Inground vinyl pools can use a facelift every 20 years or so, to keep up with Mother Nature, changing tastes and new, available upgrades. Indeed, vinyl liner pool kits have come a long way in 20 years!
A pool renovation is an investment not only for your pool, but also for your backyard and home value. Your pool was expensive to build, and with inflation, a renovation can seem almost as costly. But the original investment you made in your swimming pool will only last so long. Every 15-20 years, to prevent deterioration, and also to keep the pool fun and inviting – you’ll want to reinvest in your pool.
Here are some pool renovation ideas:
New Vinyl Liner
If your pool came with a basic blue liner, or if your vinyl pool liner is showing it’s age, replacing with a fresh, updated look is one of the most basic inground pool kit renovation ideas. Installing an inground vinyl liner can be completed in a day. While the liner is out is a good time to inspect the walls closely for rust or damage. Using Wall Foam on crusty, rusty or dusty pool walls is a good idea, to protect your new pool liner.
New Pool Shape
This would be the most adventurous pool renovation idea, but it can be accomplished. Pools can be extended on one end, to create a longer swim lane, or you can add curves to one or more sides of a rectangle pool. Anything is possible, but some are more possible than others, before a renovation, becomes a replacement!
Add a Spa
Adding a spa right next to the pool, so that it spills over into the pool may be simpler than you think, and cost less than a portable spa. Because they sit above the pool deck by a few inches, they stay cleaner and are easier to keep covered. You can add planter areas in the deck on either side to add some green next to the spa.
Pool Bar Stools, Tables & Pool Furniture
Think of yourself lounging comfortably, reading a book while your drink sits safely on a the table inside the pool; gathering around the table, having a drink, playing cards, eating your sandwich, inside the pool; just went on vacation and loved the idea of bellying up to the bar inside the pool. If you can dream it we can build it. See some of the options HERE.
Re-do the pool deck
Replacing your pool deck can have the most dramatic effect on your pool and patio – and on your entire backyard! Broom finished concrete is so last century. Pool builders are using more often using pavered designs at a cost similar to concrete. Other options include Stamp Crete, where designs are stamped into a new concrete deck, and outdoor floor tiles. Natural stone decks, such as flagstone, are also popular. Replacing the pool deck also enables you to redo the pool coping. Vinyl pools can now use stone or brick coping just as easily as concrete pools. Or you could install a cantilevered deck, which floats over the pool wall, so that the deck and coping are one.
New Pump and Filter
Chances are, if your pump and filter are 20 years old, they may be a bit tired, or undersized, or inefficient. Upgrading your pool equipment to dual speed or variable speed pool pumps saves energy, while cartridge pool filters save water. Heat Pumps don’t burn fossil fuels and have zero emissions. A common item for replacement during a pool renovation are the valves. 3-way valves are standard nowadays. They simplify plumbing and are easier to use than 2-way ball valves.
New Sanitizer systems
Two-thirds of new pools built in the U.S. today are built with a salt chlorine generator. Add salt to the pool, and the little chlorine factory creates chlorine through hydrolysis. Amazing devices. Other devices worth mentioning would be Nature2 purifiers, which uses trace minerals to reduce your chlorine consumption by half, and Ozonators, which use the power of oxygen to sanitize the water, and also reduce chlorine consumption.
Water Features
Ranging from precise laminar deck jets that shoot a sharp stream of water, to sheet waterfalls, and cascades over boulders, adding the lush sound of falling water can really boost your ambiance level around the pool. Water features may be built into a small retaining wall on one side of the pool, or into a mound of boulders. Elegant and refined or wild and natural, well thought out water features blend into the overall surroundings.
LED Pool Lighting
Pool renovations usually include an upgrade to the underwater lighting. Pool lighting has long ago left incandescent lighting at the station. Halogen and Fiber Optic lighting were popular 10 years ago, but nowadays – LED lighting is the way to go. Very energy efficient, LED pool lights deliver a deep hue to the pool water. Adding a second LED lamp through your pool wall can create a dramatic effect.
Fire Features
You’ve added stone, wood and maybe glass around your pool. Why not add the element of Fire? Fire Pits, Tiki Torches and Fire Bowls warm the night air, and add an unmatched ambiance to your evening swims. Add some fire around your pool, and watch it draw people in, like moths to a light.
Pool Sun Shelves
Adding a Sun Shelf as part of the swimming pool are an excellent way of staying cool on hot days without having to go completely in the pool. Sun Shelves range from 3” to 18” deep but are typically left at 6” allowing you to sit in a lounge chair, under an umbrella in the pool keeping cool. It is also a great place for small children to play under your supervision.
Create your private backyard paradise this year! Contact Swim-Mor Pools & Spas for more information and a free in-home consultation at (800) 794-6667!
