Get matched with top pool table assembly pros in Fair Oaks, GA

You’ll need at least 50-by-10 feet for a residential lap pool. Endless pools need as little as 15-by-8 feet. Deciding which type of pool is right for you and your family will depend heavily on the size of your backyard and what can comfortably fit. Don’t forget to leave room for other structures and activities in your yard, such as a swing set, shed, garden, or outdoor grill.

When designing your dream pool, it's important to leave enough room for safe walkways, patios, and extras such as outdoor kitchens and fire pits. Your local building codes may specify the minimum space between your pool and your house, utility lines, and property line. In most cases, the area of the patio around the pool should be equal to or greater than the surface area of the pool.

The formula you’ll use to measure your pool will differ based on the shape of your pool. For a rectangular pool, you’ll use the following formula to find the size in gallons: length x width x depth x 7.5. If the depth changes from one end of your pool to the other, take the average by finding the depth at the deepest and most shallow points and dividing that number by two. Circular and oval pools require different, more complicated formulas, which can be found in this article.

The disadvantages of container pools come down to flexibility and customization. Shipping containers come in standard sizes, so the sizes and shapes are limited. They also have a very distinctive look, which may not suit the aesthetic of your backyard. 

Beyond that, while container pools are more affordable than in-ground pools, certain models can be more expensive. This includes the cost to heat your pool, since the metal walls have more heat transfer than other types of pools (which some brands circumvent with insulation).