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Keep in mind that the pool should be able to accept a safety cover. Pools in NJ get winterized

Chris, you design, while a beautiful design, is not really conducive to that end because of the raised wall. It would require very long straps to reach the ground. Many cover makers would designate it as a Non-Safe/Doesn't meet ANSI specs creating a tripping hazard. It would also chafe the hell out of the cover's edge and the coping.

Feel free to drop me an email if you need safety cover design information

Scott

So I guess what you are saying is design a $60k-$70k pool that is in a yard that has a slope to it around a $4000 cover? How do they cover vanishing edge pools in the North. I am sure it can be done.

To me that is a beautiful home and absolutely wonderful pool design! Congratulations!

Make a spa out of that little spill-into thing and you have a deal!

The pool is going to be beautiful. During our 2008 pool build in MA, I learned a lot. After using our pool last year for the first time, I wished we had made the decking surrounding the pool a little larger, so yours looks good! What I would absolutely change about your design is your new wood or composite deck attached to the house. We built a new composite deck and what we love about it is the expanse of stairs. Instead of the small step area you have designed consider making the stairs run the length of the deck with no railing, I think it looks welcoming and graceful. Have the pool surround deck meet the whole length of the stairs. I would also extend the new wood/composite to meet the end of the house. It is the main entrance to the pool from your home, and it should be larger. I have never posted pictures and still can't figure it out, but I could email you one of ours if you would like.

Thanks everyone, keep the suggestions coming and believe me I am taking it all in.

Poolguy- I also am concerned about covering the pool. I have some experience with a former solid cover and any slight tension or stress significantly wears one out in short time. Any design changes that would affer easier cover installation?

Memama- Thank you so much

nypoolnovice- Our pool season is only 4 mo so I thought I may go detached spa when finances allow. I agree, It would look better though.

emh8- I would love to see your photos and absolutely agree on the wider steps. In fact, I think my wife wants to go hardscape there (instead of deck) with a raised patio and steps off slider.

Thanks all...

that is some really good Pool Studio work!! I have the program for another 15 days...lol. Had to play with designing my own pool. So fun.

Scadu,
That seems like a very small edge basin for the size of the pool.
PS has come along way since the begining. Nice job on the house.

For not much more money the edge basin could be expanded to make a play area for little ones.

These are just prelims. My thoughts are that the lower basin would have to be deep in order to accomodate surge. I am trying to get him a water feature on a yard that slopes away from the house and not look like a an ant mound.

@nd round of design.

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Chris,

Build up the ground beyond the pool. It'll take some fill but the dirt from the dig will provide a large portion of what would be needed. Then a retaining wall near the deck with steps leading down from the pool deck to the Bar-B-Q area would look sharp!

Keep in mind that most towns in NJ require 6' fencing.

Try to keep at least 3' of deck where ever there is no raised beam. Also avoid raised areas where eye bolts would oppose each other as this makes attaching a safety cover under tension difficult at best. Opposed eye bolts also go against the ANSI requirements for a cover to be declared a safety cover.

A raised bond beam with sheers or real rock waterfalls would be far easier to attach to. Gunite fabricated rock waterfalls need to be thick, at least 8", at the base. I think there was a thread called Cincinnati Pool Build that shows this type of structure.

That pool, when and if they get a cover would not likely meet some manufacturers standards for calling the cover a safety cover but would certainly hold snow the snow load and anyone standing on it, assuming it's water level was no more than the 15"-18" below the underside of the cover.

Some manufacturers change the warranty conditions. when a cover is classified as non-safe.

The use of cultured rocks, who's structure is too soft and pumice like,will not hold anchors and should be avoided when building waterfalls.

Pools with raised surfaces should use mesh, not solid covers. Mesh is typically stronger and lighter. Improved weaves have substantially reduced the amount of light they let in. Solid covers, IMHO, are best suited on flat pools.

Try to avoid the use of large pavers. When a cover's anchors are being set in pavers, the anchor itself goes in a 15" pipe. The two are driven between pavers, not into the pavers themselves.

Large pavers force the installer to move the strap placement more when using large paver stones. This can be avoided if the installer uses a core drill but this will add substantially to the cost. In fact, I use a core drill when the decking is travertine.

As you can see, in the northern half of the country where winterizing is a necessity and safety covers are desired, they can have a significant impact on a pool's design and choice of materials.

Scott

Thanks for the input Scott. I may have to change the design somewhat to accommodate both budget and winter issues of the northeast.

I may lose the spill-over basin and just raise the rear landscape with a retaining wall and have a 3' deck on the backside. Do people in NJ use some type of deco concrete(I dislike stamped -slippery)around the deck and transition to pavers or would consistant decking allow a solid cover to be placed into the typical paver block? Is the travertine paver you mentioned equivelent to concrete pavers as far as mounting anchors? I kind of had my heart set on pavers either EP Henry type or a recent discovery...travertine. Questions, questions and more questions as this thing unfolds. Appreciate the help

Hi apdnj,

Your design is very pretty. We also have a spillover wall that makes covering the pool near impossible. We live in Ohio and I had never heard of leaving a pool uncovered all winter, but here we are! It's frozen solid, but looks pretty. :)

Also, we love our travertine and highly recommend it! We went with the gold.

Good luck with your project!!
Sherry

Sherry, your pool is gorgeous and one of my favorites on the forum. I love the bridge!

If $$$ was no object I may copy it...

Sherry, let me know if you ever decide to change your mind about a cover. Thanks for the picture! I am glad to see you are still lurking.

apdnj, there are lots of decking choices! There are spray on like Kool Deck, Acylic patterns, brushed concrete, and pavers. When I suggested avoiding large pavers, I meant the 12"x12" type.

Travertine and pavers use the same anchor in pipe materials. Paver installs typically use a robust hammer drill between pavers so that the edges each get a semi-circle drilled in them. I only core drill travertine.

Going through a paver would significantly increase the probability of cracking the paver. Simply setting the anchor in the paver will cause the paver to pull out due to the tension of the cover.

The base that both pavers and travertine are set in often influence my installations. If there is a poured 3" concrete base, a method used by some hardscapers, I will drill through that too and use a 1" bit. If the base is compacted crushed concrete and sand, I will use a 7/8" bit and an 18" length of #5 rebar for added holding power. These get hammered in, either by hand (pity the helper) or with an electric hammer, a special tamper and bit. This yields better and faster results.

Most installers don't take the extra steps I take. It costs more. I have had my share of billable service calls to fix the issues that occur when someone went cheaper. Added to the original cost, now the homeowner has spent substantially more money. I am sure the PBs here that have followed someone who undercut them originally are familiar with this type of story.

Concrete decks, whether they are simple brushed, Kool-Deck, Acrylic Patterned, etc... simply get anchors. Some people want collars to hide any chipping that can happen to the edge of the drilled holes or to protect the area around the hole from the tool used to attach/detach the spring to the anchor. I like to use these "Beauty Rings" on all my jobs. They just look neater.

Now, lets get back to our regularly scheduled programming of getting a design.

Scott

Good luck with your pool design. Here is a website with some great design for reference.(www.poolsurfaces-select.net)

really??? if your gonna spam here, at least provide something of substance.

Nice design Chris. The lower patio and water feature are the best part of the pool and takes it to the next level of ambience. I would put off the bathouse for a couple of years if the budget needs to be cut.

The 3D virtual tour is the perfect solution for understanding swimming pool and landscape blueprints, it truly feels as though you are walking through your finished landscape.
With the 3D virtual tour you will see how spaces accommodate furniture, foot traffic and accessibility or if the pool or patio is too large or too small. In seconds you can see how adding or subtracting area affects a space, ensuring your finished project is exactly what you want. Please remember to ensure the safety of your family please utilized a licensed landscape architect and certified swimming pool professionals when embarking on difficult projects.

Here is a link that might be useful: 2009 Gold International Design Winner

I 100% have to cover the pool in the winter specifically early Sept through May. Too miserable and dirty with the woods.

The pool house as it stands would be added later. Another option is to go with a gazebo type strucure which would significantly reduce costs but not make me completely happpy (;

My main concern is pool location, and design so I can initiate the bid process.

Thanks all for input.

WOW, your design is AWESOME!!! I can't believe I hadn't seen this thread a few weeks ago. I was searching for something else and stumbled in here to this thread.

apdnj,
I'm curious about something.
Why don't you build the poolhouse and outdoor fireplace with the pool?
I can't speak for other builders but I always cut my prices on these upgrades when I'm building the pool at the same time as opposed to coming back and doing them at a later date when I charge my standard asking price.
Here's a link to a thread for another member who was asking about outdoor living areas like yours.
I build some brutally affordable cabana's that although not nearly as beautiful as Chris's rendering usually will get a buyer to purchase.

Thanks for supporting the industry with your pool purchase!!!

See ya,
Kelly

Here is a link that might be useful: outdoor living ideas

WRT to the design, rather than having a free standing bond beam/wall at the back of the pool, I would think that lowering the ground level on the side closest to the house and building a retaining wall would flatten the area when the pool and patio areas are. This would remove the need for the catch basin too.

Scott

The water feature has been removed now. I guess it is personal preference but I don't like to have RBB next to the house. It cuts down the view of the pool from the house and makes the pool feel disconnected from the house. The client wanted a seamless feel stepping out of the house to the pool area. I rarely will put RBB next to the house for a mother's sake. If you are sitting on the house side it gives a blind spot where a child can get lost when you are doing a quick head count.

Get the kid out of and away from the pool if you're not right there. Fences are required in NJ.

The slope is not that great. The retaining wall would allow a fairly substantial amount of area to provide a wide and long flat area. The pool doesn't have to be centered in the flat. Pushing it toward the start of the remaining slope should provide sufficient space to prevent the blind spot.

Scott

Sceadu,

Your design principles are well thought out. Having the best view of and access to the pool from the house is a very high priority. Reducing the size of any retaining wall between the house and pool is always the best way to balance a cut and fill site. Not only does Mom has a better view of the kids but everybody inside the house can enjoy the beauty of the pool.

I can't think of a single customer that doesn't prefer seeing as much of the pool and patio as possible from inside of the house and totally agree with your concept of keeping it connected.

Hopefully this project won't become too institutional looking and lose its character. Nice design.