Author: Amanda Cox

A swimming pool is a wonderful backyard upgrade. But if you truly want to transform your backyard, then you need more than a swimming pool—you need a luxury pool. Yes, there is a difference between swimming pools and luxury pools in Katy, TX. But what is it? What sets a regular pool apart from a luxury one? Keep reading to learn how to build a true luxury pool in your own backyard.

The Right Material

There are generally three options to choose from for building an in-ground pool: vinyl liner, fiberglass, and concrete (also called gunite). Vinyl liners and fiberglass pool shells are typically cheaper than gunite; however, they also wear out more quickly and are prone to cracking and tearing. Additionally, they often come premade, which means you can’t truly customize your pool.

A luxury pool maintains its beauty for years and is designed and installed to blend well with your backyard; this requires customization and durability that the previous two options don’t offer. This means that the only choice for a true luxury pool is gunite.

The Right Design

As we already mentioned, a luxury pool isn’t a cookie-cutter, premade form you set into the ground. It’s custom-designed to fit your home’s aesthetic and the space requirements of your landscaping. This, of course, means that there’s no booklet of designs that qualify as being luxury pools. Rather, the right design for a luxury pool is one that complements your home’s façade, your other landscaping features, and your personal lifestyle and design preferences. In other words, a luxury pool is designed exclusively for you.

The Right Equipment

All swimming pools require some kind of equipment to keep the water clean and usable, so it’s not something unique to luxury pools. But a pool sure feels a lot less luxurious if you’re sweating in the hot sun with a skimmer every day, trying to clean it out.

If you want to take your pool to the next level, get the right maintenance equipment to make cleaning and maintaining your pool easier. For starters, make sure you have the right filter for your pool system. You can usually choose between paper cartridge filters and DE filters; consult with your pool builder to determine which works best for your pool, as well as the right size and capacity.

Additionally, talk about add-on equipment, like automatic pool covers, automatic refillers, and robotic pool cleaners to minimize the effort it takes to keep your pool sparkling clean all year long.

The Right Decking

No pool design is complete without a deck and other surrounding features. These should be just as luxurious in their design as the pool itself. The deck and landscaping should complement the pool in every way, turning it into a perfect oasis in your backyard. Depending on your pool design, your deck might use natural-looking stones for the decking or sleek, white slabs; the surrounding features might include waterfalls or bubble fountains. Again, it’s all about creating a design unique to you.

If you’re ready to build a luxury pool, contact Suncor Outdoors. We’re one of the top pool builders in Katy, TX, and we can help you design the perfect pool from scratch. Call us today!

If you’ve been considering installing a new pool for a while, and you’ve finally decided to move ahead with the project, you’re probably eager to start with construction. But if you want a pool that you know you’re going to love for years to come, it’s important to slow down and make sure that you’re choosing a design that’s perfect for you. When designing custom swimming pools in Katy, TX, you’re essentially given a blank template on which to create your ideal swimming pool—a thrilling, but often overwhelming concept. Where do you even begin? Well, we have the answer. Keep reading for tips on choosing the perfect pool design for your home.

Start with a Property Assessment

Before you start considering what features and design you want for your pool, it’s a good idea to begin with a professional assessment of your property. Have your pool builder come out and take a look at your backyard. We’ll measure available space, make note of backyard landscaping features and structures, and get an idea of what kind of space we’re working with. Your yard has a large impact on what your options are, so get this done first, before you fall in love with a design or an idea that just won’t work in your space.

Talk about Your Budget

Next, you should sit down with one of our designers and talk about your budget. We take your budget very seriously, and we’ll work to find a design you love that fits your financial constraints. But it is important to keep in mind that your budget is another factor that largely impacts the options available to you. If you have a large budget, you might have a long list of material options and add-on features to choose from; smaller budgets will have fewer choices, but we can still find something that works beautifully in your yard.

Explore Trends and Past Projects

Now that we’ve addressed the factors that will impact your pool design, it’s time to get inspired. We encourage you to look at photos of our past projects to see pools we’ve built before. You should also explore current trends in pool design, water features, and decking to see what the latest styles are for this type of project.

You might find that you love certain elements of one design, but don’t love everything about it. That’s perfectly fine! Those photos are not a catalog you have to choose from. Make notes about the things you love and the things you hate, and we can help you blend those elements together into one perfect design for you.

Start Designing Your Pool

Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can work with one of our custom pool builders to start on the actual design! This is a very exciting step in the process for most of our clients, as you get to see your vision mapped out right in front of you. Our pool designers are some of the best in the business, and they can continue working with you and tweaking your design until it’s absolutely perfect. We’ll also talk to you about other elements of your pool not related to the design—the type of pool you want (saltwater or chlorinated), the pump system, filter systems, and so on.

And once that design is something you truly love, we’ll get to work constructing it in your yard. We are experts in new pool construction in Katy, TX, and our contractors can bring that design you created to life. If you’re ready to get started on designing your new pool, contact Suncor Outdoors today and speak to one of our professional pool designers!

Summer is more than halfway over. If you’ve spent the last couple of months just dreaming of having your own swimming pool to escape the summer heat, you might be about ready to dive in (pun intended) and start working with a swimming pool builder in Katy, TX. But with summer drawing to a close, you might be wondering if it’s too late to get one built. Keep reading to find out.

Summertime Is Busy for Pool Builders

First, it’s important to be aware that summer is an incredibly busy time for swimming pool builders. Not only is it the time of year when many people start thinking about getting a pool, but the weather is also usually hot and dry, making it easier to complete this kind of construction. With all that being said, pool builders are usually working on multiple projects throughout the summer—but those projects start winding down near the end of the season.

While half of the summer may have passed you by, this could also mean that the contractor you want to work with has fewer projects going on now. This can allow you to get more of their time and can even reduce some of the turnaround time on getting your project done since they can focus their attention on your pool.

Project Time Can Vary

Additionally, you should know that the turnaround time for pool installation can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. For example, if you already know exactly what you want your pool to look like and all the features you want, you’ll be able to skip over weeks of work with a pool designer. So, if this is something you’ve already put a lot of thought into, you might be able to streamline the process and get your pool done sooner than you thought possible.

Pool Season Goes Beyond Summer

This is Texas. Pools are usable for far longer than the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day! You can expect warm weather to hang out until the end of September most years, which means you’ll still have time to enjoy your new pool before the weather gets too chilly. Plus, you’ll be ready for when the weather begins warming up in the springtime, and you can go for a swim on the first warm day of the year!

You Can Heat It Up

Finally, don’t forget that you don’t have to let the weather dictate when and how you use your swimming pool. Pool heaters are more efficient and affordable than ever, so you could keep your pool warm enough to provide an enjoyable swimming hole in your yard for months to come. You could also elect to add a hot tub to your pool design; this turns your construction from something to be used in the summer to a backyard retreat that you can enjoy throughout the year, no matter what the weather may be.

If you’re interested in custom swimming pools in Katy, TX, contact Suncor Outdoors today. We’ll get your project started right away, so you still have plenty of time to enjoy your swimming pool.

Getting a new in-ground pool is no small investment. It can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, so it’s not something you want to do with the wrong builder. Here are a few factors you should consider before hiring a pool builder for the job.

• Get at least three bids. You should never go with the first person you find. To ensure you’re getting a fair price on your pool, have at least three builders put in a bid on the project. When comparing the bids, make sure to pay attention to what is being included in the bid amount.
• Ask about their designs. Some builders work off a few basic templates for their pools, and they don’t deviate much from them. This might work for some people, but if you want something designed to fit your yard better, find a builder that employs expert designers.
• Look at their past projects. Ask for references as well as photos of the pools they’ve built. You don’t want a designer and builder whose style doesn’t fit with your own preferences.
• Consider their experience. Look at the number of years they’ve been in business, as well as the kinds of projects they’ve completed in that time. Make sure they have experience with ones similar to yours.
• Remember the area around your pool. It’s a good idea to find a contractor that can handle building your deck and fixing up the surrounding landscaping for a flawless, finished look.

Installing a new pool in your backyard is more than just a big investment—it’s a major undertaking that requires a lot of time, effort, and planning. Before you dive into this project (pun intended), it’s important that you ask the right questions and consider all of the important factors regarding your new pool installation. Keep reading to learn what you should know before you start working with pool companies in Katy, TX.

Why Do You Want a Pool?

It may seem like a silly question. After all, if you’ve decided you want a pool, does the reason behind it really matter? But in reality, the reason you want a pool can impact the design of your pool. Do you want a pool for swimming laps for exercise? Then you’ll need a rectangular pool for easy tracking of the distance you’ve done. Do you want a relaxing, calming place to get some sun? Then a sunbathing area with a nearby water feature might be what you need.

You should also think about who will be using the pool. If you have kids who will frequently be swimming in your new pool, you’ll want to give extra consideration to the pool depth and any extra safety features you need to make it safe for your kids. Understanding why you want your pool can point you in the right direction of what your pool should look like.

Where Will It Go in Your Yard?

Even before you speak to a contractor, it’s a good idea to take a look at your backyard and try to envision where a pool will best fit in your space. If your yard is small or oddly shaped, it might take some extra work to fit in a usable pool. But having a good idea of where you want your pool to fit will help you to discuss your design options with your pool installer. Of course, ultimately, you’ll want them to come to your backyard as well and help you make a final decision about the best location. We can help with determining the locations of underground pipes and lines to ensure that the location you prefer will be a safe and feasible spot for your pool.

What Shape and Style Do You Want?

Answering the above two questions will start pointing you in the right direction regarding the shape and style of your pool. But if your usage and yard don’t place too many restrictions on your pool’s size and shape, you can get a bit more creative with your pool’s design. But regardless of your pool’s size, you’ll still have some decisions to make regarding the final design style.

Do you want something natural that makes your pool look like a forest hideaway? Then you’ll want natural rock features and materials that blend with the landscape. Want something sleek and modern? A pool with straight lines, contrasting material colors, and chrome accents can be just the trick. Discuss your style preferences with a professional pool designer, and they can help you come up with something that suits your tastes.

If you’re interested in learning more about custom pools in Katy, TX, contact us at Suncor Outdoors to speak with one of our experienced pool designers today. We have years of experience designing and building pools of all sizes, shapes, and styles. Whether you want something simple and functional or an elaborately designed retreat, we can help. We’ll discuss your pool needs, budget and schedule a time to inspect your yard so that we can begin working on a design together.

When you decide to install a new pool, you have many decisions to make about the pool’s design. One of the first and most central choices you must make is what shape you want your pool to be. The pool’s shape provides a footprint to work with when designing the other elements of your pool. But what shape is the best? Rectangle and kidney shapes are the most common choices and can provide a good starting point for your design. But there are many other aspects you must consider when working with a swimming pool builder in Katy, TX. Here are a few of them.

The Surrounding Features

Any surrounding features will heavily impact the size and shape of your pool in your backyard. How much open space can you dedicate to your pool? Do you have existing landscaping or hardscaping features that you wish to preserve? What about fences, sheds, decking, and other backyard structures? You want to make the most of the space you have while accommodating any current backyard features you wish to keep—and any new ones you want to install.

The Pool’s Use

It seems simple: A pool is for swimming. But many people have different specific purposes in mind when it comes to how they will use the pool. Do you want to be able to swim laps in the pool for exercise? Do you have children that will frequently be playing in the pool? Are you creating a relaxing backyard retreat or a modern gathering place for parties with friends? The specific ways you plan to use your pool will impact which shape is best for your needs.

The Overall Style

What kind of aesthetic do you want to create with your pool? Specific shapes work better for different design styles. For example, with its straight lines and sharp edges, a rectangular pool simply doesn’t work well if you want to create a natural-looking pool that blends in with the landscape. Be sure to also keep in mind the style of your home’s façade and any current landscaping elements you’ll be saving. You should find a shape and style that blends well with the rest of your property.

The Extra Features

Make a list of all of the extra features that you want to be installed in your pool. While most features can be added to any shape, some simply blend better with specific shapes. Plus, you’ll want to ensure that all of the extras you want are taken into consideration when designing your pool. Slides, diving boards, tanning ledges, waterfalls, fountains, grottos, and even the exterior elements of your pool like multi-level decking should all be things you discuss with your pool designer. Additionally, certain functional features like automated pool covers only work with specific pool shapes, so keep that in mind.

The Budget

Of course, your budget should always be taken into consideration when making decisions about your pool’s design. When it comes to your pool’s shape, the size of the perimeter is what will impact your cost. Even pools with roughly the same usable swimming space can have vastly different prices simply because their shapes are different. For example, an L-shaped pool has a great deal more footage on its perimeter than an oval-shaped one of about the same size. If you want to maximize swimming space without driving up the cost, curved shapes are best.

Ultimately, working with a pool designer is the best way to figure out the right size and shape for your new pool. Contact Suncor Outdoors to speak to a designer about creating the perfect pool for your backyard space. We’re one of the top pool builders in Katy, TX, and we can create a pool design that fits your yard, style, needs, and budget. Call now!