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Choosing a Cottage Pool (+60 Photos)

Spending hot summer days at your own cottage away from the noisy city – priceless. But how much more enjoyable it becomes when you have a pool! Undoubtedly, a pool for the cottage is the best choice. Today, the Lanaspace team of professionals will show you that realizing the dream of a pool is easier and cheaper than it seems. We will explore the types, convenience, and practicality of various models and help you pick the right option. Agreed?

Let’s get started!

A backyard with a pool and lounge chairs.
A small courtyard with a pool and lighting.
A swimming pool in the middle of an old stone house.
A modern backyard with a swimming pool and lounge chairs.

Pool for the cottage: Is it worth the candle?

Many people dream of having their own pool. However, as always, there are many doubts, objections, and other limiting factors. When considering whether to buy a pool for the cottage, there are many concerns. For instance, the price: it seems you have to be at least as wealthy as the Rockefellers to afford such a luxury.

– What about maintenance, cleaning, and care for water filtration and supply systems?

– Who will take care of the pool during the winter when the cottage is empty?

All these doubts lead to the pool for the cottage remaining an unfulfilled dream.

But let’s not jump to conclusions yet, because there’s a counter-argument for installing a pool:

  1. Price. There are various types of pools for cottages, and often they are affordable. We’ll tell you about budget options later on.
  2. Regarding maintenance during the colder months, you can choose a pool that suits your needs. Frame and inflatable pools can serve you during the summer, and once there’s no need for them, you can dismantle them until the next season.
  3. Also, a pool can be a great place to relax, and it will bring so much joy to the kids!

As you can see, the advantages of having a pool at home outweigh the disadvantages. We’ll help you choose the right one.

A backyard with a swimming pool and patio furniture.
A courtyard with a pool and plants hanging from the ceiling.
A pool with a tree next to it.
A backyard with a wooden deck and a swimming pool.

Pools for the cottage: Types and installation methods

So, for a pool for the cottage to not disappoint us, it should meet several criteria:

  1. Practicality
  2. Easy installation and dismantling
  3. Durability
  4. Cost

Our team has prepared several suitable options for you. Now, let’s take a look at the most popular types of pools for cottages and see how they match up with the criteria mentioned earlier.

Types of pools for cottages:

  • Inflatable
  • Plastic
  • Frame

Now, let’s dive deeper into each type.

A modern backyard with a wooden deck and a swimming pool.
A backyard with a swimming pool and wooden deck.
A small backyard with a pool and lounge chairs.
A backyard with a pool and a waterfall.

Inflatable pool for the cottage: pros and cons

At first glance, the idea of using an inflatable pool for a cottage might seem basic, given the belief that such pools are only suitable for kids. But that’s not entirely true. There’s a vast selection of inflatable pools out there suitable for adults too.

Check out the photo below; aren’t those dimensions impressive?

An inflatable swimming pool in a backyard.
  • Practicality 7/10

In practical use, inflatable pools can’t compete with, say, plastic ones. The main drawback – you can’t bury them. So, the pool will always stand above ground, and if it’s large, it will have high sides. Whether this works for your family is for you to decide.

A group of people playing in an inflatable pool.

Regarding ease of use, large models come equipped with water filling and filtration systems, while smaller or kid-sized ones do not. You’ll have to add and drain water manually.

Note: from time to time, you’ll need to inflate the pool. If you set it up and find it losing shape a few days later, don’t panic. Most likely, there’s no puncture or manufacturing defect; the pool just needs a bit more air.

If that seems like a hassle to you, be aware that there are systems on the market with continuous inflation. An electric fan powers the inflation system. It uses more resources, but also requires less effort on your part. The choice is yours.

A hot tub in a room with a wooden floor.
  • Ease of installation/dismantling 10/10

In terms of this criterion, the inflatable pool is the clear winner. No other structure can boast such ease of use. Here’s a quick look:

Installation:

  1. Clear the area for the pool. Remove sharp and hard objects. Optionally, cover the ground with PVC or any other dense material at hand.
  2. Spread out the material following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  3. Inflate the pool’s sides.
  4. Fill the reservoir with water.
  5. Enjoy a refreshing swim!

Dismantling is just as straightforward:

  1. Drain the water.
  2. Allow the material to dry (this is a must!).
  3. Wipe away any accumulated dust.
  4. Fold it up.
  5. Store away.

Easy-peasy, right?

An inflatable swimming pool in a backyard.
  • Долговечность 4/10

While inflatable pools are the most budget-friendly option available, they can’t boast great durability or ease of maintenance. Still, it’s not the worst choice. Just be more careful when using it. With gentle care, it can last quite some time.

A wooden hot tub sitting on top of a wooden deck.

Stay away from sharp objects, stones, and tree branches near the pool, and your favorite relaxation spot will remain intact.

  • Cost 10/10

You can buy an inflatable pool for the cottage quite affordably. Of course, there are some caveats. An expensive inflatable pool costs as much as the cheapest framed one, so choosing between the two is entirely up to you.

A hot tub in a garden at night.
An inflatable hot tub in a backyard with pink lights.

ALTERNATIVE: If a small-sized pool works for you, you can equip it using galvanized containers. Isn’t that a relaxation zone? (see photo)

A backyard with a hot tub and chairs.
A man relaxing in a hot tub on a wooden deck.
A backyard with a pool and lounge chairs.
A backyard with a wooden deck and a pool.
An outdoor pool with an umbrella and chairs.

Plastic pool for the cottage: weighing the pros and cons

A plastic pool for the cottage is more versatile than an inflatable one, but it requires more effort to set up. Let’s delve into the advantages and drawbacks of these types of pools and weigh the pros and cons.

  • Practicality 10/10

If you’ve put in the utmost effort for the correct installation and chosen a quality model, then among all three options, the plastic pool stands out.

You can have it deep, semi-deep, or even above-ground, depending on the material’s density (check with the distributor).

A semi-submerged plastic pool:

A series of photos showing how to build a wooden pool.

This means you can customize such a pool to any aesthetic taste, see photos:

A swimming pool in front of a wooden house.
An outdoor swimming pool with a wooden deck.
Four pictures of a swimming pool with a wooden deck.
A modern backyard with a wooden deck and a hot tub.
A swimming pool in a backyard with an umbrella.
  • Ease of Installation/Dismantling 4/10

Setting up a plastic basin is, of course, easier than building a permanent pool, but some skill is required. You can’t always do it without professionals. Here are some nuances to consider:

  1. If you’re planning for an above-ground pool, opt for modular models as they’re easier to maintain. However, for an in-ground pool, a solid, one-piece basin will bring fewer challenges.
  2. For an above-ground, non-in-ground pool, you’ll need a special ladder. Budget for this additional cost.
A swimming pool in a backyard.

Dismantling a plastic pool is both futile and challenging. So, if you decide to get one, think about how to care for it during winter. We have a couple of ideas for you. See photos:

A swimming pool with a glass enclosure.
Four pictures of a swimming pool with a wooden deck.
A swimming pool with a glass enclosure.
An aerial view of a swimming pool and lawn.
A dome with a pool inside of it.
  • Durability 9/10

It goes without saying, if the structure is installed correctly and the basin is of good quality, such a pool will serve you faithfully for many years.

A 3d model of a swimming pool.
  • Cost 3/10

It’s not that plastic basins are exorbitantly priced, but you should also factor in the labor costs of professionals for installation. Time, resources, money for unforeseen expenses – consider all this before making a decision.

Four pictures of a backyard with a pool and a tree.
Two pictures of a backyard with a hammock and a tree.
A backyard with a swimming pool and a wooden deck.
A backyard with a wooden deck and a swimming pool.

Tip: Before buying a basin, study the soil type of your cottage plot — it’s crucial as not every type is suitable for installing deep pools. This way, you’ll save yourself from disappointments and unforeseen expenses.

Framed pool for the cottage: making the right choice

We’ve already mentioned framed pools, but before discussing them, let’s see how they might look:

A wooden deck with a pool and hot tub.

Essentially, these are modular constructions covered with a special, dense film.

  • Practicality 9/10

The main advantage of a framed pool is the choice: whether to leave the structure for the winter or not. Depending on the material, of course — make sure to check with the sellers.

You can’t make the pool entirely in-ground, but some types of reinforced frames can be submerged in the ground for stability.

You can also clad the framed pool with boards, and here’s the result:

A backyard with a wooden deck and a swimming pool.
A wooden deck with a swimming pool.
A wooden pool with a wooden deck.
An octagonal swimming pool in a backyard.
A wooden pool with a wooden deck around it.
A wooden swimming pool in a backyard.

Here’s a budget-friendly option for cladding a framed pool:

A backyard with a wooden pool surrounded by grass.

They’ve used bamboo wallpaper here. Pretty creative and beautiful, right?

  • Ease of Installation/Dismantling 9/10

Setting up a framed pool for the cottage is easy. You won’t need professionals or an engineering degree; just carefully read the instructions.

A picture of a swimming pool and a deck.

Of course, assembling the frame and stretching the film is not as simple as inflating a pool. But if we’re talking about practicality, this one takes the cake.))

  • Durability 7/10

Overall, this type of pool is quite durable. Still, we deducted a few points because no product is immune to issues. This particularly pertains to the frame’s pins, which might face issues like rust, corrosion, etc.

A pool bar with red stools and lights.
A backyard pool with a bar and stools.

Opt for quality materials and reputable manufacturers in the market. Doing so increases the chances of avoiding pool malfunctions.

  • Cost 7/10

You can purchase framed pools at an affordable price, but there’s a catch — the cost directly correlates with the material’s quality. Probably, out of all the pool types mentioned above, this is the one you shouldn’t skimp on in terms of quality.

A small swimming pool in a backyard.
A backyard with a hot tub and lights.

ALTERNATIVE: If you’re inspired and have a welding machine at hand, you can create a framed pool at your cottage yourself. You can find detailed instructions online for building such structures DIY.

That’s all for today. We hope this article helped you weigh all the pros and cons. We wish you find your perfect cottage pool, have it successfully installed, and next summer, you can enjoy a refreshing dip even in the scorching heat!

Good luck, from Lanaspace!

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