It is time for a staycation, but you think sitting around the pool seems so humdrum and bland. Whether you are installing a custom pool or thinking about adding on to an existing pool, the addition of a tanning ledge by Top Home Builders can bring relaxation and socializing to your summer.  Enjoy the summer sizzle in the coolness of your own pool with a tanning ledge.

What is a Swimming Pool with Tanning Ledge?

A in-ground pool with a tanning ledge is a swimming pool with an attached shallow area that is 20 to 30cm deep. Swimmers and party goers can lounge and relax without being completely covered by the pool’s water. This shallow area is ideal for catching some sun while still remaining cool, hanging out with friends, and allowing young children a supervised safe place to play in the water.

Tanning ledges can be included in the perimeter of the pool itself, or it can be connected to the side of the pool but raised slightly above the surface of the pool’s water. 

Are Fibreglass Pools with Tanning Ledge Worth It?

There are several advantages and a few disadvantages to having a small pool with a tanning ledge. 

The Pros

Some of the advantages of a tanning ledge include: 

  • Having an area available to soak up the sun while maintaining contact with the coolness of the water;
  • Being ideal for younger children to play safely in the water **
  • Being customized with lights, bubblers, and more to add enjoyment and relaxation to your pool area;
  • Being a place to take a break and chat before going back to your game of jousting with pool noodles;
  • Being less cost to install as a built-in feature if done at the time of pool construction.

**Young children should be continually monitored and under supervision even in shallow areas of water.

The Cons

Some of the disadvantages of a tanning ledge could include: 

  • possibly furnishing less usable swimming area, for example, if the pool is mainly meant to be single use; 
  • becoming slippery and requiring extra care when travelling across it; and
  • an increase in cost if the tanning ledge is to be attached to an already existing pool.

Customize Your In-ground Pool with Tanning Ledge

With a pre-existing pool, there are several options when it comes to adding an in-ground rectangular pool with a tanning ledge. More than just the shape, dimensions, and configurations, your newly installed tanning ledge can be further personalized to fit with your tastes. 

Water is pulled from the pool and forced upwards through the water’s surface. The bubbling is fun for the kids, and the bubbling sound can help you relax more.

Added to the ledge’s edge or placed around bubblers, LED lights bring some colour and effects plus night time safety.

water is made to spill down as a mini-waterfall to your pool as the tanning ledge can be slightly raised above the level of the pool’s water. 

a non-slip surface, a built-in sleeve for an umbrella, and tile work to create an attractive border are just some of the other options that can increase your enjoyment outside in the pool.

How Deep Should a Pool with Tanning Ledge Be?

The depth of a pool can vary depending on personal preference and intended use. Generally, pools range from 1m to 2m in depth from shallow to deep ends. These depths usually are sufficient for children to play and be safe as well as allow for games to be played in the deeper end. If diving is to be an activity at the pool, the deep end should be at least 2.5m in depth.

While a tanning ledge attached to an in-ground pool can be as shallow as 15 cm and as deep as 45 cm, an optimal depth is usually between 20 and 30 cm. This depth is generally considered safer for young children and pets, is comfortable for lounging and tanning, and provides cooling for people sitting without being wholly submerged. 

FAQs

Yes. A tanning ledge can be added to an existing pool although depending on the pool’s construction material, there may be construction or renovation to be considered to integrate it seamlessly. To ensure the tanning ledge’s structural support and safety, consult with the professionals at Top Home Builders to determine what would be required. 

Tanning ledges are multi-purpose, but beyond the visual appeal, they can be extremely useful. They are a great way to relax in the sun but also stay connected to the coolness of water. Children who may be too young to be in the pool can enjoy splashing and playing in the water under supervision. Also, easily entering or exiting the pool and socializing in a central location makes your pool more than just a place to jump in the water. 

The amount of space that you will need for your tanning ledge will depend on what it is you are going to do with it. They generally start at 1.5m and expand to 2.5m wide and about 2.5m in length. These dimensions are common as a lounging space for more than one or two people. Ideally, consider the overall size of your pool and surrounding area if you want to get conveniently around the ledge.

Typically, adding a tanning ledge to a pool is more cost effective at the time of the pool’s installation. However, if it is to be added to an existing pool, depending on the materials and dimensions of the tanning ledge, the cost can range from $5,000 to $10,000+. This is before customization and should always be talked over with professionals who can outline pitfalls and options.