Fully tiled concrete plunge pool by Joanne Green Landscape & Interior and Traditional Pools
Swimming pools are an often-sought-after luxury especially in Sydney’s summer months. With the city’s harbour and seaside lifestyle and long summer season, a pool can be a great addition to not only create that wow factor, but also add amenity; aesthetics and value to your home.
Whether it be a full-sized classic style pool with a sandstone surround or a tiled plunge pool with infinity edge, there are a number of factors to consider before jumping in. What’s more a swimming pool is a large investment, so you want to make sure you get it right! We have outlined some key questions and considerations, to help you make the right decision.
1. What Pool Style Should I Choose?
The style of your pool will likely be based on its primary use, whether that be for relaxing, recreation or fitness. With a myriad of styles, shapes, sizes and materials to choose from it can often be overwhelming, so having a clear idea of your swimming pool’s purpose will help with the future decisions you will need to make.
Top styles include:
Classic pools are commonly rectangular in shape and complement both modern and traditional homes. Features of classic pools can include waterfalls, shallow ledges, cascading steps and more;
Plunge pools are increasingly popular due to their small footprint, visual appeal and efficiency. They are ideal for properties with limited space, and for those who still want the luxury of a pool. Plunge pools can include features such as edge seating or steps, and wet edges;
Lap pools are typically longer and narrower than classic pools. The lap section is free of obstacles including steps and ladders so that people can swim safely.
Material is also a consideration for the style of pool you would like, with the two most popular being fibreglass and concrete, both of which offer various benefits. Fibreglass pools are known for being more cost effective and have a significantly faster installation time, whereas concrete pools offer much greater flexibility in style in terms of size, shape, depth and finishes, allowing for a customised design.
Overall, a pool style will be dependent on your personal taste, but also your site space and suitability, and budget.
Classic Lap pool incorporated
1. What Will Surround My Pool?
This is a key consideration as it not only relates to the material that will surround your pool but also the other elements that will go into a design. Do you also want space to entertain or perhaps relax and read a book? Do you need lawn for family and pets? And have you considered shade? A landscape designer will be able to assess the whole site and plan how you can best fit the swimming pool and your additional requirements.
For pool surround material, there are a number of options to choose from and this will be based on personal choice, budget, pool style and site. As sandstone is so iconic in Sydney, this is one of our favourite choices to include in a design. Other popular choices are tiles, timber or composite decking. A material should be non-slip and be resistant to ongoing maintenance (pressure cleaning, cleaning chemicals and so forth).
This design featured space for relaxing as well as lawn to accommodate the young family.
2. Is My Site Suitable?
Site and ground conditions play a significant part in swimming pool design and construction. Sites which are steeply sloped or have restricted property access will make the build more difficult and see higher construction costs, compared to a level block. Stormwater drains, location of utilities and ground conditions such as underlying bedrock, sandy or unsuitable soil may also impact the location of the pool within your property.
Sydney has strict requirements with regards to the proximity of positioning swimming pools near property boundaries, boundary fencing, hedging and trees. This is where working with a landscape designer will be of real benefit. They will be able to assess a site, evaluate what will work best for the space whilst adhering to current regulations.
1. What Fencing Laws Should I Follow?
Pool fences are a must, and are required by law. Fencing laws can be tricky to navigate and can potentially impact the design you have in mind. Landscape designers and licensed pool contractors understand the council regulations, so will ensure your new pool complies with the current standards whilst looking its absolute best. For an overview of the current laws, please click here.
Glass fencing is a popular choice as it doesn’t obstruct views, whilst meeting regulations.
2. Who Will Build the Pool?
Joanne Green Landscape & Interior work closely with some of Sydney’s most experienced pool builders who are fully licensed, accredited Master Builders and members of SPASA Australia (Swimming Pools and Spas Association). Our landscape designers will design the pool and then we can get pricing on behalf of our client to consider.
We will ensure a well-thought-out design which makes the best use of the overall garden space, whilst gaining a high level of planning and construction expertise from professional pool builders.
3. What Timeframe am I Looking at?
Timeframes are dependent on the overall project scope and pool type. Typically, a fibreglass pools are quicker to install than concrete. A project including finishing’s, fencing and landscaping can take approximately 12 to 20 weeks.
So where should you go from here? Get in touch with one of our landscape designers who will be able to talk through your requirements, and start planning your swimming pool.
Click here to find out more about our projects featuring swimming pools.
This article was written by Joanne Green Landscape & Interior, with additional information sourced from some of our pool contracting partners: Crystal Pools, Traditional Pools and Premier Pools; as well as additional information from homestolove.com.au.