swimming pools

Pool season will be winding down soon, so it's a great time to look back at this year's swimming pool trends.

2014 was a great year for pools, with lots of new, innovative ideas emerging. Highlights included making pools more natural spaces, and playing with fresh aesthetics in pool designs.

2014 Swimming Pool Trends

1. Natural Pools

photo by Enricoslasheric via Wikipedia

The goal of "natural" swimming pools is to use the terrain surrounding the pool to it's greatest advantage, so the pool appears to fit seamlessly into the landscape. These pools do not use chemicals or equipment to sterilize or disinfect the pool water. These processes are instead handled by biological filters--plants, namely.

These pools are built in two sections: a swimming zone and a regeneration zone. The swimming zone is where everyone plays. The regeneration zone is connected, but separated by a wall or some other barrier. This zone is filled with plants and flowrs that naturally filter the swimming pool water. It tends to resemble a pond or water garden, but is actually serving a more functional purpose.

Natural swimming pools can take some time to set up--the swimming zone is usable immediately, but the regeneration zone can take up to three years to be a fully functioning filtration system, as the plants need time to establish themselves. However, once established, natural swimming pools require far less maintenance than conventional pools. They are more eco-friendly and very attractive to look at.

2. Glass Tiles

photo by Gwyneth Trevena via mutni.com

Currently, ceramic tile is the most commonly used under the pool's coping to highlight the water's edge. However, glass is gaining in popularity. Much harder than ceramic, glass tiles are harder to crack and break, making them superior to ceramic tiles. They come in a variety of colors and can be a really beautiful way to refresh and modernize the look of your pool. Due to their strength, they can even be used in the bottom and sides of the pool.

3. Infinity Pools

photo by David Shankbone via Wikipedia

These pools have a vanishing edge that makes it appear as if the water extends beyond the pool's edge. It's an optical illusion that gives the impression of greater size, and when situated near a lake or ocean it can appear as if the pool and ocean are one. When used in penthouses, it can look as if the pool disappears into the sky. Breathtaking!

What actually happens is one edge of the pool is lower than the others. The water spills over and into a catch basin that then pumps it back into the pool.

These pools can be rather expensive, as they have special structural support requirements, require mechanical hydraulics, and require some architectural design. Depending on where it is situated, a survey may need to be done to determine that the ground will support the pool.

While these pools are stunning beside natural water features or in high-rises, they can be very beautiful in well-designed backyards.

4. Attached Hot Tubs

photo by מתניה via Wikipedia

While pools and hot tubs have often gone together like peanut butter and jelly, there was a move away from attaching them. Hot tubs were relocated to their own areas or done away with altogether.

No longer! 2014 saw a reunion of the hot tub and the swimming pool, with many designs rejoining the two in really beautiful ways. No longer simply added to one side of the pool, hot tubs are now getting elevated above the pool, or getting designed into the pool's design so as to appear nearly invisible. The design possibilities continue to be explored, so expect to see more of this pairing in the future.

Did you know we have a sister site where we sell pretty amazing hot tubs? We do! Check out our gorgeous hot tub selection here!

5. Exercise Pools

photo via designhome.pics

As the country becomes more and more attentive to the health of the environment, we also are becoming more and more attentive to our own health. For example, the number of entrants into marathons and other fitness events is increasingly dramatically every year. This is great news!

In the swimming pool world, this interest in fitness and health has translated into an increase in pools designed with an eye for beauty and exercise. Also known as lap pools, these pools can be easier and cheaper to build than more conventional pools, as they are often smaller.

There are two sorts of pools in this category: long, narrow pools with straight sides designed for swimming laps; and pools with built-in resistance jets that allow you to swim in place without actually traveling from one end of the pool to the other. Both types can be installed in-ground or above-ground, and both types can be very versatile with lower overall costs (installation and maintenance). They can also be very beautifully designed, with infinity edges, water features, glass tiles, and attached hot tubs. Beauty and function!

Did you know they make swim/fitness hot tubs, too? They do! Check out the selection of exercise hot tubs at our sister site www.spasandstuff.com.

6. Hardscapes

photo via www.hickoryhollowlandscapers.com/

"Landscaping" tends to refer to the yard and plant life around the pool's edges. "Hardscaping" refers to pool decking, patios, coping, and other non-plant features that surround the pool. More attention is being paid to beautifying the "hard" spaces around the pool--gorgeous natural stone tiles are being used; deck and gazebo areas are being constructed. There are a lot of options in this area for adding value, function, and beauty to your swimming pool area. How about a sunken/raised fire pit and patio area paved with travertine tile? Or a pool-side gazebo/bar area on a deck overlooking the pool? The options are endless, and emerging designs are exploring them.

7.  Saltwater Pools

Riviera saltwater pool available from www.poolsandstuff.com

The popularity of these swimming pools has exploded this year. Conventional pools are treated with chlorine or bromine; these pools use saltwater instead. The process actually uses electrolysis that converts salt into chlorine in order to sanitize the water. Maintenance on the pool is greatly reduced with these pools.

They also have health advantages. There are no harmful chemicals in the pool water--you'll feel the effects in your hair, skin and eyes. The water also takes on a silky feel, which is very pleasant and refreshing.

We have everything you need to convert your pool to saltwater! Check out our saltwater conversion system here!

We also carry a line of pools specially designed for saltwater systems. Take a look!

8. Geometric Pool Shapes

photo by Gregory Butler via Pixabay

For years, freeform shapes have ruled backyard swimming pools, but geometric shapes have been gaining in popularity quickly. These shapes range from perfect circles to squares and rectangles. These shapes tend to make better, more economical use of available space while still allowing for beautiful designs.

9. Custom Water Features

pool fountain available at www.poolsandstuff.com

These are features that add interest and beauty to the swimming pool area. Popular features in 2014 include waterfalls that fall over pool edges or attach to the pool walls; fountains within the pool or beside it; bubblers and jets that create movement in the water; and LED lighting that not only increase safety when swimming at night, they also create moods for pool-side parties.

We offer many of these features in our store. Check out our pool fountains and lights here!

It's been a great year for swimming pools, and all signs point to a great year in 2015, too. Thanks for joining us for this pool season!

What was your favorite trend for 2014? What do you predict will be big in 2015? Tell us in the comments below!

Summer is officially here! School is out, temperatures are starting to soar, and pools are open everywhere. Depending on where you live, water conservation might be a major issue. Regardless of your location, however, knowing how to conserve your swimming pool water is a great way to save money and help out old Mother Nature.

Here are some swimming pool water conservation tips to get you started on a great summer:

Avoid Backwashing Your Pool Filter

A clean filter reduces containments in your pools and helps maintain pristine water. However, when it gets dirty, you mush backwash the filter to clean it. This is a HUGE waste of water! Maintain your filter properly in order to avoid having to backwash it.

Refill Your Pool Properly

The best times of the year to refill your pool is in the spring and fall when it won't strain your local water system.

Top Off Intelligently

Use a hose timer to avoid overfilling the pool when topping off. Auto-fill devices can malfunction and can lead to wasted water.

Lower Pool Levels

When topping off, ask yourself how full the pool really needs to be. Keeping a lower water level helps reduce loss from splashing and diving.

Turn Down the Pool Heater

During the summer, turn down the pool heater. This will reduce water loss due to evaporation, especially when the pool isn't even in use.

Use a Pool Cover

Pools without cover can lose as much as half their water to evaporation in a year. Cover reduce evaporation by 90-95%. We have a great selection of pool covers for all pool sizes here.

Landscape Wisely!

Use shrubs and fences around the pool area to reduce water loss through wind evaporation.

Check For and Repair Leaks

When checking for leaks, look for damp spots downhill from the pool; check for water-soaked dirt or lawn areas near the pool or pumps; check pool pipes, valves, and joiners; look for loose tiles or cracks that might indicate leaks; and check for any cracks or gaps in the bond beam. If you find any at all, get it repaired immediately.

Drain Sparingly

It depends on where you are located, how well you maintain the pool, and how often it is used, but a pool can often go up to three years between drainings. In some cases, you may only need to partially drain it. If you aren't sure, contact a pool professional in your area to ask how often and how much you should be draining.

Did we miss any conservation tips? How do you conserve water in the summer?

• http://www.austintexas.gov/department/conservation-tips-swimming-pools
• http://poolandpatio.about.com/od/maintainingyourpool/tp/DroughtPoolTips.htm
• http://www.swimmingpool.com/blog/swimming-pool-tips-water-conservation-month

Maybe you're trying to decide whether or not to build a pool in the backyard. Or, maybe you're trying to decide between renting a house with a pool or renting an apartment with a shared pool. Whatever the reason, you might want to know why a private pool is better than a public pool.

1. Public Pools are Gross

This is the first reason why private pools are better because it is the biggest reason and contributes heavily to some of the following reasons. To put it bluntly, public pools are disgusting: according the the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the average swimmer deposits 0.14 grams of fecal matter in pool water, usually within minutes of first entering. Multiply that by how many people are going through your local community pool and, well, that's a lot of poop.

It doesn't just stop there. One in five Americans admit to peeing while in a swimming pool. How many people were at the public pool last time you were there? Yeah. That's a lot of pee.

Another gross number: about 35% of swimmers don't shower before getting in the pool. This means that they dive right in and within minutes contaminate the water with fecal matter, dead skin, loose hair, lotion, sweat ... you get the picture. The gross, disgusting picture.

In a private pool, you know exactly who and what is in the water. You can insist on clean bodies only in the pool, and by limiting the number of people diving in you control the grossness they contribute to the water.

2. Public Pools Will Get You Sick

All that poop and dead skin in the water inevitably leads to bacteria. Yes, chlorine is there to kill off germs and sanitize the water, but there's only so much it can do. Every time you mix organic contaminants into the water, they consume chlorine, leaving less chlorine to battle off the stuff deposited by the next swimmer. Get enough swimmers, like in a public setting, and there's not enough chlorine to get it all before you accidentally swallow it.

Next thing you know, you've got a recreational water illness (RWI). The CDC states that there has been an increase in RWIs in the past two decades. The most common is diarrhea, followed by gastrointestinal complaints, skin problems, ear infections, respiratory problems, eye infections,
and neurological problems.

With your own private pool, you control the cleanliness and therefore considerably decrease your chances of becoming ill from bacteria.

3. You Can't Control the Chlorine

Chlorine is good in that it disinfects, but it's bad because ... well, chlorine is just really bad for you. It was first used as a weapon during World War I, and it continues to contribute to a host of health issues, such as eczema, respiratory illnesses, and even certain cancers. Once you mix organic matter with chlorine, you get some potentially toxic chlorine by-products that have been linked to lung and skin irritation, liver and bladder cancer, allergies, and asthma.

In a private pool, you can carefully monitor and control the chlorine levels for maximum safety and hygiene. Or, you can opt for a chlorine-free system rarely seen in public pools, such as ultra filtration, ozone, or salt water.

4. Indoor Pools May Cause Lung Problems

photo by Dave Dugdale via Flickr

Studies have been done that indicate that frequent swimming in indoor pools contributes to upper and lower respiratory problems such as lung congestion, sneezing, asthma, lung irritation, and other breathing difficulties. The problem is chloramine, the toxic by-product of chlorine and organic matter. The more chlorine and the more organic matter involved, the more chloramine you have. You can see the problem this can create in a public setting. Chloramines settle just above the water's surface where swimmers primarily breathe. Continued exposure affects bronchial health. There is evidence to suggest that symptoms can be worse for younger swimmers, to the point that many experts discourage parents from taking infants and toddlers to indoor swimming pools.

Among private pool owners, only the most posh tend to have their own indoor pools, so this issue tends to be isolated to indoor community pools and school pools.

5. There are Other People at Public Pools

By calling them "public" pools we're pretty much accepting that other people will be using them. All sorts of people. We would never advocate an anti-social attitude toward your fellow human, but let's face it: other people can be trying at times. Using a public pool means sharing your swim time with people who may not be as clean and well behaved as you might like. With your own private pool, you have more privacy and more control over the company you swim with.

6. Public Pools are Inconvenient

First off, they have operating hours. Feel like a night time swim? Good luck finding an open public pool. Having a pool party at Christmas? Not a chance if you plan on using a public pool. A private pool lets you swim at any time, on any day. Do a few laps before dinner. Use the pool area for 12 hours straight or for just 15 minutes. And if you have a heated pool, you can swim most or all of the year during times when public pools shut down.

Public pools often also have fees for their use. This might dissuade you from using them for just a quick swim, which means you lose out on the benefits of regular swimming.

You also have to actually leave the house to use a public pool. With your own pool, it's just out the door. This means you'll probably use it more, and that means you'll be healthier from all that aerobic exercise in poop-free water.

7. You Can Be the Host With the Most With a Private Pool

photo by 1950sUnlimited via Flickr

Some public pools have space available for parties, some don't. If they do, you still have to contend with other pool users, your guests may have to pay entrance fees to the pool, you'll have to make do with the facilities available, and you may have limitations on decorations, activities, and refreshments that are permitted.

Instead, picture yourself hosting a party beside your private pool. Only your guests are present. You can decorate any way you like, serve what you like. You can plan activities in and around the pool without worrying about any facility policies or other swimmers getting in the way. Even better: you can party into the night without worry the pool will close down and kick you and your guests out.

8. You Know Where Your Kids Are

Got kids old enough to go to the pool on their own? With a private pool, you can keep an eye on your teen and her friends as they swim safely at your home. You know exactly where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing. Better yet, you don't have to drive a van full of kids back and forth to the public swimming hole--you can just kick them out the back door.

Many public pools are terrific places--they can be a great place to get to know your neighbors, they provide a place for people to exercise and play, and they can be an oasis in the summer for people who don't have access to a pool of their own. However, if you have the means or opportunity, it's definitely worth it to choose the private pool every time.

• https://www.medicaldaily.com/7-disgusting-facts-about-dirty-public-swimming-pools-246965
• https://swimming.about.com/od/safetyinthewater/qt/Unhygienic_Swim_Pool_Behavior.htm
• https://technorati.com/women/article/public-pools-are-microbial-baths/
• https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/are-indoor-pools-bad-for-your-lungs/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
• https://voices.yahoo.com/is-swimming-pool-bad-health-1793395.html