When it comes to selecting the perfect addition to your backyard, people often debate between a swim spa or a more traditional styled pool. While both options have pros and cons, it ultimately comes down to what you want to achieve with your new pool.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the key factors to consider when weighing up whether a swim spa or fiberglass pool is best for you.
What is a swim spa?
A swim spa is best described as a hybrid between a spa and a swimming pool. Swim spas tend to be much bigger than traditional spa pools and often have a deeper area where bathers can swim, stand, or play. Swim spas are fitted with “swim-jets”, powerful jets which create a strong current to swim against for exercise.
Just like the Little Pool Co range, swim spas arrive pre-plumbed and ready to use. You’ll just need to conduct some basic site prep including preparing a reinforced concrete base for the pool to sit atop and an electrical connection.
Pros of Swim Spas:
- Great for fitness: Swim spas are designed for exercise and provide a good way to stay fit and healthy. Most swim spas have adjustable currents that allow you to swim against the flow for a great resistance workout. However, it pays to try before you buy: artificial counterflow is different to genuine counter current and swimming against a swim jet is often better suited to more athletic swimmers.
- Compact size: Just like the Little Pool Co range, swim spas are typically smaller than traditional pools, which means they take up less space in your backyard. This is perfect for people with smaller outdoor areas who still want to enjoy the benefits of a pool. Swim spas and other pre-made pools are often a great option in backyards where access and space is limited and excavation is less viable.
- Year-round use: One of the biggest advantages of swim spas is that they can be used all year round, regardless of the weather. If you choose to invest in heating your pool you can enjoy a swim in the middle of winter without having to brave the cold.
Cons of Swim Spas:
- Increased running costs: The extensive and powerful jet systems installed within swim spas often make them more costly to run when compared to swimming pools. Swim spas are also often kept at a higher temperature than a pool which quickly results in higher power bills.
- Made from acrylic: Swim spa shells are made from acrylic which is not designed for long-term exposure to sunlight. This means they can fade, crack and become brittle over time, which can result in expensive and unsightly repairs. Typically swim spas require expensive and heavy covers to protect the pool shell from the elements when you aren’t using it. This not only adds significant extra cost but also means more work before and after every swim!
- Not as aesthetically pleasing as a real pool. Swim spas look like giant spa pools as opposed to an inviting backyard water feature. The truth is we end up spending more time looking at our pools than swimming in them,. If you are looking for a permanent pool to feature in your backyard, you may be better suited to a concrete or fiberglass option.
Swim spas also come finished with a predetermined exterior finish. This means you have little control over the aesthetic of the outside of the pool other than to pick a colour that best suits your backyard.
Little Pool, the modern fiberglass self supported pool, is the ultimate alternative to a swim spa
Differences between Pools from The Little Pool Co and Swim Spas
When it comes to choosing between a pool from The Little Pool Co and a swim spa, there are a few key differences to consider:
Firstly, Little Pool Co pools are made by a world-leading fiberglass pool manufacturer and are designed to last a lifetime outdoors. Unlike swim spas that are made from acrylic, The Little Pool Co pools are made using a high-quality composite material that is designed to withstand long-term exposure to sunlight and can be installed in-ground or above ground.
Swim Spas tend to be heavier. Little Pool Co pools are super lightweight (which makes them cheaper to transport and crane into place) and the structural system is made from GRP (glass reinforced plastic) which means they wont rust or rot over time or be affected by termites!
Little Pool Co pools are designed to be integrated into your backyard with ease. As standard, all Little Pools come with a “nude” exterior. You can customise the exterior by choosing from one of our cladding textiles and colours, or you can clad in something of your own choosing. The unique composite exoskeleton is also designed for you to be able to attach decking structures directly to the pool. This helps reduce landscaping costs and makes it easy to seamlessly incorporate into existing decking structures.
Little Pool Co Pools can also be customised to suit your needs. Did you know that little pools can be fitted with swim jets to turn your traditional pool into a training pool, heat pumps for all year swimming and even automatic cover systems?
So which option is right for you; Swim spa or Fiberglass Pool from Little Pool co?
Picking the right option for you really comes down to your own personal preferences. Both options offer the convenience of a pre-made pool that requires very little work to set up in your backyard.
Arguably, a pool from The Little Pool co offers you greater flexibility. You can customise your pool order to include heaters and swim jets so that you can enjoy all of the health benefits of a swim spa while at the same time you can enjoy a real pool that becomes a key feature in your backyard.
Want to find out more and get ideas of how a Little Pool Co pool will work in your backyard? Click here to arrange a call back from one of our experienced Pool Planners.
Find out more about Little Pools
If you would like more information about Little Pools and the various swimming pool options we offer, our friendly team are always happy to help. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and we can help you find the best and most convenient swimming pool solution for you.
