Popular Small Outdoor Swimming Pools Features

Outdoor swimming pools are summer extenders, they can be used from early spring to late fall or maybe all year-round depending on where they are. These are an investment in a special backyard retreat and a lifestyle enhancement. The pools can be lap pools, small pools, oval pools or large pools surrounded by stamped concrete and short grass or nestled in a wonderland of plants and shrubby. As long as they belong to the house, they are the perfect pool.

Outdoor swimming pools are America’s private therapy rooms enclosed in sunlight and sounds of nature. These take people away from all the cares and troubles of everyday life. The water gleams and sparkles in the sunlight and the lounge chairs invite pleasant conversation. It is time to come home and relax.

These backyard resorts are gathering places for family and friends. Children will stay home and invite their friends over for hours and hours of clean healthy entertainment and outdoor activities. Many pool toys will entertain kids of all ages and fill the yard with laughter and excitement. A few of these are slides, hoops, beach balls, diving rings, water polo, volleyball and basketball. The marvelous new swimming pools can be combined with a fire pit or a fireplace for almost around-the-clock entertainment.

Benefits of Outdoor Swimming Pools

The investment in this private oasis is done just once. It will be enjoyed every summer for years to come, saving long trips to the beach or that week at the expensive ocean shore.  This investment continues to contribute to enjoyment of the home and the desire to be at home.  The outdoor swimming pools can be custom designed to fit almost any size and shape of lot.  These can be tucked into a corner, proudly displayed off the patio or used to create a world of their own off to the side.  They can be a small lap pool with a lounging area, a medium sized rectangle with a large patio, and outdoor kitchen and sitting area off to the side, or a Tuscan styled pool with grand entry and columns and lush, overgrown vegetation around it.  Whatever is imaginable is doable.

The first step towards creating this outdoor haven is arranging financing.  The swimming pools will cost between $10,000 and $30,000.  Custom options, finishing materials and automatic features will add to this.  For a complete backyard remake with fountains and waterfalls, the price will be closer to $100,000. There are ways to finance this investment in the future and enjoyment of the house.  A home line of credit or refinancing the home to include this wonderful addition is popular options. The cost of a swimming pool is determined by the quality of the materials and craftsmanship. Soil condition and the presence of water or rock affect the building time and cost. The builder includes the cost the warranty he gives on the pool; this is not a place to negotiate.  The homeowner wants the best warranty, the best workmanship and the best materials he can afford. The outdoor swimming pool will last a long time.  By using quality materials and professional workman, this enjoyment will not be marred with problems and pool repairs.

Installation of a swimming pool typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. Any unusual circumstances or special requirements would extend this time. Pool installers work all year around in many climates. 

The next step is to draft a design of the swimming pool and the space it will go.  This draft will include any special features that are needed like a beach entry to the pool and any desired features like decorative rock, water jets or outdoor lighting.  This is a great place to dream big.  The pool installer will review the plans and explain what options are available in the price range given.  Without a dream plan, the installer may not know what the homeowner would like or what the homeowner is trying to accomplish.

Once the budget has been set and the plans drawn, it is time to interview pool installers. The outdoor swimming pool will last the life of the house, if quality materials are used and a professional installation is done. A professional pool installer who can provide references and a good warranty should be carefully considered. Many contractors who advertiser a low price for a swimming pool will up sell the new clients. The prices they advertise are not the typical prices that their customers pay.

The pool contractor contacted will review this plan and make suggestions on how to enhance the plan or to adapt it to better utilize the space in the backyard. The pool contractor is a professional with many years experience, who understands the pool installation process, the budgeting process and knows the newest and most popular features available today.  This contractor understands one thing very clearly.  The budget for the pool is set.  That is all the money there is to make this dream a reality.  If the contractor cannot deliver the pool at the set price, the contractor does not work. This is the time to discuss things like outdoor lighting, special pool lighting, any special pool equipment, waterfalls, lap pool, outdoor fireplace or a fire pit, mosaic accents, or special finishing features and materials. Installing a swimming pool is the major part of creating the outdoor paradise. The pool installer will know which items can easily be added later and which need to be added now if they are to be used. 

There are eight steps for this pool installation. The first step is the layout where the design is painted on the backyard. Step two is the removal of the soil, plants and anything else that is in the way. Step three places the steel reinforcement rods or rebar in the excavated pool and wired together. These add strength and a long life to the pools shelf. Step four is installation of plumbing. Larger plumbing line improves pool efficiency by circulating water easier and faster. Any required electricity is installed at this stage. Step five is applying gunite under pressure to the pool and the steel rods. This is a concrete mixture that makes the pools shell. Step six is the finishing work above the pool, tile, rock, and stamped concrete.  Step seven is the finishing of any backyard accessories. Step eight is installing the pool equipment. The water is added and the backyard is the paradise that was dreamed of.

If the investment in an in ground swimming pool is not available now, an above ground pool is an option. Half of the summing pools in the United States are above ground swimming pools. These have many designs and are less expensive. They are enjoyable and offer hours of water fun for one, the whole family or the neighborhood. These can be freestanding with a ladder access or have a deck installed on a side or all the way around. Some are even connected to the by decking. These give water fun and laughter and a fun place to gather on hot, summer days.

These outdoor swimming pools are a gift that keeps on giving. Even buried under feet of snow in the cold winter of the North Country, the warmth and water enjoyment of this back yard retreat is only a memory away. What better investment could be made that an outdoor swimming pool that creates memories and healthy bodies with outdoor fun?