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The popularity of residential pools has skyrocketed
during the last decade. But just as people are
building larger and more opulent houses, home owners
are also outfitting their pools with state of the art
technology that you probably won't find at the house
down the street.
Now that we are in the full swing of summer, this may
be the time to consider some lasting additions to your
pool.
Pools have now become additions to already present
landscaping and focal points of outdoor areas. Long
gone are the concrete eyesores of 20 years ago.
Today's pools delight the eye as much as the body.
Many are covered in such materials as fiberglass,
natural stone, vinyl, tiles, and spray composites that
resemble pebbles and stones.
Waterfalls can be installed in most any pool. And
while these can cost nearly as much as the original
pool, the aesthetics they add are worth it.
Be careful though of who you hire to install these
additions. To install these properly, your contractor
must be a trained professional. Waterfalls both
require substantial structural support because of
their considerable weight. Your pool may not be able
to support his extra weight. A water feature can put
your pool under nearly a thousand extra pounds of
weight.
Lighting makes walkways safer and can be used under
the water to create moods. Fountains can be integrated
into most any pool design and can also be fitted with
lights to make "colored" water. Many lights are energy
efficient, use fiber optics, or are charged by the
sun's rays.
The sky is the limit with the technology available.
Pools are easier than ever to clean. What used to take
tons of manual labor and time, now can be as simple as
a touch of a button. New automated technology allows
for you to sit back while the system dispenses
chemicals, cleans, and controls temperatures. For the
winter months, pool heaters are now more affordable
than ever. An average size pool could find a heater
for less than $1,000.
If you have children that will be around your pool,
make sure that they are taught how to swim. Most
communities offer swimming lessons at either the
public pool or the local YMCA. If they are too young
to learn, though some would argue there is no age too
young, many pool supply companies now offer automatic
covers and pool fences, which can both serve as
effective safety measures.
If you are a water lover. Now is the time to
personalize your pool. Make it an extension of your
house, and a "room" that you could enjoy year round.
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