Small Pools! Would you do it?

5 years ago

I have been thinking long and hard about a small pool (either 12x24 or 10x20) in our very small backyard (25x40). I live in Ontario where lot sizes aren't huge and houses are now selling for $100,000+ over asking. It's crazy. If I bought a new home with a pool, I'd be looking at $200,000 over my selling price for what I want plus fees, etc. A pool will cost $70-80 000ish depending on what we do.
So the question is ... would you do it? Would you take over your small backyard with a pool that can only be used for 4 months of the year? I've been finding summers unbearably hot and do have kids who would use it.
If you have pics of your own small pools, I'd love to see them. Houzz's idea of small is not mine :)
Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Mystic Pools, LLC

5 years ago

TMac

No inground swimming pool, whether it's concrete, fiberglass or vinyl lined will hold heat any better than the other.

If you really wanted to retain in any of these pool types, the backs of the structures would have to be insulated. Some contractors have done this with concrete pools that are open year round where the winter temps are very cold. Rigid foam board is set on the floor and walls prior to a pour.

Home foundations have rigid foam board attached to their foundations prior to backfilling in effort to prevent heat loss and allowance for cold to penetrate from the outside.

70%-90% of your heat loss comes directly off a pool's surface. A thermal blanket or an automatic cover will help reduce heat loss on any swimming pool or spa. Indoor pools are a bit more efficient.

Looking at it from a common sense stand point, concrete pool walls are appreciably thicker than fiberglass and vinyl pool walls. The transfer of heat from the pool or transfer of cold from the surrounding earth will have an easier time on thinner material.

I have not heard or read of any such claim on fiberglass pools. I have not seen any fiberglass pool manufacturers stating this either.

Bottom line is, a swimming pool, whether seasonal or year round, carries an expense to operate. 35 years ago when I started my company, there were no such products as we see now, to decrease energy and increase efficiency. Solar blankets were about the only thing out there.

Your pool budget essentially will drive your choice of pool type to install.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Mystic Pools, LLC
5 years ago
Some considerations.

-Do you see yourself using the backyard as it is?

-Is the investment of a pool wise in the event you sell? The debate as to whether a pool adds value to a home has been a discussion for decades. If you feel it adds value to your lifestyle, then go for it.

Although it's a short pool season, it's nice when you have it. If you don't vacation much, it's nice to have a staycation in your own backyard.
Diane
5 years ago
We did and love it. We have a larger yard, but with city restrictions and cold winters the small pool is perfect. Our is fiberglass 12 x 24 salt water and heated.
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TMac
Original Author
5 years ago
I was thinking fibreglass too as I've heard it retains the heat better. (and no liners)
cpartist
5 years ago
I would think a pool in your area would be more of a negative if you ever sell. Small pools here in FL are not a negative at all
Diane
5 years ago
The decision for an in ground pool IMO pool needs to be more about value in use than resell. We live in an area of the country with harsh winters so when summer comes we stay home to enjoy the weather a pool makes this choice better. This summer with Covid and nothing open, no entertainment and no travel made it a wonderful choice. Our grown daughter forced to work from home drove here from DC and spent a month working all day and hanging out with us on evenings and weekends. We also shared with several families this summer letting them use the pool in the heat of summer to break up the long weeks of solitude. Will we get our money back when we sell not likely we won’t get our money back from vacations either, but the fun and memories are worth it to us.

As for cost the maintenance and utilities has been a lot less than we thought, but the ancillary building cost such as fencing and permits were much higher. We needed to have a larger gate installed because of a detached garage and layout that was north of $15,000 that we had not understand initially still no regrets. We called to schedule our pool opening appointment in January for May 5th and are looking forward to it.
TMac
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the responses. Like Diane, we have been stuck home and really don't travel that much anyway due to our jobs. (Not until retirement anyway.) An agent in the area said pools are selling homes now that Covid hit and now that we've seen one pandemic, there will likely be more.

And the heat loss issue ... interesting.... some companies around here are telling their customers they are so this is good to know. Gotta do your research that's for sure! So installation can't happen until 2022 and I feel like every day I sit on this, that date gets pushed back. It's an expensive decision to get wrong.
PRO
Mystic Pools, LLC
5 years ago
If your not planning until 2022, you have plenty of time to research pool differences and their costs, as well as finding a quality contractor.

We are busy. Booked through the year since November. Most quality builders are busy too. If anyone says they can get in right of way, they usually are not busy because they are not good.

There are ways to reduce energy cost such as, variable speed pumps, which I highly recommend, introducing filtered water either at the pool floor or close to it, to heat more evenly and an automatic pool cover. Auto covers will reduce chemical usage and heating costs. Plus, they provide safety and keep pools clean. They are an expensive up front cost, but are a great benefit to pools. They're best installed on rectangle pools. Freeform pools have different requirements.