Inquiring Minds Want to Know: How Do You Make a Fiberglass Pool?
Have you ever watched that show “How It’s Made?” It’s pretty easy to get drawn in. If you’re a naturally curious person, you could get completely geeked out watching them explain how things are made–especially things you’ve never given much thought to the inner workings of–like baseballs, aluminum foil, shoelaces, and those cute little paper umbrellas you get in your pina colada. Well, if you’ve ever seen a giant fiberglass pool shell riding down the road on a trailer, you might have stopped to wonder, “how in the world did they make that?” The process of making fiberglass is cool enough but when you see how it’s transformed into a beautifully finished inground fiberglass pool, it’s even cooler. Fiberglass is literally fibers of glass, spun fine enough to be molded into many forms. Your first thoughts of fiberglass may conjure up giant bubblegum pink rolls of insulation, but it takes many more forms than that. You’ll find fiberglass in your car, your home, and all over the world around you. Fiberglass is a key component in airplanes, wind turbines, medical equipment, and electronics. And if you’re in the market for a new inground swimming pool, you’d be really happy to […]
Read MoreResolve to Spend it Wisely
We’re closing in on the end of the first month of the new year. So it’s a good time to circle back around and check in on our new year’s resolutions. Have any of them stuck? January is great time to assess our goals and plans. Whether your plans are large scale (like going on vacation or getting a new fiberglass pool in your backyard by summer,) or small scale (like stashing away enough money each month to get some new lounge chairs for the patio by Spring,) minding your pennies now can add up to a big deal later. The secret is in keeping track. None of us really likes to document what we do every day, whether it’s how many cups of coffee we drink, how many cookies we’ve eaten, or how much money we spent on things that weren’t in our budget. But accountability is key to staying on target with any goal you’re working toward. If you want to end up with more money at the end of the month, you need to know where your money goes every minute of every day. You’ll be surprised at how much you can actually hold onto if you […]
Read MoreThis is the Year You DO It!
The new year is here. We’ve all got plans for how we’re going to make 2018 our best year yet. Does your plan for the new year include a big new purchase, like an outdoor playground or fiberglass swimming pool? You can make 2018 the year that you actually DO these things instead of just dreaming about them. The difference lies in your approach. One way to achieve your goals is to write them down, and break them into manageable chunks. Post them where you can look at them daily, and get your whole family on board. If you’re thinking of getting a fiberglass pool this year, post a picture of the pool you’ve chosen on your refrigerator and refer back to it every time you’re thinking of making an unessential purchase. Keep your eyes on the prize! If you’re not sure which pool might be the best fit for your family, check out this handy pool selector tool. Productivity gurus also like to talk about the SMART principle. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-bound. It’s a tried and true way to define your goals and finally achieve them. If, for example, your goal is to save […]
Read MoreEnjoy the Health Benefits of Swimming in the New Year
New Year’s Eve is almost here. For many of us, that means getting dressed up, celebrating with friends, and staying up way past our usual bedtime to properly greet the New Year. It’s also a time for us to stop and assess how our year has gone; what we’ve accomplished and what our hopes, goals and dreams are for the year to come. This inevitably brings up the topic of New Year’s Resolutions. Resolutions come in many shapes and sizes. And, in fact, for many of us, the resolution itself is to change our own shapes and sizes. If getting more fit and feeling more healthy in the New Year is on your list, here are the health benefits of swimming to get you there. If exercises such as jogging are too jarring for you, swimming is a great way to get the health benefit of getting your heart pumping without the high impact stress of pounding the pavement. Swimming tones your muscles and builds strength. It provides a full body workout. In addition to increasing your overall strength, swimming can improve your coordination, balance and posture. There’s no better exercise to improve cardiovascular health. Swimming just 30 minutes a […]
Read MoreWhat’s So Great About a Fiberglass Pool?
Fiberglass Pool Advantages & Benefits When you’re thinking of buying a pool, there’s a lot to consider. The first thing you’ll have to decide is whether you want fiberglass, concrete or vinyl. Personally, we believe that fiberglass is the way to go and that there are many fiberglass pool advantages. What’s so great about a fiberglass pool? Read on to learn!  That Gel Coat Finish. Why is it so great? First of all, it’s nonporous, and what that means to you is that it’s harder for algae to grow, which reduces the amount of sanitizing chemicals you’ll need (said another way, it saves you money!) The gel coat is also smooth to the touch– no scraping your little tootsies on a rough pool bottom. And because the gel coat finish is so durable, your furry kids can also get in the swim without you having to worry about damage. Built-in Seats, Steps and Tanning Ledges. Unless you’re planning on training for the Olympics, you’ll probably want to do more than just swim in your new pool. Fiberglass pools have wonderful built-in benches for sitting and chatting, tanning ledges and sun shelves for keeping cool while you’re soaking up some rays, […]
Read MoreGet Outside After Your Thanksgiving Dinner!
We’ve all experienced that post-turkey dinner food coma, and for years we’ve been told that “tryptophan” is to blame. We could take comfort in the fact that all we wanted to do was nap on Thanksgiving, because our turkey had, in essence, slipped us a sleeping pill. Well, we’re sorry to have to tell you this, but apparently that’s an old wive’s tale. Tryptophan is found in many common foods, including cheese, chicken, beef and eggs. So much for our napping excuse. (We KNOW our need to sleep doesn’t have anything to do with the three servings of mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie we had, right?) So if we don’t have a good excuse to nap, what should we do? Get outside after Thanksgiving dinner, that’s what! There’s nothing like a brisk jaunt around the neighborhood to shake off the after-dinner fog. Haul everyone off the couch and toss a football around in the backyard. Get the kids to play a game of freeze tag or throw a frisbee for the pup. (Or, if you have a pool, have an after-dinner swim!) It’s essential that you burn off some calories so that you can have enough energy to dive […]
Read MoreWays to Heat Your Swimming Pool
It gets cold in North America, even in our most tropical climates. Depending on where you live, nighttime cooling or winter weather can interfere with an enjoyable swim. That’s why before purchasing, buyers commonly ask, “can a fiberglass pool be heated?” The answer is yes: like other inground pools, you can heat a fiberglass pool. In fact, they tend to heat faster and retain heat longer than other pool types. Let’s explore the options for heating a pool. Gas Pool Heaters Gas heaters are relatively more cost effective upfront, but can be expensive to operate. While gas pool heaters will heat your pool quickly and are durable in inclement weather, they wear out faster than other pool heating options. They are an ideal option if heating your pool as quickly as possible is an important feature. Gas heaters run approximately $1,500 to $6,000 for a typical residential inground swimming pool on average, and installation typically costs another $500 to $1,500. Operating the heater may run around $200 to $400 per month, depending on how frequently you run it and the utility prices in your area. Gas Heater Pros: heats up fast Gas Heater Cons: more expensive to […]
Read MoreBenefits of Owning a Spa
No one can doubt that a spa can add an extra relaxation element to your backyard. Spas are popular choices among most people. They make for the perfect place to relax, as well as a perfect place to host friends and family. There are more advantages of owning a spa than just having a place to relax. As relaxing as spas are, other benefits help improve overall physical and mental health. Improved sleeping habits There are many studies out there that suggest that soaking in hot water before going to bed at night can help you fall asleep and have a more relaxed sleep. Getting into the hot pool spa before bed helps regulate your body temperature to a comfortably warm level that helps you fall asleep quicker and sleep through the night with fewer disruptions. Good sleep improves everything from your mental alertness, stronger immune system, rejuvenated muscles and even the way your body metabolizes food. Pain relief While soaking in a hot spa may not cure any pain disorders you may experience, it can significantly alleviate chronic pain and provide relief. Heat can reduce the symptoms and alleviate pain associated with many different conditions. Muscle inflammation, arthritis, and […]
Read MorePool Floats that You Need Now for Your Pool
Pool floats are essential for when you’re spending your days in your swimming pool. Whether you’re relaxing all day and splashing with your family and friends, floats for pools are crucial components to do both. With pool floats, you can be guaranteed to have a good time with all your pool party guests. For any pool owner, pool floats should be considered a necessity. They come in handy if you have children who may be scared when they’re in the water. Children can enjoy floating in the water without fear with the help of kid-friendly floats. Floats for pools are also perfect for when you just want to lay and relax on stressful days. Who doesn’t love to relieve stress floating in the pool all day? No matter what you want to use a pool float for, there are a lot of different options for you. We have put together a few different types of floats that we think you will enjoy. Classic and inexpensive floats If you’re looking for something simple and easy, the classic floats such as the mesh loungers and the bubble chair floats are great options. Both are comfortable and inexpensive choices. They let you relax […]
Read MoreBeautiful Water Features for Your Pool
You have your new inground pool in your backyard, and obviously, you want to create your backyard paradise. Water features are an excellent addition to any poolside backyard. Flowing water not only enhances a tranquil atmosphere, but it also adds a sense of fun and elegance to the pool. A swimming pool will bring hours of fun and relaxation, but water features can add an entirely new dimension to the usual sitting-by-the-pool experience. Of course, it is best to plan your water features while your pool is under construction. However, if you already have a pool and now you’d like to add a feature, you don’t need to worry because these elements can be added to existing swimming pools. Laminars Laminars are becoming more and more popular. They are strong, sleek streams of water that come from the decking surrounding your pool. The jets have a smooth uniform look and can be used with any inground pool design. You can add a LED color display to your laminars at night. Cascades Cascades are similar to waterfalls but offer a slightly different effect. With cascade features, the water rolls over several rocks or rock slabs and then tumbles into the pool. […]
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