• Custom Swimming Pool Little Rock

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

  • In ground pool little rock, AR

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

  • Freeform Pool Benton

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

  • Custom Pool and Spa

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

Our Blog | Advice on In Ground Swimming Pool Construction and Maintenance

Measuring Cost of Swimming Pool Ownership

Posted by Larry Rogers on Tue, Oct 8, 2013

We have constructed many pool projects that cost around 35K and some 70K.  Believe it or not, the 35K project may have a higher "cost of ownership" vs. a 70K project. Let me explain.  Many clients just want a pool in their backyard.  Open it up in May and close it down at the end of September.  Five months of fun and then winterize and cover it up until next year.  No more going out to the poolscape and taken in the scenery.  

Some clients who wish to have a spa combined with their pool project, continue to use their poolscape to enjoy the thermal water of the spa all year round, and more often than not, end up with a firepit to take the chill off in the cooler weather.  All new pools today have freeze protection built in, so if you choose not to winterize you are protected from pipe freeze up.  So let's break this down in terms of monies invested.  If you use your spa twice a week during the "off" season, continue to enjoy the backyard living space for the next seven months before it gets warm enough to go swimming, how much is that 70K project really costing you in terms of ownership. Less than the 35K in terms of "usage and enjoyment".  

Ex.  Over a five year period (60 months) and usage is for five months out of the year for five years, then 25 Months divided into 35K = 1400 / year cost of ownership.  Same peroid, 60 Months divided into 70K =1,166 / year cost of ownership.  You can see how this plays out in your backyard project.  You don't always have to bear the cost of owning a spa either, you can add water features, firepits, even a small cook center to enjoy the outdoor living space at a small cost to your overall project.  These add ons will allow the family to continue going outside to enjoy their investment once the cooler weather arrives.  It just needs to be planned / designed on the front end of your pool project so everything looks custom to the project and not "piece milled" or "backed in".  

Planning and designing pool projects for Arkansas weather conditions takes experience and better yet, having an understanding of how our clients really live their lives.  This is a balancing formula that allows Parrot Bay Pools to design your backyard oasis in a manner consistent with your lifestyle and budget.  This 3D video below is an example of a backyard project we designed which illustrates year round features, and lowers their cost of ownership as it allows year round enjoyment.   

 

    

Tags: pool builders Little Rock, Pool Builder, Pool Designs, Pool Cost, How much does an inground pool cost, swimming pool companies

In-Ground Swimming Pool Considerations

Posted by Larry Rogers on Wed, Nov 9, 2011

 

 

Question Your Intentions


Its a simple beginning, but why do you want a swimming pool? Pools come in all shapes and sizes. Ask yourself how you will use the pool: for swimming, lounging, exercising? Will you need space for grilling and entertaining? Will young children use the pool? How important is the visual appearance of the pool versus its functionality? How much time do you want to devote to maintenance?

Whether you decide to contact a contractor yourself or work with a landscape professional to develop a custom pool to fit your landscape, if you're armed with answers to these questions as well as examples from books and magazines of pools that appeal to you, you’ll be better prepared to articulate your desires. And that means you’ll be more likely to invest in the pool that's right for you.

"People tend to focus on size, shape, and depth, but these factors only become relevant after you've determined the role the pool will play in a family's lifestyle."

Picking a Location

Pools can slip into backyards, front yards, and even side yards of all shapes and sizes, so the perfect location can vary greatly by site. A good place to start when evaluating a site is the interior spaces of your house. You'll spend 50 hours looking at a pool from inside for every hour you spend in it, so the view inside-out is important.

 Other factors include zoning codes, existing utility lines, and ease of access. Zoning codes can impact the safety features surrounding your pool, moving existing utility lines can add to the expense of a project, and convenient pathways to and from your home can impact how much you use a pool and spa. The pool's visibility from the house may also be an issue with children. 
Don't forget to evaluate sun and shade patterns. A pool shrouded in shade all afternoon may languish unused or, depending on your climate, it may be the perfect place to cool off.

Pool Plan

 

Interior Looks

Most in-ground swimming pools are made from concrete, vinyl, or fiberglass. Concrete (gunite) is most popular because it offers many design possibilities. It is generally sprayed over steel-reinforced rods on-site to form a seamless surface. A finish is then applied on top of the concrete. 
Plaster is the most commonly used finished it has an average life of ten to twelve years. Exposed aggregate, which is made from crushed pebbles or a mixture of concrete and crushed quartz, is more expensive but gaining in popularity. Its prized for its durability, array of color options, and textured, nonslip surface. At the top of the line is ceramic tile. It can finish an entire pool or just be used along the water line for decorative detailing. 
Color combinations are varied, and maintenance is minimal. Preformed fiberglass shells and vinyl liners offer less design flexibility, but their smooth surfaces are nice. Vinyl liners are supported by manufactured wall systems made from steel, aluminum, polymer, concrete, or wood.

Exterior Surrounds

Highly visible and highly trafficked, the surface (deck) that surrounds a pool also deserves serious consideration. Plain concrete offers a smooth, non-slippery surround and is an inexpensive, reliable option, but it can lack pizzazz. A stamped concrete finish can add charm inexpensively, but watch out for dark colors, as they can quickly become toasty underfoot. Bricks or concrete pavers make a classic, colorful choice and are easy on bare feet and on the eye. 
For earthy tones and a natural look, fieldstone, slate, flagstone, and marble are beautiful, non-slippery surfaces but carry a hefty price tag. Wood and new synthetic woods can also play a role poolside.

Features of Fun

A decade ago, the bigger the volume of water in an in-ground pool, the better. But today's pools tend to downsize gallons of water, investing the saved money in accessories that add aesthetic and functional appeal. 
Popular accessories include waterfalls and fountains that add soothing sounds of moving water; beach entries that offer space for young children to play and easy access for disabled or elderly visitors; swim-in-place jets that allow fat-burning exercise in pools too small to swim laps in; and LED lighting to illuminate steps, plants, and water features for a spectacular night time show. There are also underwater barstools for happy hour, umbrella supports inside the pool for instant shade, and shallow underwater sunbathing ledges to host those who want to get only a little sun.  There are so many exciting things happening in pool design, that there's no reason to opt for a plain (blue) hole in the ground when you could add tremendous features without necessarily busting the budget.

 

Tags: Little Rock pool contractors, pool builders Little Rock, In Ground pools AR. Pool Designs, Pool Designs, Pool Planning

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