home swimming

Summertime means swimming – at the beach, in the river, or at the pool.  It also means waiting for the weekend or “open” hours, then packing up your gear in the car (including the kids) and traveling to your destination.  Want to enjoy swimming during the wintertime?  Hopefully there’s an indoor pool or hot spring nearby.  But what if you could swim in your own backyard?  No travel necessary and “open” hours whenever you want!  Private pools allow for not just the recreation of swimming, but also relaxing with your family and entertaining with your friends – any time of day, any day of the year.  Thinking about installing a pool, but concerned with the costs, maintenance or whether there is even enough room on your property?  You might want to consider a swim spa instead. What is a swim spa? Swim spas are similar to hot tubs but longer in one direction with powerful jets at one end. They are self-contained and have a one-piece molded interior with a heater and pumps for small and large jets, contained in a decorative cabinet for above-ground installation, or can be built into a deck or patio. They have traditional hot tub-style seating and jets at one end, but there is an open area in front of 2 or 3 “swim jets” at the other that allows for swimming or exercising against a strong and variable current.  Swim spas are the width of a standard hot tub – about 8 feet – but can range in length from about 12 to 21 feet.  The longest spas sometimes have a smaller hot tub at one end and a separate long swim tub at the other. Installation and cost comparisons The smaller footprint of swim spas means a smaller yard is not an impediment to enjoying aquatic recreation at home.  Swim spas are often integrated into a deck or patio nearer to the house – sometimes installed within a covered or indoor space (perfect for the rainy Pacific Northwest weather).  Because they are about 4’-6” tall, steps are needed for access and can be integrated into a surrounding deck design.  In contrast, due to the size of in-ground pools, they often need to be set back farther from the house, with a larger deck or patio to provide access to and around the entire pool.  Some jurisdictions’ limit on the hardscape area of a lot is such that a traditional-sized pool can be difficult or impossible to build - even if there is room in the backyard. A level concrete pad is required as a base for a swim spa (or a wood deck engineered and permitted to take the loads of the spa and water), and a permitted dedicated electrical circuit is required for the shutoff, but the costs of and timeline for construction and installation is a fraction of that required for a new in-ground pool.  Swim spa delivery can require a crane if access to the yard is limited, but often can be hand-delivered through a side gate – with delivery and hookup taking a matter of hours.  After filling the spa with water and allowing time for it to heat to a comfortable temperature (usually overnight) you’re ready to go!  Compare this with permitting time for a new permanent in-ground concrete pool plus weeks of construction to install, with possible delays due to weather and ground conditions. Likewise, due to its smaller size, the average cost of heating a swim spa versus an in-ground pool is significantly less.  Since smaller amounts of chlorine and other chemicals are needed to maintain clean water in the spa, these monthly maintenance costs are also much lower.  In comparison to the swim spa, the greater monthly costs for heating and maintenance of a traditional in-ground pool drives many homeowners to “close” their in-ground pools during the winter months. Year-round comfort   If you’ve dreamed about owning a swimming pool but also love the idea of a relaxing hot tub, a swim spa could be an ideal choice combining the best of these worlds.  The design options are endless and can add value to your home by integrating a swim spa into a revitalized backyard with a new deck or patio, often combined with an outdoor covered living space or kitchen.  And, since the costs and effort of keeping your swim spa heated throughout the year are minimal, it’s easy to pop into a heated spa even during the coldest winter for an exercise session or to relax in the steam and gaze up at the stars.  Swim spas often come with a variety of amenities to enhance your enjoyment, including waterfall pillows, colored lights, and even an integrated sound system.  There are several companies that sell them, with models that cater to everything from simple family recreation to athletic swim training. With such variety and versatility due to its size and cost, a swim spa could be just the thing to give your home that special touch and your family that much-needed recreation all in the privacy of your own backyard. Written and Photos by:  Sarah Thompson, Project Architect