Does the sniff of summer in the air have you hankering for a place to cool off?
Our resident expert from Frontier Pools shares his wisdom when it comes to pre and post the build.
Walk the walk: After decades in the industry, we’ve almost seen it all. We know about building alongside boundaries or up against the house. We know the rules about cabanas and decks. We know what’s going to trigger a costly uphill legal battle in the environmental court. Basically, we know where to draw the line. Ideally, pools should be designed at the same time as the house or, at least, if retrofitted, weaving in ideas from architects, builders, landscapers and pool specialists. That’s why Box™ teaming with Frontier Pools is a win/win situation – you’re guaranteed a creative and practical perspective that really makes a splash.
Craft the colour: Most potential pool owners bring their memories of summer holidays to the first meeting and base their colour choice on that. They want that easy-breezy touch of tropical blue for their own. But the nature of light has an incredible influence on colour – every one a chameleon. The appearance of colour will depend on the depth of the water, looks different in the sun and the shadow, and will absorb tones from the environment (even a nearby bright-painted wall). Our advice is to choose a few samples from our concrete colour palette and then to see a real-live version (something we’d be happy to facilitate. The colour will be the key to your dream pool and the right pool lighting will also make it look spectacular in the evenings.
Fence the issue: No one wants a fence, but since it’s the law, look for ways to make it as invisible as possible. Glass is a popular option in contemporary settings, but you can also build a landscaped moat around the pool and fill it with vegetation. A common approach involves decking that leads from the house, which drops off to the moat at less than 1m (so you can’t injure yourself too badly if you fall off) and a pool that is then elevated to at least 1.2m beyond that. You also need to prevent access from other rooms and beyond the boundaries which is where good planning as to where that fence will be (hint: out of sight of the main living zones) is key.
Make the transition: Think hard about how you will get in and out of the pool. A deep pool with no steps and just a ledge to alight on might be aesthetically pleasing but it’s not easy or comfortable to get into (so the very young and old might struggle). The risers on pool steps are generally 300mm, so you need fewer of them. Some owners include a rescue ledge in the deep end, especially if they have little ones.Something in the water: Many of us can remember school swimming and emerging from the pool with our hair smelling of chlorine, our eyes red and sore. Frontier Pools will suggest the most effective way and practical solution to pool sanitisation. This doesn’t have to be science experiment; it’s about having confidence and a basic understanding of your equipment. Copper systems or salt chlorinators are our most popular options. We’ll guide you through these differences to ensure you have the right product for your specific needs.
Seek support: When it’s the weekend and something goes wrong, who you gonna call? Not ghostbusters. Probably us. Although we run our clients through the dos and don’ts of pool care and school you up on the basics at handover, Saturday mornings seem to be the time keen mums and dads get out there and push big red buttons or turn a few valves. Running a pool can, potentially, be a complicated business. Some find it therapeutic; others deem it a chore. A company where you’ll get personalised info and advice at the end of a phone line ensures your homage to Fiji in the backyard remains a sanctuary.