—Achieving better looks, versatility, and functionality for backyard leisure

In addition to providing a solution to a sloping property or disparate elevation between the house and yard, a deck with two or more tiers around a swimming pool delivers excellent functionality, an attractive outdoor space, and clearer “zoning” for various backyard activities.

Topics: cascade water features, hardscape, Design / Features, LED, Construction, custom pool ideas, gunite spa, backyard design, pool deck, lighting, Backyard Entertaining, Health & Lifestyle

A sun shelf (also called a tanning ledge or Baja bench) is a shallow platform built inside your pool where you can lounge in just 6 to 9 inches of water. It sounds simple, but it tends to become the most-used feature in the entire pool. Sun shelves reach their full potential in a custom concrete (gunite or shotcrete) pool, where shape, size, and finish can all be tailored to your space. Here is what you need to know before adding one to yours.

Topics: Remodeling, Design / Features, LED, custom pool design, Buyer Tips, tanning ledges, Owner/Lifestyle, pool mosaics

—Beauty, comfort, health, convenience, and water and energy savings

Your new or remodeled inground pool may come equipped with some fundamentals such as a variable-speed pump for energy efficiency and automatic pool cleaner for convenience.

Topics: ozone, energy-efficiency, LED, Equipment/Technology, Buyer Tips, Microban, automation, lighting, Purification, Health & Lifestyle, Filtration

—Considerations for choosing and placing waterproof TVs in poolside settings

Guest Expert: Posh UK

Setting up an outdoor TV by your swimming pool offers a smart way to enhance your outdoor space, blending indoor comfort with the beauty of the outdoors.

Topics: outdoor kitchen, Equipment/Technology, Buyer Tips, custom pool ideas, Backyard Entertaining, Health & Lifestyle, Owner/Lifestyle

—A frank overview of the annoyances that typically await and others that may

While a gunite pool provides years of backyard beauty, fun healthy activities, and therapeutic relaxation, let’s be frank: Fundamentally, getting one built is a messy, disruptive, and irritating process.

Topics: Buyer Tips

—Style tactics to enhance an organic aesthetic

Incorporating stone into a swimming pool is a favorite design technique used in backyards across America.

Topics: custom spas, Design / Features, zero entry pool, Gunite pool construction, infinity swimming pool, zero-edge pool, Beach entry pool, Buyer Tips, vanishing-edge pool, natural entry pool, backyard design, tanning ledges, tropical pools, rock waterfalls