Types of Above Ground Pools

You've decided you're going to buy an above ground pool so now you're faced with the decision of exactly what type you're going to install.

On the surface of it there are 4 basic shapes of above ground pools: circle, oval, kidney and keyhole. But beneath this are the combinations that can be put together to give you significant freedom of choice. You could even create an above ground pool in a lap-pool configuration if you wanted.

Let's have a quick look at each of the different types of above ground pools available. You might say that there should be something for everyone amongst this lot.

Circle

If you have limited space then the circle pool is the ideal solution. Really the sizes vary from manufacturer to but as a general guide they can range from a diameter of 3.6m to 7.6m with the depth generally 1.2m (4ft). This type of pool is lots of fun for small kids and adults just looking to occasionally cool off.
Oval

The oval pool can range in size from a fairly compact 16' x 12' (4.9m x 3.65m) up to an imposing 39' x 15' (11.8m x 4.5m). Again you'll find the size varies from manufacturer to manufacturer but they will largely be dependent on the number of coping lengths used to stabilize the pool walls. You can go with the traditional 4' (1.20m) depth or you can look around for a slightly deeper oval pool at 4' 4" (1.32m). The pools can come braced or unbraced depending on the strength of the material making up the pool wall. You could also choose a pool that comes with a deep end configuration.

Kidney

Looking for something with a little more eye-catching appeal, or maybe you're just after something that complements the surrounding landscape, then you may go for the kidney-shaped above ground pool. I've found that the kidney-shaped pool will suit the larger layout best and will be most suited for families with older kids who like to do some pretty hard playing in the pool (volleyball, water-polo, etc.)

Keyhole

The keyhole pool configuration is basically an oval pool with a circle pool stuck on one end. Again, this is most suited to the larger pool layout and is most likely to be the kind of pool that you're going to put a deep end configuration into with some pools running to around 2 meters deep.




Other pool shapes that you might think about are the teardrop (imagine three circle pools overlapping and reducing in size as they go), twinlake (2 circle pools joined together) and the lap pool. Another great variation to consider is adding a little spa connection to your pool.