Pool Newbie, help me figure things out!

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

My wife and I are currently in the process of building a new home in Eastern PA, and we would like to install a pool. The house will be complete in November, so we were thinking we'd start the pool in early spring to be ready for next summer. We are interested in a rectangle shaped pool, most likely 20x40. We'd like an automatic pool cover that is as inconspicuous as possible. We'd also like some features like multi color LED lighting, bubblers, and maybe a spillover. We'd also like raised hot tub that is not inside the pool. I'd also like it to be as automated as possible.

What is a good brand to look at for pool automation?

What is a good automatic cover brand?

What type of heater would work best for our application? Do heat pumps heat a hot tub to a high enough temperature?

I have been looking at Peble Tec finishes, and I am interested in that type of finish. How hard is that type of finish on your feet?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

PRO

www.SwimmingPoolSteve.com

10 years ago

Coverstar is a great brand of automatic cover. If you design it into the pool build you will not even know it is there. It is recessed into the ground at the end of the pool and the cover pit os covered over with a suspended block slab. You pour the blocks from the same mix as the rest of your deck so it blends in really well. The rails get mounted on the underside of the canteleiver coping edge. Normal overhang is 1.5" however you should spec a 3" overhang to account for out of square which can complicate the rail installs if the pool is even slightly out of square.

A heat pump would be a great supplemental heating system for your pool, however with an attached hot tub you want a BIG gas heater. You dont want to keep you hot tub at 104 all day every day. You need a 300 - 400k BTU gas heater to bring the spa from pool temp up to 104 in about 20-30 minutes.

Automation is preference for yourself or your builder. Hayward, Jandy or Pentair are the big 3 choices.

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Comments (6)

5birdy
10 years ago
We did the same thing; new home construction and then installed a pool afterwards. (Funny, ended up with rectangle pool, auto cover, freestanding hot tub) First thing I would caution is that timetables vary widely! Your home "may" be complete in Nov. The pool "may" be ready for summer. In our case we lived in the new home at least a year to experience what the sun/shade patterns were like in the yard, and narrow down what features we would use. Both the home and pool had combined delays of over 8 months! And then, the infamous "change orders" threw both budgets into orbit. But we absolutely love our house and pool. Enjoy the ride and build the home and pool of your dreams! Oh and our Pool builder recommended a sand type gemstone finish which is very comfortable on feet and does not rip bathing suits.
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PRO
Hayward Pool Products
10 years ago
Congratulation on your new home! You can find inspiration and get help planning your new pool at https://www.mydreampool.com/.

Arts & Crafts House · More Info

View some of the beautiful dream pools for inspiration and then use the planning and budgeting tool to plan the best backyard pool for your family and setting. Our Houzz page is another great source of inspiration.
Jason
10 years ago
We are considering a pool with an automated cover also. No hot tub. Have read saltwater will destroy both a heater or an automated cover with rails, etc. Is this true? In general, should these add-on options be avoided with saltwater pools?
PRO
Hayward Pool Products
10 years ago
Jason, for any pool, salt water operated or not, a drop in pH can be the biggest culprit to equipment damage, particularly metals. Read our blog to learn more about salt pools: http://blog.hayward-pool.com/innovation/all-about-salt-chlorination/
PRO
www.SwimmingPoolSteve.com
10 years ago
Salt water in swimming pools is a concern due to galvanic corrosion. This is a subject I have taught extensively about in this industry and if you want some straight answers then this article will help to clear up any misconceptions you may have about salt water in swimming pools: Is salt water bad for swimming pools?