Pool Ladders and Pool Steps, Above-Ground Pool Steps, In-Ground Pool Ladders

Swimming Pool Steps and Ladders

Because every pool facility is unique, there are a number of issues to determine before making your final choice on what pool steps or ladders are best for your own public pool. Selecting steps or ladders for an aboveground pool will be very different than the selections made for an inground pool. You need to determine your clientele, and who will be using the pool. Do you cater more to children or adults, or both? Does your facility serve more elderly or disabled individuals? Do you need more safety precautions to keep unintended users away from your pool? Answering these kinds of questions will help you narrow your options and determine the best ladder or step choice for your unique pool requirements.

Above-ground and In-ground Pool Steps and Ladders

Generally constructed from durable, easy-care materials such as stainless steel, resin, vinyl or composite plastics, aboveground and inground pool steps and ladders are specially designed to meet basic safety and weight capacity guidelines. They often highlight stainless steel, polyethylene or resin handrails and are available in a variety of sizes, styles and configurations to suit a wide range of aboveground or inground pool designs.

Above-ground Pool Ladders

One of the best aspects of aboveground pool ladders is that they can add years to the life of the pool, as they help prevent wall and supporting structure pool damage. Ladders provide your pool users easy and convenient accessibility with entry and exit, especially if there is no surrounding deck. However, ladders also make it easier for unintended users to access your pool as well, so choose one with added locking mechanisms to help prevent this unauthorized and potentially dangerous accessibility.

It is also important to ensure that the ladder you select will safely accommodate all of your pool user’s weights. Most of us are all too familiar with flimsy plastic pool ladders that may be okay for small children to use, but are totally unsafe for adults. It will be in your best interest and the interest of your clients to choose a sturdy, durable ladder that can safely handle higher user weights with ease.

Above-ground Pool Steps

Aboveground pool steps offer a more aesthetically pleasing entrance and exit than pool ladders, and are available in a wide range of configurations. Steps are generally an easier and safer choice for the elderly, children and users with disabilities to navigate as well. Some designs are intended to be directly attached to a pool deck, while others include an outside ladder to work in conjunction with the aboveground pool steps. Most steps accommodate a variety of differing pool wall heights.

In-ground Pool Ladders

Typically constructed of stainless steel or other durable, non-corrosive materials, inground pool ladders provide secured and simple accessibility for your inground pool users. They often highlight wider, slip-resistant steps and sturdy, strong grip handrails for added safety and ADA compliance.

In-ground Pool Steps

Just like aboveground pool steps, inground pool steps add a more stylish accent to your inground pool. Typically constructed in the ‘wedding cake’ style, inground steps are usually made from resin, which naturally reduces slippage, along with stainless steel handrails. While some inground pools already include built-in entry/exit steps, several pool designs will require a separate installation of inground steps. Individual pool steps can also replace poorly designed or worn out built-in steps. Inground pool steps are the easiest for the elderly, children and disabled to navigate, while they also provide a safe means of entry and exit for all of your pool users.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

ck