Spa pools are an increasingly popular alternative to regular swimming pools in Australia. But what is a spa pool, and what are its advantages and disadvantages? How much is a swimming pool spa to buy? Are there any alternatives which would suit you better?

Here we take a look at the spa pool in detail, and answer all your questions so you can make an informed decision about the best pool type for you.

What is a spa pool?

A spa pool is your own private spa in your backyard. They can come in a compact sizes as it is primarily built for relaxation in the water.

A backyard spa pool is equipped with spa jets so you can enjoy the benefits of relaxation. This is ideal if you want to enjoy the spa experience in the privacy of your own property. And it can be particularly beneficial if you are recovering from a muscular injury or a painful health condition.

A spa pool is smaller than a regular swimming pool but still offers enough space for one person to swim in. It is a perfect spot for relaxation and hydrotherapy as it comes with large seating areas and hydrotherapy jets.

Spa pools are heated, can be installed inground, partly above-ground or fully above-ground.

How are spa pools installed?

Some spa pools come as “plug and play” designs. This means they arrive as a complete unit, requiring very little ground preparation or installation work. They sit on top of the ground rather than having to be built into it, so these are known as above-ground pools.

An above ground spa pool is ready to use practically as soon as it arrives. Once it has been placed on a level surface in your backyard, such as on a pre-laid concrete pad.

It usually just needs to be hooked up to an electrical outlet and filled before you can start enjoying it.

Above ground spa pools also have the added advantage of being portable. If you ever decide to move house, you can take your spa with you. This allows you to get the most out of your investment.

However, some homeowners do not particularly like the look of an above ground spa swimming pool. Its appearance is difficult to customise and it is not always practical to have a large object sitting on ground.

Inground vs. above-ground Installation

Many spa pools are installed inground. This means the ground in your backyard will have to be excavated before the installation can take place, just like it would with a full-sized inground swimming pool.

As inground and partially above-ground installations are more complex than above-ground ones, your swim spa will not be ready to use for days or possibly weeks depending on the ease or difficulty of the installation process. However, the results look sleek and sophisticated, enabling your spa pool to blend in more seamlessly with the rest of your property and making it easier to create a stunning landscaping design.

If you do choose an in-ground spa but still want to be able to use it relatively quickly, the sensible choice is a fibreglass spa rather than a concrete one. Like regular swimming pools, concrete spas have to be built from scratch on your property. This makes the building process take considerably longer.

Fibreglass spas, in contrast, are pre-fabricated in a range of standard shapes and sizes. When you have chosen the design which suits you best, the shell is delivered complete to your home. It can then be installed in the ground. This means less building work is required on your property, so the process is quicker and cheaper.

There is very little difference between the two materials when it comes to strength and durability. Both concrete and fibreglass spas are strong enough to withstand extreme weather conditions and even earthquakes!