What Size of Above Ground Pool Should I Get for My Family?

So you’ve decided to buy you, family, an above ground pool. The next perplexing question you have to crack is what size above ground pool should I get?

A friend of mine asked me recently to help him select an above ground pool for his family, but like many people, we had some difficulty deciding on the size. I did a quick research on how to determine the size of an above ground pool and here is what I found. 

What to Consider when deciding on the size of above ground Pool?

A great thing about an above ground pool is that there are so many varieties of models, size, and shapes available on the market today.

You can get almost any size or shape. The greatest factor that determines the size of the swimming pool you get is the size of your yard and your budget. Let’s dive in and look at these three factors (Yard size,  number of people and Budget available) in detail. 

Yard Size 

Before settling on the size and shape of a pool you should take into consideration the size of your yard. If you have a big backyard, you can go for a more spacious pool. However, if you’re limited by space go for a smaller pool. Some people love to have lots of space around their pool. In addition, you might want to leave some room around the pool.

You can even use the space to install a deck in the future. You should also consider leaving some space for other items such as grills in case you want to have a barbecue. How unlevel the backyard also determine the kind of pool you get. For backyard which is very unlevel, you need to buy a small pool which tends to be more stable. 

Number of People Who Will be Using the Pool. 

If you have a big family, you should go for a more spacious pool. Round shaped pools are better because they are more spacious. If you have kids, remember that your kids would want to bring in their friends.

If the pool is only going to be used by adults, you can go for a deeper pool. Also, remember most adults tend to spend most of their time on the patio. So, if most users will be adults you should prefer to have a more spacious patio.

Budget

On the market, there is a variety of model available whose prices range from less than $100 to the highs of $ 1,000. As you probably know, you get what you pay for. The cheap models tend not to last for very long. 

What is the most popular size above ground pool?

Basically, you can classify pool sizes into small, medium and large sizes. Small pools tend to measure around 12’ X 24’ while medium-sized pool tends to be around 16’ X 32’ and big sized above ground pool 20’ X 40’. Most people tend to prefer medium-sized pools because they are big enough for a family of five. In addition to that medium-sized pools don’t take up lots of space. When it comes to round shaped pools the most popular diameters are 15′, 18′, 21′, 24′, 27′ and 30′. When it comes to depth of above ground swimming pool most common measurements are 48″ 52″ or 54″.

How to measure above ground pool size

For a round shaped above ground pool, you can simply measure the diameter using a tape measure. Take the measurement while you’re inside the pool from wall to wall. For oval-shaped pools, simply take the measurement from the wall to the center, and also take the measurement from wall to wall on the longest point. For rectangular shaped pools, take the measurement of the long side and short wall.

How many gallons are in an above ground pool?

It’s to know the volume of water in an above ground pool. You might be asking why it’s important. Well, you need to know the volume of water when you’re treating water. For example, if you need to add disinfectant such as chlorine, you need an accurate measure of gallons of water.  The formula for determining gallons is Length X Width X Depth.

How to measure your yard for an above ground pool

It’s pretty simple to measure the size of the ground an above ground pool is going to occupy. The first step is to determine the best place where you want to put up the swimming pool. Next, take up a measuring kit from the store. Mark the outline of the pool on the ground using a  powder-like flour. You can ask a family member to help hold the tape for you on one side. Remember if the ground is not flat, you should fix it before installing the pool. 

How far from the house should an above ground pool be?

When deciding on the ideal location to install an above ground pool, you should consider some of the following factors. It’s ideal to install the pool on the backyard, not in odd places such as front yards or the side yard. This is because the backyard is normally hidden, so you can have some privacy. 

Don’t place the pool to cross to the house. If a pool is too close to the buildings, they tend to block off the sun. Placing the pool near trees will result in leaves getting into the water. 

If you live in a city or town, you should check out with the local municipal authority on the regulation they have concerning the place people are allowed to put up a swimming pool. It’s important to ensure you don’t break any regulations.