Stylish, functional features for your pool & backyard

Swimming pool design trends are constantly evolving. As new materials and technology come on the market and as pool builders take creativity to new levels, you have more choices than ever for options to add interest and character to your pool & spa in fresh, exciting ways.

Looking to up your style game for your backyard resort? Stay ahead of the Joneses by getting up to speed on these five swimming pool design trends for 2016.

Simple effective moves that anyone can do

by Jennifer Pierce, Certified Personal Trainer; NASM, NCCPT

People often associate swimming pools with exercise,while thinking of spas and hot tubs as places for relaxation. However, the warm, bubbling environment of a whirlpool offers unique advantages to enhance your health and fitness.

Here’s why: Unlike a swimming pool, the heated water in a spa or hot tub automatically increases blood flow and helps release toxins in your body. This creates a healthy foundation for simple movements that can make a big difference in your fitness routine.

Benefits—and Factors Boosting Construction Costs

Imagine being able to use your home’s swimming pool year round—regardless of the weather outside. Particularly in areas of the country with short swim seasons, a concrete (gunite/shotcrete) pool that’s built inside—as part of a new or existing home—can be the answer.

However, this solution comes with a price. For the privilege of maximum privacy, convenience, and availability, building an indoor swimming pool can easily cost double or triple that of a regular backyard pool.

Is one right for your pool, spa, use, and climate?

Because heating a swimming pool & spa impacts homeowner utility costs, the smart approach is to determine which kind of heating system best suits your needs and can save you money.

Whether you are planning a new backyard resort or modernizing the equipment on an old one, you want to know if an electric heat pump is a better choice for your pool & spa than a traditional gas heater.

There is no “right” answer for everyone. Gas heaters are popular for a reason, but under the right circumstances, heat pumps are a superior fit. When choosing a system, what matters most is how and when you plan to use your pool & spa, coupled with your local climate and length of swim season.

7 questions to ask when choosing a new or replacement model for your inground pool

A swimming pool provides healthy, backyard entertainment for your family and friends. These aquatic playgrounds get the most use during the spring and summer months, but many owners want the option of enjoying their pool & spa as much as possible throughout the year, including in cool weather.

10 Hot Style Examples—in Photos—to Inspire your Design Plans

One or more fire pits near your swimming pool can be a great way to create both jaw-dropping aesthetics and practical, appealing comfort for you, your family, and guests.

Nothing creates a cozy atmosphere like gathering around a fire. An open flame encourages everyone to pull up a chair and enjoy the heat and images of the dancing orange plumes. If you are building a new pool or putting in an outdoor living space, that’s a great time to include a fire pit.

3 Tips for When it’s Cold Outside

A soak in a hot, bubbling outdoor hot tub or in-ground spa is relaxing at any time of year, but in cold weather it can feel especially good as the water warms your body. However, additional care is needed to keep safe in a spa or hot tub during the fall and winter seasons.

Regular precautions for spa and hot tub use, such as proper water disinfection, should be followed year round. When the mercury outside dips low, additional precautions are needed. Here are three key ones to follow for safe enjoyment of a warm, aquatic escape.