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Spa Spillways
Every day our designers and construction workers spend time in providing the ultimate fun and relaxation for our customers. In today’s pool construction, more than 80% of customers want a unique design that includes an in-ground spa.
When we create a backyard paradise, we are offering families the ultimate fun and relaxation without having to leave their home. Integrating a raised spa with your new swimming pool not only provides relaxation but also completes the resort look and feel of your backyard oasis.
A raised spa attached to the swimming pool can be eye candy for the entire design. It can be the gathering spot to lounge in, and a fabulous piece of outdoor art while it displays mosaic tiles, natural tiles, and beautiful coping. Some of our customers like to place stones or plants around their swimming pools, adding a more natural ambiance. But it is the spillway that provides a modern style, letting the water flow from the spa into the pool, helping to relax anyone looking for a Zen moment.
A spillway is just a cascade of water. When adding one to your spa, it creates a whole new dimension in aesthetics and tranquility. The spillway allows water to go into the swimming pool that creates a natural sound appeal. There are four common spillway styles available:
Open Spillway
An open spillway is an open spot in the middle where water flows from the spa and into the swimming pool.
Bridge Spillway
These are called bridge spillways since the spillway is right under the coping, letting water flow into the pool. A bridge spillway looks very similar to scuppers spilling from your spa into the pool.
Stacked Spillway
Stacked spillway simulates a staircase of stone that allows the water to fall into the swimming pool. Made from travertine or flagstone, the position of the rocks creates a babbling brook sound or falling water.
Negative Edge Spillway
Just like a swimming pool, the negative edge in a spa works the same, a visual effect of water with no boundaries. The difference is where the water flows. In the case of the spa, the water flows into the swimming pool instead of into a catch basin.
Reflection Spillway
A reflection spillway is like the negative edge, except that the water overflows on all sides, creating a reflective effect while the water flows into the pool and back. In most cases, the borders are flat and covered with tile linings for a reflective top.
Original article & photos from https://platinumpools.com/spa-spillways/
Everyone Can Have a Swimming Pool
Many people still believe that it’s necessary to have a spacious backyard in order to have a swimming pool. Well, that is all fine and dandy, but that is not necessarily the case. Our experience with our customers is that each one has its own specific needs and wants, and it is the responsibility of our designer to understand what the customer wants. It is essential for the customer to provide a list of what they want in the swimming pool.
With all the amenities available to choose, a customer may want it all: the gushers, the beach entry, the spa or even the waterfall with the slide. Apart from the amenities, there are also other factors to take into consideration including land measurement.
Position And Shape Of Pool
The position of the swimming pool must be relative to your home. If the oasis is close to the house, go with sharper edges or a geometrical shape to match the style of your home. Curved corners or free-form designs are excellent for a standalone feature, making it more natural and blending into the scenery.
Say you want the pool for exercising, or for the children, or to have something beautiful to look at; those factors will help define what shape your pool will be. An example, if you want to swim just a few laps per day, usually a long and deep pool goes well. If the children will be spending a lot of time in the water, a small and not so deep pool goes well. Now, if it is for luxury, think about a free-form swimming pool with a striking aesthetic appeal.
Spool
In case you have a very tight space, then a hybrid between a swimming pool and a spa is in order. The spool (a combination of swimming pool and spa) measures between 10 to 16 feet long and 6 to 8 feet wide, which makes it larger than a spa and smaller than a pool. The spool also has powerful jets, creating a current against which to swim.
Before you make a final decision, consult with a swimming pool construction company, and find out what is the right choice for you. Remember that once you build your decision, there is no turning back. That means you cannot pull, stretch, or shrink a swimming pool’s shape and size after it is in the ground.
Article from: https://platinumpools.com/pools-for-small-yards-2/
How to Customize Your Spa into a One-of-a-Kind Backyard Getaway
Custom seating positions are becoming more popular, making the design process more sophisticated as seating positions with jets must be established in different spots—on the feet, behind the calves, etc. Standing positions are also possible. In some setups, you can stand, look out over the view, and get a massage from numerous jets along the vertical. Some designers and builders are creating reclining benches instead of just the straight up and down bench. This tends to mimic the comfort found in some prefabricated/portable hot tub units.
Spas have become larger to allow for more people as well as for comfort and personal space. A larger spa also allows for a full set of steps, which makes for graceful ingress and egress. Some spas may also have a “deep end” where there may be no benches, but the water is a foot deeper and you can sink down. As I mentioned earlier, however, the spa must still be in scale with the pool so as to not overpower it.
I have designed a larger spa with a swim jet installed at one end so it can be used as a swim spa. Swim spas are great for clients who have limited space or want the simplicity of a smaller pool. Plus, they can still use the spa for more traditional benefits.
Other top spa features include LED lights and water in transit, which offer great visual appeal whether you’re relaxing with one other person or entertaining a crowd.
No matter the size or design, custom spas are an ideal addition to any luxury pool.
Article from: https://luxurypools.com/pools-spas/how-customize-your-spa-one-kind-backyard-getaway/
Enclosing Your Space: Making Your Pool Area Free from Prying Eyes
It’s not hard to imagine that the backyard and pool areas we develop are the one places that we require the utmost privacy. This is your space, so it’s important to make the most of it.
If you live in a busy, built-up area, sometimes it can be difficult to keep out the prying eyes from our outdoor space despite our best intentions. Depending on the local architecture, geographical height variation and general maturity of your neighbors, the methods you might like to adopt to help solve this problem might be radically different. Here we’ve tried to list some of the most effective strategies for increasing the privacy in your backyard pool area without doing a disservice to the aesthetics of your relaxing sanctuary.
Consider Planting Trees
If you have a large outdoor area that has ample free space, planting trees could be a useful long-term solution in privatizing your space. It also provides a wealth of benefits for the soil in your garden, as well as being proven to reduce stress. A tastefully done treeline can be much nicer than a wall, lending your garden the natural authenticity it deserves.
Just be sure that the trees aren’t directly over the pool, and that leaves aren’t going to be a tricky nuisance to clear from your filtration systems. We repeat this will only be suitable for those with sizeable gardens. If you already have a compatible treeline but are worried about your tree health or management, consider using a service like Arborist USA, www.arboristusa.com.
Purchase A Gazebo
A gazebo, properly installed, can be the perfect way to relax and dry off after a long soak in the pool. Dependent on what direction the sun faces your garden, you can angle it so you have your private tanning time unimpeded by people looking in, but also have your tanning process unimpeded by the sun. A gazebo can also be a fantastic place to host a BBQ so long as ventilation considerations are thoroughly addressed.
Upgrade Your Fencing
It’s easy to neglect our fencing, but when it comes to separating yourself from other properties, it should be an important consideration, especially if you have children. If you live rurally, it might be tempting to neglect this in favor of open and care-free space, but you can never be sure if a neighbor has just purchased a dog with a questionable temperament, or if plainly your properties security can be easily compromised. Finding the most affordable, aesthetic methods to keeping your garden safe and away from the eyes of your direct neighbors can be advantageous in this instance.
Whatever you choose, make sure that you’re not impeding privacy for aesthetics. Sometimes the best place to unwind is the place we feel the most relaxed.
Saltwater Pools vs Chlorine Pools – Pros and Cons
Ever since its incorporation as a standard form of pool maintenance, people have had a love-hate relationship with chlorine. This chemical is great for keeping things clean, but it triggers a lot of health issues in sensitive individuals. It’s also a very hands-on component that requires regular testing and applications to remain at optimal levels. So it’s no surprise that everyone has been looking for a better solution for decades. Enter saltwater pools.
Contrary to what you might believe, saltwater pools have actually been around for a while. They have nonetheless begun to get their moment in the spotlight. Perhaps that’s because our busy modern lifestyles have caused people to take another look at them. Saltwater pools are far more hands-free than traditional systems. They also eliminate a lot of the problems that most people generally have with chlorine pools.
However, it’s important to note that saltwater pools still do use chlorine. The chemical is simply present at lower levels than would be found in traditional swimming pools. It’s also used in a slightly different form. Therefore, there aren’t as many health-related side effects that come from using saltwater pools as there are when homeowners use traditional systems. But it’s not all roses and sunshine with saltwater systems either! So here’s a look at what’s good about them and what’s not.
Saltwater Pools – Pros
- No harsh chlorine smells.
- Not as likely to irritate eyes or skin.
- Probably won’t turn blonde hair green.
- May not be as likely to dry your hair out as a chlorine system.
- Fewer health issues arise from swimming in these pools in general.
- Less wear on swimsuits, pool toys, pool tiles, etc.
- Water may feel better for swimmers.
- Pool owners no longer have to use (and store) corrosive chemicals.
- Lower maintenance overall.
- May cost less to maintain.
Saltwater Pools – Cons:
- More expensive start-up costs than a traditional chlorine pool. Saltwater systems initially cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars apiece.
- Fuel cells have to be replaced every three to seven years, which costs anywhere from $200 to $ every time. However, this is still less than the average yearly cost of purchasing chlorine.
- Calcium buildup can be an issue, clogging up the works in your pool and causing unsightly spots. But this problem is treatable by adding other chemicals to the water on a regular basis.
- Salt corrosion is a major concern. Replacing rusted metal fixtures, such as pool ladders and light units, is the tip of the iceberg here. Saltwater can also damage lawns and paved areas.
- People whose in-ground pools are backed up by metal pieces could be in for some seriously expensive trouble if their pool lining springs a leak.
- Saltwater systems generally run on computer-based systems, which can easily be damaged if there is a power surge.
Original article from: https://homefixated.com/saltwater-pools/
How does an Infinity Pool Work?
Infinity pools are breathtaking additions to any backyard. Also called negative edge or zero edge pools, these pools create the illusion that the pool extends forever into the sky or a nearby body of water. If you want to know the secret behind this illusion, here is how an infinity pool works:
The Water Meets the Pool’s Edge
The first unique element of an infinity pool is that the water in an infinity pool goes up to the very top of the wall on one side. This helps to blur the line between the edge of the pool and the horizon.
Waterfall Effect
An infinity pool is sloped downwards towards the disappearing edge. This – combined with how the waterline meets the edge of the pool – causes a waterfall to pour down from the pool’s edge. The purpose of this is to create the illusion that water is flowing towards the horizon. But don’t worry – this water isn’t wasted; it’s caught in a catch basin and then pumped back into the pool to create an ever-flowing effect. This basin must be deep enough to catch all of the water that flows into it. In addition, it must have a beautiful design so that it doesn’t detract from the beauty of the pool.
Reflection of the Sun
Infinity pools are built to reflect the sun. This reflection makes it harder to see the inner workings of the pool from above. It blurs the bottom of the pool and the disappearing edge so that the pool more seamlessly extends into the horizon.
A Flat Surface
To create the most convincing illusion, you want the surface of the water to flow seamlessly and appear flat. Because of this, you need special pumps that can cycle the water without churning it. Furthermore, you want to avoid having bubblers, fountains, or other water features that will disrupt the surface of the water.
View from the Pool
The most important part of a vanishing-edge pool is the view. You want the pool to appear to extend into the sky or a nearby body of water. Because of this, it’s often best to situate the pool on a raised surface. You can have an infinity pool that extends into a forest or other location, but this won’t create quite the same visual effect. Regardless, your pool will still be breathtaking.
Have your Pool Built Right
It’s vital that you have your pool built by a reputable company if you want it to work right. Many elements can detract from the illusion and beauty of the pool if they’re not made correctly. For example, a basin that’s too small won’t be able to catch enough water. A basin that’s too deep, on the other hand, will cause too much water to drain from the pool, thus disrupting how well the water meets the vanishing edge.
You must also have an autofill system to compensate for evaporating water. This must be balanced out by a leveling device that makes sure that there’s not too much water being pumped into the pool.
In addition, the wall with the vanishing edge must have proper waterproofing in order to stand the test of time. These are just a few of the factors that may be messed up by a subpar pool contractor.
Article from: https://www.summerhillpools.com/inground-pools/how-infinity-pool-works/
Pool Coping Ideas
Pool coping is the wide band of material around your pool’s edge, between the pool water and the pool deck. When you’re having a pool built or remodeled, you’ll need to decide what you want your pool coping to look like. Whether you want your pool coping to stand out boldly or match your pool deck, you have a wide range of options to choose from. Here is a layout of the pool coping materials and options available to you so that you can decide what you want your pool coping to look like:
1. Stone Pool Coping
If you want your pool coping to have a unique look that stands out beautifully from the surrounding area, stone is usually the way to go. There are several types of stone that you may use for your pool coping, so you can achieve just about any look with stone coping.
For example, if you want your stone coping to have a silvery sheen to it, you can opt for pool coping made of silver mist flagstone. Sandstone is a choice that often comes in more than one color, and it’s resistant to collecting dirt and water. Travertine usually comes in more subtle earth tones, and it’s a great choice if you want your pool coping to be highly slip-resistant and durable. These are just a few of the many stone types and colors that you can choose for your stone pool coping.
2. Brick Pool Coping
Brick is a great option if your house is made of brick and you want your coping to complement your home’s look. However, it can also stand out well on its own. Brick is available in a wide range of colors, so you can pretty much achieve any look you want if you opt for brick pool coping. It’s especially good if you’re going with a rustic look for your pool area. In addition, brick is highly durable, so this kind of coping will last a long time.
3. Travertine Coping
Travertine coping is the best option if you want your pool coping to match your pool deck because pavers are the best material for pool decks. Just like brick, pavers can be just about any color. In addition, they’re incredibly durable and can be made to look just like a wide variety of stone and brick types. And if one of the pavers does manage to break, it’s easy to replace the one individual piece.
4. Concrete Pool Coping
Concrete pool coping generally comes in two forms:
Poured Concrete
Poured concrete is poured on-site and may extend over the edge of the water. It will generally be found in long strips that extend the entire length of the pool.
It’s important to note that poured concrete is not recommended for areas such as Texas that have clay soils. The shifting of the soil will likely cause poured concrete coping to crack in a very short time. Even if your area doesn’t have clay soils, poured concrete coping is likely to crack more quickly than most other types of pool coping – unless it is poured separately, in which case it is a good option.
Precast Concrete
Precast concrete comes in pre-formed sections that are installed similar to pavers, stone, or other kinds of pool coping. This kind of concrete can be found in a wide range of designs, colors, and textures.
Since it comes in sections rather than being poured in long strips on-site, precast concrete is less prone to cracking than poured concrete. However, concrete is still the most likely to crack the quickest out of all the pool coping types.
Article from: https://www.summerhillpools.com/pool-renovations/coping-ideas/
Outdoor Kitchen Products Heat Up the Backyard
Outdoor kitchens are a popular trend with homeowners who want to create an inviting space for entertaining on warm summer evenings. These spaces revolve around food, so we’ve laid out a feast of products that allow cooking to be the focus of social gatherings. Whether relaxing round the grill or putting together meals at a workstation before you dine around the fire, with these new products the rising temperatures won’t be all that’s heating up your outdoor space this summer.
Danver Outdoor Kitchens: Sea Glass outdoor kitchen cabinets
New cabinet door styles for patio kitchens from Danver are designed to mimic the luxury of indoor spaces, the company says. Along with a new stainless steel louver door in solid color and wood grain finishes, the company has introduced the Sea Glass collection (shown), available through both the Danver and Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens brands. It features colored door inserts in green, blue, and white. The inserts are available in the Shaker-style Key West and Palm Beach doors to create a contemporary and custom look. www.danver.com –LM
Liebherr: RO 510
Suitable as part of a full outdoor kitchen or as a stylish stand-alone unit, the RO 510 is a compact 24-inch outdoor refrigerator. The appliance can be set to maintain a temperature ranging from 34 degrees to 59 degrees and is designed with a weather-resistant stainless steel exterior. Storage options include three glass shelves with stainless steel trim, two door racks (one adjustable), and specially designed bottle grooves on the unit floor. www.liebherr.us –LM
Coyote Outdoor Living: CCX4 GrillThe grill is the centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen space and the gatherings that occur in it. The CCX4 is a four burner, stainless steel grill. The spacious 36″ model has a double walled hood and a warming rack. Interior lights allow for extra ease-of-use when spending summer evenings outside grilling.www.coyoteoutdoor.com/ –LS
The Galley: Ideal Workstations
Cooking outdoors can be a family affair while gathered around the new Ideal Workstations from The Galley. The stainless steel workstations are designed with interchangeable accessories so users can customize their kitchen space with built-in colanders, mixing bowls, and cutting boards. Various models are available from two to seven feet long and workstations are built with a 10″ deep stainless steel sink. The workstation can be installed in countertops, making it an ideal addition to combine cooking and entertaining in any outdoor kitchen space. http://thegalleysink.com/ –LS
Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet: Gaucho Grill
Perfect for traditional and authentic outdoor cooking in the summer months, the new gas-burning Gaucho Grill from boasts a sleek stainless steel finish that gives a modern update to the classic Argentinian/Santa Maria-style cooking method. The cooking surface cradle is raised and lowered by a 30-inch spoked wheel, so the interchangeable cooking surfaces—with options for vegetables, meat, and fish—and rotisserie roaster can be adjusted for high temperature searing or slow, low-temperature cooking. Your patio will stay clean too—the Deep Hopper funnel directs debris and collects it in an easy to clean bin. The grill is available in two stand-alone options and one built-in model. And for more ways to give your outdoor meals a wood-fire taste, check out Kalamazoo’s newest product, the Artisan Fire Pizza Oven. www.kalamazoogourmet.com –LS
For the cooler summer nights, heat up your outdoor kitchen after the grill has been turned off with these Six Sizzling Outdoor Fireplaces from Custom Home.
Article from: https://www.builderonline.com/products/exteriors/hot-products-for-outdoor-kitchens_o?o=0