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.
Pools are an ideal feature for any home in Southern California. Of course, building a new pool comes with a variety of expenses. Beyond the initial cost of construction, there are costs to heat and maintain the pool as well. Building these expenses into your budget is a smart idea.
If you’ve arrived here, you may be wondering: How much does it cost to heat a pool in Los Angeles, CA? Read on to find out what the expense is and how to best manage it.
Average costs
The cost of heating a pool from May 1 to September 30 ranges between $1,500 and $3,000. The variability in the cost is based on where you set the water temperature. Typically, most pool owners keep the water temperature between 78 and 82 degrees.
You have a few options when it comes to pool heaters. Let’s take a look at each.
Gas heaters
These typically use natural gas or propane. The pump circulates the pool’s water, which goes through a heat exchanger, transferring the heat through the heater’s flame into the pool’s water. These are best used for short periods of time and can quickly heat pools.
An advantage of gas heaters is that they cost less money up front. If your plan is to use the pool infrequently, this could be a good choice. It’s also a smart choice if you want to use your pool even when the air temperature is cool.
Electric heat pumps
These efficiently heat water, using less energy overall than their gas counterparts. Even when it’s cool outside, an electric heat pump is able to find and pull heat from the air and transfer it to the water. If your plan is to use the pool often, this could be a good choice, as the cost savings for operation are considerable.
Geothermal and solar heating
Solar heating works through collecting pool water in a filter and delivering it to solar collectors, then returning the water to a pool. Geothermal heating uses heat from the ground through an insulated plumbing line that runs to a heat exchanger and then into the pool. Whether these options are available—and affordable—depends on your home’s location.
If you’re wondering how much it costs to heat a pool in Los Angeles, CA, you may already have a pool of your own, or you might be considering investing in one to enjoy for years to come. No matter if you want a pool or spa for relaxing by yourself or for having fun with friends and family, you need pool contractors you can trust. Our team at Avanti Pools, Inc. is experienced, highly capable and dedicated to delivering on your vision.
If you would like to learn more about the design and construction services offered by Avanti Pools, Inc., we hope you will get in touch by calling us at 818-501-3759, or by visiting our Contact Us page. We look forward to hearing from you soon to discuss your pool project!
(818) 501-3759