What Is a Grotto?

Many pool owners, or those who want to add a pool to their home, consider adding a grotto. A grotto is a waterfall feature that includes a cave that you can swim or sit in. There are a few things to be aware of when deciding whether or not to add a grotto to a pool.Why Add a Grotto to a Pool?

What is the purpose of a grotto pool? Is a pool grotto worth it? How much does it cost to build a grotto? Adding a grotto or waterfall feature to a pool can provide a better aesthetic and can add to the fun and excitement for pool owners. The addition of a grotto can also add value to a home. According to Homeadvisor, pools with added features can increase a home’s value by up to 7%. Due to the natural look of grottoes, they can be a worthwhile investment for people who want to add a touch of luxury to their pool.

What is a Grotto Made of?

Most grottoes are constructed with artificial rock. Previous options often included making a rock from a rubber mold. A newer option, new-cast rock, is cast from real rock and adds a realistic texture and look to the component.

Grotto Options

How much does a pool with a grotto cost? Budget is normally a central consideration when building a grotto or cave feature. Most builders will offer “good, better, best” versions to fit into your budget. Cost depends on what all is included with the design. For example, most basic grottoes range in price from about $5,000-$10,000, while grottoes that include additional features such as slides and staircases can cost anywhere from $15,000-$50,000.

Landscaping for a Grotto

You must take landscaping into account when building a grotto or waterfall feature. Some professional landscapers are not familiar with water design features, so it is better to find a pool feature expert who provides landscaping services to make the grotto and landscape designs work together cohesively.

Functionality of a Grotto

While the look and feel of a grotto waterfall feature is important, functionality should also be considered. You will want the waterfall to flow back into the pool. Prior to the newer cave and grotto components now available, it was difficult to get water to flow back into the pool correctly.

Weight

If a grotto were to be made of natural stone, it would be too heavy and cause damage to the area around the pool and even the pool itself. New-cast rock and similar options offer a grotto that weighs only about 1/5 of what natural stone does.

Time

Component water feature systems that are not made of natural stone can make it easier to rearrange rocks to the customer’s preference. Typically a smaller grotto feature will take half a day for a crew to construct. Larger features with slides and staircases could take around 3 weeks to complete.

Adding Other Fun Options to Your Pool

There are other options that can be added to a component water feature system. Slides with staircases are often added to grottoes to add fun to the pool area. These additions will, of course, cost extra but could also add value in the long run.

The Bottom Line When Considering a Grotto

A grotto is a great way to add to the beauty and fun of a pool area. A waterfall feature with a cave can also add to the home value. Cost, landscape, and functionality should all be taken into account when building a grotto. Hopefully this article gave you enough information to help you decide if a grotto might be a good addition to your pool.