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:
Jet and heaters: You can easily turn your cocktail pool into a spa by installing jets and/or heaters. In addition to relieving those sore muscles, this option allows you to utilize your cocktail pool on chilly evenings.
Water features: Waterfalls, fountains or bubblers are common water features found in upscale pools—there’s nothing stopping you from installing those same features in a cocktail pool! They’ll elevate the pool’s appearance while providing a soothing atmosphere.
Swimming machines: A swimming machine creates a current in the water, much like swimming upstream in a river. This machine essentially allows swimmers to swim for miles, so your cocktail pool can be transformed into an Olympic-sized pool with the flip of a switch!
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!
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:
Benches: Place built-in benches along the perimeter of a pool to provide comfortable seating with a natural backrest. You can even angle the backrest so you’re able to comfortably recline in the pool.
Bench/stair combinations: If you have stairs leading into your pool, extending them a bit can turn them into a functional seating area that’s also very aesthetically pleasing. By installing generously proportioned entry steps, adults and kids alike can enter the pool gradually rather than making a splash.
Bar stools: Simple stools near the edge of a pool can provide a place for you and your guests to socialize, eat or chat without getting out of the water.
Tanning ledge: This pool upgrade has been gaining more and more popularity in recent years. A tanning ledge allows you to rest, relax and tan without getting hot, since you’ll be partly immersed in water. Create a versatile seating area with soak chairs and an umbrella or a shallow play area for the kids.
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.
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.
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.
Pool construction varies from one homeowner to the next. It all depends on their preferences and how they intend to use the pool. Some find shallow waters work best, especially because there are restrictions on how deep a pool can be in California. Keep reading to learn about the different options a Los Angeles, CA pool contractor can offer you.
Safety regulations
The rules on how deep a pool can be in California are pretty cut and dry. The city ordinances of Los Angeles, CA specify the dimensions for both public and residential pools. Although you might see public swimming pools as deep as 12 feet, the regulations for homeowners are much stricter. Most contractors install pools with a maximum depth of eight feet, with an average closer to six.
It’s important to keep in mind there are different depth restrictions depending on the section of the pool. While eight feet is acceptable in the deep end, what’s considered the shallow end can’t exceed three and a half feet. Water flowing over the steps also shares this maximum depth. City officials enforce these restrictions so people with underdeveloped swimming skills can touch the bottom of the pool.
Pool activities
Think carefully about how deep you want the pool to be. Just because contractors in Los Angeles, CA are capable of digging an eight-foot hole doesn’t necessarily mean it should go that deep. The depth of your swimming pool depends on your preferred activities and the swimming skills of your family members. For instance, those simply looking to cool off and relax can make do with a pool that’s only about five feet deep. Shallow pools are also more ideal for playing water sports and for children who are learning to swim.
However, building codes state a pool must be at least eight feet deep in order to install a diving board. That’s why it’s so important to envision how your family will use the pool. Once your kids grow and become more confident in their swimming abilities, they might like a diving board in their backyard pool. Better to plan for the future than outgrow your original swimming pool.
Shallow vs. deep pools
As a homeowner, you have the freedom to customize the pool’s dimensions. When doing so, consider all your options and pick what best aligns with your family’s lifestyle. Shallower pools are most suitable for hosting large outdoor parties because you won’t know who’s a strong swimmer and who isn’t. That way, everyone can join in the fun.
The main downside to shallow pools is that they limit your activities. People who ask how deep a pool can be in California will likely need one that can accommodate a diving board and lots of room to swim around. However, deep pools can seem to exclude anyone who’s less active, which is the reason why shallower ones have become more popular among homeowners.
Determining the depth of your pool is a big decision, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. The contractors at Avanti Pools, Inc. are your go-to source of knowledge about pool depth, construction, special features and more. Send a quick message and one of our Los Angeles, CA pool experts can show you how we’ll bring your dream pool to life.
(818) 501-3759