What is the Average Pool Size?
One of the first decisions you will need to make when setting up a pool in your property is the size. Typically, you can get one in almost any size and shape, as it all depends on the space you have, your budget, and your preferences.
That said, it is essential to understand the typical sizes available, as this comes in handy when deciding what will work best for you. This guide looks at the standard pool sizes and highlights a few considerations to make when determining your ideal pool size.
Average Pool Size
The average pool size will vary from one location to the other. For example, a 15 x 30 foot is a large pool in some parts of the world, but it is only medium size in the USA. Here is a breakdown of the average pool sizes for the common rectangular pools.
- Small Pool: A small pool will typically be 10 x 20 feet and with an average depth of at least 5 feet. Small pools can sometimes be 12 x 24 and hold a little over 10,000 gallons, and they are the best for suburban areas with smaller backyards.
- Medium Pool: Medium size pools are 15 x 30 to around 16 x 32 feet, and they will typically also have an average depth of 5 feet, but sometimes it can go up to 5.5 feet. These pools hold at least 19,000 gallons of water and are ideal when you want a relatively larger pool but do not have much space to spare in your backyard.
- Large Pool: Any pool over 20 x 40 feet is a large pool anywhere you go. Large pools can be over 9 feet deep and hold over 30,000 gallons of water. They work best for large backyards and commercial establishments.
How Big Should You Build Your Pool?
How big you make your pool largely depends on your personal preference. While some people are comfortable with a small plunge pool, others wish to have an Olympic-sized pool. Answering the four questions below should make it easier to decide on the size you want.
1. What is Your Purpose for a Pool?
How you intend to use your pool is one of the first factors to consider. Do you want something for exercise, large enough to accommodate several guests for a pool party, or do you want a small one for relaxing after a long day?
A large pool works best for those that want it for recreation with the family or a few guests. A lap pool is typically long and narrow and is the best for exercises, while a plunge pool (one of the smallest pools you can get) is excellent for relaxation.
The number of people that will be using the pool often also matters. For example, if the pool is for 6 to 8 people, 18 x 36 feet is good.
2. How Much Do You Want to Invest in a Pool?
Even if you have enough space for the largest pool, you still need to consider your budget. Remember that, on average, you will need to spend at least $20,000 to install a small plunge pool, depending on the material and features. Some types like the gunite pools will easily cost up to $60,000.
The larger the pool, the more expensive it will be to install regardless of the shape or material. However, when it comes to the cost, it is not just about the initial investment you make for the pool installation, as there are many other associated expenditures.
Other initial costs related to setting up the pool include putting up a fence around the pool, buying a pool cover, installing a heating system, and buying a water pump. All these costs typically increase as the pool gets bigger.
Additionally, there are maintenance costs, and buying chemicals for the pool is one of the main ones. Here, it will cost more to clean and sanitize a large pool than a plunge pool.
3. How Often Do You Use?
It does not make sense to invest a small fortune in a pool that you will end up using for only a few days in the summer every year.
Occasional pool users would be better off going for something simple and not too large like a medium-sized pool that still provides decent space for a family.
Another angle to look at it is the cost of operation. If you use your swimming pool a lot, there will be more debris, dirt, and human excretions like urine and sweat to deal with, so the operation cost will be higher.
Therefore, if you use the pool often and want to keep the maintenance costs low, it is better to avoid going for something massive.
4. How Big is Your Backyard?
The backyard space you have to work with will dictate the pool size you can get. As land gets scarcer, backyards are also growing smaller in most urban places. Although the average yard size in the US varies from one state to the other, it hardly exceeds a quarter of an acre in most areas.
A quarter-acre should be enough to install a large pool, but the chances are there are still countless other things you need to have in your backyard. Hence the amount of space you can dedicate to a pool is much smaller than this.
All this means that you need to design your pool to conform to your space and not try to force things.
Conclusion
While it is always good to have a large pool you can enjoy with the entire family and some friends, it is not always feasible. Therefore, there is a good case for getting a small pool.
Besides your preferences, factors like the cost and size of your backyard will dictate the pool size you can get. Sometimes you also do not need all that pool space as you might only use it for occasional plunging. Hence, you have to decide on the actual size you need keenly.
