For year-round enjoyment, building an indoor swimming pool is well worth the initial expense. An indoor swimming pool will offer fun and entertainment for the whole family, not to mention the convenience of a personal and private health and fitness center. Also, with an indoor pool you won’t have to worry about freeze-thaw cycles, so a wide variety of materials can be used, like glass and ceramic waterline tiles.
Any kind of pool can be built indoors and it can be as simple as a lap pool or as elaborate as an indoor water park. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination and budget. Here are a few things to consider when building an indoor swimming pool.
Construction
The best time to plan for the installation of an indoor pool is during the design and construction of a new home but, with the help of the right architect, you may be able to add an indoor pool to an existing home, too. An architect who has had experience designing indoor pools is the best person to work with.
Most pools are constructed the same way, whether they’re built indoors or out. However, deck drainage must be carefully considered. While outdoor pool decks slope away from the pool to keep debris and runoff out of the water, indoor pools need the deck sloped to a perimeter drain or properly spaced deck drains and must be incorporated into the sanitary system.
Challenges
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems are important for ensuring comfortable and safe humidity levels. Air quality equipment is a major consideration in all indoor projects and can sometimes cost just as much as the pool itself. An indoor pool room may look like the rest of the house architecturally, but it is quite different in terms of engineering.
Material Options
Indoor pools can be built of the same materials as outdoor pools. Your options are as follows:
- Concrete is strong and durable and the most common indoor pool building material.
- Aluminum/vinyl is not commonly used today in indoor swimming pools, but is still an option.
- Fibreglass prefabricated shells require an open wall access point so that they can be dropped into place.
Important design factors
Humidity causes the most wear and tear to a building housing an indoor pool. Metals must be rustproof and wood can deteriorate quickly.
Proper insulation will help to lessen potential health threats, such as the growth of mould that can damage your respiratory system.
A quality vapour barrier will help to prevent a build-up of condensation in the walls. They are made of plastic or film and allow air to circulate.
Climate control needs to be maintained as keeping a fixed temperature will produce less humidity.
You should also consider covering the pool when you’re not using it to decrease evaporation and reduce humidity and heat loss.