Everything There Is to Know About Rain Curtains

Whether the sound is coming from a waterfall or a rainstorm, it’s tough to beat the sound of falling water. What if we told you that you could experience that same soothing sound every time you take a swim in your backyard pool? It might sound crazy, but it’s true!

A rain curtain is a water feature that creates the illusion of a water wall by having a stream of continually flowing water in your pool. Continue reading to learn what every pool owner in Los Angeles, CA should know about rain curtains and how they can improve your pool setup.

Benefits of rain curtains

Pool owners wouldn’t install rain curtains if they didn’t have any perks. Here are a few reasons to consider adding a rain curtain to your pool:

  • Cohesive appearance: Homeowners with a spa and pool can help create a cohesive look by installing a rain curtain that allows water to fall from the spa down into the pool (or vice versa). This is a neat look that’ll appeal to all homeowners and guests.
  • Soothing sounds: As mentioned above, the sound of falling water is soothing to everyone’s ears. Picture yourself lounging poolside and listening to the rain curtain—talk about a relaxing day by the pool!
  • Fun for kids: Trust us when we say that kids will love your rain curtain. Children of all ages will have fun swimming beneath the stream and feeling the water pour down onto their heads.

What shapes, styles and sizes are available?

Another cool thing about rain curtains is that they come in all different shapes and styles. Rain curtains in Los Angeles, CA can either be linear, curved or installed as a unique maze. Rain curtains are often designed to look like waterfalls against a wall and feature decorative lighting, but those decisions are obviously up to the homeowner.

The size of your rain curtain depends on your budget but also the amount of space you have in your pool. Your rain curtain could run the entire length of your pool, but that will be a more expensive installation.

A professional pool designer can help create a rain curtain that fits your personal preference and your budget.

Where does the water go?

Inquisitive minds often want to know where the water goes once it falls into the pool. Rain curtains are designed as a closed-loop system; once the water drops into the pool, it’s collected and pumped to the top of the curtain once again.

Because rain curtains are splash-free water features, you’ll never have to worry about water getting lost by splashing out onto the pool deck.

Install your rain curtain feature today

Ensure your pool is ready for the summer by adding a rain curtain as soon as possible. The team at Avanti Pools, Inc. specializes in installing all sorts of pool features, including rain curtains in Los Angeles, CA. Give us a call today to get a quote or to learn about all of the ways we can enhance your pool.

What You Should Know About Cocktail Pools

When many people think of an in-ground pool, a large pool with a big concrete pool deck comes to mind. But that doesn’t have to be the case! Cocktail pools—also known as compact pools—are typically less than 400 square feet and are very trendy right now in the pool community. Continue reading to learn a little bit more about unique cocktail pools in Los Angeles, CA.

Who can benefit from a cocktail pool?

Technically, any customer could benefit from installing a cocktail pool in their yard, but cocktail pools are more suited for some of our clients than others.

Homeowners with limited backyard space are ideal candidates for a new cocktail pool. Because they’re so small, the pool can fit perfectly in the yard while still allowing room for a patio or other entertainment space.

Cocktail pools are also ideal for folks who just want to take a dip to cool off once in a while. These clients are typically older homeowners who don’t have kids that want to spend hours swimming and playing in the water.

How much does a cocktail pool cost?

Because they’re a fraction of the size of a regular pool, it stands to reason that cocktail pools can be installed at a fraction of the price. In fact, you can install a cocktail pool for as little as $5,000 if you perform some of the labor yourself and use cheaper materials. But on average, a cocktail pool costs about $25,000 all in.

That price tag may seem high for some folks, but it’s worth noting that a full-size in-ground pool starts at about $50,000, so a cocktail pool is also an excellent investment for anyone looking to go for a swim on a budget.

How can I elevate a cocktail pool?

Nobody said cocktail pools in Los Angeles, CA have to be boring, little dipping pools. Here are a few ways you can upgrade your pool without breaking the bank:

Start designing your cocktail pool today

Beat the heat this summer by putting in a cocktail pool. At Avanti Pools, Inc., we specialize in installing all sorts of pools, from Olympic-sized pools to cocktail pools in Los Angeles, CA. Give us a call today to start planning your new pool—we look forward to working with you!

What You Need to Know About Using Built-in Seating in Your Pool Design

Have you been thinking about installing a new swimming pool or remodeling your current one? While many homeowners get excited about the major features of a pool, including shape, size and depth, it’s the details that turn a standard backyard pool from something ordinary into an outstanding feature for any outdoor space. Built-in seating is just one of these special details that can truly enhance your Los Angeles, CA swimming pool. Here’s what you need to know about how to integrate this feature into the design of your pool space.

What types of built-in seating are typically installed?

Whether you’re installing a new pool completely from scratch or renovating your current pool in Los Angeles, CA, it’s not hard to incorporate built-in seating into the design. Built-in features are typically made from poured concrete. A form is made to the desired shape, and gunite or shotcrete are poured to fill the form and make a permanent feature that you and your guests can enjoy. Here are some typical built-in seating configurations for swimming pools:

What other features can you integrate into your built-in seating?

Many Los Angeles, CA pool owners incorporate an in-pool dining table when they install built-in seating. It’s a great way to stay cool while you and your family and friends enjoy a delicious meal or refreshing drinks. Plan ahead for how many people you’d like to accommodate and work with your pool builder to integrate the seating seamlessly with the design of the pool.

You should also consider creative ways to light your seating areas. Talk with your pool installation professional about indirect lighting to give the seating spaces a soft glow that adds to the ambience of the space without shining in your eyes.

Built-in seating makes your pool in Los Angeles, CA a more attractive and inviting place to spend time with family and friends. Whether you’re deciding to renovate an existing pool or install a brand-new one, get the advice of a design expert to make the most of this luxurious backyard feature. Contact Avanti Pools, Inc. today to learn more about these and other exciting pool design features and upgrades.

What You Need to Know About Smart Pool Lighting

Lighting can set the mood for any space around the house, both indoors and outdoors. If you’re making improvements to your swimming pool or building a new one from the ground up, don’t forget to add some thoughtfully designed lighting features. Not only does the right lighting provide you with a safer environment, but it also enhances the look of your pool and the surrounding landscape as a whole.

Outdoor lighting has come a long way in recent years, with smart pool lighting options becoming a standard feature in many new pools in Los Angeles, CA. Here’s how smart pool lighting can enhance your swimming experience.

Smart lighting makes it easy to control a variety of fixtures in and around the pool

With the right smart pool lighting strategy, you can make sure your entire outdoor space in Los Angeles, CA is safe for use after dark. In the past, pool contractors typically only installed one light at the deepest part of the pool. Today’s pool owners know that when it comes to lighting this special feature, the brighter the better. Depending on the size of your pool, you should add at least three or four fixtures to give it the most stunning look.

You’ll also want to have plenty of lighting fixtures outside of the pool. Light up the pool deck or other hardscape surfaces so you and your guests can safely navigate these areas after dark, and consider highlighting other features in the yard like landscaping. When the fixtures are part of a smart lighting system, they can be conveniently controlled from a phone or computer—you don’t even need to be on the property to turn the lights off or on.

Smart lighting helps you save on your energy bills

Since you can control a smart lighting system no matter where you are in the world, you can make sure the lights are on only when they need to be. As part of your smart lighting system installation, make sure to install fixtures that use LED bulbs. They produce the brightest light, but need to be strategically placed to highlight the pool instead of shining directly in your eyes. Rely on a pool lighting technician to suggest the best placement for your fixtures.

Smart lighting can be part of larger smart systems with more features

One of the great aspects of smart pool lighting is that it can be integrated with other smart features that increase the enjoyment of your entire outdoor space. With smart systems, it’s all about convenience. At the push of a button, you can control the lighting, sound system, security system and so much more to give you complete peace of mind and total relaxation in your outdoor space.

A refreshing swimming pool enhances your life in Los Angeles, CA, and the right smart pool lighting strategy can make your entire outdoor space an even more inviting place to be. A professional pool contractor can ensure that your lights are not only up to code, but also positioned to highlight the unique features of the pool and its surrounding landscape. Contact Avanti Pools, Inc. today to bring your pool to life with high-quality smart lighting.

Why You Should Never Bury an Above-Ground Pool

Pools are a huge investment, so it’s natural for homeowners in Los Angeles, CA to search for the lowest price possible. However, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. For those wondering if they can bury their above-ground pools, the answer is no—and here’s why.

Why it doesn’t work

Above-ground and in-ground pools aren’t interchangeable. Not all pools fulfill the same purpose, which is why they’re given different names. One key difference is the materials used to construct the outer shells. In-ground pools are made with tough, load-bearing steel that stands unmoving against the sheer weight of the surrounding backfill. Thus, only certain materials—and types of pools—are suitable for in-ground use.

On the other hand, the walls of an above-ground pool are constructed with a much thinner, flimsier sheet of metal. They’re not designed to bear the weight of anything other than pool water. Above-ground pools submerged into the soil might look structurally sound at first. That’s because the weight of the pool water and backfill are pushing against each other. But if you have to drain the pool for routine maintenance or replacing the liner, the walls will collapse.

Cutting corners

Homeowners ask pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA to bury above-ground pools because they think it will save them money. Above-ground pools are less expensive than their in-ground counterparts, and shady contractors will go along with the plan just so they can make a quick buck. However, cutting corners in construction never ends well. The pool will inevitably collapse, and when you give that contractor a call to fix it, you’ll never hear from them again.

You need a pool contractor who’s not afraid to tell you the truth, even if it’s not what you want to hear. When you pose the question, “Can I bury my above-ground pool?” a trustworthy contractor will say no. They have your best interest at heart and want the pool installation done right the first time. Rest assured your contractor will do everything within their power to build that in-ground pool, even if it means paying a little extra for quality.

You pay the price

A single pool installation costs tens of thousands of dollars. It’s no wonder homeowners in Los Angeles, CA may want to cut corners any way they can. What they often don’t realize at first is going the cheap route costs them more money in the long run. Imagine having to pay the pool installation fee twice! That’s what will happen if you bury your above-ground pool.

What’s more, the entire replacement cost will fall on you. If the contractor was negligent enough to bury an above-ground pool, chances are they don’t have insurance to cover the damage. Always make sure you’re hiring a licensed, bonded and insured professional to install your in-ground pool. At the end of the day, the contractor is at fault for a poor installation, not you.

Homeowners aren’t expected to know everything about pool installations. That’s why the trusted contractors at Avanti Pools, Inc. are here to answer your most pressing questions. We’ll build the in-ground pool of your dreams at the best price without cutting corners. Reach out today to learn more and schedule a consultation.