What is a Pool House?
The pool house, or swimming pool house, is the ideal complement to your swimming pool. It can serve multiple functions, including storage space, a relaxation area, or a summer kitchen. This installation turns your home into a truly friendly and practical living space. However, choosing a pool house can be a challenging task as there are various styles and types of pool houses made from different materials. This space plays a significant role in the landscaping around a swimming pool.
To help you better choose your pool house, we will provide some helpful tips and information about this installation.
Why Build a Pool House Around Your Pool?
Typically, some people do not see the benefit of having a pool house. If you are one of them, here are some good reasons to consider having a pool house:
- First, the pool house is a structure that allows you to store all your pool accessories during the cold season and keep a well-organized garden.
- Additionally, the pool house is like an extra living space where you can entertain guests or relax.
- The pool house is also an installation that enhances your swimming experience.
- The pool house is a profitable investment as it adds real value to your property.
- Considering that it is often difficult to enjoy the pool during the hot season, the pool house is the perfect place to relax in a closed environment while staying near your pool.
Different Materials for Pool Houses Based on Your Needs
The choice of materials is personal and depends on individual preferences and the properties of each material, particularly regarding quality/price ratio, construction method, maintenance ease, the desired style of decoration around your pool, etc.
Wood, Affordable and Natural
The wooden pool house is the most popular because wood is a natural material offering good value for money. It's sturdy, warm, and generally available in a kit form you can assemble yourself, making it easy to install. Many people also opt for the semi inground wooden pool. Therefore, this material is an excellent choice for this type of construction.
However, wood requires regular maintenance against wood-eating insects, sunlight, and humidity. It needs to be sanded, stained, and repainted to ensure protection. All styles are allowed: contemporary line with a flat roof or traditional chalet with a double slope tiled roof. Plan to spend between $30 and $120 per square foot, excluding taxes, for a wooden garden shed in your yard.
Composite Pool House
Composite planks, made from wood and resin, resemble wood but do not have its drawbacks. UV-resistant, this material maintains its beautiful appearance for many years and requires barely any maintenance. You only need to clean it regularly with a hose.
Regarding style, it adheres to all the codes of the wooden pool house. When in wood color, it remains classic, but once tinted in gray or anthracite, the composite garden house becomes even more modern. The prices for this type of pool house can range from $25 to $30 per square foot.
PVC Pool House
The PVC garden house is often adorned with colors to be more appealing. It is thus available in a wide range of colors including white, red, blue, and others. Like the composite pool house, this one preserves its appearance for several years and needs minimal maintenance. It has a rather classic style: "small house" with a double slope roof. Set aside $25 per square foot, excluding the slab, to enjoy the benefits of a PVC pool house.
Steel or Aluminum, Modern and Design
Metals are also among the materials used to build contemporary pool houses. These structures are usually engineered from steel or aluminum, manufactured in factories, and delivered directly to the slab.
The garden house in steel or aluminum has very simple geometric shapes (rectangular parallelepipeds) with large bay windows that optimize brightness. It has a very contemporary design and a certain charm. Its selling price can range from $20 to $50 per square foot. Extremely sturdy, the metal pool house is weather-resistant and requires no special maintenance.
Stone for a Mediterranean Style
Naturally porous material, stone needs to be waterproofed in humid areas. It has the unmatched charm of real stone constructions, but its price may discourage some. Indeed, you will find structures ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, with an average of $30,000 for a fully equipped stone pool house.
However, you can cheat a little by using only natural stones to clad the exterior walls. This will be less expensive and will add elegance and style to your pool.
Masonry Pool House
Built on concrete foundations, the masonry pool house is generally constructed from brick or concrete block. Thus, it is a solid and durable structure. You can annex it directly to the house or create an isolated shelter in the middle of the garden.
This type of pool house is custom-built, with prices ranging from $30 to $40 per square foot. The masonry pool house is known for its resistance and sturdiness. It doesn't fear sun exposure or inclement weather. However, its price is high because a significant amount of masonry work is necessary for its construction. Foundation work is required before building a masonry pool house.
Prefabricated Concrete Pool House
Quick to build, the prefabricated concrete pool house is solid and doesn't require special maintenance. Available in a wide range of finishes and colors, it adapts to almost any style. Plan a budget between $8,000 and $20,000 without considering installation, delivery, and connection.
Different Shapes and Models of Pool Houses
The models proposed by designers from major brands are numerous. They come in kit, modern, L-shaped, or container styles.
Shape and Size of the Pool House
There are several shapes of large pool house models. The most well-known is the kit pool house, suitable for storing swimming pool equipment. Prefabricated in the factory, it's purchased in separate parts and simply assembled on the ground. Its selling price is relatively low compared to a custom-built pool house.
There is also a small-sized mini pool house, ideal for optimal use. You can install toilets to prevent going back and forth and dirtying your home. This form of pool house can contain a summer kitchen. It fits well in small outdoor spaces and can be used as a relaxation area or office.
The L-shaped container pool house is also among the shapes of garden houses. This type of pool house is built on a container base. If you have an eye for design, you can cover them with a wooden covering. There may or may not be a pool terrace depending on your needs.
The Type and Shape of the Roof
The choice of the shape of a pool house's roof is made based on aesthetic appeal and the style of your home. This choice also depends on the configuration of the space chosen to install the pool house. The existing varieties of types and shapes of roofs are:
- The single-slope roof, favoring good water drainage for a pool house attached to a wall;
- The double-slope roof, ensuring rainwater drainage in both directions, suitable for an isolated pool house installed away from the building;
- The flat roof, allowing better circulation for maintenance and repairs;
- The design roof with original shapes offering undeniable aesthetic appeal and enhancing ventilation and brightness.
Everything You Need to Know About Regulations for Building Your Pool House
Before constructing or purchasing a pool house, it’s essential to check local regulations and zoning requirements. Building codes vary depending on your location and may dictate the style, size, and materials allowed. These rules ensure the structure complies with neighborhood standards and safety protocols.
If your pool house is under 120 square feet, you typically don’t need a permit, though some cities may require basic registration. For structures between 120 and 200 square feet, a zoning or building permit is often necessary. Pool houses over 200 square feet generally require a detailed building permit application and inspections to ensure compliance with local codes.
In conclusion, a pool house is a practical and stylish addition to any backyard. By understanding and adhering to local requirements, you can design a structure that aligns with your needs and preferences while enhancing your outdoor space.
For those who wish to decorate their pool area in an exotic way, discover our original pool floats:
