A backyard pool is a great way to add a touch of luxury to your home. Depending on your taste, they are available in modern, classical, and naturalist designs. Beyond aesthetic benefits, home pools offer a refreshing summertime experience.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of custom mosaics created by pool tile or choosing your pool finish, there is another critical factor to consider. That’s your pool depth.

There aren’t any default depths for your pool. It depends on what you intend to use it for, whether you want to dive, and whether children will use your pool. Far from an irrelevant decision, your pool depth shapes the experience of your home paradise.

We’ve done the hard work for you and compiled an insightful guide to pool depth!

Motivations for Backyard Pool Installation

Begin your pool construction considerations with the simple question—“why?” Will it be a workout space, relaxation station, party paradise or an aquatic school for learning to swim?

Most pools are divided into two primary depths—the shallow end and the deep end—with a sloping transition. Making more detailed decisions about the depth of these two areas will dictate what you can and can’t do in your backyard pool.

Three to four feet is a safe depth that covers most of your athletic bases with pool use. You’ll be free to play a round of water volleyball, pool hockey, or swim laps without fear of knocking your feet on the pool bottom.

Including a shallower region, between one and three feet, offers space for summertime lounging—preferably with a refreshing cocktail! However, these regions can extend up to five feet if you want to relax in deeper water.

What Is a Safe Depth for Adults?

When you don’t have to worry about children, you can make whatever design decision you like with your pool construction. However, there are still optimal pool depths for adults.

It’s wise to keep a transitional element to avoid unexpected drop-offs. A shallow end of around three feet creates a relaxing sun shelf, while five feet is an optimal depth in which most adults will be comfortable.

Obviously, this isn’t a hard limit. If you wish, you can have your pool contractor put in a deep end of around 8 feet, allowing for more swim-based workouts and underwater fun.

When considering these depths and transitional spaces, it’s wise to consider the pool finish, too. It will dictate your aesthetic and provide a comfortable surface for your friends and family to bounce through the water.

What Is a Safe Depth for Children?

When it comes to kids, you want to guarantee their safety, whether they’re yours or your friends. A two-to-three-foot shallow end makes an ideal space for wading or swimming practice. 

You don’t need to limit the whole pool to this. Give the adults a space between 4-and-five feet to lounge, wade, or swim. Designing a more dynamic poolscape like this also considers the fast rate at which kids grow.

Strategic pool construction maximizes safety with separate kiddy pools or L-shaped pools that distinguish between the kid-friendly depths and the deeper areas reserved for adults. Discussing these possibilities with a pool contractor will help you decide what you need.

Room to Dive

This is where the law comes in. You can decide what pool depth is best for your home in all other areas. However, if you want to install a diving board, you must adhere to the minimum depth requirement.

A minimum depth of eight feet is required in California to install a diving board. You’ll also want to consider which pool coping and pool finish best complement your diving board to create a seamless aesthetic. Colorful pool tile is a great way to distinguish this area.

If you don’t want a diving board but still want to practice your cannonballs, a minimum depth of four feet is recommended. This decision creates ample cushioning to prevent an unpleasant landing on the bottom.

Cost Changes Due to Pool Depth

There are some obvious ways that pool depth affects the cost of your pool construction and maintenance. The deeper it is, the longer your pool construction will take and the more resources it will require.

However, an often unconsidered factor is maintenance, pool restoration, and repair. These costs are greater with deeper pools due to the increased surface area that requires occasional pool repair and replastering.

Costs will fluctuate, but what matters most is that your pool is designed to meet your needs and aesthetic taste. Choosing the right pool coping, tile material and depth are all a part of creating the backyard paradise of your dreams!

Premium Pool Construction in California

Whatever depth you desire, So Cal Pool Plaster has the expertise to bring your backyard oasis to life. We offer various pool finishes, including white and gray pool plaster, stonescapes, finish blends, and varied swimming pool tile options.

Our pool contractors handle the whole process with expert care and friendly service, whether you need demolition and reconstruction or a simple pool repair. We also offer advice to help you design the perfect pool for your home and family.

Call So Cal Pool Plaster today at 714-617-8182 or contact us online!