Vinyl-Over Step Design Considerations

Beyond aesthetics, it’s also important to think about the functionality and mechanics of your pool steps. It’s not just about how you plan to use your pool, but also who will be using your pool.The right type of pool steps can help you maximize your enjoyment, or make it easier for people to get in and out of your pool. Additionally, you’ll want to consider how your steps and any features you plan to incorporate will work with a pool cover.

Step Placement & Pool Entry Points

Typically, you’ll enter your pool at its shallow end. The size and shape of your pool may dictate where this shallow end may sit – and, consequently, where you’ll place your steps.

• If you plan to use your pool to swim laps, straight steps won’t take up a ton of real estate. In terms of pool safety, straight steps can be a great choice if you have small children, older adults, or people with mobility issues using your pool, as these steps span the width of your pool. Straight steps can also give young children a wide ledge to play on in the shallow end.
• If you have a smaller linear-shaped pool, you may want to consider adding corner steps in a shallow corner of the pool. They may not be as wide as straight steps, but can offer easy entry for most adults. If you don’t plan on having seniors or young children use your pool, these steps can be an attractive option that doesn’t take up much space. Additionally, these corner steps can take on a fun “wedding cake” shape that adds flair and aesthetic appeal.
• If you have an irregular-shaped pool (such as a kidney-, clover-, or lagoon-shaped pool), you’ll want to place steps at its most shallow point – typically, indicated by the smallest curve on your pool. Radius steps with a curved design work well with these uniquely-shaped pools.
• If you plan to use your pool for entertaining, built-in benches and ledges offer valuable seating and entertainment space so your steps can double as a lounge area. With this set-up, you and your guests can face each other and enjoy some poolside conversation (and maybe a drink or two).

Handrail Placement

Handrails can enhance the safety of your pool by offering added stability to people entering and exiting your pool. This can be especially helpful to seniors, kids, or people with mobility issues who will be using your pool.

Handrails are placed at the entrance of the pool, allowing users to get in and out easily. While a handrail may be placed in the shallow end to enter the pool, you may also want to consider adding a swim ladder in the deeper end to offer an easy exit without the benefit of pool stairs.

Depending on your pool setup, surrounding decking materials and choice of stairs, some handrails can be anchored on one end outside of your pool, embedded in concrete or your decking material of choice. The other end can be anchored inside your pool, through the center of one of your steps. If you don’t have decking material around your pool, some molded pool step options can incorporate holes in two of the steps where a handrail can be installed.

Handrail Placement and Automatic Pool Covers

If you plan to have an automatic pool cover for added safety, you’ll want to consult with your builder about making sure your handrail’s placement does not impact your cover’s ability to close properly. Making sure that your pool cover has ample clearance to glide over any embedded rail or that your railing curves in such a way that an automatic pool cover can securely close without getting stuck on the railing is important to the overall safety of your pool and guests.

Another factor to consider with an automatic pool cover – or any pool component that uses electricity – is that metal fixtures in and around your pool will require bonding to ground them. Metal handrails or pool ladders can sometimes deliver a light “shock” to users if the pool has not been properly grounded with a bonding grid. Your pool builder or electrician can be a valuable resource in making sure this is done correctly before anyone uses your pool, making sure it’s safe for everyone!