Do you wish you would have went with a different shape pool, round or oval?

[ChuckD]

I guess the pragmatic side of me wants to put that investment to some kind of use, and for me that would be exercise. Our pool is 17x33 (came with our house) and, for me, it's just not long enough to do laps. I find I can push off and by the time I start my first stroke I'm already at the halfway point. Two or three more and I'm hitting the other end.

I should say that I spent most of my early years as a lifeguard and swimming instructor trainer so I have decent form.
But still, for any adult who knows how to swim, I think 33' just doesn't cut it. I have a dream of building a lap pool, one lane, 25 yds long, adjoining another free-form area for more hedonistic enjoyment.

A boy can dream...
C.

[Trimom]

II have a dream of building a lap pool, one lane, 25 yds long, adjoining another free-form area for more hedonistic enjoyment.

A boy can dream...
C.

He he he... that is my dream pool too! Be sure to add the waterfall in the free form area.

I chose the 21x41 oval for lap swimming - now I just have to teach myself how NOT to do a flip turn. Since I am training for another triathlon, I need to cut out the turns anyway.

[NWMNMom]

Got the 18x33 and it is as big as will fit into the area we have without having to use our dozer to push out more woods. I know a 33' round would have been cheaper and the structural issues, etc. We are buttress free so no mowing issues to deal with. I can swim laps nicely, but then at my age and current shape, swimming from one end to the other end is quite enough to get that old heart a pumping! Back and forth a half dozen times and I am ready for a big inflatable floatie and a Pina Colada.

I think I have heard that ordering and handling solar covers and reels with the really big round pools is more of an issue than with the long oval or rectangular pools. IMO, solar covers and reels are an issue PERIOD, but whatever we all get, we come here and find someone else to help us figure it out as inexpensively, efficiently and asthetically pleasing as possible. Try THAT at a pool store.

[matt4x4]

In my opinion (especially with freezing temperatures), in the world of regular AG pools, I would go with a round pool of larger size. I may be biased since I have one, but here's my reasons:
1. If you have kids, you can still do laps without them getting in your way, heck, they can even play volley ball while you swim laps through the center.
2. Less problems with regards to stress and wall shifting over an oval, especially in climates where frost heave occurs.
3. Easy to build in comparison to a buttress or buttress free pool.
4. Round pool seems to give good flow from the return all the way around, I see my one neighbours pool (oval) getting less circulation at the far end opposite the return, since his stairs are there, it gives him issues with algae regularly. probably due to non circultaing water.

[mohawk]

My vote is for the round pool. We have a 30' round and the kids can be on one side playing without splashing on me--very important. Denise

[CarlD]

Actually, my vote is for a rectangular pool--the better ones like Splash, Kayak and FantaSea. I couldn't stand to have a pool less than 40' long, and only rectangles and a few ovals get that long.

I also think big rounds take up more space and use a lot more water for what they give you. Of course for small pools, 18' and under, I think rounds are the ONLY way to go. The extra area and water that I believe are DISadvantages for big pool are ADVANTAGES for small one.

But this is all opinion.

The FACT (and not opinion) is that the shape that works best for YOU is the best shape. If round floats your boat, get a round. If it's oval, do oval. Me? It's that 40' long rectangle.

[sisie5]

I notice your pool size and my is the same size as yours.Can you tell me what size sand filter you have?how much sand does it hold,and the pump size?I"m having trouble keeping mine clean,I'm thinking my sand filter is to small.
Also did you bid this pool new,just wondering if the sand filter and pump came as a package deal.I 'm just not sure what size to get for my 18x33 ester williams.I now have a jacuzzi sand filter and pump.thanks for all the help.what now my pool has something on the botton of the pool and when I vacuum its back the next day.

[GraceByDesign]

Sisie,
check your PM's