questions to ask yourself to help you to choose the right size swimming pool for your new custom home:
1. How often will you be entertaining and how many guests will usually be at these gatherings?
Some homeowners opt for a larger swimming pool simply because they plan to host one or two events throughout the year that draw a lot of people. However, it's important to keep in mind that it would be rare for more than 50 percent of your guests to be in the pool at one time. Don't feel the need to go large just to accommodate these few occasions.
2. How do you anticipate the size of your family to change in the future?
Do you plan to have more children? Or, if the kids are grown and already out of the house, how long will it be before you have grandchildren? You may find that your ideal pool size will need to be larger when you consider your expanding family.
3. What would the pool's setbacks off the house and property lines be?
After you consider the space for the pool and patio area, will you have enough space for other items that you'd like to include in your backyard? Such items may include a fire pit area, garden, swing set, or perhaps a tennis court.
4. How much patio would you like (or need) to have around your pool?
Surprisingly, the average swimming pool owner will spend 90 percent of his or her time on the patio and only 10 percent in the pool. Considering this, you'll want to make sure that you get your patio right.
Here are some good rules of thumb to keep in mind in regards to patio size:
The average pool deck can run between 600 and 900 square feet, but could be larger or smaller depending on the furniture and other features (such as an outdoor kitchen) that you want this space to include.
5. Will anyone be swimming laps in your pool?
If one of the primary reasons why you're considering a pool is for the purpose of swimming laps, you'll want a pool that is at least 34' in length.
Having specialized in custom home building in Central Florida for several decades, we've seen a number of our clients install pools. Contact us at Empire Custom Builders for more pointers to consider.
1. How often will you be entertaining and how many guests will usually be at these gatherings?
Some homeowners opt for a larger swimming pool simply because they plan to host one or two events throughout the year that draw a lot of people. However, it's important to keep in mind that it would be rare for more than 50 percent of your guests to be in the pool at one time. Don't feel the need to go large just to accommodate these few occasions.
2. How do you anticipate the size of your family to change in the future?
Do you plan to have more children? Or, if the kids are grown and already out of the house, how long will it be before you have grandchildren? You may find that your ideal pool size will need to be larger when you consider your expanding family.
3. What would the pool's setbacks off the house and property lines be?
After you consider the space for the pool and patio area, will you have enough space for other items that you'd like to include in your backyard? Such items may include a fire pit area, garden, swing set, or perhaps a tennis court.
4. How much patio would you like (or need) to have around your pool?
Surprisingly, the average swimming pool owner will spend 90 percent of his or her time on the patio and only 10 percent in the pool. Considering this, you'll want to make sure that you get your patio right.
Here are some good rules of thumb to keep in mind in regards to patio size:
- A dining area for 6 to 8 people requires a 12' x 12' space.
- A 7' x 7' space is required to accommodate 2 chase lounge chairs.
- You'll want to have at least 30" between pool furniture and the pool itself.
- The typical grill will require a 6' x 6' space.
- A hot tub will usually need a 10' x 10' space.
- Walkways should be at least 3' wide at all points.
The average pool deck can run between 600 and 900 square feet, but could be larger or smaller depending on the furniture and other features (such as an outdoor kitchen) that you want this space to include.
5. Will anyone be swimming laps in your pool?
If one of the primary reasons why you're considering a pool is for the purpose of swimming laps, you'll want a pool that is at least 34' in length.
Having specialized in custom home building in Central Florida for several decades, we've seen a number of our clients install pools. Contact us at Empire Custom Builders for more pointers to consider.
