Author: Amanda Cox

Categories Building A Swimming Pool Pool Construction

How to Choose the Best Swimming Pool Shape for Your Backyard

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.

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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!

Categories Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

Trendy Swimming Pool Remodeling Ideas

Trends are constantly changing. There’s always something new just around the corner, from fleeting trends in fashion and hairstyles to longer-lasting trends in home design. If you’re installing a new swimming pool or if you’re considering some pool renovations in Katy, TX, it certainly doesn’t hurt to brush up on the latest trends in pool design. While the most important thing is always designing a pool that fits your needs—not the current trends—you might get some inspiration and ideas for what you want your swimming pool to look like.

Rain Descents

Waterfalls have always been a popular water feature for swimming pools. They create a beautiful visual element while adding a relaxing sound to your space. But lately, people have been giving this popular pool feature an upgrade by opting for rain descents instead. What is a rain descent, you ask?

These water features are similar to a waterfall, but rather than having a constant stream or sheet of water, rain descends out for a trickle instead. Creating gaps in how the waterfalls change both the sound and the visual aesthetic of the water feature. They’re becoming a popular, modern upgrade for many swimming pools.

LED Lighting

Of course, lights are essential for any nighttime swimming that you plan to do. But when it comes to upgrading your swimming pool, many pool owners are giving the lights an upgrade too. LED lights can be used to provide safe swimming at night and create a relaxing ambiance for your evening gatherings.

Modern lighting in pools is also a lot more energy efficient than older lights and can be upgraded for more convenient operation with a remote or even your smartphone. You can program your lights to glow in different colors, attach them to a timer, and other smart upgrades.

Tile Inlay

If you’re looking for a style upgrade that brings your pool into the modern era, then tile inlays are the way to go. Pool tiles can come in countless colors, so they’re a great way to add a personal touch to your pool design. You can choose tiles in a single color to create a uniform look, design a mosaic masterpiece, or create bursts of color in various areas around your pool. The choice is up to you!

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Lazy Rivers

If you’re looking for a luxury design for your pool and you have the space for it, a lazy river is sure to be a feature you’ll love. This popular pool feature typically seen at public pools and resorts has been making its way into backyards recently, and homeowners love it. Lazy rivers are a fun feature for the kids and a great place for adults to relax on a raft or float. Pool contractors can often work in much smaller spaces than you might imagine to give you your very own backyard lazy river.

Whether you’re installing a new pool or upgrading an existing one, these four design trends can provide you with great inspiration for your pool design. If you’re ready to start working on your pool design or pool remodeling in Katy, TX, contact Suncor Outdoors today. Our expert designers and installers will work with you to create a pool that perfectly suits your needs, whether these new trends are a part of it or not. Give us a call to schedule your first appointment with a professional swimming pool designer!

Categories Building A Swimming Pool Pool Construction Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

Choosing The Right Pool Contractor

Choosing The Right Pool Contractor

With the Texas summer breaking national records for high temps and heat waves, it’s understandable if you’re fantasizing about having your own pool in your backyard. Taking a dip is a great way to cool off, and an even better way to entertain guests. But it can also be a time-consuming and costly investment. So, how do you go about tackling this project? And how do you find a contractor to get the job done right?

Before you begin your search for the right pool builder, you first have to figure out what type of pool you want and determine your budget. Then, you must follow the three crucial steps below to avoid costly mistakes when hiring and working with a contractor.

Decide What Type Of Pool You Want

Every major endeavor starts with a plan, and the only way you’re going to be able to plan properly is to figure out what you want the outcome to be. So, before you even start pulling names of potential contractors, be sure you know exactly what you want.

Materials can affect the price, and not all contractors may be experienced in the exact type of pool you would like to add to your home. Be sure to have a budget, not only for the pool but for any landscaping or fencing you want to place around it.

Set Your Budget

Once you have a better idea of what kind of pool will be best for you, it’s time to assess your budget. The average cost of installing a recreational in-ground pool is between $50,000 – $100,000.

The factors determining the price of the pool are it’s size, features, materials, and deck selections. If you have a tight budget, consider making a “want / need” list. This will help the contractor you select determine what is an absolute must in your pool, and what variations might be needed to stick within your budget.

Narrow Down A List Of Top Contractors

Now that you know your budget and what type of pool you want, it’s time to select the right contractor to make it a reality. The first step is to create a list of the top contractors you’re considering working with. That starts by knowing where to look and what to ask.

GET RECOMMENDATIONS
See a great pool in your neighborhood? Or did one of your friends or family members just add a pool to their own yard? Ask them who their contractor was and what their experience was like working with them.

Personal referrals are always a reliable place to start. You can also solicit recommendations on Facebook or your other social media networks.

READ ONLINE REVIEWS
Read through all of the reviews, both positive and negative, to discover the general opinion of a contractor you’re considering. Be on the lookout for any negative feedback a contractor receives. You’ll also want to see if the contractor has ever been sued and how it was resolved.

Choose The Right Builder By Asking The Right Questions

Once you have a number of contractors who seem like a good fit, you’ll want to screen them even further to find the best fit. Remember, in this situation, you’re an employer and the contractor is interviewing for a job from you.

You’ll also want to inquire about certain details that will help you narrow down your list to include only the best options.

Do they take on projects of your size?
The most important question to ask a potential contractor is whether or not they even take on projects of your size. If they don’t, they might be able to refer you to other contractors who fit more within your range.

You might also want to consider other aspects of their work, such as how many other projects they’re overseeing at a given time, how long they’ve worked with the subcontractors they’re using, and who their previous clients have been.

Does your pool builder have insurance?
You’ll also want to ask contractors about their insurance details to protect yourself from a potential legal battle. Ask for proof that they have liability insurance. If they aren’t insured, your home insurance may not cover any unforeseen injuries or other accidents– this could land you in a legal battle that you won’t want to be in.

Can your builder obtain proper permits?
If you live in an area that requires certain permits before any construction work can begin, you’ll want to make sure that your contractor agrees to obtain them. You can be fined if he or she fails to do so.

Does your pool builder offer a warranty?
While it’s important to get the right warranties for your pool, it’s equally as important to work with a contractor that offers a workmanship warranty. Without one, you’ll be finincially responsible for any mistakes that pop up down the road.

Finalize The Deal

After you’ve selected the contractor you want to work with, you’ll have to put some systems into place to get things moving in the right direction.
Agree on the contract. It’s important to have everything you and the contractor agree to in writing. Review the contract carefully before signing. Make sure both of you sign the contract to avoid any future disputes about the original agreements.

Having a contract in place will protect both parties if unexpected obstacles or expenses come up in the construction process or the contractor is not delivering work according to plan.

Set A Payment Schedule

Part of the contract will stipulate at what point in the project certain payments are due. Paying for construction in installments is a great way for homeowners to be protected if a contractor is not delivering according to plan or failing to come through on other promises.

And most importantly, you want to make sure you don’t give the final payment to the contractor if the project is not completely finished. This will help ensure the contractor comes back to make sure everything is working in order to get final payment.