How Big Are Lap Pools: A Quick Guide
Published January 16, 2023
Swimming pools are pretty popular in the United States. According to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, there are around 10.7 million swimming pools in the country, 10.4 million of which are residential.
Considering the benefits of a swimming pool to a house and its owner, this figure is only fitting.
Unfortunately, not everyone who wants a swimming pool will be able to get one. There are several reasons why one of which is that a full-sized swimming pool can take up a lot of space.
That’s why swimming pools are often not an option for owners of relatively small houses, even if they can afford them. But it becomes a different story if we’re talking about lap pools.
What Are Lap Pools?
A lap pool is fundamentally the same as regular swimming pools, except it has rather unconventional dimensions. To be precise, a lap pool is often narrower and longer than a regular pool, meaning its width is lower, but its length is higher than a full-sized pool.
Lap pools are mainly designed for swimming laps, hence the name. Of course, their dimensions may vary depending on the pool owner, but that’s basically the idea behind this type of swimming pool.
How Big Are Lap Pools?
The average lap pool size is 8 feet wide and 55 feet long. Keep in mind that this is the average size of lap pools. They can be longer or shorter, in the same way they can be wider or narrower.
If you intend to install a lap pool, then just remember that its width can be anywhere from 6 to 10 feet, and its length can range from 40 to 75 feet. It’s also worth noting that lap pools are not any different from regular swimming pools in regard to their depth. The ideal lap pool depth is 4 feet.
To put it into perspective, the typical swimming pool is 16 feet wide and 32 feet long.
So, generally, lap pools are indeed smaller, with a total surface area of 440 square feet, while regular swimming pools have a surface area of 512 square feet. Again, these numbers are averages.
How Much Do Lap Pools Cost?
On average, lap pools would cost $85 per square foot, which is practically the same rate as regular swimming pools. However, full-sized swimming pools would almost always be more expensive.
If you intend to install a lap pool that is 8 feet by 55 feet, you’re looking at a bill of $37,400. But in the case of a swimming pool that is 16 feet by 32 feet, the bill would come to around $43,520.
Remember that this calculation doesn’t take into account the material to be used and other factors.
Lap Pools: Installation, Maintenance, and Care
Homeowners tend to view lap pools too differently from regular swimming pools. However, the two types of pools are actually not that different. As stated earlier, the dimensions are perhaps their only difference. The installation process of lap pools is generally the same as that of regular pools.
The team will create a layout or design for the pool, dig a huge hole, install the steel and other materials, do the plumbing and electrical components, install the tiles and deck, and so on.
The same applies to maintenance and care. After the lap pool installation, maintain it in the same way you would a regular pool. You need to skim off the debris like leaves and litter, vacuum it occasionally, clean the skimmer, and test the pool water, to name a few.
Final Words
Although lap pools are indeed smaller than regular full-sized swimming pools, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always going to be a better option for small houses. You have many other options aside from that, like above-ground pools, for example. Needless to say, don’t go all in on lap pools without doing further research.
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About The Author
Lenard Arceo is an experienced writer and digital marketing expert. He loves to code and spending time outdoors. He has helped many reputable websites grow over the years.
