15’ round above-ground swimming pools are smaller-sized pools, but there are still quite a few of them in Orlando.
About 20 years ago, the 15ft round above ground was the smallest pool you could get. There were some smaller ones, but they were just tiny pools sold only for display at stores like Pinch-A-Penny.
Now, the 12’ round pool is fairly available and occasionally you can find a tiny 8’ round for retail sale.
In my opinion though, the 15’ is the smallest round pool that more than just one person can use. And it’s a great size for maintenance during our long, hot, and humid Orlando summers.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT INSTALLING A 15’ ROUND ABOVE-GROUND POOL IN ORLANDO
1 15FT round pools have 10 uprights and top rails
Round above-ground swimming pools have frames that are made up of the same-sized pieces that go around the wall of the pool to make a circle.
Most 15ft AG pools will have ten each of top rails, top and bottom connector plates, top caps, bottom track pieces, and uprights. There are a couple of 15’ models made by Wilbar or Doughboy that have 11, but that is fairly rare.
2 A 15’ round pool needs a 17ft area to be cleared and leveled
Above-ground pools are measured by the diameter of the pool wall (where the actual water is), so when you factor in the width of its outer frame, then you need approximately 16’ of area for a 15’ round pool.
So, having a 17’ round area clear and level will give you enough room the assemble the pool.
3 15’ round pools are big enough for a household of one or two
A 15’ round AG pool holds about 5k gallons and is not very big. People generally get this smaller size when there aren’t going to be more than one or two users AND/OR the yard is too small for anything bigger.
4 A 15ft round AG pool in Orlando takes less than one day to have installed
When I am busy, I will install a 15’ round pool with one other helper. If I don’t have a lot on the schedule though, I’ll install this size by myself.
Regardless of how many installers, this size pool should be installed in one day or less.
Smaller pools are a little easier to deal with when there is wind. They have tighter wall radiuses which make them stronger against wind when still empty and not yet secured during the install.
5 My installation charge for a 15ft round pool is $1000
This is about the average cost to have a 15’ round pool installed in Orlando (In 2023-4) My price includes PVC hard piping the equipment and up to 12 inches of off-level grading.
Some other pool installers may not include the hard piping or that much grading, so it’s good to know what is included as you don’t want any cost surprises.
NOTE: This is a price for metal-walled(hard-sided) type above-ground pools. Soft-sided Intex, Coleman, and Bestway made pools are different. With those, I only offer a ground-preparation service.
6 Depending on your water pressure, a 15’ pool takes about 12 hours to fill on average
Almost everyone in the Orlando area fills up their pool with their own water source. Municipal water in Orlando and Orange County has decent water pressure in most areas.
Some living in areas outside of Orlando may have wells. Some wells pump water very slowly and some can pump a lot of water quickly.
Few here in Central Florida will opt to have a water truck fill their pool. This is a very expensive option but can fill your pool very quickly.
Most getting smaller pools of this size will simply fill it with their own water source.
7 A 15-foot round, semi-inground pool will require at least an 18’ round hole
Setting an above-ground pool partially in the ground has become quite common in Orlando.
A pool needs room in the hole to be assembled, so making the hole 1.5ft wider than the pool size all the way around will give enough room to build.
NOTE: Many who go semi-inground with a 15’ pool do so because they have a tight space in the yard that can only fit that size. Take into account that the digging machine will need space AND you will need room for the dirt that comes out of the hole.
8 In Orlando during the summer, installing a 15’ round pool should start early in the morning
The summer in Orlando is also the rainy season. It can rain every afternoon here. This is why you want to have any above-ground pool almost completely installed before around 1 pm.
Afternoon storms in Orlando don’t last long, but they can be violent with high wind gusts and lighting. You want the pool to be almost done (or done) before the potential of one of these storms comes.