Inground pool steps not only enhance the safety of your pool but also add to its beauty and comfort. Latham Pool Products offers two main types of steps for inground pools: vinyl-over steps and molded pool steps. Both options are crafted with high-quality materials and construction, to ensure years of enjoyment. The choice between these two types usually comes down to your design preferences and budget.
Vinyl steps are a stunning complement to your pool, seamlessly matching the vinyl liner and covering the steps completely for a sleek look.
Vinyl-Over steps provide a seamless look and feel for your pool. These steps are installed within the perimeter of the pool giving a sleek style that mimics that of concrete pools with the added style of your vinyl liner. Vinyl pool liners are designed to be an exact fit over the steps.
Design Benefits: These stairs can be neatly tucked into any corner in your pool. If you have a smaller-sized pool, corner steps can offer easy access in and out of the water without taking up too much space.
Common Features: Benches and extended ledges
Considerations: Corner pool steps are a great option if you have a 90-degree corner in your pool (i.e. in square or rectangular pools).
Design Benefits: Radius steps fit perfectly into a rounded edge of your pool – great for a variety of freeform shapes!
Common Features: Wading area, bubblers and fountains.
Considerations: If you don’t have a pool with straight sides or corners, you’ll want steps that fit in with the curved edges of your pool. Radius steps may be the best design option to match with circular, oblong, freeform, or lagoon-style pools.
Design Benefits: Simple and straightforward, straight steps are functional without any additional flourishes. This allows for more space to swim without taking up additional room.
Common Features: Extended ledges, benches and bubblers.
Considerations: Straight steps will look best with a pool that features linear sides, like a square or rectangular shaped pool. If you plan to use your pool to exercise and swim laps, straight steps can be a great option.
Benches and ledges are attached to the walls of your pool, but are submerged under shallow water. In some instances, your builder can create a wider first step that serves as a tanning ledge.
You can install a bench or ledge along any edge in your pool, straight or curved. Additionally, some builders can create ledges large enough to incorporate pool furniture and even a designated space to hold an outdoor umbrella.
A pool bubbler is typically installed near pool stairs or a tanning ledge. Bubblers and fountains mimic the look and feel of a natural geyser or hot spring and the ambient bubbles and sound of cascading water creates a relaxing effect. Bubblers can also help control your pool’s temperature, keeping it cool on hot days.
For a more dramatic effect, your builder can add LED lights beneath a bubbler or fountain. This can enhance your enjoyment, providing you with a nighttime light show.
Latham molded steps are a top choice for your vinyl liner pool, available in acrylic fiberglass or thermoplastic for years of easy maintenance. With different models, various colors, and profiles, Latham offers the industry’s largest selection of preformed steps and entry options to perfectly coordinate with your dream pool.
The sturdy thermoplastic in-wall steps not only add functionality but also enhance the pool’s beauty. Choose from a wide range of options, including built-in lounges for relaxing and sun ledges for gathering with loved ones.
Design Benefits: These attractive curved steps can add a bit of flair to your pool.
Common Features: French curve steps create a curved entryway into your pool and are offered in both standard and cantilever styles.
Considerations: Elegant and functional, French curve steps add visual appeal and work well with a pool or spillover spa.
Design Benefits: Striking in their simplicity, straight steps are sleek and functional.
Common Features: Straight steps descend into your pool without any additional design flourishes.
Considerations: Straight steps are an excellent choice for if you’re looking for something simple that fits in with any linear-shaped (rectangular, square) pool.
Design Benefits: Corner steps are ideal for smaller pools, as they fit neatly into the corner and don’t take up as much valuable space reserved for splashing and playing.
Common Features: These stairs fit neatly into any corner of your pool, and can be set at an angle.
Considerations: Although corner steps can easily work with a linear-shaped pool, they can also be incorporated into a freeform shaped (such as kidney, clover, or lagoon) pool to provide access at the smaller, shallow end.
Design Benefits: Like French curve steps, these are an attractive addition to your pool. These distinctly-shaped steps work well with Greco-Roman style pools that feature a long rectangle with a semi-circle radius at the entryway.
Common Features: These differ from French curve steps in that they feature seating on every other step (i.e. if you have four steps, the first and third step has the potential to be a bench).
Considerations: If you want to include both a set of steps and a bench, Roman curved steps are an outstanding choice.
Design Benefits: If you have a freeform pool, these stairs are able to match its free-flowing design.
Common Features: Lagoon free form stairs will usually tuck into the smallest curve on your pool, typically near the shallow end.
Considerations: If you have an irregular-shaped pool (such as kidney-shaped, lagoon, clover, or other freeform design), it can be difficult to find steps that can easily nestle into your design. These steps can be a great choice that offers you versatility and ease of access.
Design Benefits: These steps double as an entry/exit from your pool and a lounge area for relaxing.
Common Features: This design features both steps and a bench that point towards each other.
Considerations: These are another great option for including both a bench and stairs in one feature. If you plan to use your pool for entertaining, this style can help you maximize seating for guests.
