Posts made in August 2018

Outdoor Kitchen

Renovate Your Outdoor Living Area

A swimming pool can be focal point of any backyard. Many swimming pool owners also know that spending time around the swimming pool is just as enjoyable as spending time in the water itself. Swimming pool builders in Ohio work with pool owners to upgrade and renovate the patio area to make the backyard an outdoor living oasis. Continue Reading

Fire Pit & Poolside Safety Tips

Fire pits add beauty, ambiance and a way to spend more hours out of doors even when the nights aren’t as warm as they were when summer kicked off! The swimming pool contractors from Hawaiian Pools explain that a fire pit can be used in the midst of a summer night because you can cook a meal, roast marshmallows or just relax to the sounds of a fire when you’re entertaining poolside.

There are several types of fire pits including pre-fabricated ones or custom designed. In addition to deciding if you want a fire pit built on site or if you choose a pre-fab you will also need to decide what kind of fuel you want to burn and where you want it placed.

Here are decisions you need to make prior to construction:

  • Make certain that open burning is allowed in the community in which you live.
  • The fire pit will need to be constructed on a fireproof, stable piece of land or natural stone base. Having a fire pit simply placed in a bare space in your yard may not be the best idea because it could shift with the weather or even move if you get too much rain or snow. Whatever foundation you use, should be fireproof. There are many options you can choose from that will add to the aesthetics of your outdoor living space and swimming pool.
  • What kind of fuel do you want to burn? The type wood you want to burn will also determine the type of fire pit model you invest in. If you chose to burn wood, you will want to use hard woods like oak or cedar.
  • Where will you place it? The area on which it’s placed needs to be fireproof and stable. Choose from granite, slate, flagstone or a cement slab to hold the fire pit. It should be situated away from overhanging trees and any outbuildings. A rule of thumb is to keep at least twelve feet of space between the fire pit and anything flammable – including outdoor furniture.
  • If it’s windy you will have a hard time getting the fire lit and to stay lit. There is also a greater possibility of embers flying out of the structure and burning someone or causing property damage. Use the fire pit when the conditions are safe.
  • Keep any errant sparks contained by using a mesh cover. This won’t impact the enjoyment you have around your fire pit and will not impact the ambiance, or the warmth generated.
  • Just as you’d never leave anyone unattended in the swimming pool you should never leave your fire pit unattended.
  • Always use a cover or door on your fire pit. A mesh cover will allow you to see and hear the dancing flames but will act as a safety measure to keeping any sparks from leaving the fire pit.
  • The fire should always be completely extinguished before you leave the outdoor living area.
  • When you’re done with the fire, make certain the fire is extinguished.

If you would like to spend more time around the pool in the evenings or when the nights are cooler, consider adding a fire pit.  We can show you how to incorporate a fire pit into your overall pool design.

 

Pool Lighting

9 Fall Swimming Pool Upgrades To Consider For Your Ohio Pool

Fall might be the perfect time to consider updating your existing swimming pool. When you consider the transformative benefits reaped with a swimming pool renovation, the decision might be an easier one. Here’s nine swimming pool upgrades to consider for your Ohio pool:

  1. Add a salt-water chlorinator. These devices represent a new wave in swimming pool service technology. Salt-water chlorinators eliminate the need for liquid chlorine, granular chlorine, or chlorine tablets. When the pool needs to be chlorinated, the salt in the cell is converted into chlorine through a chemical process and it’s then released into the swimming pool water. Talk to your Ohio swimming pool builder to determine the overall cost of installation and when you will see a return on your investment.
  2. Amp up the lighting, both underwater and along the pathways to your pool. If you didn’t have any underwater lighting installed when you had your swimming pool built, now might be the time to consider this option. Adding color LED or fiber optic lighting not only increases the value of your swimming pool, they also enhance the functionality of it as well. Consider too, the ambiance these lights add to the swimming pool and you can see why many individuals opt to have them installed. Adding lighting to the pathways to the swimming pool adds safety and also enhances the beauty of your outdoor living area.
  3. Update the swimming pool finish. Much the same way that lighting breathes new life and beauty into your swimming pool so too can a new aggregate swimming pool plaster finish. These finishes, Ohio swimming pool builders explain, protect gunite swimming pools from damage but also offer many aesthetically pleasing looks. These finishes are durable as well as beautiful and can be added in a variety of colors and styles. Aggregate finishes can incorporate crystals, pebbles or quartz and come in myriad color choices. These surfaces refract and reflect the light that bounces off the water and this can create fascinating visual effects both day and night.
  4. Update the flora. Adding foliage poolside is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to breathe new life into the outdoor living space. Make certain you plant items that won’t draw bees or drop too many leaves or flowers into the pool as that can lead to more intense pool cleaning duties.
  5. The pool deck adds to the fun you have both in the pool and after you’re done swimming. Does your deck need to be resurfaced? You can upgrade the concrete, add stone pavers or if you have a wooden deck, you may want to re-stain it. Stamped or colored concrete pavers are affordable and beautiful.
  6. Go automatic. You can add automation to turn your hot tub heater and jets on and off, remove and replace a swimming pool cover or even install a robotic swimming pool vacuum. These technologies can be operated from a standard remote-control device or from your smart phone.
  7. Construct a gazebo or pool house. A gazebo is a lower cost alternative to a pool house but can also function as a great place for changing into and out of bathing suits, a perfect place for picnics or even if you’re in need of an area to store your pool equipment. If your budget allows for it, consider adding an outdoor kitchen – if you spend hours outside around the swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen is a logical step.
  8. Add a hot tub, sauna or spa to the outdoor living area. The addition of either of these items will enhance the time you spend around your swimming pool and depending on the placement and design can really add to the overall resale value of your home.
  9. A cascading waterfall makes a stunning visual impact. If you have the yard space to create a waterfall feature for your swimming pool, you can have the water cascade over rocks or boulders that can be planted with native mosses or water plants to enhance the visual appeal. Work with a professional landscaper and your swimming pool contractor to determine whether this will work with your pool design.

There are many other swimming pool renovations to consider ranging from electronic auto fill devices to natural stone decking or coping. When you work with us, we can come up with solutions that fit you’re your budget and your lifestyle.

 

firepit

Add A Firepit To Your Pool Area This Year

There are few things more inviting than the warmth, crackling glow of an outdoor fire. As a pool owner in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, you know that evenings can be cool in the spring and fall. Installing a fire pit can extend the time you can enjoy your backyard. Create a welcoming gathering place with a handful of chairs drawn around the fire and plenty of hot cider and nibbles, and your guests may be tempted to linger well after sundown.

While we all enjoy the sound of wood crackling, there is the added work of keeping an adequate supply of firewood. The alternative might be to install a smoke-free fire pit in your patio

Many contemporary built-in fire pits burn natural gas rather than logs as fuel, saving the air from polluting wood smoke. With plenty of styles to choose from, here are some ideas for including a gas fire pit in your own backyard.

Installing a cozy-corner fireplace may fit your space just right. A quarter-circle-shaped concrete fire pit is slotted into this corner nook and makes every spot along the benches a front-row seat for the warm glow. For built-in seating and fire pit arrangements, be particularly careful how you position the seating in relation to the fire feature — once it’s in place, there’s no flexibility to change it. Having the benches close enough to your fire pit allows your guests to put their feet up on the sides, and relax.

Here are a couple of unique designs to compliment your inground pool. A fiery orb is a concrete fire pit piled high with flame-proof concrete balls and it adds a whimsical focal point to the backyard whether or not the fire is lit. “Fire balls” come in a variety of materials, including concrete, terra cotta and even porcelain, and in different colors. Another is the Mod Look. The best part about this sleek 1960s-inspired fire pit: It’s movable. Shift the lightweight fire pit to different areas of the garden to create an inviting gathering place, or pack it up and transport it to your next cookout.

At Hawaiian Pools, your backyard pool enjoyment is our priority. Considering adding a fire pit may be exactly what you want to do this summer. We are here to help you design the fire pit that best matches your lifestyle and back yard design.

 

Solar_Cover

Three Simple Steps To Store Your Solar Cover

As fall is here, and your in-ground swimming pool water gets colder, it’s time to start thinking about closing your pool. One of the first items you should store for the winter is your solar cover or summer blanket. At Hawaiian Pool Builders, we want to make sure that your solar cover is properly stored away for next season with these three simple steps.

Because solar covers are smaller and lighter than full wintertime covers, they are easy to take off every day during the swimming season. However, it’s important to properly care for your cover. Simply pulling it off and tossing it in the shed for winter storage can damage it. Continue Reading

Hot Tub Spa

Hot Tubs And Spas

Many people aren’t thinking about spending time in an outdoor spa during the middle of winter, but swimming pool builders in Ohio understand that if you have a hot tub or spa, that is exactly what you’re doing! Hot tubs and spas, which can be enjoyed year-round, seem to see more activity in the cooler months when a dip into the heated, jet-filled structures can take the chill out of your bones and relieve aches and pains.

Having access to a hot tub or spa in your backyard is an ideal way to pamper yourself, relax and unwind both body and mind after a hectic work week. Owning your own spa means you can pamper yourself and helping your body to recharge with a soak in a hot tub will help you release stress. Hot tubs and spas can also help individuals with arthritis have a day with fewer aches in their joints. Continue Reading

Swimming_Pool_Covers

Pool Covers Offer Energy Efficiency

No longer are swimming pool covers considered a pool accessory, many pool owners consider them must-have pieces of pool equipment for many reasons.

We have several reasons why pool covers should be used diligently:

  • They can help save money on pool cleaning.
  • They can help slow down the rate of evaporation of the pool water.
  • They can keep dirt and debris from the water.
  • They act as an additional layer of safety.
  • They can help with energy efficiency, especially if you heat your pool water. A swimming pool loses up to 95% of its heat from the surface of the pool.

Continue Reading

Outdoor Pool Area

It’s Not Too Late To Build A Swimming Pool

Now that summer is coming to an end in most areas of the country, those considering a swimming pool project may think it’s too late. However, the timing couldn’t be better. Fall is a perfect time to build a pool. Meet with the designers at Hawaiian Pool Builders to build a pool that will be the centerpiece of your backyard and next summer’s entertainment. Continue Reading

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