Top practical tips to keep in mind when adding a pool to your backyard

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There's no denying that a home swimming pool is guaranteed to make your cosy abode a bit of a social hub for all your friends and loved ones.

But even though swimming pools can provide plenty of fun and enrichment, it's important to keep in mind that they are an ongoing investment that will require plenty of specialised care and maintenance.

So, what do you need to know before you dive in, so to speak?

We'll be answering just this question today by sharing our top practical tips to follow when preparing for your own swimming pool installation.

Before getting to work on your pool installation, you'll need to familiarise yourself with all the ins and outs of pool safety. This typically starts with investing in pool fencing.

We recommend installing aluminium or glass pool fencing. Not only are these two pool fencing styles secure and popular, but they're typically also less prone to corrosion and are also easy to style for contemporary homes.

You'll also want to install anti-slip flooring around your pool to reduce risks of your friends or loved ones slipping and injuring themselves on wet surfaces.

Textured decking and tiling are usually great materials to use when constructing pool areas.

When it comes to selecting your ideal swimming pool layout or design aesthetics, you have plenty of styles to choose from.

Do you want an above-ground pool or an in-ground pool? Do you want an L-shaped pool or more of a straight lap pool? And do you want your pool to have varying depths or to just be a uniform depth from end-to-end?

Answering these questions now can help you find the perfect swimming pool style and layout for your backyard as promptly as possible.

Of course, there are pros and cons to all types of pools and pool styles. For instance, in-ground pools are considered to be pretty luxurious.

But their upfront installation costs can be higher than above-ground pools.

Their installation is typically also more labour intensive, so you may not be able to enjoy your new pool as quickly as you could when installing an above-ground pool.

The shape, size, and style of your pool should also reflect your design preferences and align with the wider layout or design style of your backyard space.

If you're going for a tropical-themed backyard, having a resort-style pool will definitely complement your wider garden-scape.

It's also well worth thinking about your pool's construction materials. Are you looking to use traditional pool tiling, or concrete, vinyl, or fiberglass to make your swimming pool?

Each of these materials also come with their own advantages and limitations. For instance, fiberglass and vinyl are typically low-maintenance and can be easy to install, but they could be perceived as being less durable than concrete.

Contrastingly, concrete pools are trickier to install and can come with their own maintenance requirements.

Want to give your swimming pool a little extra pizazz? Then why not do some extra landscaping to accompany your new pool area?

Adding water features like slides and waterfalls will definitely transform your backyard into a mini-water park that'll be sure to bring the kids (and us bigger kids) hours of entertainment.

Water fountains will also add a touch of visual luxury as well as create a serene ambience, thanks to the soothing sounds of running water.

Adding pool lighting will also help to create a stunning ambience for your pool area. Think about whether you're after warm or cool lighting, or perhaps even smart LED lighting that allows you to select between a wide range of colours.

And then there's pool heating options. Imagine being able to bathe in a heated swimming pool during the chillier winter months or even on a cool summer's night.

Having pool heating can help you extend the usable hours of your swimming pool, ensuring that this backyard asset can be enjoyed from dawn to dusk.

There are also a wide range of different pool heating options for you to choose from, ranging from solar-powered pool heaters to plastic solar covers, and electric heating pumps.

Be sure to choose a pool heating system that aligns best with your household's energy needs.

Next up is the ever-present concern of pool care and maintenance. Keeping a consistent pool maintenance schedule ensures that your swimming pool is always ready for use.

Daily tasks should include skimming debris like fallen leaves from your pool and its filters, followed by vacuuming and brushing your pool walls and floor in order to prevent algae and calcium buildups.

Responsible pool owners should also familiarise themselves with pool water chemistry procedures.

Learn about safely using chlorine top-ups, pH balancers, shock treatments, and algaecides to maintain healthy water conditions and ensure the health and wellbeing of your friends and loved ones.

You should also make sure that your pool's components are serviced regularly. This includes your swimming pool heaters, pumps, and any jets (for those of you who are looking into installing a spa and pool combo).

With all these considerations made, you should be able to install and maintain your pool with minimal fuss.

Just remember to stay on top of your pool cleaning and servicing requirements to ensure that your water tanks, filtration systems, and other vital components stay in good working order.

Pool owners are also advised to stay on top of their garden maintenance to reduce the likelihood of plant matter and other garden debris being able to enter your swimming pool.

With a little care and attention, your new pool can stay a picture of luxury for many summers to come.