Liberty Unity 16x35 Fiberglass Pool and Deluxe

Liberty describes the Unity collection as a freeform with abundant swim-up seating, ample swim space and an optional integrated spa. That is a fair summary. It is the largest freeform we install after the 40 ft Devotion, and it puts a lot of that size into places to sit. Families with teenagers, and parents who host the neighborhood on summer weekends, get the most out of it.

The Deluxe version is for owners who want the spa inside the pool's own shell, with one set of steps and one deck, rather than a separate hot tub on the patio.

Both are 16 by 35 ft. Liberty lists the standard Unity at 3 ft 6 in to 6 ft 6 in deep, about 14,000 gallons, with swim-up seating and multiple entry and exit points. The Unity Deluxe runs 4 ft 3 in to 6 ft 6 in, with the spa at 3 ft deep, and holds about 11,500 gallons. Liberty tags it with the built-in spa, swim-up seating, a wading area and multiple entries. The spa costs $2,700 more in our packages.

The standard Unity starts shallower, at 3 ft 6 in, which is better for small children. The Deluxe starts at 4 ft 3 in, better for adults. Both reach 6 ft 6 in at the deep end, enough for older kids to swim down and touch bottom. Neither is a diving pool.

With our 4 ft deck, the Unity needs about 24 by 43 ft. Hudson requires pools behind the main mass of the house and 15 ft from side and rear lines. Green measures its 15 ft to the closest feature of the pool or accessory, which on the Unity means the deck edge and the equipment pad. Plan for a yard well over 50 ft wide before you add a fence and patio.

A freeform this size is forgiving about orientation, and we often angle it so the seating faces the afternoon sun or the view from the house. A 16 ft wide shell also needs a clean crane route, so access is part of the first site visit. Freeform pools are hard to fit with a standard automatic track cover, so we usually pair the Unity with a safety cover.

Both packages include the Liberty shell and full installation, a Pentair variable-speed pump, a Pentair DE filter, a pool heater, Pentair MicroBrite color-changing LED lights, a 4 ft concrete wrap deck, a cleaning kit, starter chemicals and the electrical hook-up at the equipment. The 3D design and permits are handled by us.

Priced after the site visit: the barrier fence, extra decking, spoils haul-off, dewatering if needed and the run from your panel to the pad. With the Deluxe, the pool heater that comes with the package is what makes the spa useful, so we size it with the spa in mind. On a pool of this size, the dig produces a lot of soil, and the haul-off line reflects that.

A heater is close to essential on either version. The seating invites bubblers and LED lighting, and a waterfall or rock feature suits the freeform shape. Many owners run a wide patio along the seating side and add automation, especially on the Deluxe, where switching between spa and pool modes from a phone saves a walk to the equipment. With 11,500 to 14,000 gallons to keep clear, some choose a salt system as well.