Latham Turns 70: What the 2026 Pool Lineup Means for Florida Homeowners

Latham Turns 70: What the 2026 Pool Lineup Means for Florida Homeowners

The largest in-ground residential pool manufacturer in North America is celebrating a milestone in 2026: 70 years of building swimming pools. To mark the anniversary, Latham announced an expanded lineup — new plunge pool models, new pool-and-spa combinations, upgraded liner technology, refreshed automatic cover accessories, and even a national partnership with USA Artistic Swimming.

Announcements like this can feel like industry news that has little to do with your backyard. But if you are considering a fiberglass pool in Florida, this particular lineup says a lot about where pool design is heading — smaller footprints, built-in spas, and smarter accessories. Here is what was announced and, more importantly, what it means for your project.

Why a Manufacturer's 70th Anniversary Actually Matters

A swimming pool is a decades-long purchase. The shell in your yard should still be performing 25 or 30 years from now, and the warranty backing it is only as strong as the company that issued it. Latham has been manufacturing pools since 1956 and today leads the in-ground residential pool market in North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

For homeowners, that scale translates into practical benefits: consistent manufacturing standards, a large dealer network for service, and confidence that warranty support and replacement parts will still be available long after installation. It is one of the reasons we feature Latham fiberglass pools in our catalog.

New Milan Plunge Pools: Compact Designs for Florida Lots

The headline addition for 2026 is a pair of new Milan plunge pool models. Plunge pools are compact, deeper-than-average pools designed for cooling off, low-impact exercise, and relaxing — without taking over the entire yard.

The timing is no accident. Industry research cited by Latham shows that 40% of builders who install plunge pools have seen demand increase since 2022. In Florida, the appeal is easy to understand:

• Smaller lots: Many Florida neighborhoods — especially newer communities — have limited backyard space. A plunge pool fits where a full-size pool cannot.
• Faster installation: A smaller fiberglass shell means less excavation and a quicker path from contract to swimming.
• Lower operating costs: Less water to heat, treat, and filter means lower monthly bills year-round.
• Year-round usability: Florida's climate means even a compact pool earns its keep twelve months a year.

Three New Pool-and-Spa Combos: Axiom Deluxe and Bermuda Deluxe

Latham also introduced three new models with built-in spas: the Axiom 12 Deluxe, Axiom 14 Deluxe, and Bermuda 12 Deluxe. Instead of installing a separate hot tub, the spa is molded directly into the fiberglass shell — one shell, one installation, one cohesive look.

Is a built-in spa worth it in a warm state? For many Florida homeowners, yes. Central and North Florida see plenty of cool winter evenings where a heated spa gets real use, and a spa is valuable year-round for relaxation and muscle recovery. Building it into the shell keeps the footprint compact and the plumbing simpler than adding separate equipment later.

Ultra-Seam Liners and Automatic Cover Updates

Two quieter announcements round out the lineup. First, Latham is expanding its Ultra-Seam liner technology, which produces a nearly invisible seam on vinyl pool liners — a finish-quality upgrade for liner pool owners. Second, the company refreshed its automatic cover accessories.

Automatic covers deserve a moment of attention from Florida homeowners. A quality cover reduces evaporation, keeps debris out during storm season, and adds a meaningful layer of safety for families with children or pets. If you are budgeting a new pool, a cover is one of the accessories we most often recommend considering from day one rather than retrofitting later.

The USA Artistic Swimming Partnership

Latham also announced a national partnership with USA Artistic Swimming, the governing body for the sport in the United States. Sponsorships will not change anything about the pool in your backyard, but they are a useful signal: manufacturers investing in multi-year national partnerships are planning to be around for the long haul — which circles back to why manufacturer stability matters for a purchase you will live with for decades.

What This Means for Your Florida Pool Project

Put together, the 2026 lineup points to a clear trend: pools tailored to how people actually live — compact designs for smaller lots, built-in spas that add value without adding sprawl, and accessories that make ownership easier. If you have been holding off on a pool because you assumed your yard was too small, the expanding plunge pool category is worth a serious look.

In Florida, a turnkey fiberglass pool installation typically runs $43,000–$100,000 depending on the model, site conditions, and features like heaters, covers, and decking — compact plunge models generally land toward the lower end of that range. Because every yard is different, the most accurate number comes from a site-specific quote: request a free estimate and we will walk you through model availability and realistic pricing for your property.

The new Milan and Deluxe models will roll out through Latham's dealer network. If you want to know when specific 2026 models become available in your part of Florida, reach out for a free estimate — we track availability directly and can help you plan timing.

Source: Latham Group investor announcement, January 2026.