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River Pools & Spas Blog
The most educational swimming pool blog in the country, providing fiberglass pool articles and videos, as well as information on inground concrete and liner pools.
Pool Design Guides | Tanning Ledges
Gone are the days of either lying next to the pool or standing in it. Enter the tanning ledge: a place where you can actually lie down in the pool, with or without furniture (and without having to hold your breath!). If you don't know what a tanning ledge is (some call it a baja shelf, sun shelf, or tanning shelf), think of it as a very shallow zone in or next to the main pool where you can relax and keep cool.
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Patio and Coping | Pool Design Guides
One of the biggest debates that pool shoppers have during the process of building their swimming pool is which type of concrete to use for their patio. There are many, many types of patios that can go around a swimming pool: brushed concrete, stamped concrete, pavers, stone, brick, overlays, etc. This article will solely focus on helping you to understand the pros and cons to brushed (aka broomed) vs. stamped. By so doing, you will be able to make the best choice for you and your family.
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Don't blindly wonder if a fiberglass, concrete, or vinyl liner pool is right for you. Our educational ebook does a deep-dive comparison of the 3 types, all while noting the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Design Guides
I was at an appointment recently with a customer who asked a question that I've heard so many times before. In the midst of her struggle to justify a swimming pool purchase, this is what she said: It's a tough call, Marcus. We are just not sure if we should take the plunge... I just wonder if a swimming pool is worth the money we are going to put into it?
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When we consider the different aspects of keeping our pool water sparkling and crystal clear throughout the summer, one of the most often over-looked aspects to water clarity maintenance is filter cleaning. When a pool's filter is not working up to capacity, its water will obviously suffer, with cloudiness and algae being the end results. This article will discuss the two main types of filters used by our customers and the proper cleaning for each medium.
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Cost and Pricing | Options and Accessories
What's the price of a fiberglass pool? This, of course, is always one of the first questions a pool shopper has when starting the research process for a fiberglass pool. Here at River Pools, I'd imagine we receive this question hundreds and hundreds of times a year, likely within the first couple of minutes of any conversation. But we get it. Price matters (along with many other factors). It can certainly dictate what pool and what options you're able to achieve in the long run. You need to be able to develop an initial budget and plan for the ownership costs, no matter the pool type. As you might imagine, though, the problem with answering this question is the fact that a swimming pool has so many options it can be tough to truly know the price to swim in a fully installed fiberglass pool. Still, I'll do my best here to give you some realistic price ranges as to what most people will spend. (And remember, these prices are average. They can can vary drastically depending on the product, the region, the company, etc.)
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During the months of July and August, algae can be a very big problem for swimming pool owners. With the higher temperatures during these months, as well as inconsistency in a pool's sanitizer levels, algae can rear its ugly head. Algae is a single-celled plant form. It uses the process of photosynthesis to manufacture its own food. It comes in a very wide variety of colors and forms, making it adaptable to almost any condition.
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With the summer soon coming to a close, the time to cover your pool for the winter months approaches. Many of you may already have a winter cover that you're happy with. Others may be curious as to the options that are available. This article will talk about the three main types of pool covers and the pros and cons of each.
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With real-estate being a premium even in difficult economies, many backyards today simply don't have a whole lot of space. This being said, just because you have a small backyard doesn't mean you shouldn't consider installing an inground swimming pool. In fact, a small yard can really flourish with the addition of a small pool design and all it has to offer. This article will discuss some of the common questions associated with installing an inground swimming pool in a small backyard.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
One of the first questions a pool shopper asks themselves when they begin the process of buying a swimming pool is: How much does a pool cost, and what are the expected prices for the different types of swimming pools? Unfortunately, many people run into a roadblock when they research online as to how much an inground or above ground swimming pool really is going to cost. This article will attempt to answer this important question, but keep in mind that pool prices can vary drastically from region to region.
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Patio and Coping | Pool Design Guides
I speak with pool shoppers in Virginia and Maryland, as well as across the country. One of the questions I'm most often confronted with: How big should our pool be? This is certainly an important question to ask. The pool's size and shape has no means of being pulled, stretched, or even shrunk after it's in the ground. The decision needs to be correct the first time, as there is no turning back. So how does one know what size to choose? How do I choose the right pool size for my family? Who are the pool's main users? How often will they likely use the pool? Does anyone plan on doing laps in the pool? How much patio would I like to have around the pool? What objects (grills, furniture, etc.) would I like to fit on the patio? What are the pool's setbacks off the house and property lines? How often do we plan on entertaining? What is the likely number of people at our gatherings? Will our family change size in the coming years?
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