Building a pool on your property is an exciting prospect, and it is an investment that is certain to bring years of enjoyment for you, your family and your friends. Even though kids and adults of all ages can enjoy swimming pools, whether they’re swimming laps or sunbathing in a lounge chair, the kind of pool you construct should be based on the needs and preferences of your family. The problem is that deciding what kind of pool you want can be a challenge, especially when you are confronted with an overwhelming number of features and options to choose from.
To simplify the process, start out by asking yourself some key questions to help guide you when you meet with a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA to begin the process of designing a swimming pool:
Who will be using the pool? You should think about the ages of the pool’s main users and how they will likely be using the pool. If you have one or two young children, you probably don’t need a huge pool. In addition, you should factor the ages of the children into the depth of the pool. A gradual decline in depth can be a great compromise that offers a shallow area for the kids and a deeper end for teenagers and adults.
What features do I want around the pool? Installing a swimming pool can add so much more to your home than just a place to cool off. Think about the features that you want in the area around your pool, like a new deck or a grilling area. This will have an impact on the amount of space you will need for construction, as well as your total costs.
How much space is available for pool construction? The constraints of your space will have a big impact on the design of your pool. If you have an expansive backyard, you have more freedom to install a large swimming pool. If, however, your yard is on the smaller side, you will need to be more creative with your design to ensure that you are making the most out of your space. Your swimming pool should be proportional to the space that you have.
How many people should the pool accommodate? If you want a pool that’s exclusively for your immediate family’s use, you probably don’t need a gigantic pool. For entertaining guests, though, you will definitely want some additional room in the swimming pool.
It can be difficult to determine exactly what kind of pool you want—and that’s why you should get assistance from the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. We have been helping create the perfect pools for our clients for years as a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA, and we continue to deliver quality in all of the services that we provide. Take a look at our website to see some of the work that we’ve done, and then give us a call to get started with a consultation.
Whether you’re splashing in the surf or taking a dip in a resort swimming pool, there’s something about swimming that makes for a great time on your own or with family and friends. Swimming is such an enjoyable activity that you might be considering investing in swimming pool construction in Los Angeles, CA for your own home. If this is the case, you have a lot of planning ahead of you! You will need to determine your budget, where you want your pool to be located, what kind of design you want and which contractor you will hire.
On top of all of this, you will need to decide whether you want a chlorine pool or a saltwater pool. Even though this might not seem like a very consequential decision, there are actually some key differences between the two options, and it’s important that you weigh each one carefully so that you can get the most out of your new swimming pool:
Cost: The initial cost of installing a saltwater pool is greater than that of installing a chlorine pool. When you have a saltwater pool installed, you will need to purchase a saltwater generator, which can cost well over $1,000, or you will need to purchase bags of salt to maintain the composition of your pool water.
Sensitivity: Many people experience skin irritation from swimming in a chlorine pool. This is caused by the heightened level of harsh chemicals that can damage sensitive skin. Saltwater pools are less likely to aggravate skin sensitivity and cause irritation, so it may be a better choice if you or your family members have sensitive skin.
Maintenance: Over time, saltwater pools become less expensive to operate than chlorine pools. This is because chlorine pools must be maintained with costly chemicals and shock treatments, while saltwater pools only need to be regularly replenished with salt. Saltwater pools also require less frequent maintenance than chlorine pools.
Damage: In some cases, saltwater can cause damage to your pool’s features, including nearby plants and soil. Chlorine doesn’t usually cause damage to pool features; however, it can fade swimsuits over time.
Repairs: When issues come up with a saltwater pool, you will almost always need to enlist the help of a professional. Chlorine pools are usually easier to repair, and there are a lot of different things that you can do to maintain and service your pool without hiring a professional.
Are you stuck trying to figure out what kind of pool is right for you? Let the professionals at Avanti Pools, Inc. help you plan the swimming pool of your dreams. We are experts in swimming pool construction in Los Angeles, CA with nearly 20 years of experience designing custom pools and spas. Regardless of your vision for your pool, our team is here to help you make it a reality. We can walk you through every step of the process, from initial planning to construction. Contact us today to begin creating an incredible swimming pool for you and your family to enjoy.
As you prepare to have a pool installed at your home, you should be aware of everything involved with the process. All in-ground pool constructions have several phases of construction, and each must be completed before construction can proceed to the next phase. Each one of these phases can take anywhere from a single day to a week to finish.
Here’s a general overview of the process you can expect during pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Design
As the first step of your pool construction project, a pool designer will come to your property and perform some measurements, while also considering your property line, easements, underground utilities, setbacks and the topography of the area, in addition to your budget and any requested design features you have submitted.
After you and the designer have reached an agreement on the shape, style and size of the pool, you can then talk about add-ons such as rock formations, water features, spas, planter beds and more. Some people like to request infinity edges, built-in benches in the shallow section and tanning platforms. You will also select other pool equipment, such as diving boards and slides.
When all of this is complete, your designer will begin drawing up the final plans. You will meet for a final confirmation before these plans are submitted to the city for the proper permits. If you live in an area with a homeowners association, the HOA may need to issue approval as well.
Excavation
The concept of the excavation phase is simple—diggers come in to excavate your pool area. They will first stake and paint an outline of the pool’s shape. You might need to remove vegetation and fences to clear the area for the pool. You will also have to decide what you are going to do with the excess dirt: keep it, or have it hauled away.
Plumbing and framing
Actual construction begins once excavation is complete. Steel rebar is used to reinforce the hole. It gets bent into the shape of your pool, and the initial plumbing infrastructure is installed among and around it.
Concrete
Construction teams use gunite (a type of concrete shot out of a forced air gun), which gets pumped out of a hopper truck and onto the rebar surface. A finishing team then comes into sculpt that concrete into your pool’s finished shape. At this stage, the project really begins to look like a pool.
Tile
The perimeter tile is usually placed while the concrete of the actual pool is curing. The pool tile around the perimeter of the pool itself provides an easy-to-clean surface. The deck can also be built during this phase.
Electrical work
At this point, the electrician comes in to install the breaker box for the pool. It is installed where the pool equipment, including the pump, filter and heater, will be placed. The electrician will also connect the pool lights to junction boxes placed outside the pool deck. Upon completion of this step, he or she runs a conduit from the junction boxes to the breaker box.
Plastering
The final phase of pool construction is plastering, which gives your pool the waterproof layer it needs to protect the steel and shell while also giving it a smoother surface that is easily cleaned. Once this process is finished, you can begin filling the pool up with water!
This is a very general overview of the process of pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, but if you have any questions about any of these elements, we encourage you to contact us today.
Have you made the decision to install a pool at your home? Congratulations! A swimming pool on your property is one of the best ways to take advantage of the sunshine and pleasant weather we get in Southern California.
So if you’ve already made the decision, why wait any longer? Winter is one of the best times of year to get your pool installed in Los Angeles. It never gets cold enough for the water to freeze over or even for your pool to need protection from winter weather. If you know you’re going to install a pool and have the money to do so, now’s the time to do it.
Here are a few of the main reasons why winter is the best time for pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Beat the rush!
Perhaps the biggest benefit of putting in your pool during the winter months is that the rush for pool installation begins in the spring, meaning right now you will be able to choose from any of the top pool experts in the area. You might also even be able to benefit from some savings, as some providers offer discounts in the winter months.
Most people spend the vast majority of their time by the pool in the late spring and throughout the summer. Therefore, a lot of people won’t consider installing a pool until they’re ready to use it almost immediately. By beginning construction during the winter, you can benefit from more flexibility with your company choice. If you wait too long, you’ll find that you will be at the mercy of the pool companies’ schedules, which begin to really pick up in April and beyond.
Get more individual attention from your builder
Another benefit of installing your pool during the off season is that your chosen builder will not have to be in as much of a hurry to get the job done so they can move on to other clients. With more time at their disposal, builders can pay more attention to your specific job. This is especially helpful if you have a special custom design you would like the builder to complete for you, or if you have special requests for materials or building processes.
Be ready for the warm weather
By getting your pool installed during the winter weather, you’ll be able to dive in whenever you want, even before spring fully hits. If you decide to wait on your installation until spring or summer, you will likely miss out on some prime swimming weather. You’ll have to wait on your installation while your friends and neighbors are splashing around in pools of their own.
Need more reasons why winter is the best time of year for pool construction in Los Angeles, CA? Our team at Avanti Pools, Inc. is happy to answer any questions you have about the installation process or how you can save money on your upcoming project. Contact us today to get started with a consultation with one of our experts!
Making the decision to install an in-ground pool on your property is a big one. It’ll take no small sum of money, combined with construction phases and some serious planning to ensure you end up with exactly what you envision. And while many homeowners are stuck worrying about the cost or the construction-related disruption, it’s also important to consider the type of pool you want before everything gets set in motion.
Most don’t realize it, but there is no “regular” type of pool. The variables are broad and diverse when it comes to what you might need or want from your pool. And when you start speaking one-on-one with a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA, they’re going to ask you questions you might never have even considered about your family’s dream pool—starting with what type of pool you want.
Understanding Your Options
The “type” of pool you want refers to how the pool itself is constructed. You might know that you want a 12’ x 20’ rectangular pool or that you want an attached hot tub, but do you know what type of liner material you want or what construction material is right?
Choosing the ideal “type” of pool for you and your family means knowing the options and understanding each. Let’s take a look at the common three types of pools and which you might end up leaning towards:
Vinyl liner pools
These pools are the value pick. They cost the least amount of money to install and maintain, lasting a moderate amount of time to give you a simple, smart investment. Best of all, vinyl won’t limit your pool design. If you want curves or accents, vinyl can be conformed to them, for a seamless pool design that’s beautiful and effective.
The downfall? Vinyl liners need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years or they’ll deteriorate away. Vinyl can also look “cheaper” in comparison to other pool options.
Concrete pools
Also called “gunite” pools, concrete pools are strong, sturdy and value-additive to your property. They’re a great middle-of-the-road option because they cost more than vinyl, yet will stand the test of time. They’re also very diverse and easily customized.
The drawback of concrete, as any pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA will tell you, is the resurfacing process that’s needed every 8 to 10 years and the rough surface of the pool itself. They also take a long time to build!
Fiberglass pools
Fiberglass is a top-tier choice with a price to match. These pools require the least amount of maintenance and last for years without major service requirements. They can also be installed in a flash compared to other options. They look crisp and luxurious, and are absolutely a value-add for your property.
The chief downfall of fiberglass pools is that they’re premanufactured, meaning the entire pool needs to be transported to your property for installation! This can get tricky if there’s not a lot of space to maneuver in your yard. Cost is also a setback—expect to pay top dollar. Finally, you’re limited by design to what a manufacturer already creates.
Bring Home the Right Option
When you’re planning a swimming pool investment, look beyond the shape or size you want and think instead about the value you’re going to get for your investment. Consider the above three options for your family’s pool, so when the time comes to meet with a contractor, you’ll already have an idea of where you stand.