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Types of Swimming Pools
Now that you have got introduced to the swimming
pool, step in to this chapter to know more about the types of pools. Swimming
pools can be broadly classified based on usage and installation. Based on
usage swimming pools can be categorized into ocean pools, private pools,
public pools, competition pools, exercise pools, hot tubs and spas. And based
on installation there are two types of pools – aboveground and in-ground
pools.
This section provides info on:
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Pool types based on usage
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Pool types based on installation
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Above ground pool types
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In-ground pool types
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Choose your Pool Style
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Eight Different Kinds of In-ground Pools
Pools Types Based on Usage.
Ocean Pools
In the early part of the 20th century, especially in Australia, ocean pools were
constructed typically on headlands by enclosing part of the rock shelf, with
water circulated through the pools by flooding from tidal tanks or by regular
flooding over the side of the pools at high tide.
Private Pools
Privately owned outdoor swimming pools in backyards or gardens started to
proliferate in the 1950s in regions with warm summer climates, particularly
in the United States.
Today, in some U.S.
locations, home pools are so common that it is rare to find a new house being
built without a swimming pool being considered in the design.
Public Pools
Public pools are often found as part of a larger leisure center or
recreational complex. These centers often have more than one pool, e.g. an
indoor heated pool, an outdoor saltwater or unheated chlorinated pool, a
shallower 'children's pool', and a paddling pool for toddlers and infants.
Competition
Pools
FINA sets widely recognized standards for competition pools, which must be 25
m (~82 feet) or 50 m (~164 feet) long and at least 1.35 m (~4.4 feet) deep.
Competition pools are generally indoors and heated to enable their use all
year round, and to more easily comply with the regulations
Exercise
Pools
In the last two decades, a new style of pool has gained popularity. These
consist of a small vessel (usually about 2.5 m x 5 m) in which the swimmer
swims in place, either against the push of artificially generated water
current or against the pull of restraining devices.
Hot
Tubs and Spa Pools
In the swimming pool area and/or in the sauna area of a health club or
fitness center, there may be one or more hot tubs or spa pools. Air bubbles
may be introduced into the nozzles via an air-bleed venture system that
combines cooler air with the incoming heated water to cool the pool down if
temperatures rise uncomfortably high.
Choose
Your Pool Style - Look at the photos of kidney pools, rectangular pools,
classic pools, custom pools, freeform pools, splash pools and water gyms
Types of Pools Based on Installation
Based on installation, pools
can be classified into the above ground pools and the in- ground pools.
Above Ground
Pools
Above ground swimming pools are often round and oval in design and their
frames and liners are offered in many unique colorful patterns. Above ground
pools have a visible structural frame with a liner normally made out of vinyl
(PVC) that forms the surface of the framing system.
Above Ground
Pools with Hard and Soft Sides
There are two types of above
ground swimming pool – pools with hard sides and pools with soft side. Hard
sided above ground pools fall in to two types – those with metal walls and
those with wooden walls.
Click here for above ground pool
pictures
More pool pictures.
In-ground Pools
In-ground pools typically come in three varieties: concrete (with various
finishes); vinyl-lined and fiberglass.
In-ground
Concrete
A concrete pool is custom-built to your specifications by the
pool-builder you choose. It is the most common type of in-ground pool, and
the initial installation generally costs less than a fiberglass pool.
Click here for more in-ground
concrete pool pictures
In-ground
Fiberglass Pool
A fiberglass pool is factory-manufactured and then installed in one piece in
your back yard when your excavation is completed. Basically, a fiberglass
pool resembles a giant bathtub.
In-ground
Vinyl Pool
A vinyl-liner pool is furnished to the installer in kit form.
Click here for vinyl
liner pool pictures
Eight Different Kinds of In-ground Pools
Play Pool
A play pool typically is no deeper than five feet. Play pools generally are
built for cooling off and relaxing in, playing volleyball, other water
sports, as well as for swimming laps.
Diving Pool
Diving pools are generally about 8-1/2 feet deep with a diving board or
platform. Diving pools can be a real safety hazard, and should only be built
to NSPI and ANSI standards.
Freeform Pool
A freeform pool is a lagoon style pool or naturalistic pool. It usually has
have rock features and is built to mimic a oasis. Freeform pools have been
popular in the Phoenix
area and throughout the country for many years.
Geometric Pool
Geometric pools usually have very straight lines or or a consistent radius
and are typically more traditional looking. There seems to be a shift back to
the geometric pool. A geometric pool can be more formal and upscale looking.
Infinity Pools
An infinity pool (also named negative edge or vanishing edge pool) is a
swimming pool that produces a visual effect of water extending to the
horizon, vanishing, or extending to "infinity".
Lap Pool
Lap pools are typically narrow and long, usually over 50’, to facilitate
exercise and swimming for health and fitness.
Spool
The word spool is a combination of a spa and a pool. Spools are typically
oversized spas somewhere around 12’ X 14’.
Perimeter Overflow
Pool
This would be a pool where the water level in the pool is the same as the top
of the decking. Around the pool perimeter is a channel or notch that the
water drain into creating a visual masterpiece. It looks like a big mirror
lying on the ground.
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