Fiberglass Pools: What’s Trending and Why It May Be the Pool You Need
Homeowners like you are looking for ways to turn their backyard into a great place to get away. Now more than ever, a fiberglass pool is the perfect investment in an escape that will pay dividends year in and year out. Pool owners love them because they’re beautiful, come with an array of fun, convenient, and comforting features, and–aside from being a staycation location that you can come back to time and again–they may increase the value of your home. Pool builders recommend fiberglass inground pools for their versatility, durability, and lower pool maintenance requirements and cost. As innovations in fiberglass pool designs come out and staycations become more popular for families across the country, pool buyers choose the luxury and elegance of inground fiberglass pools. Knowing these things, you may be wondering, “are fiberglass pools becoming more popular?” Yes! Let’s take a deeper look at why so many homeowners are choosing fiberglass for their outdoor living space. They’re Lower Maintenance. Many pool buyers ask, “are fiberglass pools low maintenance?” Fiberglass pools, compared to other inground pool types, have the lowest maintenance threshold due to their non-porous surface. Fiberglass pools’ gelcoat finish prevents algae buildup, resulting in fewer chemicals needed—fiberglass […]
Read MoreSplendor, Enjoyment, and Relaxation are Yours With the Cathedral LX Inground Fiberglass Pool
If you’re an aficionado of Greco-Roman style architecture, you’ll immediately notice that the centerpiece tanning ledge and walk-in stairs combine to create a stately and classical posture for this elegant, medium-size pool. But don’t let this pool design’s grand presence fool you, there’s still plenty of room for fun in the sun. The personality this pool takes depends a lot on your style.   As you’re exploring the lifestyle that fits you, you’ll want to consider how your pool deck and the amenities that surround it will enhance the experience you’re seeking. Whether you’re a backyard fire pit kind of gal, a pergola-with-a-fireplace lover, or a purist who thinks pool areas are for sun-time, you’ll find the Cathedral LX fiberglass pool design amenable. One thing’s for sure, this pool’s tanning ledge is all about bringing out the sun god or goddess in you. Check out the unique features of this fiberglass pool design. Learn more about the water depth, the bench seating, and what your backyard could look like with the Cathedral LX.  Let’s explore the features that make this pool a customer favorite. A nine-foot diameter sun shelf to keep you cool and your tan dark. […]
Read MoreAsk the General: Can Decorative Concrete Inlays Improve the Look and Feel of our Inground Pool?
Dear General, Our fiberglass pool looks great, but we’re starting to see some significant wear and tear to the surrounding concrete. Frankly, we’re envious of all the new pool designs available on the market today, and we want to up the wow factor of our backyard. After some initial research, decorative concrete inlays look like a viable solution. What do you recommend? Sincerely, Soaking in Savannah Dear Savannah, Thanks for helping me understand where you’re coming from. Many pool owners find themselves in your situation as time passes, and most, like you, take pride in keeping their backyard fresh and updated. An aging concrete patio and pool surround can really take away from the elegant look and feel of your backyard and simply make it less inviting. In the past, I’ve seen pool owners attempt to cover up aging concrete a couple of ways. The old patch, fill, pressure wash, and paint it method. Some pool owners resort to patching holes, filling cracks, pressure washing stains, and then using deck paint to make it look a bit more fresh. It looks great about half of the season, then you realize it’s going to need to be repainted every year. […]
Read MoreIf You’re Searching for a Fiberglass Inground Pool, it’s Time to Ask, “What about Lil Bob?”
Bob, it’s a common name, and when spelled backward, it’s still Bob. And yet, this fiberglass inground pool gem is not so mainstream. Its name was inspired by a famous Bob who enjoyed being the life of the party, but also wanted to ensure as many of his friends as possible could enjoy a hot day in the cool water.  No, it wasn’t Bob Ross the painter, Bob Barker, Bob Hope, or even Bob Dylan—although we think each of those Bob’s might have enjoyed the essence of entertaining that this pool design emphasizes. Here’s a hint, he’s a smaller Bob with a big radio personality. Our Lil Bob is mighty for entertaining.  Its classic rectangle shape gives your family an elegant-looking area to sit and cool down, soak up some of the sun’s healing rays, or enjoy a pick-up game with a few friends. Lil Bob pours on the therapy you need with dual benches that provide ample seating for all of your friends to enjoy a spectacular backyard view, while not missing out on any aspect of the conversation. You’ll make some great memories with a small or large group of friends who enjoy […]
Read MoreTen Ways to Entertain Your Kids That Don’t Involve Socializing
There’s nothing more important than family. Our readers know that we already spend a lot of time encouraging families to spend quality time together. And right now, you’re probably getting just about as much family time as you can handle. You might even be running out of ideas to keep the family active and everyone’s spirits up. As a parent, it’s getting more challenging every day to keep the kids engaged in learning and doing something other than playing on their devices when they don’t have schoolwork. So, here are ten things you can do to keep them off the screens and into “living.” Cook or bake. Let the kids pick out simple recipes and create a dish from start to finish. For balance, alternate between healthy and indulgent creations. The process of following a recipe develops both reading and math skills, and it can even get kids thinking about the chemical properties of the ingredients. Once they start to get the hang of cooking, they may even start creating recipes of their own. Start a collection. Creating a collection of something gives kids a project to focus on, and it gives them a reason to do some research. […]
Read More7 Steps to Keep Your Kids Safe at the Pool
Keeping your kids safe at the pool, or anytime they’re near water, is a year-round concern. But since May is National Water Safety Month, it’s a great time for a refresher on the rules of pool safety for kids. Don’t swim alone. This rule applies to all swimmers, regardless of age. In private pools, or situations where no lifeguard is present, younger children or swimmers who are not completely confident in their skills should always have a strong swimmer closely supervising them. Even strong swimmers should never use the pool alone, in case of an unexpected medical emergency. Teach basic swimming techniques. Even at a young age, a child can learn basic swimming skills. The American Red Cross suggests swim lessons for children as young as six months. If your children are comfortable enough in the water to keep themselves afloat, it can make a huge difference in terms of how much time you have to get to them should they accidentally enter the water. Create barriers-to-entry. If you do own a pool, your pool area must comply with state and local regulations for barriers-to-entry, which likely include fencing with self-latching gates, as well as locks and alarms on […]
Read MoreInvigorating Family Fun Starts with our Aspen Pool Design
Introducing the Thursday Pools Aspen Design Run DMC sang, “It’s tricky to rock a rhyme.” And like rocking a rhyme, choosing the right pool for your backyard can be tricky. This post is the first in a series we’ll be sharing to help make it easier to choose a pool that fits your family’s personality. So, say hello to our little friend that’s not so little, the Aspen. The Thursday Pools Aspen promises more than a Rocky Mountain high. Like its namesake, Aspen, Colorado, Aspen provides your family with ample space for playing in the sun or relaxing poolside with a glass of wine, or enjoying a sunset that rains fire in the sky. It’s one of our most popular fiberglass inground pool designs. Why? Some say it’s because it brings together many of the best built-in features available in one awesome patented design (#US D851,781 s). We think it’s versatile. It provides family fun, improves the appearance of your backyard, and provides a setting for socializing or relaxing. If that’s not enough, you’ll also have plenty of space to swim a few laps and maintain those toned abs that make your friends jealous. After all, what pool doesn’t […]
Read MoreSwimming Pool Games for the Whole Family
Summer is nearly upon us and swim season will be in full swing before you know it. Wading into the water to play swimming pool games is a great way to spend your days with family, but sometimes even the most water-loving among us can start to get bored. Well, we’re not going to let that happen. We’ve scoured the web (and our own backyards) for ideas to keep you and yours having fun all season long!
Read MoreAsk the General: What is a Pool Heat Pump and How Does it Work?
Dear General, I have a question about how to heat our new pool. We want to keep our pool maintenance costs as low as we can, but it’s important for us to be able to swim as much as possible during the year, so we want it to be warm! A couple of my friends with inground pools have gas heaters, but several people have told me I should consider a pool heat pump. I’m not sure how either of them work. What’s my best option? -Chilling in Charleston Dear Charleston, Thanks for the great question! You’re not the only person who’s feeling a little fuzzy on this topic. Let’s first take a look at the difference between how these two types of pool heating systems work.   The difference between a pool heater and a pool heat pump Traditional pool heaters use either propane or natural gas to generate heat. They do so by burning the fuel inside a combustion chamber. The pool water is drawn through the heater in copper coils, which warm it. Then, that warm water is returned to the pool. You can set the thermostat to whatever temperature you desire, and the heater will bring your […]
Read MoreIs My Backyard Big Enough For A Swimming Pool?
Contacting a pool builder near you for an onsite evaluation is one of the best ways to know which backyards are big enough for inground pools. Many of Thursday Pools’ independent dealers will provide a complimentary evaluation and estimate. When the pool builder arrives, it will be helpful if you have a copy of your surveyor report or plot plan available. This plan will show your lot specifications and property lines, along with your house and any other structures, and it will ensure you get the most accurate estimate. That said, here are some common factors that may affect the size of the swimming pool your yard can accommodate: Property line setbacks. Many states, counties and cities have regulations outlining how close your swimming pool can be to your property line, especially if your yard wraps around to the front of your house. Septic system or underground utilities. Prior to choosing the size and depth of your pool, you’ll need to have your local utility companies come out and mark the locations of all septic systems and underground utilities in your yard. It’s possible to discover that your yard is large enough for the pool you’re considering, but the depth […]
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