You’ve been staring at your backyard and envisioning how your dream pool would look. Your kids have been begging for a pool too! There’s a lot of thought and planning that goes into this decision, especially the investment. It’s easy to imagine you and your children having fun in your new family pool for years to come, but you also have to weigh in the return on investment. Does it make sense for you to financially to put in an inground pool? Will the benefits outweigh the investment? It’s a difficult decision to make when you want to follow your heart but have to listen to your head. So, which one should win? Honestly, neither should win. Your decision should be made with your head and your heart. The years of family and friends time spent in the pool is completely worth it AND installing a pool can also be an investment that can pay off in the end. It all depends upon how long you plan to stay in your home. If you’re in for the long-haul, then yes, it could pay off with an increased resale value. If you’re only going to be there for a few more months or live somewhere that’s only warm for two months out of the year, then no, a pool will most likely not add immediate value to your home. Here in Central Florida, we are lucky enough to able to swim almost year-round, so it may be worth it to build Read the full article…
There are so many things to consider when designing your dream pool. You want a pool that fits with your home and family so there is more to consider than just where the pool should go in your backyard. One of the things to think about is how you’re planning to get into your pool. When looking at pool entry options, it’s important to consider who is going to be using your pool. When you are designing a pool for adults or children or even your pets, the types of pool entries can vary greatly. But what are the options, and which is the best for you and your family? Baja Shelf Pool Entry Also known as a sunshelf or tanning shelf, a baja shelf pool entry is basically an over-sized second step that adds a shallow standing area at the entrance of your pool. It has only a few inches of water covering it – just enough to get your feet wet. These shelves are great for the entire family! They provide toddlers and young children have a shallow place to play in the water (with supervision of course!). Elderly or handicapped relatives or friends greatly benefit as well. The baja shelf provides an area to sit in a lounge chair or wade in ankle-deep water. They also allow for an easy exit from the pool as no upper body strength is required to pull up on a ladder or climb stairs out of the pool. Moreover, it gives Read the full article…
Concrete (gunite) pools provide almost unlimited customization options. It’s why we here at Pools by Bradley build pools with gunite. It takes away the limitations of cookie cutter shapes and sizes for pools, so we are able to design countless waterscapes that fit right into your individual yard and space. We can build pools to accommodate large or small spaces, sloped or flat yards, which, in the past, would have prevented the installation of a “traditional” pool. With all the customization available, there will be a lot of decisions to make, including the interior “finish” of your pool. The two main choices available are Aggregate and Plaster, both coming in a variety of colors that can be accented with different types of stone, ceramic or glass tiles, giving each pool its own unique look. Here are the main things you need to know when selecting the interior finish and the pool water color for your dream pool. Your Pool Water Color Whichever type of finish you decide to go with, one of the first things to think about is what color you want your pool water to be. There are two primary water colors for your swimming pool, blue and green, and the shades of blue or green are determined by numerous factors. The main determiner for water color is the background dye in the finish. If you want green water, the finish should be green, brown or tan. For blue water, the finish should be white, blue, black or Read the full article…
Good news, everyone. Fire and water DO mix! In our world of custom pool building and integrated backyard designs, adding pool features (bubblers, waterfalls, sun shelves) is becoming more and more popular. One of the most popular being the addition of fire features which add a very elegant flare to any backyard. There are many ways to add flames to your pool, from fire pits and fire bowls to fire walls and outdoor kitchens. The sky’s the limit. No matter which you choose, fire features add style and warmth to your landscaping while creating a comfortable space to socialize with friends and family. Fire Features for Your Pool Fire Pits One of the most popular fire features added to backyards are fire pits. Regardless of the amount of outdoor space you have available, fire pits are a great feature in any backyard. They come in a variety of price points and are available in all kinds of materials, such as steel, concrete and brick, so you’re sure to find the design that works for your backyard oasis. They can be gas, propane or wood-burning and are most times placed or built into a sitting area; however, you can also choose to have a fire pit that is built into the pool’s perimeter wall, making it part of the pool itself, not a free-standing structure. This area becomes the focal point at outdoor gatherings and the best part is they can be used year-round! Wrap yourself up in a cozy blanket Read the full article…
Many people wonder what time of year is the best for building a new swimming pool. The answer is really anytime! However, here in Central Florida, fall and winter are the ideal seasons for building a pool especially when considering our weather. Here are some of the reasons now is the time to pull the trigger on building your dream pool. Your Pool Will Be Ready for Pool Season The excitement of your very first pool party is felt among all new pool owners. Inevitably, there will be some delays (inspections, weather, electricians); however, it is safe to say that if you start construction on your new pool in the fall or winter, it will be ready by the start of pool season. Pools by Bradly’s construction time from once the pool shell is shot is 10-14 weeks. This puts you at the perfect spot to have your very first pool party by the first day of summer! Plus, if you want to add patio furniture or pool games, fall is a good time to find them on sale. Avoid Weather Delays & Messes It’s a fact that fall and winter weather is much calmer than the spring and summer weather here in Central Florida. The storms that roll through in spring and summer can be detrimental to keeping on schedule with pool construction. In fact, according to the Weather Atlas, from May to mid-September, Orlando is hot and rainy with high rainfall averaging between 3.6″ and 7.3″ – the Read the full article…
When you’re planning the design of your new pool, one of the most fun parts of the process is choosing the size and shape of your pool. There are so many options to choose from, however, that it can become a bit overwhelming. There are many factors that go into selecting the size and shape of a pool. How many people will be using the pool? What is your landscape like surrounding the area where the pool will be installed? What is your personal taste when it comes to free-flowing lines, curves or angles? Whatever your preference or large or small the number of people using is, there is a pool shape that is perfect for you! Pool Design Options Free Form One of the most popular pool shapes, a free form pool is rounded and shaped to fit right into your backyard. They come in no particular shape, but are rather molded according to the space available, the surrounding terrain and artistic preference. In line with its name, free form pools are free flowing in design and do not fit into any other category. They are also a perfect option for a yard that’s starting off as a blank slate. You are able to customize the landscaping to fit the flow of the pool, from palm trees to sun shelves…. the possibilities are endless. Geometric If you like sharp lines and clean corners, then a geometric pool design is for you. The geometric pool shape compliments many homes’ architectural Read the full article…
For those who love to swim, the idea of having a pool in your own back yard is a wonderful one. It’s a bit like fulfilling a personal dream. You can envision spending your summer in the backyard, cooking out and enjoying a few drinks with friends and family while the kids splash and play in the pool. When you decide to make this dream into a reality, it’s important that you follow the appropriate steps in finding the right pool contractor to build your pool, so that your dream doesn’t become a nightmare. You want the pool of your dreams to be built with as little headache as possible, and in order to accomplish that, you need to make sure that you choose the best contractor possible. The best way to start your search is by asking your friends, family and neighbors who have built pools about their experience and if they’d recommend the contractor that they had used or not. Once you have a list of potential contractors started, you’ll want to narrow it down to a final 2 or 3 builders to get quotes from. Here are some things to take into consideration to help make sure that you are selecting the right pool contractors to interview to make your dream come true. Things to Consider When Selecting a Pool Contractor Check out their place of business. When you walk in, do you feel comfortable? Is it a professional atmosphere where the employees are professional and friendly? Read the full article…
