Tips on New Home Construction
POOL DESIGNS
The standard size pool is 18'x35'. It can be rectangular, free form, or any other style desired. It can be from 3 to 8 feet deep or 3 to 6 feet deep. The 8 foot depth is used when a diving board is planned and the 6 foot depth when no diving board is planned.
The majority of pools being built today are 3 to 6 feet deep which decreases the liability exposure of diving accidents. Also, when a diving pool is built a large portion of the pool must be 8 feet deep to prevent injury to the diver. This means that the portion of the pool that can be used for entertainment such as volley ball and lounging is greatly reduced. The 6 foot depth allows almost full use of the pool for standing and relaxing.
Most pools in Florida are screened with the dome type enclosure being the most popular. The screen enclosure can have either white or bronze finish. Bronze finish has become the most popular over the past few years. It seems to greatly expand the space of the pool area over a white frame and creates a much brighter pool area.
Marcite was once the favored pool finish. However, it contains asbestos which has been outlawed. Marcite life expectancy has been reduced from 8-10 years to 3-5 years due to elimination of asbestos. We highly recommend diamond brite or pebble tec as an alternate finish to marcite due to the increased life expectancy using diamond brite.
The deck materials available include acrylic knockdown, brick pavers, flagstone, etc., with pavers being the most common surface finish. It provides a uniform appearance and color throughout the deck and can be installed in many different patterns. Pavers are also used frequently on rear porches.
SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR POOL DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION
1. Having adequate deck space is one of the most important things you must consider. If the pool is screened you need a minimum of 5 feet of space in all walkway and lounging areas.
2. I have seen numerous pools where large planter cutout areas have been placed in the deck of the pool, leaving inadequate deck space. Watch that those planter areas do not encroach upon deck lounging areas. Another disadvantage of large planter areas is heavy rains tend to float the mulch inside the planter area out onto the deck. If you do have planter areas be sure that a sprinkler is located in the planter area to maintain the landscaping. You might also ask that a conduit or pipe be run to the planter where wiring for outdoor lighting could be installed should you desire such lighting later.
3. You may want some type of automatic cleaning equipment. The most commonly used is called a Polaris or in ground floor system and cost between $600 and $1600 depending upon the model chosen.
4. The design of the pool should relate to the design style of the home. Consider the view you will have of the proposed pool design from each room that opens on to the pool. If you intend to install a spa, waterfall, raised beam, etc., that feature should be positioned for maximum impact from as many parts of the home as possible. If possible, I would suggest the pool be designed by the designer of the home. If the pool company designs the pool you should ask them to design the pool at 1/4"=1' foot scale on paper. This is the same scale as that used on the floorplan blueprint of your home. You should overlay the pool plan on to the home floorplan and be sure that the views of the main elements of the pool are maximized from every room of the home and that the pool design truly relates to the home design.
5. Ask that a hose outlet be placed on the rear porch of the screened area. Also, it is very handy to have a fill line installed from the hose outlet to the pool. This eliminates dragging a hose across the deck of the pool.
6. Normally the only area of the home with gutter installed is the pool area. The gutter in this area should be seamless or continuous, a minimum of 7" in size, and proper downspout placement is very important. Very few builders use the 7" continuous gutters, but you should insist on this, especially if you have a tile roof! I would recommend that more than two downspouts be placed on most homes in the pool area with a center downspout drained under the pool through a pipe to the rear yard.
You should prepare for taking over the pool maintenance prior to moving into your home. Keeping the chemicals in balance is imperative and very expensive damage can occur to your pool with inadequate care over a very short period of time. If you are unfamiliar with a pool I would recommend that you a hire a good pool service. If you desire to take care of the pool yourself I would recommend that you take a sample of the water to a pool supply store weekly to have it computer tested. Continue this until you feel secure in your knowledge of pool chemistry.
