Design Ideas The When When is the best time to build? Any time is a good time to build a pool. If you build it in the winter it takes longer but is ready by the time you are ready in the spring. In the summer we build them quicker because of the weather but it feels like forever on those hot days. The best time to have a pool quoted is after you have done some homework. You have already started by looking at this website.
This page contains some ideas on what to consider when planning your poolscape. Also use the links provided on the links page, save pictures from magazines and books (Home Depot and Lowes have some good picture book resources), and take pictures of features you see in different places, etc... It is true; a picture is worth a thousand words. Find all the ideas that you like and bring them to the table. We can give you an idea on cost, performance, and practicality so that you can make an informed decision. Our customers are often surprised to find out just how “do-able” some tricked out water features are. The What Size and Shape The first thing to consider is shape and size. Take one hundred feet of garden hose and with it outline different shapes and sizes in your yard. Common sizes are 16x32, 18x36, and 20x40, all in many shapes. This way when we sit down with you and show you pictures, you will be able to have a frame of reference for your yard. The How, What, and Why The Nuts and Bolts The next consideration is what type of pool construction to use. There are three major options: Gunite, Vinyl Lined, and Fiberglass. There are also types of construction within these major types. For example Gunite may actually be shotcrete or poured wall. The finish surface may be marcite, exposed aggregate, tile, or painted. Vinyl lined pool walls may be built using steel, wood, plastic, or concrete. In my opinion both Gunite and our concrete wall, vinyl lined pools are the two types of pools to consider. They are incredibly strong, structurally sound vessels. I imagine people thousands of years from now excavating the homes where we have built pools wondering just exactly the reason was that we built these strange shaped vaults. Decking It is tremendously important to have the right pool deck design. When we talk about your deck, we mean the concrete around your pool. The deck is what ties your poolscape to your landscape together seamlessly and purposefully. It is more than a sidewalk that allows you to walk around the pool. The deck is to a pool what a picture frame is to a masterpiece painting. There are several ways to finish concrete:    • broom finish    • ochre colored broom finish    • tech deck (textured and stained finish)    • stamped concrete    • stained concrete    • stone Tech deck and stamped concrete can be applied at any time, not only upon new construction, allowing seamless transition from old concrete to brand new concrete. Note that stamped concrete and stained concrete typically are not used on the entire deck. These two types of decking get sealed with a clear sealer and this sealer makes the deck hot to the touch. These treatments are ideal for coping and accent areas in the deck. Pool Equipment I base my preferences on pool equipment on an overall value which includes performance, price, and the level of customer service from the manufacturer. The purpose of any pool equipment is to provide filtration, enhance beauty, and/or ensure the safety of the swimmer. It is critical that filtration equipment is based on the results of a full hydraulics analysis. The most common mistake I see on site when performing a Complete Swimming Pool Diagnostic Checklist is a pump too large coupled with pipe diameter and filter that are too small. This common occurrence reduces the level of filtration, wastes money on electricity, increases chemical costs, and shortens the life of expensive equipment. My preferences on equipment are as follows: • Pentair/Starite pumps and sand filters (We have and will use   D.E. or Mod Media filters when the need arises). • Pentair Platinum Legend pressure side pool cleaner. In our performance test against Polaris products, the Legend was a clear winner. • Clear lights - American Products. Colored lights – Pentair SAM light. We are currently testing the Hayward LED colored lights, check back for results. • Goldline Aqualogic or Aqua Plus salt based chlorine generator. • Rainbow maintenance equipment • Taylor test kits • Plastimayd pool liners • Pebble Tec or Stonescapes exposed aggregate   The Ups and Downs Truth about elevations I have never been to a yard where a swimming pool could not be built due to terrain. Use slight elevation changes, hillsides, and mountainsides in the design to achieve exciting results. I like to create elevation changes even on level yards. : • Retaining walls and/or raised bond beams can be incorporated into the overall design for dramatic effects. • The right design of the steps when changing deck levels creates an easy flow and open feel of your poolscape. • Negative edge pools can be built on relatively flat yards. What to Do, What to Do Do’s: • Make sure your pool site is clear of any underground services. • Put a light in the pool, preferably a colored light. • Install a Pentair Platinum Legend pressure side cleaner. • Install a salt based chlorine generator, preferably with built in freeze protectors and timers. • Run any extra electrical lines now for future pool house plans. • Run any piping now for any future plans (waterfalls, pool house, etc.) • Sleeve spare pipes under sidewalks before they are poured to allow easy access to the other side at any time in the future. • If you are building a new house, have the electrician allow for pool wiring. • Make sure when comparing quotes you are comparing apples to apples. • Make sure the contractor runs a hydraulic analysis on your filtration system. • Choose Wilson Pools to build your poolscape.     Copyright© 2010 - Wilson Pools