Incorporating a pool with a safety fence into your current yard takes a lot of advance planning and thought before you begin. There are a number of things you must take into consideration first.
One of the most important is the size of your current lot. Many city housing plots are not very big. As a general rule you may consider a small lot is one under 40’ by 100’. If you have a smaller lot you should carefully diagram the backyard on a piece of graph paper before making any decisions. Ideally the pool should be the centerpiece of the yard and all plants should be designed to complement it. Any safety fence you use should not dominate the entire area.
There are many good pool, fencing and landscaping options currently available for smaller backyards. When choosing a pool, consider an above ground model. The above ground pool can be taken down usually in less than a day when not in usage. This frees up more yard space so you can use the entire yard more often in a four season climate. Many models can be directly incorporated into an existing outside deck, saving even more space. Making the pool safe for your children to use can then be as easy as buying a simple gate with a lock on it.
When choosing safety fencing material, look closely at materials that will fade into the background when viewed. This creates more visual space when viewed from inside the house. Wooden and metallic lattices are excellent choices because they appear more open. Another great option is a mesh fence made from fiber. The mesh often comes in colors that can coordinate with the color of the pool or surroundings. The fence will protect your child and look good at the same time. If you have a small yard, consider placing the pool next an existing fence. This will reduce the amount of safety materials you need to use.
Choosing plants for the area surrounding a pool is tricky. In a smaller space you want to pick plants that can tolerate water splashed from the pool and the shadows the pool casts on the ground that may leave the plant in shade for prolonged periods. Some good plant choices are Hostos, Coreopsis, and Daylilies. What will thrive in one area may not work in another so visit your local gardening center to find out what additional plants will also do well in your climate. If you don’t plan to use the pool all year long, select plants that will bloom primarily during the summer.
If you have a larger yard you have more options when it comes to pool design. Conserving space is often less of an issue than it is where space is at a premium. If you have a house with a big backyard, think about getting buying an in-ground pool. While in-ground pools are more expensive, they are generally more durable and pleasurable to swim in. An in-ground pool offers the additional advantage of taking up less visual space in the backyard. This is particularly true if you buy a pool cover that matches the nearby landscaping.
A larger yard also means you have more choices about where you can situate the pool. Avoid areas where you have trees with shedding leaves or constant shade. The leaves can easily get into the pool. Look for plants that compliment your existing landscape.
If you have an in-ground pool, make sure you place safety fencing around the entire perimeter of the pool. The fencing should be at least four feet high so your child cannot climb over it. Fencing material comes in two basic types: permanent and temporary. Temporary fencing is fencing that is not anchored into the base of the pool and can come down each year. Permanent fencing stays up all year. Some people think fencing is unattractive so they choose materials that can be taken down once swimming season is over.
With a little bit of forethought, you should be able to create a backyard you and your children can enjoy for a long time.
