Putting in a Pool? Let’s Talk About Available Features!
Making the decision to put in a pool is only the beginning. The first big question is what type of pool you plan to have installed – vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete. Still trying to decide? Take a peek at our recent blog to weigh the pros and cons of each.
Next up, you need to decide how you’d like your pool to fit into your overall landscape design and what features you want to include. Let’s talk about all the options!
Related: What You Need to Know About the 3 Types of In-Ground Pools
Start With Your Coping & Pool Patio
Coping is the edging that surrounds your pool. It ensures that water doesn’t get behind your pool liner, and it also provides a comfortable edge so you and your guests can sit and dangle your feet in the water. There are 4 material options for coping: pavers, natural stone, concrete, and aluminum. The type of pool you select and your pool patio design will help inform the decision as to which type of coping makes the most sense both logistically and visually.
Pool patios in our area are most commonly constructed using different varieties of pavers from Unilock and Belgard. Each manufacturer offers a wide range of colors, textures, and styles to compliment your home and existing landscape design. Montano’s Landscaping guides our clients toward materials that are not slippery and won’t get hot under your feet.
The patio will be pitched away from the pool and house for proper drainage. Sometimes, tile drains need to be installed, as well, in order to avoid standing water (creating both a slip hazard and potential premature wearing of the pavers). As we complete an assessment of your space, we will advise whether tile drains are necessary.
Related: 6 Patio Ideas for a Sizeable Backyard in the Naperville, IL Area
Popular Add-On Features
Most of our pool clients tell us that they plan to use their outdoor spaces a LOT – think birthday parties, family cookouts, and relaxing after a hard day at work. For some, they want their pool to be straightforward without many bells and whistles. For others, they want a showstopping backyard that makes their space the envy of the neighborhood. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, there are quite a few add-on features available that you may want to consider.
If you know your family will spend quite a bit of time in the water, you might consider tanning ledges and/or deep end benches. Tanning ledges are a shallow section that allow you to pull a lounge chair into the pool and enjoy running your fingers through the water to stay cool on a hot day. They are also great for younger kids to be able to splash and play away from the deeper part of the pool. A deep end bench is a similar concept, serving as a place to comfortably relax in the deep section of your pool. Deep end benches are a great feature to sit partially submerged while your kids or guests play in the pool (or even to acclimate to the water temperature before jumping in).
Waterfalls and/or fire bowls add fantastic ambiance to your outdoor space. Not only are waterfalls beautiful, they are also fun, particularly if you have kids (think about how much they love the buckets that dump water on their heads at the splash park!). Fire bowls add unique sophistication to your overall design and will wow your guests.
Other impressive options include zero-edge or infinity pools. A zero-edge pool is flush with your patio, with the water silently overflowing into a slot in the lining. An infinity pool appears to blend seamlessly with the horizon or nature, without a visible edge. It is important to note that either of these pool types change pool operation (so you’ll need to understand how to maintain them) and could create some limitations on the design in other areas of your outdoor space. That said, they are truly stunning and create very cool vibes in your backyard.
If relaxation is one of your main goals for your new space, consider adding a spa. Not only is the warm water soothing on your muscles after a long day, it also can help with muscle recovery after a workout. Plus, having a warm water option means you can enjoy your outdoor space even when it is chilly! We recommend operating spas from March to December in our climate, as the piping and equipment run the risk of freezing in the winter. If you decide a spa is a feature you want, you will need to choose concrete or fiberglass, as spas cannot be constructed from vinyl liners. All of that said, Montano’s also sells traditional self-contained hot tubs (which can be operated year-round). There’s something pretty magical about sitting in a hot tub with a cup of coffee with the snow falling around you…
Related: Imagine Relaxing in a New Landscape Design in the Wheaton, IL, Area
Uplevel Your Pool for Recreation and Fitness
Families who are interested in upleveling their overall pool experience may consider diving boards, water slides, and/or fitness features. To include a diving board, a minimum pool depth of 8’ is required. Water depth for slides varies by size and type of the slide, but most require 5’ or deeper. Don’t worry, though – as we work together to select your slide, we will ensure the depth is to code.
Aquatic exercise is wonderful for your health, as offers a low-impact cardiovascular workout. Always check with your health care professional before starting a new exercise routine, but if you are looking for a way to increase your fitness at home, adding features to your pool design may be a great choice! We can either install a traditional pre-manufactured “swim spa” or modify an in-ground pool with the swim lane equipment needed to create a river flow type of effect.
Related: Bored At Home? Consider These 5 Landscape Design Ideas for Hinsdale, IL Backyards
Should You Consider Saltwater?
Clients often ask us if chlorinated pools or saltwater pools are better. Interestingly, a saltwater pool is a chlorinated pool. Saltwater pools require special equipment that help the pool convert the salt in the pool into chlorine. A pool without this system uses a traditional chlorine feeder that requires the user to purchase chlorine “pucks” and manage the chlorine output manually. The salt system can be adjusted through electronic controls or a phone app. Both are great options and primarily depend on preference.
There is also a newer solution to the market that many people aren’t yet aware of. This system is a low chlorine “AOP” system, which kills bacteria and viruses using UV light and ozone technology (which both are popular in modern air purifiers).
Preparing for Winter with Pool Covers
We have 3 varieties of winter covers that attach to anchors surrounding the pool in addition to manual track covers and automatic covers. In our area, automatic covers are the most popular due to the safety benefits, ease of use, ability to keep the water cleaner, prevention of evaporation, and reduction of heating costs.
Whichever cover type you prefer, it is critical for the longevity of your pool that it is properly covered during our harsh winters in the Midwest.
While there are many decisions that need to be made once you start down the path of installing a pool, don’t get overwhelmed! Montano’s Landscaping’s experts will guide you every step of the way to help you make the selections that will work best for your property and family’s needs, ensuring you have an outdoor space you will use often and love for years to come!