Swimming Pools Archives - Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping

Pools For Summer Fun

by awright | Jun 10, 2024 | Swimming Pools

Pools provide a focal point for summer fun. They bring the whole family together across generations, from grandparents to grandkids. Pools can also increase the value of your house with the right buyer.

Types Of Pools

The three most common pools are liner pools, gunite/shotcrete pools, and fiberglass pools.

Liner Pools

Liner pools are usually the least expensive in-ground pools. The liner is manufactured to your specifications, so can be tailored to your wishes. The vinyl liner is smooth, so it won’t stub the toe of your child. In addition, the smoothness makes it harder for algae to grow on the sides.

Vinyl liners only last about seven to ten years before they need to be replaced. While not as costly as the initial installation, replacing the liner is not cheap. If you have pets and children playing in and around the pool, you may want to choose another option. It is relatively easy to pierce the liner, which means the water leaks out. The liner warranty is typically prorated over twenty years, so accidents can be costly. Finally, vinyl pools may lower the house’s resale value relative to the other choices. Buyers often ask that the liner be replaced by the seller before closing.

Current Pool Project by the Blue Crew

Gunite/Shotcrete Pools

These pools last a long time and are totally customizable. You can build in sun tanning ledges, benches, seats, and other custom features. You can also make the pool any color you want, from bright blue to white or even black, for more of a lagoon look. The potential features are limited only by your imagination and your pocketbook.

Gunite/Shotcrete pools are more expensive than other options. They also take longer to build, usually three to six months. These pools may need to be resurfaced every ten to fifteen years, which is also expensive. The sides can be harder to keep clean and may require more pool chemicals to keep the algae down.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools are cast off site and then brought in and installed. They are very durable and last a long time as long as you maintain the pool water chemistry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Most fiberglass pools come with features such as tanning ledges, benches, and seats. The fiberglass has a gel coating over it that is not abrasive and also retards algae. Fiberglass pools are relatively quick to install, so you can get in the water sooner.

Fiberglass pools do have some downsides. They are cast in large molds, so you won’t be able to customize the design. For the same reason, they can’t be wider than sixteen feet because of shipping regulations. Fiberglass pools are more expensive up front compared to liner pools and about the same as concrete pools.

A pool made from a shipping container being installed.

Current Pool Project by the Blue Crew

Shipping Containers

A relatively new type of pool is one made from shipping containers. We have put these in for customers who have been very happy with them. Modpools are customizable with the same features as other pools. However, Modpools can be installed in sloped areas that a traditional pool won’t fit in. We can build a deck and landscape around it and set it in the ground for you and manage the entire project.

Fun Pool Additions

One of the advantages of having your pool designed by an architectural landscape firm is that the pool will be integrated into the landscape in a comprehensive way. A pool isn’t just a hole in the ground, it is a part of the landscape. Here are some fun additions we have designed and built for our customers.

Sun Ledges

If you want to sit by the pool and get some sun, we can integrate a sun ledge into your pool. You can sun in a shallow 6” – 12” of water for a while, then take a deep in the deep end to cool off. Repeat as desired😊

A firebowl on a ledge above an infinity pool.

Fountains, Waterfalls, and Fire/Water Bowl Features

Pools can have other water features built in them such as fountains and waterfalls. Water or fire bowl features are striking at night for those evening parties. We even built one pool with a grotto waterfall you could swim under.

Schedule A Consultation

As the temperatures continue to creep upward, a pool sounds better and better. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design a pool that is integrated into your landscape and customized just the way you want it. Schedule a consultation now to get that pool started.

Planning Your Swimming Pool Project

by awright | Jun 30, 2022 | Swimming Pools

Summertime is here and swimming pools are one of the best ways to keep the family together and off their devices during the summer months. It is also a great way to entertain guests. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design and install the perfect pool for your needs. We designed and installed the landscape above and we can build just the thing for you.

A pool with lots of space for chairs around it.

Pool Contractors Versus Landscape Designers

Most pool contractors build nice pools. However, the contractors are not great at integrating the pool into the outdoor landscape. Architectural landscape designers look at things like traffic flow and how people will use the pool when entertaining. You want the deck to have plenty of room for the chairs, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and other amenities you need to enjoy not just the pool, but the area around it. You also want the traffic flow between the pool and any other outdoor living areas such as a kitchen or gazebo to work well. We built the above pool with plenty of room for deck chairs around it.

Construction Clean-Up

Pool contractors often leave damage to the landscape after the pool is constructed. Any large construction project will damage the lawn, sprinkler system, and other things in the way. However, these should all be restored after the pool is installed. In our experience, pool contractors are not good at leaving the rest of the landscape the way it was before they built the pool.

Because we install sprinkler systems, lawns, landscape beds, and the like, we can leave your landscape in good shape when we leave. In fact, we take great pride in doing just that.

Privacy And Fences

Pools have to have a fence around them for safety. A fence also helps maintain your privacy when you are walking around in your swimsuit. We can design a fence that will do both in style. We can install the fence with materials that fit in your landscape and fit your budget.

Choosing Pool Materials

When you think of pool materials, do you remember the white concrete around the public pool? Fortunately, we can help you choose materials that fit your budget but also blend in with your landscape. You can choose from a number of materials for your deck. For example, if you have a stone patio, we can install a stone deck around the pool to complement it. We did just that for the pool above.

Provide Sun And Shade Near The Pool

Not everyone will want to sun around the pool. It is important to plan areas of shade where those people can take refuge. Cabanas make nice structures with shade and a view of the pool. We can work with you to strike just the right mixture of sun and shade for your needs.

Install Plants To Soften The Hardscape

Pools by their nature involve a lot of hardscapes. This hardscape can be rather overwhelming in the landscape. To soften the hardscape, planters full of plants along with in-ground landscape beds can soften the hard edges of the deck. The landscape bed we built around the pool above does just that.

Lighting For Safety And Enjoyment

Pool parties often last into the night during hot weather. You do not want someone to fall in because they could not see where the deck ends and the pool begins. You can light a pool very subtly or very dramatically. As you can see from the picture above, lights from within the pool can make it appear to glow from within. We can help you work through the best lighting options for your situation.

Audio Systems

Outdoor audio systems really enhance the enjoyment of a pool. We can install the audio system when we are building the pool. You can control the audio from outside on your smart phone. We can even put in zones so the adults can listen to one radio station or DVD and the kids can listen to another station or DVD at the same time.

Book Your Pool Consultation Now

Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design and install a pool you and your family will enjoy. If you are thinking of building a pool, schedule a consultation and we will walk you through the design process. Our Blue Crew will then install your pool just as you want it.