Five things to think about when designing a hydrotherapy pool

Where do you even start when you’re designing a hydrotherapy pool? And what information do you need to know to get a quote from a supplier?

Here’s your five-point checklist of what to bear in mind when you’re designing or specifying a hydrotherapy pool.

1/ How big will it be?

The size of the pool is the first key thing you need to consider. The size determines the price, and it gives you an idea of the dimensions you’re going to be working in.

You should always bear in mind that a typical hydrotherapy pool will be between 1.2m and 1.5m in depth, and then the width and length is variable depending on the client’s needs. Knowing the size of the pool will give you (and us) a better idea of what can be included in it and what size the room needs to be.

2/ Space for the plant room when designing a hydrotherapy pool?

And this goes hand-in-hand with the size of the pool; do you have enough space for the plant room and environmental controls? Every hydrotherapy pool needs a plant room and environmental controls where the conditions of the pool and the room can be managed.

Usually, the size of the plant room and the environmental controls will be bigger if the pool itself is bigger. Ideally, the plant room should be as close as possible to the pool to make servicing easier.

You should always include space for a plant room in your designs for a hydrotherapy pool.

3/ Is it installed in or out the ground?

This sometimes gets overlooked but knowing how your pool is being installed is another important thing to bear in mind. A hydrotherapy pool can be installed above ground, below ground, or half-in half-out.

Pools that are installed completely flush to the ground typically take a little more time to install. It also requires a bigger hole to be dug out which is something you need to consider in the design stages.

If the pool is being installed out of the ground, then much less preparation will be needed. You can find out more about above and below ground pools here.

4/ What material are you using when designing a hydrotherapy pool?

You should also work out what material you want your hydrotherapy pool to be made from. Each material has its own benefits.

Different materials will require different amounts of time for installation, and they will also need different levels of preparation for the area. For instance, a tiled pool will take significantly longer to install because of the amount of concrete used (the concrete must then be treated which takes even more time).

Something like stainless steel tends to be easier to work with and install, and it can be custom-made to your size requirements.

5/ Will there be any additional features?

Hydrotherapy pools can be kitted out with lots of different features like jet spas, access steps, lounging positions, and even built-in treadmills. These are all things you need to consider when you’re designing a pool.

These features will also add value to your design, and they will give your pool supplier a better idea of price and what to include.

What are your five answers?

The above five things are what you need to work out first before you do any hydrotherapy pool design work. These are also the five things you need to bear in mind when you go to hydrotherapy pool specialists to get a quote.

If you need more advice on any of these questions, then feel free to get in touch with our team. Our CAD team can also help with any drawings you may have.