How to choose a pool - which is better: round or rectangular

The shape of the chosen frame pool seems to many people not to be the most important issue. But before buying, you should determine which pool is better: round or rectangular. In practice, its geometry affects the possibility of ergonomic placement, as well as the ease of use.

How to choose a pool

It is important to assess the depth of groundwater and determine the type of materials and installation. It depends on this whether it is possible to install the sides flush with the ground level or whether this idea should be abandoned. Can be divided according to shape (round, rectangular, asymmetrical), size, purpose and type of design:

When choosing a bowl shape, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:

1. Pool location. The place where the pool will be placed must be level, clean, and illuminated by natural sunlight to heat the water. It is not recommended to choose a place near trees, this will reduce the amount of garbage, especially in the autumn. In some cases, it will be necessary to deepen the area.
2. Frequency of use. You can purchase seasonal or frost-resistant models.
3. Planned number of users. This factor affects the size and depth of the pool.
4. Connection to various communications. The pool must be connected to the water supply. If a particular model has additional features, it may also need to be connected to the power supply. You need to think about where the water will drain when replacing it.
5. Additional accessories. Each pool model has its own equipment, such as ladders, pumps, awnings and other useful items. If they are not included in the kit, you will have to purchase them separately.
6. Pool quality. The strength of the frame and bowl determines the service life of the entire pool.

Pools are selected depending on the levelness of the site, the size of the free space, the seasonality of use, the number and age of family members. But it is equally important to choose the right bowl shape; reliability and strength depend on it.

Round pool

The design is a container with high sides and a bottom. Frame models usually have stiffening ribs that increase strength. The rounded bowl experiences equal pressure at all its points, which reduces the load on the structure and its wear.

A round pool is easier to maintain, since there are no hard-to-reach corners where dirt accumulates over time, and it is easier to clean.Also, the frame has less weight, which means it is easier to install on site and costs less.

The corners of rectangular pools pose additional dangers, especially for children. Injuries may occur during play. Therefore, if you plan to buy a pool primarily for a child, it is preferable to choose a round shape.

Rectangular pool

In a rectangular pool, most of the load falls on the longer sides; when installing, it is necessary to achieve perfect horizontal alignment. Less free space is used for its installation. The choice of such models is wider, due to the number of options for combining length, width and depth.

Typically, the plot of a country house has a rectangular shape, which means that such a pool will easily fit into it, better than its round counterpart. To correctly fit such a pool, you need to carefully consider its location. One of the most suitable places is along the fence at the border of the plots. It is worth remembering that rectangular bowls warm up worse under the sun, so partially shaded areas are not suitable for them.

What is the difference

The main difference between round and rectangular shapes is their assembly. The first type of product has a lower cost.

A rectangular pool may not always be positioned the way the owner wants. Neighboring buildings, landscaping facilities and other objects may interfere. In this case, a rectangular pool is inferior to round-shaped designs.

Round and rectangular bowls have different load levels and their uniform distribution. For a round pool, the levelness of the area is not so important.But even a slight tilt of the rectangular structure can cause uneven distribution of water around the perimeter of the entire bowl.

When choosing frame models, it is important to avoid distortion of the rectangular bowl. This causes high pressure on some parts of the frame and low pressure on other sides. This leads to deformation of the strapping and connections; they may collapse over time. As a result, several tons of water can simply spill onto the site.

Caring for frame, inflatable and stationary pools of various shapes does not differ in its characteristics. For round and rectangular shapes, the same procedures are provided - regular cleaning of the bowl, water treatment, removal of debris or algae. This requires special tools and chemicals.

Comparison table

To correctly compare prices, you need to take into account the manufacturer, material and dimensions. The round type is usually less expensive than the rectangular type of the same volume. Thus, frame pools of 1200 liters from Bestway cost from 5500 rubles. round shape and from 6600 rub. – rectangular. From the manufacturer Intex, a rectangular bowl for 10,000 liters costs 55,000 rubles, a similar model with a round bowl costs 48,000 rubles.

Installation will also be cheaper due to simpler installation. The total amount of expenses can vary by tens of thousands of rubles. In addition to the price, other characteristics are given in the table below:

Pros and cons of a round pool

Due to their shape, such tanks are designed for high water pressure, which reduces the pressure on the structure as a whole and reduces its weight. When making a round bowl, less material is required. Therefore, its cost is lower than its rectangular counterparts.

Due to the absence of corners, caring for a round pool is simple and easy, less time and money is spent on it, which significantly saves the family budget. Another advantage is the low level of injuries. However, there are also disadvantages:

• difficult or impossible to swim long;
• installation of additional attractions is difficult;
• does not visually match with most of the buildings on the site (usually they are rectangular or square).

The last drawback means that a round pool is more difficult to fit into the overall appearance of a summer cottage; it does not fit well with other objects. In addition, if the owner wants to bury the bowl into the ground (pit-type installation), it is more difficult to make formwork.

The free space for the installation area should be adequately assessed. In addition to the size of the bowl, you will need space on and around the sides. If the size of the plot requires installation close to the boundaries, it will be difficult to arrange a space for relaxation around the pool. In this case, you should prefer a round shape.

Pros and cons of a rectangular pool

The rectangular bowl is equally suitable for use by adults and children. There is no need to purchase children's pools for children.You can choose a design with a bottom slope from shallow to deep, which will allow all family members to swim in it.

The rectangular shape is best suited for swimming, with plenty of space for movement and physical activity. Those who like to throw parties will love this pool; they can be held by the pool. There are several important advantages of the models:

1. Saving site area. In almost any yard there is a shortage of usable space; a rectangular pool can easily be placed on a plot even with a small area.
2. Capacity. This pool has enough space to comfortably accommodate more people (compared to a round bowl of the same volume).
3. Saving water. This is an important factor in reducing the cost of pool maintenance, which means water receipts will please the owners.

In addition, a large number of additional accessories and attractions, play nets, devices and devices are produced for rectangular pools. Large structures can be equipped with a counterflow system.

The rectangular shape is considered the best solution for a spacious and comfortable pool. This capacity is suitable for large families who want to rationally invest money in additional comfort.

But the rectangular shape also has several disadvantages. Typically, such pools are more expensive than round ones. Sharp angles can cause swimmers to injure themselves. They often accumulate contaminants.

For thin-walled models not intended for all-season use, storage space is required during the cold season. Rectangular pools are usually less compact and take up a larger area even when folded.

What is better to choose

If you plan to purchase a pool designed for preschool children, it is better to choose a round model up to 3 meters in diameter. Such specimens can fit perfectly into the overall design of the site; they take up less space than rectangular ones.

If the pool involves active recreation, you should prefer a rectangular model. Thanks to this shape, you can install additional elements, for example, volleyball nets. It is almost impossible to do this in a round one. In addition, a rectangular pool is the most traditional classic shape, making it easier to swim short distances.

There is a belief that it is preferable to choose round ones for children, and rectangular ones for adults. Children must first of all have a safe play space; the round one meets these requirements.

They also cope better with physical activity. During games, children cannot limit themselves in activity and movement, which means the choice should be given in favor of a more durable structure. Rectangular pools are better suited for adult family members, they are easier to swim in, and you can install additional equipment and accessories.

A swimming pool purchased exclusively for children quickly loses its relevance. In some cases, it is worth purchasing a large rectangular pool, and at first supervise and supervise children’s games in it.

A round pool is suitable in cases where it is impossible to install a rectangular pool due to the characteristics of the local area. If space in a suburban area is very limited, but there is still a desire to cool off in hot weather, in this case a round pool can be called the best option.

Some users install an outdoor pool next to the sauna to cool off after the steam room. Rectangular analogues are designed for active recreation of several people at the same time. Here you can install a volleyball net, a slide and other items for a dynamic pastime. The bowl itself needs to be placed correctly; such models are chosen by owners of large plots.

Uneven terrain and soil susceptibility to frost heaving can complicate the selection and installation of a pool. In such cases, it is necessary to prepare the area in advance, first of all, level it. It is worth remembering that in some cases, after the first winter, the geometry of the site may be changed to the point of its complete unsuitability, which means re-installation will be required.

Owner reviews

Most owners consider a rectangular pool to be a traditional and classic option. However, it is impossible to say that it is better than its round counterpart. Customer reviews are more influenced by quality, equipment, filtration system and other design characteristics. If we compare round and rectangular containers, it is worth noting the features of their load distribution and connection to communications.

Questions and answers

What is better to choose for a small child?

It is better to prefer an inflatable model with a diameter of 2-3 meters and a depth of 0.3-0.5 m. This design is safer, the water in it warms up well. Children will not be afraid of learning to swim, since there is no impression of great depth. The low price allows you to replace the pool as the child grows up without much damage to the family budget.

Which type is best for outdoors in a country house?

It is worth preferring the frame type; the shape is chosen depending on the size of the area.For a small area it is easier to choose a round design. When choosing a volume, it is important to take into account the planned number of people bathing at the same time. For comfortable use, at least 1-1.5-2 m should be provided for one adult³. If there is less space, swimmers will interfere with each other.

It is impossible to give unambiguous advice on which form is best to choose. A person’s decision will depend on personal preferences, needs, site characteristics and other factors. For a calm and relaxed holiday, it is recommended to choose a round bowl. Rectangular ones, on the contrary, are more suitable for active swimming and playing on the water.