Kevin Marsh
Member
So I’m still planning stuff out and was originally gonna go like 6ft deep at the deep end. But now I’m wondering if that’s overkill? It’s not like we’re diving in or anything. Anyone go deep and wish they hadn’t later?
Anyone regret making their pool too deep?
- Thread starter Kevin Marsh
- Start date
Mark Davis
Member
We went with a 7-foot deep end thinking it’d be fun, but honestly, we barely use it. Most people hang out in the shallow part where they can stand and play games. The deep end just ends up being cold and underused. If I could do it again, I’d go no deeper than 5 feet.
Robinson James
New member
I stuck with 6 feet and I don’t regret it, but if I had to choose again, I’d probably go a little shallower. It’s great for older kids to jump in, but not much else happens down there. If you’re not diving or swimming laps, that extra depth doesn’t add much and takes more to maintain.
Harper Clark
Member
I also considered making the pool deeper, but after thinking about it, for a smaller pool, it seems better if it’s not too deep. People tend to hang out more in the shallow area, so that extra depth doesn’t really add much. It’s more about comfort and practical use, in my opinion!
Benjamin Lewis
Member
Interesting insights, everyone! I’ve been considering making mine deeper too, but after hearing all your thoughts, I’m leaning towards keeping it a bit more shallow. Plus, I read somewhere that shallower pools are actually easier to maintain in the long run. Has anyone found that to be true?
Ella Robinson
Member
Great insights, everyone! I was also thinking about the depth, but after considering how much maintenance is involved, I’m leaning toward a shallower pool. It sounds like it’s less of a hassle, especially for cleaning and keeping the water balanced. Anyone else find that the shallow depth makes the pool more manageable in the long run?
William Walker
Member
I was also debating the pool depth for a while. I originally wanted it deeper, thinking it would be fun for swimming, but in the end, we mostly just relax in the shallow part. I went with 5 feet, and it turned out to be perfect for the family. If I were to build it again, I think 4 feet would be enough it’s easier to maintain and the kids enjoy it more. The shallow option is definitely more practical in the long run!
Henry Graham
Member
Yeah, I’ve heard that regret more than once, usually a year or two after the excitement wears off. Deep sounds great on paper, but day-to-day use tells a different story.
What surprised me most is how depth changes the vibe of the pool. Once you get past about chest height, people stop lingering. They’re either treading water or popping back to the shallower area where they can stand, talk, and relax. The deeper section ends up feeling more like “dead space” unless you’re actually swimming laps.
There’s also the comfort factor. Deeper water stays cooler, takes longer to warm up, and kids (and even adults) tend to avoid it unless there’s a reason to be there. For casual hanging out, games, or just cooling off, moderate depth wins every time.
If diving isn’t part of the plan, dialing it back a bit usually gives you more usable pool, not less. A lot of people don’t regret going shallower, they regret building depth they rarely touch.
What surprised me most is how depth changes the vibe of the pool. Once you get past about chest height, people stop lingering. They’re either treading water or popping back to the shallower area where they can stand, talk, and relax. The deeper section ends up feeling more like “dead space” unless you’re actually swimming laps.
There’s also the comfort factor. Deeper water stays cooler, takes longer to warm up, and kids (and even adults) tend to avoid it unless there’s a reason to be there. For casual hanging out, games, or just cooling off, moderate depth wins every time.
If diving isn’t part of the plan, dialing it back a bit usually gives you more usable pool, not less. A lot of people don’t regret going shallower, they regret building depth they rarely touch.
Barbara Jones
Member
From what I’ve seen, a lot of people end up barely using a 6ft deep end if they’re not diving, most of the time gets spent in the shallow to mid areas, so 5ft or even 4.5ft usually feels more practical, warmer, and gets used way more.
Ibrahim Mwangi
New member
I get where you’re coming from, and I relate to what Mark Davis said. From my experience, finishing work can be manageable on your own, but once it hits the core structure, that’s where most people get overwhelmed. I think you can DIY parts of it, but you really need to be honest with yourself about how much time and energy you have.
Jacob Foster
Member
I’ll be the slightly annoying voice that talks about volume instead of just vibe.
When I was planning mine, I almost went 6.5 ft because “why not.” Then I actually ran the numbers on gallons. That extra foot across even part of the pool adds a surprising amount of water. More volume means longer heat up times, more runtime to turn the water over, and a bit more work when you’re brushing and vacuuming. It’s not dramatic, but it’s there.
Deeper water also stratifies more. In my buddy’s 6 ft deep end, the bottom stays noticeably cooler and circulation down there isn’t as strong unless you really aim returns downward. His filter pressure is fine, but he has to be more intentional about brushing the deep hopper so stuff doesn’t just sit there.
If you’re not diving and not planning on serious lap swimming, 5 ft is kind of the sweet spot. Adults can still submerge and jump in, but you don’t create a big zone that no one stands in. Most social stuff happens where people can touch.
The only time I’ve heard zero regrets about going deep is when someone has teenagers who actually use it that way. Otherwise, it’s usually “it sounded cool at the time.”
When I was planning mine, I almost went 6.5 ft because “why not.” Then I actually ran the numbers on gallons. That extra foot across even part of the pool adds a surprising amount of water. More volume means longer heat up times, more runtime to turn the water over, and a bit more work when you’re brushing and vacuuming. It’s not dramatic, but it’s there.
Deeper water also stratifies more. In my buddy’s 6 ft deep end, the bottom stays noticeably cooler and circulation down there isn’t as strong unless you really aim returns downward. His filter pressure is fine, but he has to be more intentional about brushing the deep hopper so stuff doesn’t just sit there.
If you’re not diving and not planning on serious lap swimming, 5 ft is kind of the sweet spot. Adults can still submerge and jump in, but you don’t create a big zone that no one stands in. Most social stuff happens where people can touch.
The only time I’ve heard zero regrets about going deep is when someone has teenagers who actually use it that way. Otherwise, it’s usually “it sounded cool at the time.”