Whether you grew up on a swim team or came to lap swimming later in life, you know what great exercise the sport is. Swimming can not only provide a cardiovascular workout, but it tones muscles as well. And, of course, it burns calories. That means you can eat more goodies, er, lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The bad part about swimming is it can be a pain going to the local pool. Lap swimming hours vary from facility to facility, wedged in between open swim and lessons, which means you can only go at certain times of the day. A swim workout can be hard to fit into your schedule as often as you would like. And when you can make it to the public lap swim, sometimes the lanes are crowded, or there are kids there goofing around instead of swimming. Add to that the commute time that is wasted traveling to and from the pool, and you can see why more and more people are equipping their homes so they can swim laps from their own back yards.

What are your options if you want to go that route? Obviously, you won’t get a good workout paddling back and forth in your bath tub. The two main options are lap pools and swim spas.
Lap Pools

The only difference between a lap pool and other residential swimming pools is the shape and size. Instead of the ubiquitous kidney-shaped pool, these pools are long, narrow rectangles that emulate a single lap lane. If there’s room, homeowners will go for the full 25 yard length found at most local pools. That way it’s easy to calculate how far you’ve swum. Generally, only 3.5-4 feet deep, lap pools are for serious swimmers and aren’t usually used for recreational swimming (they lack the depth and width needed for toys like diving boards and slides), but they are enough to take a dip in and cool off on a hot day.

The cost for installing a lap pool will vary from region to region, but installation and labor starts at about $20,000-$30,000.
Swim Spas

Swim spas are a newer alternative to digging up the backyard to install a lap pool. Much like a hot tub, they are self-contained units that can be installed indoors or out. They work like a treadmill, where you basically swim in place with an adjustable current pushing against you. Because of this, they take up much less space than a traditional lap pool.

Swim spas aren’t necessarily cheaper to install than regular swimming pools though. They start at about $20,000 and that doesn’t include installation or building a deck/sinking them into the ground (whichever you prefer). Also, because they are still relatively rare, it can be hard to find a local pool company with experience installing and servicing them.

Still, either lap pools or swim spas are viable options if you are looking to give up your pass at the local pool and start swimming for exercise at home.

Maybe you were thinking how great a pool that was entirely solar heated would be when you designed it, but if the whole deck is in the sun during the afternoon, your pool side loungers may be grumbling about the lack of shade.  So, here are a few easy to install ideas for adding a little shade to your deck area:

* An awning that extends from the house
* Umbrellas–today, they come in numerous sizes and shapes, everything from traditional round umbrellas to square or rectangular
* Pergolas–they provide a permanent protected, shaded area and can house chaise lounges or outdoor dining furniture
* Plant trees (but remember that planting them close to the pool will cause extra maintenance from cleaning out their droppings.)

There are many ways you can add shade to your backyard pool’s deck area, but these are among the easiest.  Your swimmers will thank you!

If you live in the right climate, it’s fairly easy to design a completely solar heated swimming pool. The key thing is to place your pool in the right spot. Even in more northern cooler climates, this can cut down on heating costs. Unless you live in an extremely hot climate, you’ll probably want to place your pool so it will get as much direct sunlight as possible. To take advantage of natural sunlight, give your swimming pool a southern or western exposure.

Another way to help solar heated swimming pools retain energy is by choosing a dark-colored bottom for the pool. As you’ve probably heard before (or noticed yourself), dark colors absorb heat. This is true not only for clothing but for pools. On the other hand, light-bottomed swimming pools reflect heat (if you live in a very hot climate, and you don’t want your water to get too warm in the sun, then do the opposite–choose a light color for the bottom of your pool).

If you want a completely solar heated pool, you’ll want to trim branches and shrubs to make sure as much direct sunlight as possible hits the pool throughout the day. However, you should leave some shady spots (perhaps on the northern side of the pool) that can provide a cool respite for poolside loungers who want a break from the heat.

Pool chemicals used to be pretty cut and dry. You used chlorine, and that was the industry standard. Chlorine might not smell so great, it might not be good for the environment, and it might irritate your eyes, but it does a good job of killing bacteria in swimming pools and spas. Today, however, there are alternatives that reduce the need for pool chemicals or eliminate them altogether.

Alternatives to Swimming Pool Chemicals

Salt

Technically, using salt in swimming pools isn’t anything new (I remember swimming in a salt water outdoor pool in West Seattle as a kid), but it’s just now starting to gaining popularity with residential pool owners. One example of a salt-based swimming pool cleansing system is the ECOmatic by Balboa Direct. The system uses everyday table salt along with a power pack and cell. The water passes through the cell where it is converted into a natural sanitizer used to purify the pool water. Afterwards, the sanitizing agent reverts back to salt. Salt-based sanitation systems get rid of bacteria, viruses, and algae the same way chlorine does, and they are more friendly to the environment.

Just how salty is the water, you may wonder, and is it unpleasant to swim in? According to the ECOmatic site, the salt in the water is only one third the density of salt in tears and does not become brackish or irritating to swimmers. http://www.ecomatic.com

Electronic Water Purification

If the idea of swimming in salt water isn’t appealing to you, you may want to check out an electronic water purification system; it is another way to replace pool chemicals like chlorine and bromine. According to Carefree Clearwater LLC, their system which includes ionization of the water (“The process of an atom gaining or losing electrons is called ionization. The Carefree Clearwater system generates copper and silver ions in minute quantities for water purification.”) was first perfected by NASA (they needed an efficient way to purify water for astronauts) and is safe for use in swimming pools. It eliminates the need to use pool chemicals and the initial installation of the system can turn out to be much cheaper than buying chemicals over the years. It is also an automated system that eliminates the need to test for chemicals on a daily basis.

Ozonators

Ozone generators are also becoming popular with today’s pool and spa owners. While they do not completely eliminate the need for pool chemicals, these generators reduce the amount of chemicals you need to use to keep your water bacteria free.

Pool decks are an important part of a swimming pool plan. Because you’ll probably spend as much, or more, time lounging around the swimming pool than you do actually playing in it, you need lots of space for entertaining, sunbathing, and just hanging out. You’ll probably want to design a deck that goes all the way around the swimming pool and is large enough to accommodate all of your furnishings, along with family and friends. According to the Pool Idea Book, when building pool decks, you should “err on the side of building one that is too large”(P. 64).

Some things to take into consideration when designing your pool deck are: materials (there are numerous materials appropriate for pool decks, so you can do something that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing to you), sun and shade (you may want your deck to be larger on the side that sees the most sunlight), and whether or not you need to incorporate a hot tub, outdoor kitchen/fireplace, grilling area, or space for other entertaining features.

Choosing the Material for Your Pool Deck

As mentioned, there are numerous materials appropriate for pool decks. What it comes down to is personal preference and budget considerations. Below is information on some of the decking materials available:

Poured Concrete

Poured concrete is popular both for affordability and malleability–concrete can be finished in numerous colors or it can be stamped so it looks like stone, tile, or brick. Poured concrete pool decks work best in warm climates (cracking sometimes occurs in very cold climates).

Wood Decks

Wood is another popular choice due to the relative ease of construction and its affordable cost. One thing to keep in mind with wood decking is that it needs regular preventative maintenance (paint/stain/sealant) in order to ensure its continued luster. Wood is the predominant choice for above ground pool decks since you can build off the ground with it.

Composite Materials

These are man-made materials created to look like wood. In actuality, they are made from a mixture of materials such as plastics, polymer resins, and recycled wood. Composite pool decks are more expensive than wood, but they require less maintenance in the long-term. Since they are designed to be resistant to rotting, warping, and insect infestations, they usually don’t need to be painted or sealed.

Stone Decking

Stones for pool decks are available in many sizes and shapes and even colors. They are great for adding a natural aesthetic to your yard. In particular, they are popular for homeowners who have designed a natural-looking swimming pool with boulders, cascading waterfalls and the like. Stone is fairly expensive, but it is extremely durable and can work with just about any architectural style.

Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and colors. You can use all the same size, or mixed sizes, to create patterns of your choosing.

Tile Decks

While glazed tile is too slippery for pool decks, unglazed tile adds a touch of elegance to the backyard. Square tiles are most common, but you can find different shapes and sizes from specialty dealers.

These are just a few of the materials available for swimming pool decks. If you choose something that goes well with your pool and landscape along with something that fits into your budget, you and your pool will be happy for years to come.

Pool coping can be divided into four main types. Rolled coping, cantilevered, bull-nosed, and rough-cut.

Rolled edge coping is made from brick, concrete, or cast stone. It is smooth and upturned at the edge which can give a swimmer something to grab onto.

Cantilevered coping is straight on top, runs out past the edge of the pool, then drops down a bit, forming a 90 degree angle. It offers a modern look, and the L shape makes the deck material seem thicker than it actually is.

Bull-nosed coping is made from stone, cast-stone, or from cast-concrete edges. It is flat with a rounded end.

Rough-cut coping is good for giving the pool a casual look. It is made from rough stone and has a textured edge.

Instead of stone or concrete, you can have pool coping done in tile as well. Tile is a good choice, as well, to extend down below the waterline a bit. This makes cleaning easier as dirt and scum that lurks at the waterline is simple to brush off smooth tile (but with concrete it can linger in the nooks).

When selecting pool furniture, it is important to consider the elements. Good outdoor furniture is made to withstand rain, wind, sun, falling tree and bush debris, not to mention wet swimmers in their swimming suits. You also want to take comfort into consideration. Unlike regular old patio furniture, you’ll be lounging on your pool furniture only partially dressed.

Since you’ll probably only use your pool furniture part of the year, weight should also be a consideration. You want something heavy enough so it won’t be blown about during a summer storm, but you also want something lightweight enough that moving it around the deck or into storage doesn’t require a huge amount of exertion. If you don’t have a lot of extra storage space, choose stackable or folding pool furniture.

Best Types of Pool Furniture

* Wrought-iron (resists rust)
* Cast Aluminum (resists rust)
* Teak or Cedar (both weather gracefully)
* Heavy-duty Plastic (rain repellent + lightweight)

Some like outdoor wicker or rustic twig furniture, but remember to buy something that won’t be scratchy against bare skin. Also, rustic twig furniture, while looking good outdoors, requires regular sealant application.

When shopping for cushions for your swimming pool furniture, you will find hundreds of colors and patterns available. Make sure to buy cushions specifically designed for outdoor use. It’s best to get cushions made of quick-drying foam, then covered with a material that resists mildew, water, and fading from the sun.

No matter what kind of pool furniture you buy, it’ll serve you best if you take the time to do some preventative maintenance and cleaning now and then. This will help your furniture have a long life.

You probably already know you can build residential pools specifically for lap swimming. Lap pools are built more or less the same way as other backyard pools (for more on pool types, materials, and costs also read: Choosing the Swimming Pool for Your Needs) and usually chosen by people for whom fitness is of more interest than recreational swimming (though there’s no rule against tossing in an inflatable lounger and floating around in a lap pool).

One of the nice things about lap pools is that they require less water than most recreational pools. Their straight, simple design also complements most architectural styles.

If you’re thinking of having a lap pool built, you will want to make sure you have the space first. Lap pool measurements run around 40-75 feet long (you need 75 feet if you want a standard 25 yard pool, though), 8-10 feet wide, and at least 3 ½ feet deep.

If you want a pool that is suitable for playing as well as swimming laps (but don’t want to build a YMCA sized pool in your backyard), you can incorporate a lane into your pool plans from the beginning. L-shaped pools are popular choices for creating a lap lane as well as a wider play area (at the bottom of the L).

Tip: Don’t forget about stairs when building a lap pool. They need to be incorporated into the design so they don’t interfere with your swimming. You can extend a section of the pool to add stairs, which can be designed to create a decorative feature in what is essentially just a long rectangle. A ladder is also a possibility; trying building the ladder recessed into the side way so it doesn’t get kicked.

Swimming pool covers are important because they help pools retain heat and help them stay free of leaves and other airborne debris. Swimming pools are huge users of energy. Even the energy required to heat your small backyard pool can add a lot to your energy bill. That’s why it is important to use pool covers to help minimize the heat loss. Not only can the proper covers (more on how to select a pool cover below) reduce the size of your heating bill, but in doing so, they make you more environmentally responsible.
How Pools Lose Heat

Swimming pools can lose heat in a number of ways, but the biggest cause of energy loss is evaporation. The process by which water evaporates uses a large amount of energy. To heat water by 1 degree, it takes only 1 BTU per pound of water. However, for each pound of water that evaporates from a 80F pool, you lose 1048 BTU’s of heat.
How Pool Covers Help

To put it simply, pool covers reduce evaporation. By covering your pool when it’s not being used, you will significantly reduce the amount of energy required to keep your pool heated. It is possible to save more than %50 on your heating bill.
Which Pool Covers are Best?

To reduce evaporation, you really only need a large plastic sheet as this forms a water-proof barrier. However, this is not the best option for a number of reasons. For one, it’s not easy to put on, take off, and store such a device. Also, a plastic sheet can tear easily and does not hold up well under the elements such as sun and wind. All in all, this is not the best choice and could not be expected to endure from season to season.

Fortunately, the Internet makes shopping for pool covers easy. All within an hour or two of browsing, you can see the number of materials, sizes, and colors of covers available, plus the various retraction and storage devices that can make putting the cover on and off a simple matter.

Solar pool covers are among the more popular and lower cost options out there. They are also called bubble covers, and are reminiscent of bubble wrap packing material, except they are made of a more durable, higher grade plastic with UV inhibitors.

Even if you have a pool cover already, it might be time to look for a new one as technology is bringing increased ease of use and maintenance to today’s pool covers.

You can get electric-powered covers that open and close at the push of a button. They glide across recessed tracks located under the pool’s coping, then roll up into a housing at one end of the pool. Costs for these electric pool covers averages about $6,000-$10,000 depending on the shape and size of your pool.

Safety covers are also an option. These work the same way, but cost quite a bit more. For your money, you get a pool cover that can support the weight of a number of people. Not sure if the cover you are checking out is a safety cover? Check the ASTM rating. If there is no rating, don’t assume that pool cover is safe for anyone to stand on.

You’ve heard of smart homes and home automation, right? Well, today, you can have that sort of technology applied to your swimming pool, hot tub, and yes, even the covers. A plug-and-play control panel runs around $1,000 and can control up to 32 pool features such as electric-powered pool covers, water features, heaters, pumps, lights, and jets.

A diving board or a slide can make a fun addition to your backyard swimming pool. Keep in mind there are certain safety regulations and building codes to follow when installing this kind of equipment. Some municipal codes totally forbid the installation of a diving board in a residential swimming pool. Others may have special rules. Make sure you check with the Building Department in your town. You will also want to ensure your insurance company allows for coverage.

Assuming diving boards are allowed in your area, required dimensions may vary according to your location, but as a guideline, when installing even a small diving board, the swimming pool must be at least 8 1/2 ft. deep, 28 ft. long, and 15 ft. wide. For slides, the dimensions very depending on the height of the slide. The higher the slide, the deeper the water must be in that particular section of the swimming pool.

Information about Diving Boards and Installation

Diving boards are basically wood (for flexibility) coated with fiberglass (for water resistance) and topped with a nonskid surface. Diving boards available for residential use are typically between 6 and 12 ft. long and 18 in. wide.

Types of Diving Board Models:

Spring-Assisted
Simple Platform

Diving board installation is fairly simple. The base is usually set in concrete. There may be some rails to attach.

Diving Board Maintenance:

Diving boards can be dangerous if they are not kept in good repair. If the fiberglass cover ever cracks, it can cause the wood inside to rot. This could cause the diving board to snap when it is being used. A cracked diving board cannot be repaired; it must be replaced.

Another type of damage to should watch for it is the destruction or wearing away of the nonskid material, usually caused by sun exposure and age. In this case, you do not need to replace the diving board. You can purchase a surfacing kit and fix it yourself.

Information about Slides and Installation

Slides are usually made of fiberglass. They have metal stairs and frames. Straight slides can be up to 13 ft. long, requiring quite a bit of space on the pool deck. Curving slides are good in smaller areas since they take up less room.

Installing a slide is fairly simple, but it may be easiest just to include the installation as part of the original pool construction. Typically, there are two ways of attaching a slide to the pool deck. 1) The builder sinks fasteners into the concrete, then attaches the slide to the fasteners 2) the builder drills holes into the deck and sets the legs of the slide in concrete. With either method, you’ll want to make sure the slide is securely set into the deck before using it. A wobbly slide is not acceptable.