Swimming Pool In Front Yard
Installing a swimming pool in your front yard can either make or break your property. If the pool is poorly placed, it can decrease the value of your home. However, if it is strategically placed, it will increase the value of your home.
Therefore it is important to decide the purpose of the pool. If the pool is actually meant for swimming and enjoying, you should consider putting it somewhere that offers privacy.
But if the pool is being built for only aesthetic reasons, you should design it with that in mind so that it is not confused for a pool that is actually meant to be used.
The last thing you want is to install a pool in your front yard and be uncomfortable using it because the sound of traffic is too loud or kids constantly peak over your fence.
More Factors To Consider
Shape
Youve probably noticed that most backyard pools are shaped as rectangles. These pools usually have a 2:1 ratio, meaning they are twice as long as they are wide. This popular shape might not work for your backyard, though especially if your yard is small.
Thankfully, other options are available, from compact shapes like circles and squares, to abstract shapes that are made to fit the yard theyll be installed in.
READ MORE: What to Consider When Choosing Your In-Ground Pool Shape
Depth
A swimming pool needs a distinct shallow end and deep end. Pools usually go eight feet deep, but this option might not always be ideal. If your pool is small, you might want to avoid letting it go too deep. If your pools shallow end transitions too quickly into the deep end, youll create a safety risk for swimmers.
On the other hand, having no deep end means your kidsand lets face it, adultscant do cannon balls or activities that require bit of extra water for safety.
READ MORE: Understanding Inground Pool Depth
Follow the Law
Most cities and townships have specific laws that pertain to the conditions under which you can install a pool. For example, you may be required to have a minimum distance between your pool and your property line, or you may be required to have a certain amount of space around your pool.
Before installing your pool, be sure to check your local pool enclosure guide, or ask a local representative if your installation is okay.
Extra Features
Have You Thought About Privacy
While you might have a great relationship with your neighbors, do you really want them to see you in your bikini?
Privacy is often forgotten when it comes to pool design. But if you and your family want to relax around the pool and not feel overlooked it is worth getting it right.
You can create natural screens using plants, trees, or bamboo. But make sure that you do not have too much overhanging foliage that will create debris.
If you arent too concerned about privacy but do value the safety of yourself and your family, glass pool fencing can be an excellent addition to your garden, just be sure to work with experts such as Seamless Fencing & Glass.
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Large Space Pool Placement
There is usually more flexibility in the design and placement of a pool on larger properties. Although this can also lead to more choices and options which can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips:
- When constructed away from the house, a pool can become its own destination zone
- It can have a larger deck that makes entertaining easier and makes the pool more of a focal point
- Freeform designs usually work best because they complement the natural surroundings
- Pools set back from the house should still be visible from the house
- Pools set back from the house open up the yard, creating more opportunities for outdoor rooms
- Pro Tip:“Almost no garden space is too small for a swimming pool, though it may take some engineering and design creativity to make it work.”Here are some suggestions:
- Place the pool right up against the edge of the property
- Dig into a slope and build a retaining wall to acquire more room
- Use multiple levels in the pool design to create a sense of depth
- Employ a variety of textures and materials to create a perception of bigness
– Catriona Tudor Erler, author of Poolscaping: Gardening and Landscaping Around Your Swimming Pool and Spa
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My Backyard Is Full Of Rock
If you have previously undertaken construction in your backyard and discovered that your ground is rocky, the good news is this doesnt exclude you from having a pool, while the top few layers of topsoil may be littered with rock, the underlying dirt may not be. It is difficult to know without digging first. If this is the case at your property, a heavy-duty excavator can normally tend to the rock with little effort. If you dont have enough room for a large excavator to get to the pool site, it may need to be lifted with a crane. Usually, smaller excavators can do the job, it will just take far longer, both will add to the cost of your installation. To avoid this additional cost, you can opt to have your pool installed above ground or partially above ground as the groundwork needed to place the pool is minimal. Its a smart idea to discuss what options are available to you and which will work best for your home and budget with your pool builder.
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Here Are A Few Other Key Points To Keep In Mind:
- If youre still building your home, you need to decide on the best time to install your swimming pool.
- Sprinkler systems and other landscaping elements may need to be taken out in order to install your swimming pool.
- The time it will take to actually install your pool will be between a few weeks to a few months, depending on the pool type.
- In case youre wondering, you cant bypass these steps by opting for an above ground pool.
We know that this is a lot to take in, but if you go one step at a time, youll be cleared and ready to put your pool in the ground before you know it! Trust us when we say that you dont want to skip any of these steps. It will only cost you more time and money.
At River Pools, we manufacture, install, and service world-class fiberglass swimming pools and have a wide selection of models to choose from.
If youre shopping around for a swimming pool, check out our pricing guide today and download our free ebook below to learn the key differences between fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl liner swimming pools.
How Close To The Boundary Can A Pool Be
There typically has to be at least five feet between a boundary line and the outer walls of a pool. For side yard boundary lines, five feet is generally the minimum. The length tends to be longer for front yard boundary lines if permitted.
To give you an example of boundary line regulations, here is a construction requirement document from Torrance, California, which is a municipality within the city of Los Angeles.
This document states the following regulations:
- Front yard setback: 20 feet
- Street side yard setback: 10 feet
- Interior side yard setback: 5 feet
- Rear side yard setback: 5 feet
- From any building: 5 feet
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Can I Put A Pool In My Front Yard
A pool in your front yard can add an impressive touch to your property if done right. But, before you start dreaming up the pool of your dreams, you need to find out if you can legally put a pool in your front yard.
Some cities do allow you to put a pool in your front yard if you have enough space. Typically, the pool has to be at least twenty feet away from your front yard property line to comply with local regulations.
Well, this is good news! But, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Pool regulations differ between cities so it is important to consult with your citys before dreaming up any pool plans.
In this article, we will discuss what these regulations are so you can decide if a front yard pool is a good idea for your property.
This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and other stores. This means Yard Blogger may earn a commission should you make a purchase using any of our links. Please refer to our full affiliate disclosure policy for full details.
Heres a Quick Pro Tip!
Thankfully, some areas of the United States allow you to have a front yard pool! Horray! But, you will need a fence to ensure you abide by safety regulations.
Here is a great pool fence from Amazon that will keep you in code so you can keep enjoying your awesome, new front yard pool.
Narellan Pools Are Here To Help
If youre considering installing a fibreglass swimming pool, were here to answer your questions. From choosing the right pool for your backyard to managing the permits and local requirements, were here to help. We pride ourselves on offering a transparent process from beginning to end so youll always know what to expect.
The team at Narellan Pools is available to give you more information on the requirements when it comes to installing a new fibreglass swimming pool. Contact us for more information.
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Pool Is An Extension Of Your Living Area
When were generally talking about the installation of a pool, and youre thinking about it in relation to your lifestyle, whats most ideal is that that pool becomes an extension of your living area. Its an area thats connected to your house. You may want to see your kids swimming and so forth, which is an important factor as well, but being able to look out of the windows onto something that, when youre not swimming in it, lets face it, its just an expensive water feature. This is an important, important factor for installing the pool in, because when we put that pool in, that pool is going to stay in that position for as long as you own it, so some careful consideration about how thats done is a really important factor.
Is My Backyard Suited For A Swimming Pool
When considering a pool for your place, one of the first things you might consider is whether your backyard is suitable for a pool. In an ideal world everyone would have a flat, easy to access area to install a pool in, however, we understand that all backyards are different in terms of their size, access, layout and soil quality. Barrier Reef Pools can accommodate nearly all backyards with a pool that will fit seamlessly into the space that you have.
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Decide How Youre Going To Finance Your Pool
Knowing how you will pay for your pool is a major step in the process and it should be taken care of early on. Even if you have checked off all of the items above , you cant start building until you have secured a means to finance the project . Read about how you can finance your swimming pool or check out our video below.
Your Small Yard Can Be An Oasis Too
Smaller backyards can appear much larger and more inviting with the right shape and style of pool. For example, if you have a tiny yard you can make use of your backyard corner by having an “L-Shape” pool installed. By making use of your backyards corner, your backyard area remains spacious and welcomes outdoor entertaining. It also works to draw your eye across the yard, making it seem larger. When you take advantage of your available space, you can easily create a blissful oasis.
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How Close To The Boundary Line Can I Build A Pool
When installing your swimming pool, you need to be sure you are following protocols and any necessary by-laws of your region to ensure your pool will be up to code. One of the main concerns, of course, is your pools placement. This is especially crucial for homes that may have limited room in their backyard and are trying to maximise the space for the swimming pool. Youll want to be mindful, for example, that you are building within your propertys boundary line. Its an important detail to finalise before installing any swimming pool.
Yard Conditions For Building A Pool
Besides determining the best fit for your yard’s dimensions, consider the area’s slope, soil type, and accessibility for construction equipment. Pools are generally easier to build or install when a yard is level. However, new technology makes it possible to install a pool in virtually any yard. Severe conditions, such as steeply sloping lots, rocky soil, and limited access, require special construction and installation considerations. These issues typically add to the overall cost and duration of the project.
Also Check: How To Do Your Own Inground Pool
Crucial Dos And Donts Of Building A Pool In Your Backyard
Planning a backyard pool design in Northern Virginia is incredibly exciting. Of course, if youre planning to add a swimming pool, you want it to be everything that you dream it could be. That means making sure that you are covering all of the bases and avoiding making mistakes that youll end up regretting later.
To help you better prepare, weve rounded up a list of dos and donts of building a swimming pool. We understand that this can feel like an overwhelming undertaking and you might not even know what to be thinking about ahead of time. You want to be prepared, you may just not know how. Hopefully, this list of swimming pool dos and donts will help!
Pool Placement Using Feng Shui
Although a Chinese landscaping precept is “mountain behind, water in front”, you can safely locate a pool in the backyard. In fact, by following feng shui principles, a backyard pool could represent not only a good investment it could draw powerful wealth energy to your house. Black Hat Sect feng shui master Professor Lin Yun shares in a Lushome article that a dynamic water element in the landscaping is essential for attracting the chi energy of money. Just design the pool and surrounding area so it does not slope away from the house, and so it is in proportion to the size of the house.
Additional tips for situating your backyard pool include:
- A pool should be visible from the windows but not too close to the house. You need space for energy to circulate and to balance the strong water energy that can douse the fire energy that supports wealth.
- It is helpful but not mandated to put the pool in the wealth corner of the yard which is the southeast quadrant in alignment with the front door. This matters most if the wealth corner is actually missing from the home in that case, the pool is a robust remedy to attract prosperity energy.
- In classical feng shui, the back of the house should be “protected” by raised land, like a mountain or tall barrier.
Build a good privacy fence at the property boundary behind the pool as a safeguard and a noise buffer — to enhance your good fortune and your grateful neighbor’s.
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Can You Afford To Have A Pool In Your Backyard
A pool adds aesthetic value to a home, but before you even think of having one, you should know that it is quite expensive to maintain. Cheapism published that you will have to set aside $190 per month for maintenance it is on the cheaper side considering that if you DIY, then the amount can go up to $600. Besides, you might need some repairs whose cost ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars therefore, unless you can afford such expenses, kindly reconsider.
You also do not want children drowning in the pool, so installing a pool fence alone is $1,000. If youre going to err on the side of caution, then liability insurance is the way to go, and that translates to at least $300 per year. A pool may also be home to a lot of wildlife, including snakes, alligators, and crypto-parasites.
Do Inground Pools Add To Home Value
Yes, but youll have to do your homework to decide if its worth it in your own unique situation. Real estate experts estimate that an inground pool can add five to eight percent to a homes value. Factor in the average cost of your home and the average cost to install a pool to determine if this added value is worth it.
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Prepare For Emergencies By:
- Making sure everyone in your home takes water safety, first aid and CPR courses.
- Keeping rescue equipment by the pool, easily accessible and in good condition such as life rings, floats or a reaching pole.
- Having a phone poolside with emergency numbers posted. Also post your address for the benefit of guests, babysitters or even your young children who might not have your address memorized.
- Sharing safety instructions and pool rules with family, friends, babysitters and neighbors.
