Can You Redesign an Existing Pool? What Kenner Owners Can Change

Written by Big Easy Pool Designs

Can You Redesign an Existing Pool in Kenner?

Quick Answer: Yes. Most existing pools in Kenner can be redesigned, and a structurally sound pool can take a new finish, new tile, new steps or ledges, new lighting and a new deck. How far the redesign can go depends on how the pool was built, so the first step is always an honest look at the shell.

A lot of the pools we see around Kenner were built decades ago for a different family. The layout made sense then. Now the deep end goes unused, the steps are cramped and the finish looks tired. The good news is that the pool you have is usually a better starting point than an empty yard.

Can You Renovate an Existing Pool?

Yes, and it helps to know the difference between the two words. We treat a pool remodel in Kenner as cosmetic: the pool works, it just looks dated. A pool renovation in Kenner is corrective: cracked shells, leaks, failing equipment, the things that keep a pool from working well.

A redesign can sit on either side. If the shell is sound, the redesign is mostly a design job. If something is broken, we fix that first, then build the new look on top of a pool that works. Either way, you get a written scope before anything starts.

What Can You Change in a Pool Redesign?

Surfaces, Tile and Coping

This is where most redesigns start, because it changes the look the most for the effort. A new plaster or aggregate finish changes the water color, new waterline tile sets the style, and new coping changes the edge you see from the house. Our post on when resurfacing pays off in Metairie and Kenner covers finishes in more detail.

Steps, Benches and Ledges

Entry steps, a bench along one wall or a shallow tanning ledge can often be added to a concrete pool by forming new concrete inside the existing shell. These are some of the most popular changes we discuss, because they change how a family actually uses the water. A ledge gives small kids and loungers a place to be without swimming.

Depth

Many older pools have a deep end built for a diving board nobody uses anymore. Raising that floor is a real project, with drains, lights and fittings to plan around. Our post on converting an old diving pool walks through what happens under the water.

Shape and Footprint

On a concrete pool, the shape can change, but this is the biggest redesign there is. Extending, shortening or squaring off a shell means cutting and forming new structure, and the cost climbs toward new-build territory. We’ll tell you plainly when a shape change makes sense and when it doesn’t.

Lighting, Water Features and Deck

LED lighting changes the whole feel after dark. Sheer descents, bubblers or a raised wall add sound and movement. And the deck is half of what you see. A new surround, laid out with better traffic flow, can make an old pool feel new. Our guide to pool decking materials for Louisiana heat helps with that choice.

What Is Harder to Change in an Existing Pool?

How the pool was built sets the limits. Our comparison of gunite, fiberglass and vinyl liner pools explains each type, but here’s the short version for a redesign:

• Gunite or concrete: the most flexible. Steps, ledges, depth and even shape can change, with work that scales to the ambition.
• Fiberglass: the shell’s shape comes from the manufacturer’s mold, so built-in steps and the outline stay as they are. Redesigns usually focus on the deck, coping, lighting and surroundings.
• Vinyl liner: a new liner can change the pattern and color. Changes to the walls, steps or depth depend on the frame underneath.

Equipment also matters. Adding a spa, a water feature or more lights can mean a larger pump, new plumbing runs or more electrical capacity. Any new electrical work should be handled by a licensed electrician, and we plan it into the scope from the start.

How Does Kenner’s Ground Affect a Pool Redesign?

Kenner sits on soft delta soil with a high water table. That matters most when a pool has to be drained for the work. An empty shell sitting in saturated ground can be pushed upward by the water around it, which is why draining a pool is a planned step, not something to do on a sunny Saturday. Our post on pools and the high water table explains why.

Weather plays a part too. Frequent summer afternoon storms can stall surface work, so we schedule around the season and build in time for rain.

Then there’s paperwork. The City of Kenner requires a building permit for construction that includes pools in and above ground and cement work, and demolition has to be permitted as well. A redesign that cuts or adds concrete needs to go through that process. We handle permitting as part of the job, and our post on pool permits and barrier rules covers what those reviews usually look at.

How Do You Start a Pool Redesign?

Start with what bothers you about the pool today, then with how you want to use it. We walk the pool with you, confirm the shell and equipment are sound, and sketch what can change. You get a written scope that lists what changes, what it costs and how long it takes, and you approve it before we touch anything.

We’ve found that the best redesigns keep what already works. If the pool sits in the right spot and the shell is solid, spending the budget on steps, a ledge and a new deck usually does more than chasing a new shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make an existing pool smaller?

On a concrete pool, often yes, by building new walls or raising a floor inside the shell. It’s a structural job, so it starts with an inspection.

Can you add a spa to an existing pool?

Often, depending on space, plumbing and equipment capacity. We look at all three at the consultation.

Do you redesign pools you didn’t build?

Yes. Most of the pools we renovate were built by someone else, often decades ago.

Redesign Your Kenner Pool

If your pool doesn’t fit the way your family lives anymore, let’s look at what it can become.

See custom pool design in Kenner and our Kenner service area, then request your free consultation or call (504) 688-4066.