The variety of options when it comes to designing a custom swimming pool to suit your home is endless. From standard corridor and L-shaped lap pools to infinity pools, multi-tiered pools or even pools carved in the outline of your favorite cartoon character - your only limitation is your imagination.
Of course, getting yourself into debt over a luxury item like an in ground pool is just craziness. If you're likely to put yourself into financial straits to meet your glamorous expectations, it's the time either to hold out until you're in the right position to afford it, or to tone down on your expectations. Are you liquid enough for a pricey pre-shaped metal or fiberglass custom swimming pool design, or are you going to go the simple concrete route? Ultimately, settling for a collapsible rubber pool in the meantime might be the most sensible option.
But if the bug's really in you, you'll be happy to know that there's little you can do to top the jaw-dropping effect of a color-lit inground design replete with fountains and other water features, and such things won't just give you bragging rights, they could be a serious investment in the long-term value of your home. A custom swimming pool adds character and interest to your recreational area, but be careful when designing the area that surrounds the pool - this is social space that will be the locus of pool parties and late-night, starlit romantic chats. Think about how people will want to arrange themselves in such a setting, and work accordingly to provide places for them to laze, sit and play backgammon. Remember also that the capacity of your pool, if you want to hold large pool parties or other such events, should be sufficient for seven people to move around without impeding each other - as seven in the number of people that, studies show, will be in the pool at any given time during a pool party.
Still, trying to be a party magnet with an , without thinking about what will make you happy in a space is really just a sure path to ultimate dissatisfaction. Pick a design that you feel represents you, and your interests. Do you like being in lush natural surroundings, or enjoying the aesthetic and intellectual appeal of minimalist postmodern architecture features around your swim area? Sharp lines or curves? Gazebos or thatch huts? What color will be easiest on your eyes when you're swimming underwater? Do you like chilly dips in winter, or are you going to need a heat pump to make your pool usable when the cold months hit?
Working out exactly what you like and need to relax will make your inground custom swimming pool the element that turns a house into a dream home. By creating a space that represents what please you, you will make a truly extraordinary swimming pool, rather than a meek imitation of the fashion in the latest Ikea catalog.
To read more about designing your own Extraordinary Swimming Pool click onto http://www.BestSwimmingPoolShop.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_McCall
Use the Internet to Make Money (LOTS of money)
Erase Debt Legally
Lower House Payments with Loan Modification
Custom Swimming Pools for Southern California
Showing posts with label in ground pool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in ground pool. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Natural Swimming Pools
Natural swimming pools are based on ponds and pools that were once found so abundantly in the landscape. They are a chemical free combination of swimming area and aquatic plant garden, and so form an intimate part of the garden landscape. Natural swimming pools can also make a very important contribution to the restoration of aquatic flora and fauna.
They always take the form of a swimming area and a regeneration area. Sometimes these are at the same (water) level and sometimes the regeneration area is at a separate level.
Natural Swimming Pools - Basic Rules
There are some basic rules for their construction:-
1) You will need a deep area for swimming, between 5 feet (1500mm) and 7 feet (2200mm) with vertical walls.
2) You will need a similar expanse for the regeneration area, which will vary in water depth (down to nothing at the edges). The regeneration area will contain aggregate for filtration in a mass from 2inches (50mm) to eighteen inches (450mm) and averaging 1 foot (300mm).
3) You will need to follow local laws (sometimes quite stringent) for safety fencing.
4) A total area of 50 square metres (25 for the swimming area and 25 for the regeneration area) is recommended by some, but many people are now finding that 100 square metres (50 each for swimming area and regeneration area) gives better, more stable, and more predictable results.
5) You will need a circulating pump to draw water through the gravel bed of the regeneration zone, if the regeneration area and the pond are on the same level. If the regeneration area is above the pond it may drain naturally into the pond, but you will still need a pump to feed it.
Running Cost
You will save money on running costs and you will save on some special features (such as chemical treatment units) but the capital cost is at present quite high reflecting to a degree the complexity of organizing the biological processes. It is arguable that installing a “normal” swimming pool is a entirely mechanical process that can be handled by competent builders/engineers without much specialist knowledge. On the other hand a “natural” swimming pool requires specialized skills and knowledge, for which at the moment you are paying a premium.
You will have to allow for slightly higher maintenance. The regeneration area will be actively managed – removal of excess vegetable matter, replacement of plants that are not doing well, and so on.
You will also have a pool which integrates much better into the garden landscape. If you always wanted a pool for exploring the attractions of pond life, aquatic plants and so on then this is your excuse.
Extra Sources of Information
There are good but slightly academic sources of information on the internet about natural pools. The best is from Europe, where hundreds of natural swimming pools have been built, but really what you must do is make contact with natural swimming pool builders, who not only know the practical wrinkles of building and landscaping a pool, but who will also be able to point you to actual examples.
Author: Chas And Daff
They always take the form of a swimming area and a regeneration area. Sometimes these are at the same (water) level and sometimes the regeneration area is at a separate level.
Natural Swimming Pools - Basic Rules
There are some basic rules for their construction:-
1) You will need a deep area for swimming, between 5 feet (1500mm) and 7 feet (2200mm) with vertical walls.
2) You will need a similar expanse for the regeneration area, which will vary in water depth (down to nothing at the edges). The regeneration area will contain aggregate for filtration in a mass from 2inches (50mm) to eighteen inches (450mm) and averaging 1 foot (300mm).
3) You will need to follow local laws (sometimes quite stringent) for safety fencing.
4) A total area of 50 square metres (25 for the swimming area and 25 for the regeneration area) is recommended by some, but many people are now finding that 100 square metres (50 each for swimming area and regeneration area) gives better, more stable, and more predictable results.
5) You will need a circulating pump to draw water through the gravel bed of the regeneration zone, if the regeneration area and the pond are on the same level. If the regeneration area is above the pond it may drain naturally into the pond, but you will still need a pump to feed it.
Running Cost
You will save money on running costs and you will save on some special features (such as chemical treatment units) but the capital cost is at present quite high reflecting to a degree the complexity of organizing the biological processes. It is arguable that installing a “normal” swimming pool is a entirely mechanical process that can be handled by competent builders/engineers without much specialist knowledge. On the other hand a “natural” swimming pool requires specialized skills and knowledge, for which at the moment you are paying a premium.
You will have to allow for slightly higher maintenance. The regeneration area will be actively managed – removal of excess vegetable matter, replacement of plants that are not doing well, and so on.
You will also have a pool which integrates much better into the garden landscape. If you always wanted a pool for exploring the attractions of pond life, aquatic plants and so on then this is your excuse.
Extra Sources of Information
There are good but slightly academic sources of information on the internet about natural pools. The best is from Europe, where hundreds of natural swimming pools have been built, but really what you must do is make contact with natural swimming pool builders, who not only know the practical wrinkles of building and landscaping a pool, but who will also be able to point you to actual examples.
Author: Chas And Daff
Swimming Pools Need Landscaping Too
A back yard swimming pool is the ultimate addition to a sybaritic lifestyle! There are three kinds of pools: Above ground, on ground, and in ground, and there are landscaping possibilities for each one.
Do you have a pool in your backyard? Whether it is an above ground pool, an on-ground pool (half in the ground and half above) or an in-ground pool, there's no need for it to dominate the rest of your landscape unless you want it too.
Safety Tip 1
The first landscape item you'll need to add to a pool is a safety fence. Pools are considered an "attractive nuisance", and it doesn't matter how many "no trespassing" signs you may have on your property. If an intruder - child or adult - gets into your pool and is harmed - you will be sued for negligence. The only way to protect yourself is to have a fence surrounding the pool.
Safety Tip 2
It's imperative that you keep the area around your pool clear of bric-a-brac. For one thing it will detract from the attractiveness of your pool, but even more importantly it could cause someone to trip, fall into the pool, and perhaps get injured. Even if there's no question of a lawsuit, it's always best if your visitors have a good time and don't hurt themselves!
Alright, that's the grim stuff out of the way. Now let's get to the fun stuff. You've got a pool! What should go with it?
Above Ground Pools
Landscaping around an above ground pool is quite different than around one that is on-ground or in-ground. The above ground pool is so huge and dominating that there's not really any way you can minimize it, so why not place potted plants around it. (You don't want to plant trees or bushes near the pool, as the root system can find it's way underneath the pool and push upward - and the pool must be absolutely level.)
On-ground and In-ground pools
Whatever you have around your pool - furniture or other ornamentation - make sure you place these items more than four feet away from the edge of the pool. This will prevent people from accidently tripping. Have a little shed where you can place all the tools needed to care for your pool, and replace them as soon as you're done using them. Make sure the shed has a lock on it, as you'll be storing chemicals inside it and you don't want them to disappear.
Wicker furniture placed strategically around the pool, perhaps a table with an umbrella pole in the middle...those are the traditional sights seen around a pool. But you can add so much more - a border of decorative stone, potted plants, statuary...even a fireplace.
You can place lights around your pool to illuminate it at night, but beware - if you can't see the bottom of your pool, then you must not go swimming. That's a simple safety precaution. But there's a certain esthetic satisfaction in watching light play across the shimmering surface of water.
You'll want to enjoy your pool for a long time to come. So, safety first, and esthetic values second. But with a little imagination, you can make your pool the shining jewel in your landscape.
Author: Mr.Andrew Caxton
Use the Internet to Make Money (LOTS of money)
Erase Debt Legally
Lower House Payments with Loan Modification
Custom Swimming Pools for Southern California
Do you have a pool in your backyard? Whether it is an above ground pool, an on-ground pool (half in the ground and half above) or an in-ground pool, there's no need for it to dominate the rest of your landscape unless you want it too.
Safety Tip 1
The first landscape item you'll need to add to a pool is a safety fence. Pools are considered an "attractive nuisance", and it doesn't matter how many "no trespassing" signs you may have on your property. If an intruder - child or adult - gets into your pool and is harmed - you will be sued for negligence. The only way to protect yourself is to have a fence surrounding the pool.
Safety Tip 2
It's imperative that you keep the area around your pool clear of bric-a-brac. For one thing it will detract from the attractiveness of your pool, but even more importantly it could cause someone to trip, fall into the pool, and perhaps get injured. Even if there's no question of a lawsuit, it's always best if your visitors have a good time and don't hurt themselves!
Alright, that's the grim stuff out of the way. Now let's get to the fun stuff. You've got a pool! What should go with it?
Above Ground Pools
Landscaping around an above ground pool is quite different than around one that is on-ground or in-ground. The above ground pool is so huge and dominating that there's not really any way you can minimize it, so why not place potted plants around it. (You don't want to plant trees or bushes near the pool, as the root system can find it's way underneath the pool and push upward - and the pool must be absolutely level.)
On-ground and In-ground pools
Whatever you have around your pool - furniture or other ornamentation - make sure you place these items more than four feet away from the edge of the pool. This will prevent people from accidently tripping. Have a little shed where you can place all the tools needed to care for your pool, and replace them as soon as you're done using them. Make sure the shed has a lock on it, as you'll be storing chemicals inside it and you don't want them to disappear.
Wicker furniture placed strategically around the pool, perhaps a table with an umbrella pole in the middle...those are the traditional sights seen around a pool. But you can add so much more - a border of decorative stone, potted plants, statuary...even a fireplace.
You can place lights around your pool to illuminate it at night, but beware - if you can't see the bottom of your pool, then you must not go swimming. That's a simple safety precaution. But there's a certain esthetic satisfaction in watching light play across the shimmering surface of water.
You'll want to enjoy your pool for a long time to come. So, safety first, and esthetic values second. But with a little imagination, you can make your pool the shining jewel in your landscape.
Author: Mr.Andrew Caxton
Use the Internet to Make Money (LOTS of money)
Erase Debt Legally
Lower House Payments with Loan Modification
Custom Swimming Pools for Southern California
A Brief History Of Swimming Pools
Swimming is, by far, one of the most popular pastimes in the world. It is also one of the oldest. As an organized activity, swimming dates back to around 2500 BC. Swimming was immensely popular in ancient Egypt, and there are a number of relics from the period which depict the act of swimming in vivid and awe-inspiring detail. In ancient Greece and Rome, swimming was taught to boys as part of their elementary school curriculum. Furthermore, the first known public swimming pools were built in Rome.
Under the direction of a wealthy Roman lord named Gaius Maecenas, the first heated swimming pool was also built for public use. Plato, himself, once declared that anyone who could not swim lacked a proper education. Who dares to argue with him? Aside from the Greeks and Romans, many other ancient cultures have left evidence of their love for swimming; among them the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians. There is also evidence of competitive swimming in Japan over 2000 years ago.
In the 1830's, swimming became extremely popular in England with the establishment of various swim clubs. At the time, the breaststroke was the most oft used technique. In 1885, Captain Matthew Webb became the first man to swim across the English Channel and the breaststroke was his technique of choice. Two of the most popular swim clubs from the time were The Otter Swimming Club and The Leander Swimming Club.
In 1896, the first of the modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Naturally, competitive swimming played a significant role. The swimming event was held in the Aegean Sea, in the bay of Zea. The gold medalist for the swimming event was a fellow named Alfred Hoyos Guttman. Of the event, he said that his greatest struggle "was against the towering twelve-foot waves and the terribly cold water." Swimming continues to play a prominent role in the Olympic Games.
Swimming continues to be the sport of choice for many of today's athletes. Most cities have public swimming facilities, where you can swim for competitively or merely for fun. In fact, a number of public swimming areas also offer lessons for a very reasonable price. If you are a keen swimmer, you might even consider installing a pool in your backyard. With summer just around the corner, it would be a good time to start planning.
Author: Cass Richards
Under the direction of a wealthy Roman lord named Gaius Maecenas, the first heated swimming pool was also built for public use. Plato, himself, once declared that anyone who could not swim lacked a proper education. Who dares to argue with him? Aside from the Greeks and Romans, many other ancient cultures have left evidence of their love for swimming; among them the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians. There is also evidence of competitive swimming in Japan over 2000 years ago.
In the 1830's, swimming became extremely popular in England with the establishment of various swim clubs. At the time, the breaststroke was the most oft used technique. In 1885, Captain Matthew Webb became the first man to swim across the English Channel and the breaststroke was his technique of choice. Two of the most popular swim clubs from the time were The Otter Swimming Club and The Leander Swimming Club.
In 1896, the first of the modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Naturally, competitive swimming played a significant role. The swimming event was held in the Aegean Sea, in the bay of Zea. The gold medalist for the swimming event was a fellow named Alfred Hoyos Guttman. Of the event, he said that his greatest struggle "was against the towering twelve-foot waves and the terribly cold water." Swimming continues to play a prominent role in the Olympic Games.
Swimming continues to be the sport of choice for many of today's athletes. Most cities have public swimming facilities, where you can swim for competitively or merely for fun. In fact, a number of public swimming areas also offer lessons for a very reasonable price. If you are a keen swimmer, you might even consider installing a pool in your backyard. With summer just around the corner, it would be a good time to start planning.
Author: Cass Richards
Landscaping An Inground Pool: Creating A Backyard Fantasy
Many homeowners have come to the realization that the more “luxury” accoutrements they can add to their homes, the greater their resale value will be--and they’ll be able to enjoy the “extras” until such time as they decide to sell and move on. One home luxury item which has grown tremendously in popularity in recent years is the inground backyard pool and spa.
There’s nothing like a relaxing after-dinner visit to the spa; and one way to make the backyard pool and/or spa seem like even more of a private retreat is to employ some landscaping techniques to decorate your inground pool spa. Ideas for landscaping inground pools abound; if you have an in ground pool or spa, and have been to a warm-weather vacation spot which you simply cannot forget, why not transform your backyard with landscaping inground pool and spa ideas inspired by that vacation?
Ideas for Landscaping Your Custom Inground Pool Spa
If you have landscaping inground spa ideas which are too elaborate for you to implement on your own, help is as close as a phone call to a local landscaping contractor. Landscaping an inground pool and spa can include effects as complex as a waterfall cascading over and around a series of descending stones and over one edge of your pool or spa.
Or you can capture a jungle effect, and some privacy, by screening your custom pool spa with bamboo or other tropical vegetation, interspersed with a series of lights to add nighttime interest. For those who love the high country, a spa hidden among boulders and evergreens might be reminiscent of a mountain getaway.
Professional Help with Landscaping An Inground Pool and Spa
If you have decided on a theme for landscaping your inground pool and spa, you need to develop a plan to implement it. If you aren’t particularly fussy, you can buy one of the many pre-fabricated landscaping inground spa kits. But if you prefer a look uniquely your own, and aren’t confident you can pull it off, you can turn to a professional swimming pool builder or landscape architect. You’ll have to pay more, but the finished results will more than compensate for the extra cost. For more info see http://www.poolsbywaterworld.com/
Provide your contracting firm with your completed landscaping inground pool and spa plan, and arrange for one of the pool designers to visit your home to see how feasible your ideas are. Don’t be bashful about sharing what it would take to give you the landscaping inground spa results of your dreams. The pool contractor will both know how realistic your plans are, and make suggestions to either enhance them or bring them in line with what is actually possible.
The money you pay to have a professional bring your landscaping and custom pool spa dream to life will be forgotten the first time you slide into that warm welcoming water after another stressful day. For as long as you own your home, you’ll have a very personal and private escape, right in your own backyard!
Author: David Faulkner
There’s nothing like a relaxing after-dinner visit to the spa; and one way to make the backyard pool and/or spa seem like even more of a private retreat is to employ some landscaping techniques to decorate your inground pool spa. Ideas for landscaping inground pools abound; if you have an in ground pool or spa, and have been to a warm-weather vacation spot which you simply cannot forget, why not transform your backyard with landscaping inground pool and spa ideas inspired by that vacation?
Ideas for Landscaping Your Custom Inground Pool Spa
If you have landscaping inground spa ideas which are too elaborate for you to implement on your own, help is as close as a phone call to a local landscaping contractor. Landscaping an inground pool and spa can include effects as complex as a waterfall cascading over and around a series of descending stones and over one edge of your pool or spa.
Or you can capture a jungle effect, and some privacy, by screening your custom pool spa with bamboo or other tropical vegetation, interspersed with a series of lights to add nighttime interest. For those who love the high country, a spa hidden among boulders and evergreens might be reminiscent of a mountain getaway.
Professional Help with Landscaping An Inground Pool and Spa
If you have decided on a theme for landscaping your inground pool and spa, you need to develop a plan to implement it. If you aren’t particularly fussy, you can buy one of the many pre-fabricated landscaping inground spa kits. But if you prefer a look uniquely your own, and aren’t confident you can pull it off, you can turn to a professional swimming pool builder or landscape architect. You’ll have to pay more, but the finished results will more than compensate for the extra cost. For more info see http://www.poolsbywaterworld.com/
Provide your contracting firm with your completed landscaping inground pool and spa plan, and arrange for one of the pool designers to visit your home to see how feasible your ideas are. Don’t be bashful about sharing what it would take to give you the landscaping inground spa results of your dreams. The pool contractor will both know how realistic your plans are, and make suggestions to either enhance them or bring them in line with what is actually possible.
The money you pay to have a professional bring your landscaping and custom pool spa dream to life will be forgotten the first time you slide into that warm welcoming water after another stressful day. For as long as you own your home, you’ll have a very personal and private escape, right in your own backyard!
Author: David Faulkner
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
