With a mostly dry, hot climate and some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the US, Utah is practically made for enjoying life next to a swimming pool. Whether you’re fresh off a day’s hike through Arches National Park or trekking through the Canyonlands, a swimming pool gives you a quiet place to take a load off and soak in the scenery poolside.
If you’re thinking about diving into pool ownership or want to remodel an older pool, we’ll walk you through features and materials to consider to help your pool mesh with your lifestyle, as well as landscaping considerations and laws around owning a pool in Utah.
Inground Pool Design Considerations for UT
When it comes to mapping out a vision for your pool and backyard, a little planning goes a long way.
During the planning phase, think about how you want to use your pool – and who will use it:
- Do you have young children or teens?
- Will they bring friends over to use the pool?
- Will older family members or individuals with compromised mobility use your pool?
- Think about safety features that can help everyone enjoy the pool, such as an automatic pool cover to prevent accidents when you’re not there to supervise. A shallow wading area can be great for small children. Similarly, multiple entry and exit points are a welcome addition for swimmers who may tire easily.
- How big is your backyard? Pools come in a range of shapes and sizes, capable of fitting into any backyard – large or small!
- Do you see your pool as the focal point of your backyard? Or do you envision your pool as part of a larger whole, giving you space for a hammock, gazebo, or even a vegetable garden?
- Do you plan to use your pool for entertaining? If so, how many people typically attend your backyard get-togethers? This can help you understand how big or small your pool should be to comfortably accommodate everyone!
- Do you plan to use your pool for exercise, relaxation or both?
- How savvy are you when it comes to pool maintenance? Your pool materials can play a role in the overall look, feel, cost, and maintenance of your pool now and in the future. (We’ll cover that in more detail later in this guide!)
Gaining a clearer picture of the type of experience you want your pool to offer can help you have a helpful discussion with a licensed professional pool builder. This can help you collaborate to bring your dream pool to life.
Need some visual inspiration to get those creative juices flowing? In this guide, you’ll see just a sample of pools we’ve helped build throughout The Beehive State. Even if you don’t see the pool of your dreams here, a local independent builder can show you more photos and videos of pools that might not be available in their online portfolio just yet.
Smaller Pool Options in Utah
Whether you have a smaller yard or just like the idea of a compact pool as one part of a bigger backyard, good things come in small (pool) packages. If you live in a thriving urban area like Salt Lake City or Ogden, UT, homes are often closer together due to population density. This is where smaller pools can shine!
For instance, the Tuscan 11.20 is a classic rectangular pool. Its compact 11’ x 20’ size offers clean, modern lines alongside built-in tanning ledges and slip-resistant steps, making it an elegant addition to your backyard. If you’re eyeing a pool for exercise and squeezing in some laps before or after work, a rectangular pool is a popular choice!
Another reason people look to smaller pools is less pool to take care of or shrinking family sizes. If the kids have flown the nest or you want a quiet oasis to relax on a hot day, a smaller pool like the freeform Vista Isle has a lot to offer. This 12’ x 28’ pool features a generous underwater ledge that can double as a wading area for the kids and plenty of swim-up seating to entertain guests. Slip resistant steps round out this pleasing pool package, making it a treat for water lovers of all ages!
Spacious Pool Options
One of the best ways to soak in Utah’s majestic scenery is with an expansive pool, transforming your backyard into the ultimate retreat for relaxation and entertainment. Spacious pools can be personalized with premium add-ons, giving you a beautiful space to come home to after a long commute.
Utah residents know a thing or two about outdoor living. And a grand and glorious pool can be the perfect addition to your backyard, harmonizing with your patio and landscaping to create a space that’s uniquely yours. Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or easing into a serene weekend, there’s so much more to pools than just swimming.
The right pool can bring your backyard to life and enhance your home’s outdoor appeal. For instance, the rectangular-shaped Astoria features a wading area for kids and swim-up seating, making it equally suited for family gatherings and your daily fitness routine. And if relaxation is your goal, imagine yourself soaking in the sunshine in the Cancun Deluxe. This 16’ x 35’ pool features a spillover spa and tanning ledge, perfect for easing into the evening under Utah’s starlit skies – especially when desert temperatures dip!
Add-on features can help you personalize your pool and make it work for your lifestyle. From soothing water fountains and bubblers to colorful LED lights, custom features add a flair for the dramatic. Fire features, like built-in torches and fire bowls, add a striking-yet-practical touch, adding warmth and greater nighttime visibility around your pool.
Landscaping Considerations for Utah Pools
Your pool and backyard is an extension of your home – and lifestyle! Getting creative with pool landscaping ideas can transform your pool from just a pool to an integral part of your home, bringing your vision to life.
- A page out of history: From The Golden Spike in Brigham City to the Egyptian Theatre in Ogden, Utah has an abundance of historical sites that date back to the days of the Old West. Consider bringing in elements of The Beehive State’s architectural heritage, adding a rustic touch to your pool’s aesthetic. Think terra cotta pots strategically placed along your deck, alongside wooden (or wood-look) furniture to enhance the character of your pool.
- Inspired by nature: Utah’s stunning natural scenery – including mountain ranges, canyons and desert landscapes – can provide a jolt of inspiration for your pool and backyard. For example, a freeform pool with winding curves can give a more natural feel of a stream cutting through your backyard, helping it blend with beautiful views and the surrounding landscape. Rockscaping is another popular alternative to greenery surrounding a pool. Given Utah’s dry temperatures, adding rocks and faux waterfalls can add visual interest and minimize the need to water and maintain a lush lawn.
Mirror effect: Although much of Utah has a more sparse, desert feel, rural areas such as Heber City, Park City, Oakley, and Coalville have more wooded areas and greenery. Given the rarity of beautiful trees dotting scenic vistas, a rectangular shaped pool can be a creative way to reflect your natural surroundings and make the most of them. Additionally, incorporating natural materials such as wood (or lookalike composite) decking and stone accents can give your pool and backyard a more woodland feel.
Inground Fiberglass vs. Vinyl Liner Pools: Finding the Best Pool Material for Your Utah Home
Fiberglass and vinyl liner pools are two of the most popular choices for pool materials – and with good reason! Not only are they durable options, but they’re easy to care for. They also offer nearly endless combinations of colors, finishes, and customized features to make your pool work for the unique vision you have for your backyard.
While concrete (or “gunite”) pools have been around for decades, they require substantially more maintenance than fiberglass and vinyl liner pools. Over time, concrete pools can become rough and chalky, requiring resurfacing once every ten years. Concrete pools are also more prone to algae clinging to their rough, porous surface. Not only can this detract from the appearance of your pool due to stains, but can also make it more difficult to balance your water chemistry.
Upgrading an older gunite pool with a fiberglass or vinyl liner model can help you save time on maintenance, as well as yield greater cost savings over time. For instance, a well-maintained vinyl liner can last for 10 years or more – and replacing a vinyl liner is a far less expensive and labor-intensive prospect than resurfacing concrete.
Compare fiberglass, vinyl liner and concrete pools to learn which one is right for you.
Fiberglass Pool Benefits
Fiberglass pools offer a smooth, shimmering surface that’s easy to maintain. As if their soft-to-the-touch feel and striking hues weren’t enough to love, fiberglass pools are less prone to algae clinging to pool walls, giving you more time to spend splashing around in your pool and less time maintaining proper water chemistry.
Learn more about the benefits of a fiberglass pool
Vinyl Liner Pool Benefits
Vinyl liner pools are a great choice for a cost-effective new pool or as a replacement for an older concrete pool. While they require slightly more upkeep than their fiberglass cousins, vinyl liners are an affordable option with a lower up-front cost and greater cost savings over time.
They’re also highly customizable! Vinyl liner pools give you a range of options to choose from in terms of liner colors and patterns. Fun add-on features like bubblers and LED lights give you even more options to play with and enhance your pool.
And when the kids have outgrown water slides and diving boards, vinyl liner pools can easily accommodate new features like tanning ledges or spillover spas – more aligned with entertaining teens and adults. When the time comes to add or remove features, you can save time and money by planning renovations to coincide with replacing your liner.
Learn more about the benefits of vinyl liner pools.
Installing an Inground Pool in Utah
Whether you’re planning to install a new fiberglass pool installation or opting for a vinyl liner pool installation, spring and fall are typically among the best times to begin breaking ground on a new pool project in Utah. Although Utah winters are relatively short, the state sees freezing temperatures between December and February, making the ground too hard and cold to begin excavating for a new pool. A licensed professional pool builder can help you find the best time to start work on installing your new pool so it’s ready to enjoy for summer!
Utah Inground Pool Maintenance
Depending on whether you choose a vinyl liner pool or a fiberglass pool, your pool maintenance regimen may differ slightly. Both are easy to maintain – even for beginners.
Fiberglass Pool Maintenance
Fiberglass pools lead the way when it comes to a beautiful, low-maintenance option. Set aside time each week during pool season to empty filter baskets, test and balance water chemistry and skim your pool. You’ll also want to back flush your filtration system once every month.
Get more tips for maintaining your fiberglass pool.
Vinyl Liner Pool Maintenance
Vinyl liner pools need just a smidge more maintenance than fiberglass pools. However, the extra elbow grease pays off in terms of up-front and long-term cost savings. Once each week, test your water chemistry, skim regularly, and empty filter baskets. Take time each week to gently scrub your liner with a soft brush. This removes any dirt or stains, but also prevents calcium build-up and hinders algae growth, giving your liner a longer lease on life.
Once every month, check your liner for any small tears and patch them to prevent them from getting bigger. You can prolong your liner’s lifetime by only using soft pool toys to prevent accidental damage to your liner. Stock up on beach balls, inflatables, and foam pool noodles and toys to make pool time fun and get the most from your liner!
Get more tips for maintaining your vinyl liner pool.
Pool Covers
An automatic pool cover is a must-have accessory when it comes to saving time and money on maintenance and utilities. Saving room in your budget for an autocover can pay off to the tune of between 50% to 70% savings each year on energy costs. In terms of water conservation, autocovers help reduce water evaporation, with the added benefit of making it easier to maintain your water chemistry levels.
But the most important benefit of automatic pool covers is that they can save lives. Autocovers can help prevent children and pets from accidentally falling into your pool when unattended. It can also stand as an additional barrier between uninvited guests hopping the fence and attempting to help themselves to your pool when you’re not around.
Inground Pool Costs in Utah
The total cost of your pool can vary based on the size and materials you choose, and even where you live in Utah. The low end to install either a fiberglass or vinyl liner pool starts at $50,000. However, custom features and add-ons like slides, lights or fire features will drive the price up.
Beyond the cost of materials, you should also account for the cost of labor to install your pool, as well as finishing touches to your yard like fencing, landscaping and decking.
Purchasing a pool is a major purchase, however, it can offer years of enjoyment, giving you a place to exercise, relax, entertain – and feel like you’re on a vacation without leaving home. Get in touch with a local builder to gain a better understanding on the type of pool experience you’re looking for, and how a pool can work for your budget and lifestyle. You can also finance a new pool, allowing you to pay it off over time while you start enjoying life poolside today!
Reasons to Install an Inground Pool in Utah
The buzz around The Beehive State is that owning a pool can liven up your lifestyle. Here are just a few reasons to think about adding a new pool or upgrading an existing pool if you live in Utah.
Head for the mountains: Whether it’s a cozy cabin nestled in the Wasatch Mountains or scenic retreat to the Red Rocks in southern Utah, adding a pool can be a refreshing addition to a mountain getaway. After a day of hiking, settle into soothing waters or even a pool with a spillover spa.
Sunny days just get sunnier: Utah has well over 200 sunny days per year and is significantly over the average seen throughout the US. A pool provides a refreshing escape from the summer heat and serves as a focal point for outdoor entertainment and relaxation in Utah’s scenic mountain settings
Outdoor enjoyment: Brimming with natural beauty, Utah lends itself to an outdoorsy lifestyle. Installing an inground pool allows Utah residents to fully embrace outdoor living, whether it’s lounging poolside with panoramic mountain views or hosting gatherings with friends and family against the backdrop of Utah’s picturesque landscapes.
Utah Pool FAQs
If you’re thinking about diving into pool ownership, you likely have a flurry of questions to plan your project. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from future pool owners in Utah.
Do you need a permit to build a pool in Utah?
The type of permit you need to build a pool in Utah will vary depending on where you live in the state. For instance, Provo, UT requires a building permit for indoor or outdoor residential pools and also requires separate permits for fencing, decking, and retaining walls.
Salt Lake City and the Greater Salt Lake area, you must obtain a building permit from the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services district before breaking ground on a new pool. According to local ordinances, the addition of any structure that requires adjustments to plumbing or electrical work requires a permit. Similarly, permits are also required for the construction of any retaining walls higher than 4 feet.
Because laws can change over time and can vary between different cities or counties, be sure to check with your local building office to understand what permits you’re responsible for obtaining prior to installing a new pool. Working with a knowledgeable pool builder can help you navigate the process and aid in securing the correct permits to ensure your pool is compliant with all local Utah building codes.
Do you have to have a fence around a pool in Utah?
Utah requires that residential pool owners must have a fence or barrier around their pool. Fencing must be at least 6 feet high.
How high does a pool fence have to be in UT?
Utah requires that all swimming pools with a depth of 24” or more must be surrounded by a fence at least 6 feet high, with self-closing and self-latching gates.
Although this requirement applies throughout the state, different cities and counties in Utah have even more stringent requirements, as can HOAs and neighborhood associations. For instance, Provo, UT requires that all outdoor pools must be surrounded by a fence at least 6 feet high and that sits at least 5 feet from rear and side property lines. And although pool fencing throughout Utah must be at least 6 feet high, In St. George, UT, fencing and retaining walls cannot exceed 6 feet 4 inches above the curb or sidewalk grade.
Because laws can differ depending on where you live, consult with your local building office to confirm that your pool’s fencing meets all local and regional requirements.
What is the best time of year to install an inground pool in Utah?
Although Utah has an abundance of sunshine, The Beehive State experiences colder temperatures and snow during winter months. For that reason, spring and fall are among the best times to get your pool project started. Colder weather can make the ground hard, posing a challenge to excavating or leveling your backyard to install an inground pool. Consult with your local builder to determine the best time to break ground on a new pool to ensure it’s ready for you to enjoy when summer rolls around!
Is there additional insurance required for pool ownership in Utah?
Utah does not require residential pool owners to carry additional insurance. However, Utah’s premises liability laws may prompt pool owners to consider a liability insurance policy that covers pool accidents.
What types of inground pool materials are suitable for Utah’s climate?
Utah has a hot, dry, desert-like climate during summer months and short-but-cold winters with snow and freezing temperatures. Spring and fall can bring precipitation, which can expand and contract Utah’s Mivida soil – a type of sandy loam soil that can retain water, making it ideal for growing plant life, given the state’s arid climate. Because Mivida soil can expand and contract depending on rainfall, Utah residents may be drawn to sturdy fiberglass pools that can stand up to fluctuating conditions.
Utah Inground Pool Installation Areas
At Latham, we believe there’s a pool to fit every lifestyle and every backyard. Our team is here to help make your dream pool a reality. We’ve helped make pool dreams happen for homeowners throughout The Beehive State, including those in:
- Bluffdale, UT
- Millcreek, UT
- Mapleton, UT
- Midway, UT
- Moab, UT
- Orem, UT
- Provo, UT
- Salt Lake City, UT
- South Jordan, UT
- Spanish Fork, UT
- St. George, UT
Start Building a Pool for Your Utah Backyard Today
A new pool can give you a place to relax, exercise or enjoy many happy hours with loved ones through the years. Get in touch with a licensed professional builder to start making memories in your brand new pool today.
Contact us to learn more.
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