Pools are all about the sunshine. Think about the hours spent tanning on a lounge chair next to the pool or splashing around in the warm water. Pools are a hallmark of the sunny summer months. But too much sun can be a bad thing. Prolonged exposure can leave the water feeling more like a Jacuzzi than a pool, and the harsh rays of the sun could cause a sunburn, which increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Because of this, many pool owners are working with custom pool builders in Los Angeles, CA to identify shade solutions for both in and around the water.
Luckily, today’s shade structures can provide some much-needed relief without sacrificing the ambience and style of the pool. Some permanent structures can even help increase your property value. Consider these six shade options:
- Smart placement: Strategically placing the pool in the shade is both smart and cost efficient. Pay attention to where the sun lands throughout the day in the planned pool spot. This will help you determine which areas get the most sun and the spots that might get too much shade. Remember that the angle of the sun will change throughout the year.
- Umbrella: There’s a reason the classic umbrella has been a poolside staple for decades. Umbrellas are a great option for those who want an easily movable and flexible solution, as they can be moved throughout the day as needed. Unfortunately, many people shy away from this classic as they tend to be unattractive when closed.
- Shade trees: Trees can add shade, privacy and ambience to a backyard pool. The only downside is that it can take years for a shade tree to grow to full size, and it will likely drop leaves into the pool. Consult your custom pool builder in Los Angeles, CA and a landscaping expert to make sure the roots will not spread and threaten the structural integrity of the pool.
- Pergolas: Create shade and ambience with a pergola. The structure controls the amount of light over the part of the pool it covers. Adding a pergola can also enhance the overall appearance of a backyard, and may even boost your property value.
- Shade sails: Shade sails have surged in popularity recently due to their modern appearance and effectiveness. The shades cane be placed in a variety of different angles to create a unique upscale aesthetic reminiscent of a swanky resort pool. Use one or two shades to cover a small area, or opt for several shades over the entire length of the pool.
- Retractable canopies: A retractable canopy is the most effective and comprehensive shade option available. The canopy runs across the pool along beams placed between a series of supports. The canopy can retract or expand with the simple press of a button. This option can be a bit pricy, but it will have a high return when it’s time to sell the home.
A custom pool builder in Los Angeles, CA can help determine the best shade option when creating your new pool. Call Avanti Pools, Inc. today to learn more!
These days, you have a seemingly endless supply of options when it comes to building pools and spas. You can make custom choices about the construction of your pool, down to the very last detail. This gives you a lot of latitude to select options that meet your specific preferences and needs. Many people are choosing to forgo the old-fashioned incandescent flood lamp lighting in favor of modern LED lighting. LED lights offer superior lighting and are far more efficient than traditional pool lighting. You can enjoy several great benefits when you make the switch from traditional pool lighting to LED lights with help from a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA:
- Savings: Everyone likes saving money, and switching to LED lighting allows you to do just that. It costs about a dollar a day to run traditional incandescent pool bulbs, compared with just about 10 cents a day to run an LED bulb. Over the course of a year, switching to LED lights may save you hundreds of dollars. Although it’s true that LED lights are more expensive up front than incandescent bulbs, the average pool owner makes up the difference in energy savings in just a year and a half.
- Energy efficiency: Because LED bulbs operate with a significantly lower wattage than incandescent bulbs, they use less energy. If you are making a conscious effort to curb your energy consumption in the interest of eco-friendliness, making the switch to LED lighting is a no-brainer. Another benefit of increasing the energy efficiency of your pool is that it may be more appealing to potential buyers, should you choose to sell your home. Many homebuyers look for green features and appliances when they consider purchasing a given home.
- Appearance: LED lights give pool owners the opportunity to completely change the appearance of their pool with the touch of a button. You can purchase LED lights that rotate through a rainbow of colors or select one color at a time depending on the mood you want to convey. LEDs also have less glare than incandescent lights, which produces much softer and more consistent lighting.
- Longevity: When compared with traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs have exceptional longevity. LED bulbs can last upwards of 30,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs only last about 5,000 hours. This means that you won’t have to replace LED lights as frequently, which saves you lots of money on bulb replacement over time.
At Avanti Pools, Inc., we understand how important it is to utilize new technology that offers superior function, efficiency and aesthetics, and we love helping our customers realize all of the benefits of LED lighting. We have nearly two decades of experience as a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA, and we are equipped to handle even the most challenging projects. Whether you want to have a brand-new pool built for your home or you want to make improvements to your existing pool, we would be happy to help. Give us a call to schedule a consultation.
Renewable energy is something that’s becoming easier and easier for homeowners to integrate into their daily lives. Whether it’s using a solar charger for their smartphone or driving an electric vehicle, the technology powering consumer renewable energy products is only getting better.
If you’re a pool owner or are speaking with a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA about installing a pool on your property, there’s yet another renewable energy opportunity you can take advantage of: solar heating for pools. With the power of the sun and some new-age technology, you can heat your pool without skyrocketing your energy bills. But that’s not the only reason to choose solar heating for your pool—take a look at five great advantages you’ll discover once you hop on the solar energy bandwagon:
- Lower cost: Instead of using electrical energy to heat your pool, you’ll be relying on the warming power of the sun—which can actually provide the same level of heat at a fraction of the cost! In many systems, the only cost you’ll pay is for the initial setup of the equipment; energy generation is generally close to free.
- Better investment: Alongside cost, it’s also important to think about lifetime value. Properly maintained, a pool will last you close to a lifetime with resurfacing and treatment. Think about all of the energy consumed over time to heat your pool and the cost that might come with it at the hand of an electric heater. Solar allows you to satisfy your demand for heat, without drawing out all of the cost, making it a better long-term investment for your pool and your pocketbook.
- Heat on demand: Modern solar technology is great because it can bank energy. This means you can heat your pool on a cloudy day, even if there’s not a great amount of sunshine. UV rays are also present on a cloudy day! And, if your system banks energy, even when UV light is mitigated, it’ll be able to draw from its stored supply of energy without incurring huge costs.
- Environmentally friendly: If you’re interested in green energy, there’s a good chance it’s because you care about the environment. For environmental friendliness, there’s nothing better than solar power! Because you’re not using energy from the grid, you’ll be directly responsible for lower energy demand, which means doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Quiet operation: Electric pool heaters can be loud! Imagine trying to lounge in your pool while there’s a steady hum or buzz of an electric heater in the background. It can be enough to ruin the mood. Solar panel heaters are the opposite—they’re silent! It may be a simple benefit to choosing green energy, but it’s one you’re sure to appreciate in the long run.
Talk to your pool builder in Los Angeles, CA about installing a solar heater and start reaping the advantages listed above. You’ll get the heated pool you demand, along with better cost effectiveness, quiet operation and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re making an environmentally-friendly choice.
Swimming pools are a fantastic feature to have at your home, but they can also be a lot of work. Between shock and chemical treatments and clearing out fallen leaves and debris, you may feel like you are spending more time maintaining your pool than actually enjoying it. The good news is that there are products and features available that are designed to make it easy to keep your pool clean.
A pool builder in Los Angeles, CA can install a pool with cleaning units built right in. These in-floor cleaners are designed to consolidate debris that collect on the bottom of the pool and clear them out. If you’re considering a swimming pool renovation, or you want to install a new pool altogether, you might want to consider adding in-floor pool cleaners.
How automatic pool cleaners work
Self-cleaning pools have a system of in-floor cleaning heads that pop up and use jets of water to divert debris to one specific side of the pool. Once the debris has been consolidated, it is sucked up by drains to clear it from the water. This debris is usually diverted to a drain trap that is located in the pool deck. You will need to clear out the trap on a regular basis to ensure that the self-cleaning system continues to work effectively and to prevent major obstructions that can decrease the effectiveness of the system.
Self-cleaning pool considerations
The convenience that a self-cleaning pool can offer makes it well worth the investment for many homeowners. Even people who love their swimming pools often feel frustrated at the prospect of painstakingly fishing debris from the bottom of their pools. By having a self-cleaning pool system installed by your pool builder in Los Angeles, CA, you can significantly cut the amount of time that you spend on pool cleaning and maintenance.
Another significant benefit of a self-cleaning pool system is that it can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your pool. Pool cleaning equipment traditionally includes various hoses, pumps and nets, which can make the area around your pool look messy and cluttered. Another benefit of a self-cleaning pool is the fact that it can promote the circulation of warm water and chemicals throughout your pool.
The biggest drawback of self-cleaning pools is the fact that they can add a sizable amount to the total cost of swimming pool installation. However, many pool owners find that the convenience and aesthetic appeal that self-cleaning pools can offer are well worth the initial investment.
Contact a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA
Watch the pool of your dreams become a reality just in time for warmer weather. At Avanti Pools, Inc., we have years of experience building pools that are designed to suit your preferences and needs as well as the specifics of your space. We will guide you through every step of the process, from the preliminary design to the final product. You can take a look at some pictures of our previous work and read customer testimonials on our website. Then, give us a call to arrange a consultation with a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA!
(818) 501-3759