Poolside perfection

Safety and technical measures
Regardless of the type of pool you select, safety is of prime concern. Fences are required by most towns and insurance companies, to protect neighbours and small children. You'll need at least three-and-a-half to four feet of nonclimbable fence. Any gates that lead to the pool area must be self-closing or self-latching. In some municipalities, any doors to the backyard must have self-closers as well. Lighting is also essential, not only to illuminate nighttime swimming but also to ensure no one accidentally falls into the pool. In fact, more and more people are looking to automatic safety covers to protect wet missteps. According to Rob, sales of these pool covers have increased 200 to 300 per cent this year, even at a cost of $12,000 to $18,000. The reason: These automatic safety covers completely seal the pool and can only be removed with a key.

You may also want to consider an insulated pool cover, another feature gaining popularity. Some people, says Rob, are returning to the more traditional linear pool shapes to take advantage of these covers that help to reduce exorbitant heating costs. Another helpful tool, especially if you hate maintenance work, is a self-cleaning system built right into the floor of the pool.

Aesthetic pleasures
Turning a basic pool into a pleasing outdoor space is all in the details. “Spice up your pool by adding ceramic tile or colour plaster in teal, green or blue,” says Rob. “In terms of landscaping, my favourite choice is to add a water feature like sculpted faux rock, which is just brilliant, or a ‘sheer descent,' a clear sheet that comes out of the pool. The sound of running water is soothing.” Consider decking material like stone for the pool steps and smooth edging for easy handhold and to eliminate bathing-suit snags.

When you're ready to break ground, consult the Master Pools Guild website for ideas and resources, get referrals from friends and neighbours, and do your homework. “Most people buy pools through emotion rather than logic,” says Rob. “Anyone who's looking to buy something that's a minimum of 30K really has to do some research. Ignorance is bliss, but it costs you money.”

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