There are myriad
options and accessories available to complete your backyard retreat.
Once you've decided on the pool type and style best suited to your needs, be sure
to ask about the following: |
Covers:
A pool cover
can be a wonderful addition to your pool
and/or spa area, and one of their main benefits
can be increased safety. Covers come in
many varieties and can extend the swimming
season of your pool by several weeks by
retaining the solar heat that is generated
each day. Also, if you live in a highly
wooded area, they can be used to keep leaves
and other debris out of your pool. Many
covers come in automatic or manual versions.
Heaters:
Pool heaters come in many
shapes and sizes. In milder climes, you
can enjoy year-round swimming by adding
a heater to your pool set-up.
Filters:
There also are many types
of pool filters designed to meet the particular
needs of your pool. Your dealer or builder
can help you choose the one right for you.
Cleaners and Water Levelers:
From
automatic inground cleaning systems that
you just "set and forget" to jazzy, high-tech
pool vacs that literally climb your pool
walls, there are a variety of systems available
to help you keep your pool sparkling clean.
If you're the type who likes to splash and
dash, you'll certainly be interested in
learning more about automatic water levelers
that keep the water level in your pool at
just the right setting.
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Above-Ground Pools
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Above-ground pools are typically the least expensive
types you can purchase. They are the summer-fun
answer for those who don't want to make the larger
commitment of an in-ground pool. If you're ready
for a ton of backyard fun, but aren't quite ready
for a permanent structure in your yard, then an
above-ground may be the way to go.
Points to Ponder
- Inexpensive: Above-grounds are
great for those looking for a relatively inexpensive
way to provide years of backyard family entertainment.
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Moveable: If you move, you can take your
pool with you, give it to a friend or even sell
it. Or you can leave it as a benefit for the next
owner of your home.
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Quick to install: Grab a couple of handy
neighbors and you can be hosting a pool party in
just a couple of days.
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Choices: You can choose from aluminum,
resin or steel sidings. All three types have various
benefits, ranging from rust-resistance to average
life-span. Your local dealer can help you weigh
the pros and cons of each type.
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Variety: Above-grounds come in several
sizes and shapes, and a variety of decorative wall
patterns and decking options.
Good for Small Lots: If getting a back-hoe into
your yard would be next-to-impossible, an above-ground
can generally be carried in a kit to your yard and
set up.
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Inground Pools
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In-ground
pools are more expensive than above-ground, but
they are also a permanent home improvement. They
add aesthetic, as well as intrinsic, value to your
home. And when it comes time to sell your house,
an inground pool is generally more appealing to
potential buyers.
Ingrounds
range from play pools with depths of 3-to-5 feet
to diving pools with deeper depths appropriate for
the divers in your family. Before you purchase an
inground pool, you need to think about how your
family will use it.
Do they like to play a lot of
water sports? Then maybe a play pool with sports
set-ups is the answer.
Do they like to swim laps?
Perhaps a rectangular design is best for you.
Or
do you have a combination of swimmers and splashers?
How about an L-shaped pool so everyone is happy?
Thinking about usage and then designing with those
needs in mind is the key to building a pool that
your entire family will be happy with for years
to come.
A vinyl-liner inground pool is furnished to the installer
in kit form. After excavation, the panel walls are
bolted or fastened together and supported at the
bottom by a concrete footing. The vinyl liner is
spread over the interior of the pool and covers
the excavated floor and paneled walls. It is connected
to the top of the panel walls by a vinyl rib at
the outside edge of the liner.
Construction time for vinyl-liner
inground pools is typically one to three weeks.
Points to Ponder
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Weather: Vinyl-liner pools are popular
in cold-weather areas of the country. These pools
can be easily winterized by draining them down and
covering them until the spring.
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Smooth Surface: The vinyl liner is smooth
and nonporous, making stain removal easy if stains
are treated promptly.
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| Other Things To Think About |
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Important laws regarding safety must be considered
before choosing your new pool. Specific regulations
vary with each community, so be sure you are clear
about the letter of the law before installation
begins.
Landscape And Design Options
What's Your Pleasure?
Always wanted an oasis-like lagoon in your
back yard? Or perhaps an elegant, serene
setting is more to your liking. The use
of water features and other design enhancements
is a perfect way to integrate your pool
into your overall design concept.
Water features
run the gamut from simple fountains that
provide a relaxing environment to intimate,
cave-like waterfalls. Rolled bond beam is
an oh-so-cool, tuck-and-roll method of edging
that allows concrete to be ribboned around
your pool to soften the perimeter and give
the pool a tropical effect. And for that
"how'd they do that?" result, sophisticated
negative edges are a state-of-the-art way
to incorporate the view beyond the horizon
right into your own back yard.
Finally, for
a truly dramatic look, fiber optic lighting
can be installed using multi-hued color
wheels. When the neon-like lights are turned
on, you're guaranteed to add drop-dead drama
to the nighttime look of your pool. And
you can even integrate the lighting into
your landscape design for just that much
more of a dazzling effect.
As you can see,
there are nearly as many choices and options
for your pool as there are types and styles.
So take a deep breath and dive right in
- you'll be glad you did!
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If you have any questions don’t hesitate
to stop by the store or give us a call at 508-676-3850.
Or email us at
pools@poolandchristmasvillage.com |
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