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Now with BETTER ADVICE, RANGE, and PRICE!
Starting January 8th 2024, our diverse retail locations will come together under a single identity: Direct Pool Supplies.
Visit the Direct Pool Supplies website to learn how this will benefit you.
Different Types Of Swimming Pools
There are a wide variety of swimming pools for human use, and each can be used for different purposes. Pools are typically differentiated either by their purpose or the manner in which they are constructed. The only common characteristic between all pools is that they are isolated bodies of water, with all other characteristics sometimes being radically different between varying types of pools.
Public Swimming Pools
On a basic level, pools can be split between whether they are built for private use or public use. Public pools are typically quite large and are designed for use either by the larger community or for a specific set of the population. For instance, despite being built on private property, the pools in many hotels and gated communities could be considered to be public pools as they are designed to be used by a large group of people and are maintained by a corporate body instead of private individuals.
A swimming pool atop a sky-scraper, which may be a private residential pool or open to all tenants of the building
Competition Swimming Pools
Swimming pools used for competition purposes usually conform to strict standards, as set forward by the Fédération Internationale de la Natation (International Swimming Federation). The standards define the length, depth, heating, and lighting of competition-standard pools. Much like other sports, these standards are designed to ensure that competitive swimmers from all countries are able to compete internationally without needing to worry about differences in the swimming pools.
Exercise Swimming Pools
Smaller swimming pools for the purpose of exercise have become more popular in recent years. While these pools are small, they use either an artificially-generated water current or restraints to allow individuals to swim in place, which enables various forms of resistance swimming.
A man swims in a competition-grade swimming pool
Private Swimming Pools
Swimming pools built on private property by individuals come in much more varied shapes and sizes. They are all typically much smaller than public swimming pools. Their size is informed both by the normal number of expected concurrent users (which is usually much lower than public swimming pools), as well as the costs of building and maintaining larger pools.
While most private swimming pools are built large enough for adults, there is also a subset of pools that are much smaller, referred to as a children's pool, or, alternatively, 'kiddie pool'. These pools are small, inflatable above-ground pools that are not large enough to enable children to effectively swim, though it can provide them with a reprieve from summer heat. The walls of these pools are inflatable as it allows for easier storage when not in use.
Above-Ground Swimming Pools
Some swimming pools large enough for adult use are also installed above-ground. Much like children's pools, above-ground pools are temporarily assembled while in use and dissembled afterwards. However, as the more solid materials used in adult above-ground swimming pools can make assembly difficult, these pools are usually left assembled for the entire duration of the warmer months.
In-Ground Swimming Pools
Swimming pools installed in-ground are typically permanent installations. The construction methods for in-ground swimming pools can vary greatly, with some being made of concrete, lined with vinyl, or constructed out of a fibreglass shell. The finish on the surface of private pools can also vary - some pools are painted, others finished with pebblecrete, and some decorated with tiles across the full surface area of the pool.
Private swimming pools can also offer a swath of amenities. The pool owner may choose to install underwater lights to allow the pool to be used safely at night, they may choose to install a water heater to make it more comfortable to swim in the winter, or they may purchase a robotic pool cleaner to make the maintenance of the pool simpler.
A public pool open to either members of a resort or the general public
Hot Tubs
Hot tubs, also referred to as spas, are heated pools common in areas of the world that experience low temperatures. These small pools are not particularly designed for swimming, but rather relaxation. In addition, many hotels offer public hot tubs and spas for use by their guests. There is no standard temperature for hot tubs, and there are instead typically controls that allow individual users to set their preferred temperature. Some spas can also include jet nozzles designed to provide pulsating or massaging functions, which can be controlled by the user.
Natural Pools
Due to the environmental concern of the immense use of water in artificial pools, as well as the chemicals used to sanitise and treat that water, there is a growing market for 'natural' pools. These artificial bodies of water are still made by humans, though they are not treated with either chemicals or artificial devices. Instead, plant and sea life is introduced to the pool, and they are used to organically treat the water so that it is safe for human bathing. These pools provide a welcome alternative to those that suffer negative effects from excessive exposure to chlorine, such as red eyes and dried-out skin or hair.
Ocean Pools
Common in Australia, the ocean pool is an early example of a natural pool. Ocean pools are essentially artificial rock pools, built by sealing off a section of a rock shelf. The water is then refreshed and maintained by the ocean, either by way of a tidal tank or the tide simply reaching over the pool and causing the water to circulate.
These pools were designed to offer swimmers an opportunity to swim in the ocean without having to contend with sea life. Modern ocean pools still exist despite the risen popularity of private pools in the home, though today, the water is typically circulated with pumps to ensure it remains fresh.
Reference Links:
A Wikipedia Resource On The Different Types Of Swimming Pools
A Wikipedia Resource On Swimming Pools
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