—Keep project costs down with simultaneous house-pool construction
 
 
Are you buying a home in a planned development or hiring a builder to construct a custom residence?
 
Well, if you also plan a swimming pool in your new backyard, consider building the pool right along with your new home.
                         
                            
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                              Topics:
                                
                                    Backyard Additions,
                                
                                    Construction,
                                
                                    Buyer Tips
                                
                             
                        
                    
                 
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                            
                            
                                
                            
                            —Raise the “bar” on outdoor entertaining by bringing the resort experience home
 
 
The first time people discover the upscale delight of enjoying a cool beverage in a swimming pool swim-up bar is often when they’re vacationing at an exotic hotel. Relaxing on a barstool built under the water with a handy countertop to place your drink or a snack is the ultimate resort experience—and it’s a feature that more homeowners are now including in their own backyard retreats.
                         
                            
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                              Topics:
                                
                                    Backyard Additions,
                                
                                    outdoor kitchens,
                                
                                    Design / Features,
                                
                                    Health/Lifestyle Benefits,
                                
                                    Spas,
                                
                                    Construction,
                                
                                    Buyer Tips,
                                
                                    Backyard Entertaining
                                
                             
                        
                    
                 
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                            
                            
                                
                            
                            —Make the right choices for the microclimate around your pool and patio
 
 
Guest Author: Tony Steine
 
When homeowners build a swimming pool, they often add landscaping to complete the project with style and beauty. A common approach is to pick your favorite plant varieties. However, this could be a mistake.
                         
                            
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                              Topics:
                                
                                    Backyard Additions,
                                
                                    Design / Features,
                                
                                    Buyer Tips,
                                
                                    Maintenance,
                                
                                    Landscaping
                                
                             
                        
                    
                 
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                            
                            
                                
                            
                            How big, how deep, what shape?—Fundamental design factors for concrete pools
 
 
You’ve decided to build a backyard swimming pool, but don’t know exactly how to begin. Particularly with a concrete (gunite/shotcrete) pool, the process is rather detailed, with a wide range of design and construction elements to discuss with your pool builder.
                         
                            
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                              Topics:
                                
                                    Backyard Additions,
                                
                                    Design / Features,
                                
                                    Construction,
                                
                                    Buyer Tips,
                                
                                    Fitness/Exercises,
                                
                                    Games & Activities,
                                
                                    Backyard Entertaining,
                                
                                    Health & Lifestyle
                                
                             
                        
                    
                 
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                            
                            
                                
                            
                            —Five suggestions for upgrading your backyard retreat with cool amenities
 
 
Considering making over your backyard with an amenity or two to complement your swimming pool and elevate your outdoor-living experience?
 
Various high-end options can create an upscale outdoor environment retreat around your pool and boost opportunities for entertaining friends and family.
                         
                            
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                              Topics:
                                
                                    Backyard Additions,
                                
                                    outdoor kitchens,
                                
                                    Remodeling,
                                
                                    Design / Features,
                                
                                    Construction,
                                
                                    Buyer Tips,
                                
                                    Backyard Entertaining,
                                
                                    Health & Lifestyle
                                
                             
                        
                    
                 
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                            
                            
                                
                            
                            —Understanding how diving boards, platforms, and flexible jump boards each provide unique benefits
 
 
Note: This is the second article in a two-part series on diving boards. For part 1, “Swimming Pool Diving Boards: Consider Safety, Usage, and Backyard Size,” click here.
 
After considering the important issues of diving safety, board usage, backyard size, and maximizing your family’s recreation, you’ve decided to include a diving board with your new swimming pool.
                         
                            
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                              Topics:
                                
                                    Backyard Additions,
                                
                                    Remodeling,
                                
                                    Design / Features,
                                
                                    Health/Lifestyle Benefits,
                                
                                    Construction,
                                
                                    Buyer Tips,
                                
                                    Fitness/Exercises,
                                
                                    Games & Activities,
                                
                                    Health & Safety,
                                
                                    Health & Lifestyle
                                
                             
                        
                    
                 
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                            
                            
                                
                            
                            —Make an educated decision about building a diving pool
 
 
Note: This is the first article in a two-part series on diving boards.
 
When buying or remodeling a swimming pool, one important consideration is whether or not to include a diving board. This decision should be a calculated choice based on your pool design, backyard space, and family lifestyle.
                         
                            
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                              Topics:
                                
                                    Backyard Additions,
                                
                                    Health/Lifestyle Benefits,
                                
                                    Buyer Tips,
                                
                                    Fitness/Exercises,
                                
                                    Games & Activities,
                                
                                    Backyard Entertaining,
                                
                                    Health & Safety