There are many benefits of having your own backyard swimming pool, with relaxation, exercise, keeping cool on hot days and a central place for family and friends to gather at the top of the list. But having a pool is a major commitment of time and maintenance, and many factors come into play when deciding to take the plunge.

SWIMMING POOL PLACEMENT

Privacy should be of prime concern. Landscaping, walls and screens can work in tandem with privacy fences to block views and keep out those who shouldn’t be using the pool. There is a broad choice of materials for privacy fences including vinyl, brick, wood, wrought iron and aluminum.

Safety is another important criterion. When not in use, the pool should have a safety fence to keep animals and children from falling in. Come sunset, both the pool and the areas around it should be well lit.

Diving boards require extra vigilance around the pool to make sure it’s being used properly and with caution. Also, check to see how much a diving board will raise your insurance rates.

Convenience and flexibility should be part of the plan so that entertaining, showering or changing is easily accessible. Furniture and fixtures around the pool area should be of waterproof, low maintenance materials. Features like a barbecue area, hot tub, or furniture groupings should be placed so they naturally draws people to them. This seems obvious, but quite often more thought is given to the type of features wanted rather than the best place to locate them for optimal group dynamics, practicality and aesthetics.

Design considerations include maximizing desirable views while minimizing undesirable views. Proximity to your neighbors must be considered, as well. Consider how your pool and pool area will impact the homes around you, including privacy (yours and theirs) and noise levels.

Slip-resistant surfaces and enough storage for all the pool equipment and toys are other items to think about. With so much to contemplate, enlisting the help of an architect or designer for space planning is a smart idea. Creating a backyard pool oasis is a large investment of money and time, so having experts guide you to smart solutions gives you maximum results.

Landscaping Around the Pool

Landscaping considerations go beyond beauty; greenery can block views and reduce noise. Some important landscaping considerations: do not plant trees that will drop leaves and needles into the pool; skip plants with invasive root systems to avoid underground damage to the pool. Because pool landscaping is such a unique area, consulting with landscape professionals is recommended.

TYPES OF POOLS

Concrete/Gunite

● Limitless design possibilities, customized for your yard and needs

● Concrete’s durability and aesthetic value is a plus

● Multiple phases of construction to install – requires 3 to 6 weeks

● Must be resurfaced every 13 years on average

Fiberglass

● Does not chip, tear or alter water chemistry

● Shells come in a large variety of styles

● Lowest maintenance of the pool types

● Quicker to install than concrete pool

● Surface is kinder to little feet

● Not all fiberglass is created equal – quality varies by manufacturing process

Vinyl

● The least expensive of the pool options when done as an above-ground pool

● Can be installed in less than a week

● Vinyl is smooth and a great choice if little children are using the pool

● Limited design options

● Vinyl liners need to be replaced about every 10 years

INSTALLATION

● You must look for a reputable company with stature in our community, and with staying power to honor all warranties.With fiberglass, get detailed verification on exactly what “lifetime guarantee” means.

● Ask to see the contractor’s business references, licenses and insurance.

Does adding a pool add to the value of your home?

While a pool can raise your homeowner insurance rates and summer water bill, it doesn’t necessarily raise the value of your home. In-ground pools do add some value to the home. If it’s an integral showpiece of the grounds, expect more value for the cost. But in general, in-ground pools add about $5,000 to the sales price. Above-ground pools can actually be a hindrance to selling a home. Luckily, they are removable!

In the end, you weigh the investment of a pool by the benefits it brings to you and those who use it, rather than the value it will have for the next person to own your home. A pool is an investment in the quality of your free time, making it an exciting home improvement.

If you’d like to explore the possibilities of a swimming pool for your backyard, Mosby Building Arts is here to answer your questions. From design concepts to the warranty on the finished project, we are your single source for outdoor living home improvements. Click here to see one of our swimming pool projects.

Winter is the time to begin planning and designing for a swimming pool so it will be ready by the time pool season starts. Have the Mosby Building Arts architects and designers get you started by calling 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

We’re looking for a few good people to help expand our team of Mosby Experts. Click here for more details.

“The Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby”
Saturday, June 23, 2007, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Topic: Beyond the BBQ PitScott will take your calls at 314.436.7900 or toll-free at 1.800.925.1120.

When you want to expand your outdoor cooking beyond wheeling out the Weber, an outdoor kitchen awaits you. An outdoor kitchen is more than a grill; it includes various cooking appliances, counter space, storage and entertainment areas. It is a complete extension of your indoor kitchen to the great outdoors.

CREATING AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN

You have to decide how simple or elaborate you want it to be. A grill and counter space are essential, but a refrigerator and sink aren’t. Including them can boost your home’s value because you’ve created a second kitchen. So, consider how long you will be in your home, and let then let your cooking and entertaining desires inform the content of your outdoor kitchen.

Items to fill your outdoor space include: gas grill, wood stove, charcoal grill, stove top, counter space, sink, refrigerator and cabinetry for storage. An important consideration: portable or permanent? If you want an outdoor kitchen that can be re-arranged or taken with you to a new home, choose a grill on wheels. Otherwise, do built-in appliances just as you would your indoor kitchen.

WEATHER FRIENDLY MATERIALS

Everything has to be waterproof and low maintenance, which means: stainless steel, enamel, red woods and teak, stone veneers and pavers and brick. For your flooring, avoid slick materials like glazed ceramic tile and marbles, and make sure your countertop materials are easy to clean.

CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

Since this is an outdoor room, it won’t disrupt household routines while being built, which can make it a pleasurable project to undertake. This can become a significant home-improvement project, so build according to code, follow proper building methods and obtain the proper building permits. Use licensed plumbers and electricians so the space is built to code.

Your outdoor kitchen can be built on an existing patio as long as it’s in good condition and can take the extra weight and use. You can also use an existing deck, but that may require additional support because of the extra weight. Whether expanding what you have or starting from scratch, make sure areas directly underneath grills and stoves can withstand high heat and sparks or embers that fall.

Another consideration is how many months out of the year you want to use the space. You can extend the outdoor cooking season into fall with a gas patio heater or fireplace.

WHERE TO PLACE YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Placing it on level ground not too far from your existing utilities is ideal. Placing the kitchen off to the side of your yard is better than smack dab in the center of the yard, as it provides more privacy and can improve a spot that needed attention, anyway. What views you want to capture is an aesthetic consideration, as well.

Your kitchen can be a literal extension of your home or a free-standing structure. An attached kitchen let’s your home’s exterior wall act as a weather buffer, and makes it easy to tap into your kitchen’s existing utilities. If you choose an attached kitchen, ventilation issues become paramount. Smoke-producing appliances must either be out from under the roof eaves or have an exhaust system to avoid trapped smoke.

Freestanding kitchens give you more leeway with layout, space and the overall look. For instance, most outdoor entertaining takes place in the late afternoon and early evening, so locating along a north-facing wall keeps everyone cooler and keeps the setting sun out of everyone’s eyes. A stand-alone kitchen allows you to explore these layout considerations.

Wind and the elements are another consideration. Landscaping can work as a  windbreak, or the structure covering your kitchen can provide shade and protection as needed.  Structure options for free-standing outdoor kitchens include pergolas, arbors, gazebos or pavilions.

Layout your outdoor kitchen according to the same principals used for the indoor versions. Configuration and spacing of work zones remains important for efficient use, as does accommodations for your family and guests. Provide plenty of space for people to hang out as you cook, including enough space for foot traffic around the cooking areas to avoid accidents.

People can gather around to watch you cook and keep you a part of the party, or you can create separate entertainment areas. Remember to place seating so that smoke blows away from them, and that everyone can comfortably eat the meals you have prepared in your outdoor culinary center.

Mosby Building Arts is here to take you through every phase of creating and building your own outdoor kitchen. We will help you determine the scope of your needs and desires and deliver to you a high quality outdoor kitchen of lasting value. The possibilities are endless.

“The Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby”
Saturday, June 9, 2007, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Topic: Pergolas, 3-Season Rooms & Sun Rooms
Scott will take your calls at 314.436.7900 or toll-free at 1.800.925.1120.Optimizing your outdoor space is a smart way to add living space to your home. There are several options for turning parts of your backyard into another room, a place to relax and entertain or simply watch Mother Nature at play.