Trendy Swimming Pool Landscape Ideas
September 7, 2010
In the hotter days of summertime, one of the better methods to beat the heat is to jump into the pool, if you are fortunate enough to own one. However, many people who own a pool aren’t just using the pool as a place to chill and unwind , they are also using it as the showpiece in their garden landscape plans. To the majority, a garden with a pool becomes a haven where they can get away from the hustle and bustle of the day, and completely relax. To others, it is an area used to accommodate family and friends. Either way, your yard is not going to be finished until the area surrounding the swimming pool has been appropriately landscaped.
Features to Consider Prior to Formulating a Design Plan for Landscaping Around a Swimming Pool
There are a number of factors to consider prior to designing a backyard landscape plan. These include, but aren’t limited to, climate, dimensions of the yard, present design, privacy, beauty, accessibility, and most important, your finances. In addition, if you are landscaping near an existing swimming pool, you’re going to be slightly more limited in the number of options that are available to you. For new pool systems, the options are almost limitless and limited by only finances and any building code restrictions that have to be adhered to. If you have the finances for it, it is advantageous to hire a landscape designer. A local landscape designer ought to be acquainted with building code restrictions, material expenses, and local climatic zone issues.
Swimming Pool Coping and Deck
If you are designing your backyard landscape around an existing swimming pool, this will probably not be a concern since in ground pools are commonly initially built with these elements. For initial set-ups, the choice of the coping and deck will perhaps be the most vital decision that has to be made. Swimming pool coping is the edging or trim that is fitted about the outside of the pool. There are basically four kinds of coping to choose from. Rolled edge coping usually consists of brick, pavers or concrete and is smooth with a rolled up inside rim. Cantilevered coping is a modern type that lengthens the decking past the edge of the pool and down the wall creating an L-shape that makes the decking give the impression of being broader than it truly is. Bull-nosed coping is built from cast-concrete, stone, or cast-stone and is level on top with a curved inner lip. Lastly, rough cut coping is comprised of flat stones which give the pool a more natural and rough look. It is most commonly used in combination with rock waterfalls or other types of rock formations. The swimming pool deck is the area adjoining the pool that is often constructed from concrete, wood, pavers, stone, or tile. Think about adding natural stone coping and decking or concrete pavers that complement the accents on your house. Make safety a top priority and think through practicalities. Pick a decking material and color that will not be too hot to walk on in the sun or too slick when wet. In addition, take into consideration any future maintenance needs of the decking material. For instance, wood decking will need to be retreated every 5 to 7 years.
Water Features
There is no finer way to increase the peacefulness of your backyard utopia than by the addition of a fashionable water feature. Water features come in an extensive variety with the most prevalent being fountains and pool waterfalls. Cascading rock waterfalls, waterfalls from adjoining spas, waterfalls from slides, and sheer waterfalls trickling from retaining walls offer a visually thrilling show. Water sprays from vertical fountains and laminar jets are increasing in popularity as well. The quickest growing style now in regard to swimming pool features is the inclusion of fiber-optic lights. Fiber-optic lighting is not only being put in the walls of the swimming pool, but is also being used to augment the water features mentioned above. The majority lighting kits include a remote control and color wheel which allows the pool owner to switch the color of the lights.
Plants and Planting Beds
No pool landscaping plan would be complete without adding plants, bushes and trees. Planters vary from modest flower pots, garden urns, planters built into the deck, retaining wall flower beds, planting beds incorporated into rock elements, and the most popular, a planting bed which frames all, or sections of the deck. Pay a visit to your area nursery to locate varieties of plant life that are specific to your planting zone. Concerns include the amount of sunlight the plant will get in regard to the area you intend to plant it, its distance from the swimming pool, and your backyard color strategy. Chlorine can be damaging to plants, hence, if the pool utilizes chlorine, you will want to move the plants far enough away from the swimming pool so that they cannot be touched by splattering water. The root system of the plant is one more important issue if you intend on locating it adjacent the swimming pool. Be certain not to plant trees with oversized root systems too close to the swimming pool. Lastly, you will want to find out if the plant drops its flowers or leaves. If it does, you will either want to avoid using it, or plant it at a distance from the swimming pool to make sure that the flowers and leaves do not wind up in the pool. Flowers, bushes and trees that drop their flowers or leaves not only necessitate increased maintenance, but can harm the pool pump or clog the pools plumbing.
If all these choices look a tad overwhelming, you’re not alone. The most beneficial advice is to view photos of existing pool landscapes to discover the design and preferences that you like. You can locate them on websites that retail pools, as well as in their business magazines and brochures. The most significant thing you ought to do is put together a thorough plan prior to commencing with your landscaping project. If you do that, you are certain to create a sound, low maintenance, trouble-free pool landscape that will transform the yard into your own remote heaven.
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