INEXPENSIVE POOL FOR THE YARD OR COTTAGE: 6 IDEAS

The July heat evokes thoughts of water, swimming, cool rivers and lakes. It is difficult to imagine a person who, in such weather, would refuse to have his own pool for relaxation and cooling. Especially if he has a personal plot or works in the country.

However, not every yard has a place for a large swimming pool, as well as not every owner has the means to build it from scratch. Therefore, in this article, we have collected 6 of the best modern ideas for a small, but also inexpensive pool that will turn this heat into your best vacation partner.

Frame, inflatable and made with your own hands – then you will get acquainted with the simplest and most economical options for swimming pools today, and also see them in 40 photos in the design of a cottage or a small courtyard!

1. The best choice of 2023

Modern frame pools are available in a wide range of sizes and prices. A simple children’s version measuring 2.5 by 1.5 m and a volume of 1200 liters costs about $ 60 (1500 UAH or 4000 rubles).

A more capacious model with a volume of 6500 liters and a diameter of about 4 meters will cost twice as much. But you must admit: this is an inexpensive payment for such pleasure, especially when you consider the following advantages of frame pools:

• Quick and easy installation (the pool folds, not inflates);
• Reliable, stainless steel frame;
• Dense walls made of heavy-duty PVC and polyester;
• Additional support of the walls with dense tapes;
• The presence of a drain valve that can be connected to the garden hose to gently free the pool from water;
• No need for maintenance (only maintaining the cleanliness of the surface and sometimes checking the water filter);
• Warranty (the period depends on the manufacturer).

Many models of frame pools come with a cover that will protect the pool from leaves and other debris on days or hours when you will not use it.

Since the pool can safely stand all summer, it is sometimes additionally equipped with a body or even a podium so that this whole structure fits beautifully into the design of your cottage or site. Here’s how some craftsmen design a frame pool (photo below):

2. Children’s and family inflatable pools – photo on the site

Children’s and “adult” inflatable pools are considered the main competitors of frame pools. They are easy to transport and relatively quick to install, although it will take some time to pore with the pump. The walls are also made of thick PVC and polyester + most manufacturers complete inflatable pools with a protective cover from debris.

Perhaps the main advantage is the cost of such pools – they are 1.5 times cheaper than frame ones. At the same time, there is one serious drawback in them – the lack of water drainage. In addition, if the inflatable pool is large, it will be necessary to buy an electric pump in addition to it.

We attach beautiful photos of inflatable pools in the gardens.

3. Concrete pool to order or with your own hands

Of course, not everyone can afford this option, and the cost will be decent, but there are craftsmen who managed to build a concrete pool with their own hands. So we decided to include it in our list of low-cost ideas.

The most problematic moment in this case is digging a hole. You can only cope with this on your own if you plan to build a small and shallow pool. Renting a crane today is extremely expensive, and it is advisable only when creating a chic swimming pool, and not just for relaxing in the heat.

Unlike frame and inflatable pools, the concrete version is stationary, but at the same time it is one of the highest quality and longest-lived. To make such a pool with your own hands, a mixture of concrete and sand is usually used, which is sprayed onto a metal frame. The general procedure is as follows:

1. Dig a hole under the pool. Its depth and width should be 23-31 cm larger than the estimated size of your pool. This distance will be filled in by the form.
2. Install plumbing. This is usually a drain pipe that will be located at the bottom of the pool, as well as all the necessary structure (pipes, filters and pumps) to ensure the safe flow of water through the pool. It is permissible to use PVC pipes with a strong binding material.
3. Cover the walls and bottom of the pool with a steel frame that will maintain its shape and strength for a long period of operation.
4. Spray a mixture of concrete and sand onto a steel mesh using a powerful sprayer. The most popular mixture for building a pool today is Gunite (sprayed dry) or shotcrete (a mixture with water). When applying, it is recommended to keep the sprayer nozzle at a distance of about 1 m from the steel mesh, direct the jet perpendicular to the surface and move it in a circular motion.

Then it remains to wait until the concrete hardens, after which you can proceed to the decorative decoration of the walls of the pool with tiles or paint (optional).

Photos of ready-made projects on how to build a pool with your own hands:

Also read: Inspiring verandas and terraces to the house (photo 2016)

4. Swimming pond or natural pool

Another option for an inexpensive stationary pool that you can build with your own hands. Instead of concrete, gravel and clay will serve as walls, and natural aquatic plants (reeds, sedges, lilies, etc.) can act as decorations.

The principle of building such a pond-pool is similar to the creation of a pool of concrete, but can be made without a steel frame – just try to ensure that the walls have a good slope, and are not perpendicular to the bottom. When the walls are perpendicular, then for stability they are covered with a layer of clay or concrete.

It is believed that a natural pool can do without expensive filters and pumps if planted with natural plants. However, in order for them to really purify water, they need to plant about 50% of the entire surface.

In a natural pool, water must constantly circulate and aerate, otherwise it will stagnate and fill with unpleasant-smelling bacteria. To direct the flow of water through the pool, flexible PVC pipes that are not afraid of cold weather are best suited. They are buried in the soil about 45 cm deep. For underwater aeration, you can use an air compressor and high-strength pipes that connect to the diffuser. Note that aeration devices consume little energy and should work only 4-8 hours a day (depending on the size of the pool).