What Pool Shape to Choose?

There are a lot of decisions to make when buying a new pool.

A rectangular pool may not have the exact aesthetic that you are looking for. You're looking at your options... Humpback Kidney, Lagoon, Roman... It can be hard to decide. Unfortunately, if cost is a factor for you, choosing a pool shape may make a bigger difference in the long run than you expect.

In the pool industry, most things are standardized around a 16X32 rectangular, inground pool (~80,000 litres). If you're looking for a heater, the best value will probably be one that's fitted for ~80,000 litres. If you're looking for a solar blanket, the best value will almost certainly be a 16X32 rectangle.

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that an 18X36 rectangular solar blanket is going to cost you an arm and a leg, but it will usually be more expensive per square foot than its 16X32 counterpart. Where the big price differences arise are in the pool shape.

As people start closing their pools for the winter, the two main cover types that you will see are tarp and safety covers. Tarp covers are generally available in rectangles, circles, and ovals. This means that a 16X32 kidney shaped pool (due to how kidney pools are measured) will usually need an 18X36 pool cover. This difference will probably cost you an extra $20-40. The biggest issue for most people when getting a tarp cover will be the inconvenient shape of their pool.

The massive price differences in pool shape will arise in safety covers. A 16X32 standard rectangular safety cover may cost you half the amount of a 16X32 safety cover with rounded sides. This means that adding Roman ends to your rectangular pool for a visual improvement could cost you an extra $1000 later down the road.

Now, none of this is meant to scare you away from purchasing your dream pool. Sometimes, though, these price differences are tough to spot up-front and can take unknowing pool-buyers by surprise. We want everyone to be able to enjoy their pools, not spending their time worrying about unexpected expenses.

Hopefully this advice helps you!