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Posts tagged swimming pool

Building a Deck

Oct02
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

19148236

Are you interested in building a deck somewhere on your property? Before you get into the logistics of size and space, you should first decide why exactly you want a deck. What do you hope to get out of it?

  • Do you want to entertain guests outside during the warmer spring and summer months?
  • Do you want to beautify your lawn and add curb appeal with some sort of focal point for passers by and potential buyers?
  • Do you want to add an extra living space?

Whatever the reason, once you decide what the overall purpose of your deck is, you can then get into the facets of planning it.

Placement & Privacy
If you’re building a deck in the backyard, it might be because you want to entertain outdoors or perhaps you’d like to lay out by a swimming pool. Before you begin building, head outside early in the morning and notice where the sun hits your property; check again later in the afternoon, as well. This may be a deciding factor as to whether or not you would like to enclose your deck and make it a lanai/porch. And if you want some privacy, you’ll need to add screens, blinds and a door.

Size & Space
An empty deck looks big… until you fill it with furniture. If you have already purchased the furnishings, you must measure the space accurately to ensure that all of your pieces will fit atop the deck. The size of your yard will also play a role in this decision, so try not to furnish your deck until after you’ve built it. Just keep in mind that you may want a table, a few chairs and perhaps a grill station if you choose to build an open deck. Don’t go overboard.

Levels & Railings
If your home rises up well above your lawn, try to avoid building your deck lower than the house. You might remember that little step, but chances are that your guests might not notice it and take a little tumble as they step outside onto the deck. Also, you may want to consider installing railings. It’s a huge liability for you if someone were to fall off of your deck and break a bone.

Stairs & Skirting
Again, if you are building a raised deck, you may want to build stairs that lead down to the yard. Consider the landscaping, though, and place the steps to the side of the deck where people will have the most room to walk and access the rest of the yard. In order to keep fuzzy friends from breeding under the deck, you may want to build lattice skirting around the bottom. It’s a nice decorative addition, as well.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged barbecue, building a deck, curb appeal, entertainment, lattice skirting, railings, wood
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Should You Have a Swimming Pool?

Jul26
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

pool Do individual features make or break the sale of your home?

Take swimming pools, for example. Buyers shopping for a house in a warm climate may shriek with excitement when they see you have a swimming pool in your backyard. They’ll be able to keep cool on a hot day. However, those looking for a house in a location that boasts chilly winters may think twice before purchasing your poolside abode. Why would they need a pool when it’s 10 below and snowing for three to four months out of the year?

Here are some things you need to consider before adding a swimming pool:

• Location: Think about how the climate is in your area on a month to month basis. Can your pool be used year round? Some locations are quite cold during certain times of the year, forcing residents to utilize a swimming pool for only three to five months.

• Neighbors: Do other homes in your neighborhood have pools? If you’re the only one on the block, you may have an advantage.

• Zoning: Are you allowed to add a swimming pool? If you live in a gated community, you might not be able to buy one, if you’re already paying dues to use a community pool. Check your village hall or home owner’s association.

• Cost: How much are you willing to spend? Inground pools are pricey, but they are more aesthetically pleasing than aboveground pools. Pool lining also varies, with fiberglass, cement and vinyl options ranging from high to low in price. You need to choose the type of pool based on the amount of money you will be able to make back once you sell your home.

• Maintenance: Auto-cleaning pools are more desirable to a potential buyer. Sometimes, when buyers see a pool, the first thing they think about is all the work they will have to do to maintain it. The less work they have to do, the more they will be into the idea of owning a home with a pool.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged backyard, Home Improvement, pool, upgrades
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Swimming Pool Accessories

Jul09
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

swimming poolSummer is here! Temperatures are rising all across the nation. It’s that time of year when people are just waiting to hear those four little words: “Our pool is open!”

A swimming pool should be treated with care, with the same attention you give your house or condominium.

Just as you sweep the kitchen floor, dust the living room furniture or polish the bathroom fixtures, your swimming pool also needs to be cleaned and maintained. So why can’t it be decorated, too?

You could spend hours painting interior walls, choosing drapery patterns and picking out a custom hardwood floor. So why not take a little time to make the outdoor area of your property just as aesthetically pleasing and comfortable as each room inside your house?

You could turn a mundane backyard into a private resort-like oasis! Here are a few ways to give your swimming pool some personality.

Decorative Accents: Colorful murals at the bottom of your pool add a bit of flair. The addition of stately statues or Roman columns gives the pool an elegant European bath type of look. Placing plants around the perimeter makes the pool come to life! They can also create a seamless connection between the pool and the lush landscaping of the rest of the backyard.

Fencing & Decking: Fences serve two functions. Depending on the design, a fence can help maintain the privacy you would like your property to have. For example, wood and vinyl fences keep pools well-secluded and hidden from outside view. Lattice fences uphold privacy, but still allow for generous air-flow. Installing fences is also a safety precaution. Fences keep access to the pool controlled and they prevent accidents. Decks are also a great way to accent a swimming pool. It could be an efficient solution to connect your home to your pool so that you may easily entertain guests.

Lighting: Looking to create a warm ambiance in your swimming pool? Fiber optic lighting will do just that! It’s easy to install and maintain, and your pool could be virtually any color of the rainbow at the drop of a hat! They are also low in energy costs. If your pool is outdoors, you will need lights to do any outdoor swimming. Centrella tiki torches brighten the area around the pool and ward off pesky bugs. Solar lights use no electricity! As the sun goes down, your pool lights up! If your pool is inside a lanai that boasts electricity, you don’t even need to add lights. However, if you would prefer a little mood-lighting, floating pool lights work well, too.

Swim Spa: A swim spa uses a propeller system, made of jets or paddles, to create a current in your swimming pool. It is an effective way to “swim laps” if your property is not big enough for you to build a large swimming pool. Referred to as “treadmill swimming” by many, this is a space-effective and economical way to do water aerobics in your very own backyard. Each swim spa can be adjusted to varying speeds to accommodate both trained and beginning swimmers. Some swim spas even come equipped with underwater stereo systems! Another perk is that you can install a swim spa in both an inground and an aboveground pool!

Extra Water Features: A fountain draws your attention to the pool right away. It can spray water high into the air or flow into a small basin. Looking for something different? The soothing sound of a waterfall is just as pleasing as the sight of the flowing water trickling down rock formations. Building vanishing edges (also known as an infinity edge or negative edges) makes it seems as though the water is disappearing into thin air. This is especially pleasing to the eye if your pool over looks the ocean or a lake!

Posted in Tips and Ideas - Tagged adding value to a home, enjoying your home, home ownership, pool equipment, summer fun, taking care of a pool
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