What Kind of Swimming Pool is Best for Dogs?
Four reasons why fiberglass pools are the best inground pools for dogs You love your dog. Not just like, “He’s a good boy,” kind of love. It’s more like, “He is my baby” kind of love. Your dog is a member of your family. So, if you’re thinking of getting an inground pool, among the other factors you’re considering, you might be wondering what type of pool is best for dogs. You’ll be choosing among three types of inground pools; vinyl, gunite and fiberglass. Spoiler alert. The answer is a fiberglass pool, and here are four solid reasons why: The smooth gelcoat surface of a fiberglass pool is pawsitively perfect for pets. Gunite (concrete) inground pools can scratch your pet’s paws, preventing him/her from really enjoying the pool. But with the smooth, durable interior of fiberglass pools, your entire family can enjoy smooth, scratch-free fun in the pool. You’ll never have to worry about snags on your swimsuits or sore feet from rough surfaces. Fiberglass pools help you avoid claw catastrophes.If you have a vinyl pool, your dog’s claws can penetrate your vinyl liner. And that kind of damage WILL NOT be covered by your warranty. With a fiberglass pool, […]
Read MoreIs It A True Beach Entry?
Don’t be fooled by imitations! Are you considering a beach entry fiberglass pool? Are you confused about the options out there? Don’t be! We are here today to educate you on what constitutes a beach entry inground pool design. We have worked hard to design a fiberglass pool that meets the definition of a beach entry. Our beach entry designs (US Patent 10,472,839) start you at a point of zero water depth giving you that zero entry pool you dream of! Having said that, there are a lot of folks trying to catch some of the beach entry buzz, and their claims can be misleading. Not every pool that claims to be a “beach entry” is technically “zero entry.” Let’s take a look at some fiberglass pool designs that might claim the name “beach entry”, but do not offer you the experience of, or meet the definition of a beach entry fiberglass pool. Simple Step. Some pool designs touted as a “beach entry” actually have a four-inch step-down onto a large landing area or sun ledge. While these are nice designs, they are not a beach entry. The four-inch step-down may not seem like a lot, but it also doesn’t take […]
Read MoreThe Top 10 Reasons You Should Own Your OWN Pool!
Top 10 Reasons to get a pool: There’s a pool in your community, and you’re eagerly anticipating spending your day off there … soaking up the sun, taking a refreshing dip whenever you get too warm, or closing your eyes and taking a little snooze. But when you’re sharing the pool with strangers, it’s often not quite the paradise you’re imagining. The water may be way too hot or way too cold for your taste. There may be a loud group sharing jokes that you don’t find funny. And what about the time you packed everything up to go to the pool, got yourself all settled in and realized you forgot the sunscreen? Yeah … your relaxing day at the pool is sometimes not so relaxing after all. What if you didn’t have to share? What if you were in total control of your day at the pool? What if you didn’t have to go anywhere but right outside your back door? Let’s take a look at the top 10 reasons to get a pool! You’ll get that precious “me time”. That relaxing day at the pool we were talking about earlier is truly yours. You can spend the day […]
Read MoreRenovating, Repairing, Removing or Replacing Your Inground Pool
Not loving your swimming pool as much as you used to? Renovate or repair it, remove it, or replace it with a new, low-maintenance fiberglass pool!  The staycation lifestyle that a backyard swimming pool creates is appealing to a lot of families. Some people dream of having an inground pool and have talked about it for years. However, some folks who already have a pool may find that they’re not using it as much as they used to, or feel like their pool has lost its luster. Certainly, a pool that’s never used is a shame. The space it takes up in the backyard could be used for other things, like a garden, playset or a big lawn for touch football games. And a pool that’s fallen into disrepair due to age or lack of pool maintenance isn’t enhancing anyone’s life or living space. What to do? Well, depending on what type of pool you have, here are some options. Renovate or repair it. If you have a vinyl liner pool with a torn or worn liner, you can replace the liner and bring new life to your pool. A gunite (concrete) pool might need a resurfacing to restore it […]
Read MoreShould I Buy an Inground or an Above Ground Pool?
Getting a new swimming pool is a huge deal requiring careful planning and exploration. Given that you can roll years of vacation travel and expense into one backyard “stay-cation” that can pay dividends year in and year out, your decision to buy a pool is actually an investment decision. Like any investment, you should consider your options well. One of the first choices you’ll be faced with is between above ground pool vs inground pool. If you choose an above ground pool, you’ll be getting a vinyl liner pool, as that’s the only type of pool offered in above-ground styles. If you choose an inground pool, you’ll be choosing between three pool types. In addition to a vinyl liner pool, you’ll also have the options of gunite (concrete) or a fiberglass inground pool. Let’s take a look at some of the factors to consider between above ground and inground pools, as well as the feature options and pricing to help you narrow the field. Where you live. This should be your first consideration when you’re choosing what type of pool is right for you because the choice may not be yours. Some homeowners’ associations do not allow above ground pools and may even […]
Read MoreAsk the General: Can Dogs Swim in Pools?Â
Ask the General: Can Dogs Swim in Pools? Dear General; We are getting a new pool! Our kids are pretty excited about it. So is Harvey, our yellow lab. He loves to swim. However, several friends have told us we shouldn’t allow dogs in the pool. What’s your advice? Can dogs swim in pools? Do we have to ground poor Harvey when our new pool comes, or can we let him enjoy the dog days of summer? — Dog lovers in Dayton, Ohio Dear Dayton Dog Lovers; I have been asked “can dogs swim in pools” many times, as well as if we should let our pets in general use the pool. (This typically means our dogs, because I don’t know too many cats who like to swim.) Well, that’s kind of like asking if you should allow your dogs to sit with you on your furniture or sleep with you in your bed. Will it be easier to keep your furniture and bedding clean if you don’t? YES. Will you reduce the risk of damage to your expensive couch if you don’t have a dog launching itself off of it every time someone rings the doorbell? YES. But, if your […]
Read MoreSwimming Pool Myths and Facts
Question: Which of the following is true? A. You must wait an hour after eating to swim. B. Chlorine turns your hair green. C. Swimming pools take a lot of time and money to maintain. D. People who own pools don’t really use them. E. None of the above. The correct answer is E. None of the above. There are a lot of swimming pool myths and facts floating around (pun intended) about swimming and swimming pool ownership out there. Let’s take a minute to debunk those swimming pool myths, shall we? You must wait an hour after eating to swim. Sure, mother typically knows best, but, if you have memories of being sidelined at the pool after lunch, wistfully watching your friends having fun, your mom was subscribing to an old wives’ tale. You don’t really have to wait an hour after eating to swim. The thinking behind this myth is that you’re more likely to get a “stitch” or cramp if you swim on a full stomach, but there’s no medical evidence to support it. If you’re prone to cramps, you might want to stretch a bit before swimming, and of course, you need to adhere to […]
Read MoreHow Much Does an Inground Pool Cost?
Thinking about inground pools and how amazing it would be to have one? If so, you’re probably wondering, “How much do inground pools even cost?” Perhaps you’ve done a bit of research, but you’re finding that your search results are yielding a pretty wide range of costs, which can be frustrating. Why can’t you find more specific information? Because Googling “How much do inground pools cost?” is a bit like Googling “How much does a car cost?” That question can’t be answered until you know what make and model of car you’re getting, along with what features you need. And, when you get a new car, you also have to consider insurance, license, title charges, accessories and gas. None of these things will be a part of your initial car purchase, but they’ll affect your car budget nonetheless, and they’ll probably end up being more than you anticipated. Costs for inground pools can range from $25,000 for a basic, vinyl inground pool installation and equipment package to over $100,000 for a fully custom gunite (concrete) pool. Your inground pool cost will ultimately be determined by a variety of factors, including the type of pool you decide on, the size you […]
Read More10 Water Exercises You Can Do in Your Fiberglass Pool
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Swimming in Your Own Backyard! An inground pool is a lovely addition to one’s home and is a great place to host gatherings for family and friends. Pools allow the family to get out of the house and still escape the intense summer heat. But your fiberglass pool can be more than just a social spot. In this post, we will give you some ideas for swimming pool exercises that you can do alone or with others to maximize the health benefits of your time in the pool. Health Benefits of Swimming Pool Exercises Did you know that swimming pool exercises are one of the best ways to burn calories with minimal risk of injury? Movements in the pool are lower impact than the hard ground allowing for a more joint friendly workout. And, water is around 784 times denser than air which provides a stronger resistance resulting in more calories being burned. What’s more, swimming uses every muscle group in both your upper and lower body, so you’ll get a great whole body workout. Summertime is the perfect time for starting a resolution to get in shape, and your own backyard pool is an […]
Read More43 Interesting Things About the Pool Lifestyle
Once you’ve joined the club of swimming pool owners, certain truths about pool lifestyle become self-evident. Over my years as a member of this backyard-living, pool-owning club, these things have proven themselves to be true over and over again. Whether you currently own a fiberglass pool or you’re ready to take the plunge with a new inground pool, you’re sure to get a kick out of this list of 43 interesting things that all pool owners eventually come to know. Water always goes cloudy the day before a big party. Farts float (according to my grandson). The meaning of the terms “pH” and Total Dissolved Solids. It’s better to buy quality than cheap. It always rains 2 inches after you have added water with your garden hose. Blow-up toys usually last about two weeks (if you are lucky). Don’t ever say “Feel free to use the pool anytime.” They will. There’s no such thing as enough towels. Never walk barefoot on a deck or driveway that the sun has been baking all day. There always needs to be someone outside the pool to chase the ball. Never show your kids how to turn on the pool heater. Always check the […]
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