Swimming Pools. Backyard. Creating and Living Your dream

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Clarence Hubbard
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Backyard Swimming Pools Creating and Living Your dream Many homeowners can only imagine the joy of having their very own custom-designed swimming pool.

2 Backyard Swimming Pools Creating and Living Your dream Many homeowners can only imagine the joy of having their very own custom-designed swimming pool. If you have been dreaming of having a pool and ind that it is inally time to take the plunge (literally as well as iguratively speaking!) here is some information you will ind useful when choosing the right swimming pool for you and your family. 2

YourHome Yourpool Yourdream Unless you won the lottery or suddenly inherited millions, every penny put into designing, planning, building and maintaining your new swimming pool will be paid for with

3 YourHome Yourpool Yourdream Unless you won the lottery or suddenly inherited millions, every penny put into designing, planning, building and maintaining your new swimming pool will be paid for with hard-earned cash. Yes, it will be a major expense and no one can tell you differently. However, there are a number of beneits you should be aware of that can ease your mind when taking on such an expense. It should go without saying that the addition of a swimming pool will raise your property value proportionately. This will especially be the case if your pool is designed and built by experts renowned for innovations in design and cutting edge hydrotechnology. Even so, it is important to understand that the setting (landscaping and architectural nuances) are just as important as the type of pool you choose. Lifestyle Landscape Design and Construction share your dream and are with you every step of the way. From the moment your dream begins to take shape, we are here to help you realise your ambitions. It is your dream and we want it to be a refreshingly pleasant reality. And this is the biggest beneit of all! That moment when you can literally step into your dream for a much needed break from life s many woes. Only in our dreams are we free. The rest of the time we need wages. Terry Pratchett 3

From Dream To Design What type of pool Best meets Your needs?

Many believe that it is as simple as choosing an above ground or inground pool.

Of course the primary factor a homeowner should consider is the amount of property appreciation that can be realised when a pool is built into the ground.

4 From Dream To Design What type of pool Best meets Your needs? Sadly, altogether too many homeowners are not aware of the multitude of options available to them when considering what type of swimming pool design they would like. Many believe that it is as simple as choosing an above ground or inground pool. Any qualiied pool construction company will always advise that building inground is the best alternative for a number of reasons. Of course the primary factor a homeowner should consider is the amount of property appreciation that can be realised when a pool is built into the ground. The pool actually becomes part of the grounds and as a structure, it adds value automatically upon completion. Alternately, for those with no intention of selling their property at any time in the near future, it is necessary to consider the difference in longevity between the two. Pools constructed above ground are not as easily maintained and are much more susceptible to environmental factors, such as the off chance that a big storm could carry it away! (Brisbane is in the subtropics, as you well know, and is not immune to storms of this nature.) If cost is an issue, consider talking to your pool/ landscaping designer because there are inground swimming pools which are much less time consuming to build, less labour-intensive and thus, less expensive. Here is a brief rundown on the three most common types of inground pools: Vinyl Pools: If you are looking for a totally customised swimming pool, vinyl pools would not be your best choice. These are about the least expensive to construct, it is true, but your options are limited to pre-constructed shapes that are set into the hole 4

once it has been dug out. Yes, there are dozens of shapes to choose from, but this is your dream and you want what is right for you!

Fibreglass Pools: Next in line would be your choices in pre-manufactured ibreglass swimming pools.

One of the advantages over vinyl pools is the fact that the surface can be smooth or textured.

5 once it has been dug out. Yes, there are dozens of shapes to choose from, but this is your dream and you want what is right for you! Also, it is imperative to remember that a vinyl pool is not as long-lived as a ibreglass or concrete pool. Fibreglass Pools: Next in line would be your choices in pre-manufactured ibreglass swimming pools. Like their counterparts, the vinyl pools, ibreglass pools are available in a number of shapes and designs. One of the advantages over vinyl pools is the fact that the surface can be smooth or textured. Most experts state that ibreglass pools are preferable over vinyl pools because of their innate ability to deter the growth of algae. Even so, here again your choices in design are limited to the number of styles a manufacturer actually builds. *** Don t fall into the trap of believing that a ibreglass or composite ceramic pools (as some dealers call them) are less expensive than a concrete pool, just because they ve been pre-designed. Experience has shown us that they re not. Their big selling point is that they are MUCH quicker to install. If speed is an issue for you, then these would most likely be the optimal choices for your needs. Concrete Pools: Of the three, a concrete swimming pool is by far preferential. Not only are they the hardiest in terms of longevity, but they can easily be built to speciications in spaces that are tight or quite irregular. You will have freedom to literally build your dream the way you envision it because it is poured to a shape and size that you specify. The one mitigating factor that puts some homeowners off is the length of time it takes to build, which could be as long as 12 weeks. However, on the lip side, your options are literally endless as they are built according to your plan. If you can dream it, you can do it. So here you have it, are cost and speed issues? If so, then you can freely choose between predesigned vinyl or ibreglass swimming pools. On the other hand, if you are looking for a particular design or function not offered in pre-manufactured pools, concrete is the way to go. Walt Disney 5

Swimming Pool design: Garden & Backyard LandsCaping It isn t always possible to build the actual type of pool you have in mind because of limitations in your garden or back yard.

6 Swimming Pool design: Garden & Backyard LandsCaping It isn t always possible to build the actual type of pool you have in mind because of limitations in your garden or back yard. Here is where the services of professional landscape designers are of vital importance. Sure, you can always call a local swimming pool builder and have them install the pool you want, but what will that do to your property? Will it be necessary to cut trees and shrubbery that actually enhance the overall appearance? Is it possible to redesign your pool to make a better it to your lifestyle and grounds? Those are just a couple of the questions the pros at Lifestyle Landscape Design & Construction can answer for you. You will also be delighted at some of the options in pool design that you never knew existed. Today s trends are quite often inspired by nature itself so that many pools and spas are reminiscent of natural riverbeds, mountain streams and lagoons deep in the bush. Landscape designers take into account the type of pool you are looking for and then design a setting best suited to the landscape you have to work with. 6

7 One of the newer trends in swimming pools is to have what is called a baja step customised into the design of their pool. This is often referred to as a lounging or thermal ledge that extends out from the pool itself into a shallow area where toddlers can safely play with pool toys whilst adults enjoy much needed rest and relaxation or swim a few laps in the main pool area. Some landscape architects also design smaller pools off to the side of the main swimming pool that serve as fountains for sound therapy, spas with jets, or simply for visual ambiance with innovative LED lighting systems. Roman spas, for example, the wading spa is the ultimate inishing touch. With all of this in mind, a landscape architect will maximise your backyard or garden area to encompass a thematic setting that screams with the WOW factor. The goal is to create a breath taking environment that mirrors the owner s personality and lifestyle. From soft, classic beauty to stark modern lines, a swimming pool area encompasses so much more than just a swimming pool. There are several settings in which these smaller pools serve to enhance the overall appeal, but when the swimming pool is fashioned after ancient 7

Swimming Pool Functionality Fitting Design into Lifestyle As mentioned earlier, swimming pool design has a lot to do with its intended function.

8 Swimming Pool Functionality Fitting Design into Lifestyle As mentioned earlier, swimming pool design has a lot to do with its intended function. In years gone by, for the most part, homeowners had swimming pools that were more rectangles and reminiscent of miniature Olympic pools. Those days are long gone and today s pool design can be visually electrifying and at the same time completely functional to the homeowner s lifestyle. Some people want to utilise their pool for healthrelated issues and this can be incorporated into the design. For example, some people strive towards cardiovascular health so they want to swim multiple laps daily. Whilst their pool would necessarily need to be long enough to afford these effects, it does not need to be a stark rectangle. The contours can be waves, angles or whatever shape appeals to the property owner. On the other hand, some homeowners simply want to wade in shallow waters while doing a bit of aquaaerobics. Elderly folks tend to enjoy this type of water recreation which gives them the opportunity to get out in their backyard pool but doesn t subject them to dangerous depths which they may no longer be able to handle. 8

Then there are those who need a bit of therapy offered by a heated spa with jets. Anyone suffering daily bone or muscle pain can take advantage of healing therapy right at home in their own garden.

9 Then there are those who need a bit of therapy offered by a heated spa with jets. Anyone suffering daily bone or muscle pain can take advantage of healing therapy right at home in their own garden. Consider coming home from a long, hard day at work to a heated spa with jets massaging those aching muscles. That is heaven here on earth - or the next best thing to it! Although a swimming pool is most often meant to be swum in, there are pools with fountains and glowing with colour that one can simply sit by and bathe one s feet. So you see, design and functionality do go hand-in-hand and this is why it is so important to have your backyard retreat designed with your dream, your lifestyle, in mind. It was one of those happy days that God grants us sometimes on earth to give us an idea of the bliss of heaven. Johann David Wyss 9

HydrotecHnology: Are Salt Water Pools Really Chlorine-free? would be akin to ocean water that has a salt content somewhere around 35,000 parts per million.

10 HydrotecHnology: Are Salt Water Pools Really Chlorine-free? would be akin to ocean water that has a salt content somewhere around 35,000 parts per million. Salt water pools are nowhere near as salty and optimally contain only 3,500 parts per million of sodium to water. Although salt water pools are by no means a new entity, the hydrotechnology utilised is evolving day by day, year by year. There appears to be some amount of confusion as to whether or not salt water pools are really chlorine-free, as so often advertised. Consequently, it is imperative to have a better understanding just what salt water pools are and how chlorine is involved in the sanitisation process. If you are asking whether or not chlorine is present in salt water swimming pools, the answer is quite simply yes! However, it is not chlorine in the form we envision it and it doesn t need to be added to the pool to keep it fresh and clean. Instead, there is a process through which salt in the water is turned into another molecular chlorine compound that works in the same way but is less damaging to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. This process is carried out through the use of what is called a chlorine generator. Where many people get confused is in thinking that a salt water pool Salt water pool chlorine generators today produce salt water that is anywhere from 2500 ppm to 6500 ppm. So why are salt water pools preferred and how does chlorine come into play? Here is where you would probably need a degree in chemistry to get a full understanding, but simply put, a salt water chlorine generator produces an ion of chlorine that sanitises much the same as the chlorine typically added to pools, but much less harsh. Here are a few of the beneits reported when swimming in a salt water pool: Swimming in soft water Reduced laking of skin Skin does not dry out as quickly or severely Skin feels smoother and more refreshed In brief, water passes through the chlorine generator and undergoes electrolysis which adds chlorine to the water continually as the pump is running. This chlorine is immediately changed into some form of hypochlorous acid, which then acts to sanitise the water without the necessity to add chlorine pool chemicals. One thing which should be noted at this point is that a chlorine generator must be maintained and kept free from calcium and other mineral deposits in order to perform its function. As well, a proper ph balance must be maintained to ensure the effectiveness of the generator. 10

advancements in technology: A New Generation in Swimming Pools Although salt water pool chlorine generators are by no means new to swimming pool design and construction, technology has brought the

11 advancements in technology: A New Generation in Swimming Pools Although salt water pool chlorine generators are by no means new to swimming pool design and construction, technology has brought the concept to a whole new level. As time goes on and technology advances, the cost of operating these generators is being reduced as well. The initial cost of installing one may be a bit more than a traditional iltration system, but in the long term, it is much less expensive to keep your pool sanitised. Keeping your pool cleaned is just one area of technology that is advancing at breakneck speed as designers are now employing amazingly brilliant lighting and sound systems for pools and spas. Since the advent of LED lighting, many pool designers regularly utilise the entire visible light spectrum with amazing results. Some lights are submerged in the pool, casting brilliant shades of colour throughout the water in elegant patterns. Landscape architects utilise the same techniques to carry out the theme throughout the entire backyard or garden area. LED lighting is cast on shrubbery, plants and statues throughout the garden, creating stunning visual effects that WOW family and visitors alike. Some homeowners have their lighting 11

12 systems set on a timer whilst others use remote control to light up their pool areas. One thing which is quite new to swimming pool functionality is the use of apps from a telephone to remotely control speciic functions even whilst away from home! Pool owners ind that they can turn lighting on if they are away at dusk or they can power on the chlorine generator so that the pool is ready for use when they return from a holiday. Those homeowners who have fountains and spas can control speciic functions remotely as well. Consider having relatives stay for the summer but you are unable to return from work in time to light up the backyard or ilter the pool? With a handy app on your telephone, you can see to all these details without the stress of trying to talk visitors through turning these functions on and off! Technology has also come a long way in regards to sound therapy as well. Many of today s pools and spas can be equipped with a sound system that rivals those in clubs and pubs. You get to choose your venue according to your lifestyle or the likes of your visitors. It is possible to enjoy anything from soothing sounds of nature to today s popular hits. Here again, even this can be controlled remotely if you so desire! 12

If you wait until the summer heat is upon you, chances are you will be discouraged because most reputable pool builders are already booked solid.

13 time is of the essence Contracting a Pool Builder Finally, it is important to think well ahead when contracting a pool builder. Altogether too many homeowners are frustrated when their pool isn t built in time for the long, hot summers in Brisbane. If you wait until the summer heat is upon you, chances are you will be discouraged because most reputable pool builders are already booked solid. The best time to begin work on a new swimming pool construction would be in the other seasons of the year. As soon as you make the decision to add a pool to your backyard landscaping, contact a landscaper or pool builder to begin assessing what will be needed and what your options are. Even though vinyl and ibreglass pools take less time to build, it is still important to understand that it is not an overnight process. It can take anywhere from one to three plus months to have a new pool constructed and the surrounding grounds landscaped to your dreams. Most pool builders are booked so far in advance that you need to be patient and plan well ahead of your new endeavour. At Lifestyle Landscape Design & Construction we understand how important your dream is and what it takes to help you realise it. We offer a Preliminary Pool Planning Discussion where we can help you discover what is truly possible in your backyard. We can help design the landscaping around the pool you envision and offer suggestions if the pool you have in mind isn t right for your particular grounds. Keep in mind that building a pool is likely to be the singlemost expensive addition you will make on your property and it is vital that you don t overcapitalise your property or understrive your goals. Since you are going to the time, effort and expense of adding a pool to your backyard, you want it to be the best possible swimming pool for the cost and your limitations. The pool you have built must have the WOW factor whilst itting your lifestyle. This is your dream and we are here to help you turn that into reality. From landscaping advice to pool design, our landscapers can help you through the entire process. Keep this information on hand when planning your new swimming pool and you won t make the same mistakes that so many homeowners have made over the years. Contact Lifestyle Landscape Design & Construction today for your free backyard brainstorming session. Time is of the essence and we are here to help you meet your goals, your swimming pool dreams, before others get the jump on you. Call us today on

REVEALING THE SECRETS ABOUT MINERAL POOLS FREE POOL GUIDE

REVEALING THE SECRETS ABOUT MINERAL POOLS FREE POOL GUIDE Australians building or renovating a swimming pool don t often invest enough time considering the most important element of their pool the water!