Pool or Jacuzzi? Which is Best for Your San Diego Home

One of the best things about living in Southern California is hands down the weather. We have sunny, warm days all year long. That means adding a pool or jacuzzi to your backyard just makes sense, since you can get a lot of enjoyment out of it. 

However, installing a pool or a jacuzzi is a significant investment. Not just financially either. Whether you choose a pool, a spa, or both, you’re going to either have to put in some time yourself to maintain it or hire someone to come regularly and do the work for you. Pools also take up a lot of room in the backyard. 

If you know you want to add a water feature to your yard but aren’t sure if a pool or a jacuzzi makes more sense, here are a few things to consider. Feel free to also give us a call to discuss your options – we would love to help you create your dream backyard! 



Space Requirements 

Pools take up more square footage than spas in general, but they can also be customized to fit your yard. One of the most important things to consider is the overall shape of your lot and how a pool would fit into your existing space. No one wants to take a couple steps out the back door and be in the pool. Similarly, you don’t want to lose all of your backyard space to the pool. There should be a balance between the pool and your hardscape and landscape. If you have a smaller yard, it might make more sense to just opt for a jacuzzi instead. Jacuzzis are naturally smaller and can be installed in one corner of your yard, leaving plenty of room for a nice turf or grass pad, patio, or even an outdoor kitchen. You’ll find that outdoor spas are more common in homes along the Southern California coast which have smaller lot sizes. 



Intended Use 

Another thing to keep in mind is what you plan to do with your pool or spa. If you want a pool because you plan to swim laps in it, then a hot tub is not going to be a good substitute. Likewise, if you want a pool because you want to turn your backyard into your personal relaxation oasis, then installing a pool or a jacuzzi would help you accomplish that goal! You should also keep in mind the ages of the people who will be enjoying the new water feature. Generally, spas are a bigger hit with adults than children. However, if you have very young children you might want to consider a shallower pool or one with more safety features like steps and fencing. 


Expense 

Generally speaking, a pool is both more expensive to install and maintain than a spa. It’s larger and it requires more water. A pool will also require weekly maintenance from you or a qualified professional. That said, hot tubs need more overall care and maintenance than pools. Since the water is hot, you need to be very careful that things are kept clean and sanitary. Bacteria and other nasty things love growing in warm places. Still, because the spa is smaller than the pool, your maintenance costs will be less overall. 


Thinking about a backyard transformation project? Let us help you bring it to life! Give us a call to learn more about our services.

Location: San Diego, CA, USA

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