Pool steps, ladders and entries

Built-in steps: the comfortable default

Masonry steps in the shallow end are the entry most pools should have. Comfortable pool treads are deeper than house stairs: 30–35 cm treads with 18–25 cm rises, because you move slower in water. Width matters more than count — a 1.5 m wide staircase is a place to sit and a toddler zone; a 60 cm one is just a way in.

Full-width steps across the pool's end turn the entry into a feature and double as seating. In our designer, a full-width staircase automatically meets both walls cleanly.

Roman steps: the elegant curve

Semicircular 'Roman' steps flow out from the wall in concentric arcs. They look best on Roman and rectangular pools, entering from an end, and they read as furniture rather than infrastructure. They cost more than straight steps — curved formwork — and reach further into the swim area, so give them a generous end.

Ladders: for lap pools and tight corners

A stainless ladder takes zero swim space, which is why lap pools and small pools use them. Choose based on the pool's character: over-the-coping classic rails for retro looks, minimalist wall-hung slim rails for modern deck-level pools. They're a functional entry, not a comfortable one — nobody lingers on a ladder.

Rails and safety

A handrail at the steps earns its place the day someone's grandparent visits. Position it slightly off-center of the staircase so it helps without blocking. For deep-end exits after serious swimming, a simple grab rail beats swimming to the far steps.