Fiberglass Pools Archives - Page 7 of 11

Ask the General: How Do I Choose the Perfect Pool Design for My Family?

Posted on January 11, 2019June 27, 2023 by krista

Dear General-

Well, we’re finally going to do it. We’ve decided that we’re going to have a new inground pool put in this year. (It’s our New Year’s resolution to have more fun as a family!) So now we’re past the dreaming stage and on to the choosing stage. We feel that fiberglass is the right kind of pool for us. But, I have to say, we’re a little overwhelmed. We started looking at all the available pool designs–the options for shapes, sizes and features for fiberglass pools–and we couldn’t believe how many choices there were! This is a big decision. How do we pick the perfect pool design for our family?

Signed-

Overwhelmed in Oak Park

Dear Overwhelmed-

I hear you. Although I’m retired now, I was in the fiberglass pool business for many years, and it seemed like there was something new every time I turned around–new shapes, sizes, features and innovations to make your fiberglass pool easier to install. There is the Backfill Eliminator® to make pool maintenance for fiberglass pools easier and the Lucky 7 Skimmer® that ensures a perfect skimmer fit for fiberglass pools. In addition to new innovations, the design options just kept getting better and better.

I was a Design consultant for many years and involved in the pool planning process thousands of times. I found that the absolutely best way to start in designing the project was to glean from the client as much information as possible while making sure they were a big part of the process. It helps to have their input, after all, it is going to be theirs, and they are paying for it.

Deciding what is perfect for your location, lifestyle, purpose of use, and pocketbook can be an enjoyable experience, or a frustrating one. To help you pick the perfect pool for you, here is a list of things to consider when you’re choosing a fiberglass pool.

What’s your budget? Pools aren’t like sweaters, where a small one costs the same as an extra large. The bigger pool you choose, the bigger your budget needs to be. So you might want to make yourself a chart (or a spreadsheet), and prioritize the add-on features that are must-haves for you. Decide how you plan to finance your pool. You also want to have a contingency budget for expenses you might not be considering, such as site preparation and dirt removal.
How much pool do you want (and need?) The first step in determining your ideal pool size is to get a plot plan or survey for an accurate measurement of your yard and easements. Also keep in mind the need for a yard, landscaping, decking, furniture and equipment.
How do you plan to use your pool? Are you planning to swim laps? Look for a wide-open swim lane. Soak up a lot of sun? Get a pool with a built-in tanning ledge. Play games? Look for a uniform depth, flat bottom. Do you have tiny tykes that need a shallow spot to learn to enjoy the water? Consider one of the fiberglass pool industry’s newest innovations–a beach entry pool (also called zero entry pools Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). These are available in freeform or rectangular shapes. If you’re thinking of a diving board, you’ll need a Type 1 diving pool, because building codes require a diving pool to be at least an 8’ depth to be safe for diving. Make yourself a chart, and prioritize the different ways you think you might use your pool because this will help you pick a pool design. There are also some cool tools online that can help you narrow things down.
What shape fits your style? A good pool designer will look at the existing architectural elements in your home and landscaping and suggest a pool shape to complement them. For example, if you have a more formal home with arched windows, you may want a Roman shape–a rectangular pool with arched ends. If you have a very free-flowing landscape design and a less traditional home, you might consider a freeform pool to fit in with that laidback feel. Please note when picking the shape of a pool, automatic pool covers work fine on freeform shaped pools, but best on rectangular pools. After all, you can always get a rectangular pool and shape the concrete decking to be straight, curvy or roman. For more information about automatic pool covers, check out this article.

Thursday Pools has a great selection of pools that will make a welcome addition to your personal backyard vacation spot. The holidays are over, so it’s time to cheer-up, gear-up and get ready for spring.

Until next time-

The General

If you’re ready to take the plunge with a new inground fiberglass pool, get an estimate today. Thursday Pools offers a wide array of handcrafted inground fiberglass pools manufactured in Fortville, Indiana, including the fiberglass beach entry pools (Patent US 10,472,839). They are available from a dealer near you.

The Millers Get a Thursday Pools Monolith

Posted on January 10, 2019September 7, 2021 by krista

Meet the Millers:

Todd, Susan, their kids Lauren (age 7), Camryn (age 5), Susan’s parents, and Stanley, their 10-year-old yellow lab. They live near Indianapolis, Indiana, in Carmel. Todd is an attorney, and Susan is a part-time realtor and full-time mom. She works around 25 hours per week and spends much of her free time chauffeuring the kids to and from swim meets, soccer practice and dance rehearsals. They have active social lives and especially enjoy spending time with Susan’s parents during the summer.

The Millers want a pool.

Getting a pool makes a lot of sense for them because Lauren is on the swim team and Camryn wants to join the swim team (as soon as he’s old enough). This wasn’t immediately a unanimous decision. Susan had to convince Todd just a little bit because he had some concerns about the swimming pool cost. Fortunately, Susan had done tons of research on inground swimming pool financing, and a pool will easily fit within their budget. She also made the point that an inground pool would increase the resale value of their home. (After all, she is a realtor, so she would know…)

Worried that pool maintenance was going to fall on his to-do list and cut into his game-watching time, Todd wanted to know who was going to take care of the pool. Susan assured him that swimming pool maintenance was something they could do as a family, that with a fiberglass pool, it wasn’t as hard as he thought it might be and that there are lots of ways to save time and money on pool maintenance.

Having decided on an inground fiberglass pool as the best bet for them, the only decision they needed to make was which one?

The Millers need to decide which is the best pool for them.

Here are some things that will help them decide:

They have a big yard, and it’s fenced in.
Lauren wants a pool big enough to host pool parties for her swim team.
The whole family likes to play games and get exercise in the water.
Camryn wants to get stronger as a swimmer to beat his sister in races, so he’s hoping for a pool he can swim laps in.
Todd, Susan and the grandparents want a place under their watchful eyes where they can teach the kids how to be safe in the water.
Stanley loves to swim.
Susan wants a place where she and Todd can relax and reconnect at the end of the day.
They all want the pool to be as low-maintenance as possible.

The Millers choose the Monolith by Thursday Pools.

Here’s why:

The Thursday Pools Monolith is big! It’s a deep and large pool that’s big enough for all their friends to party in. (Big enough to hold a whole swim team, in fact.)
The Thursday Pools Monolith has a flat bottom, so Lauren’s swim team can play in-pool games like basketball and volleyball. It’s also a Type 1 diving pool, so they can practice their diving too.
There’s a wide-open swim lane for Camryn to swim laps, but there’s also a 15-inch warning slope for the less-than-strong swimmers who might need a heads-up that they’re approaching the deep-end.
The Thursday Pools Monolith is pet-friendly! It has an awesome gel coat finish and dual swim-outs, so all (especially Stanley) can swim to their heart’s content and easily get in and out of the pool.
The Thursday Pools Monolith is automatic pool cover-ready, so the pool will stay clean when they’re not using it. (And the autocover gives them peace of mind that no one will end up in the pool unattended!)
The dual corner benches make a cozy seat for two where Todd and Susan can chill at the end of the day.

The Millers start living their happily ever after.

Now, the Millers are having a blast with their new Thursday Pools Monolith in their backyard swimming pool oasis. It’s beautifully landscaped, and Lauren’s friends always want to come over and play. All the kids are spending less time on their devices and more time playing together as a family. Camryn’s swimming skills are getting stronger every day, and he’s sure to make the swim team. And Susan and Todd spend quality time together by the pool, counting their blessings and planning for the future. They’re thinking that a spa might be next …

The Millers found their perfect pool, and you can too. Ready to find YOUR happily ever after pool? Contact a dealer today or get an estimate on the inground fiberglass pool of your dreams.

#monolith #perfectpool #ingroundfiberglasspool #funinthesun #happilyeverafter
*Based on the personalities, demographics and fun-loving spirit of our Thursday Pools customers, we’ve created some fictional families and paired them with their perfect pool!

December Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Raft to Rafters Pool and Spa, Columbus, Indiana

Posted on December 21, 2018October 24, 2024 by krista

Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Matt Miller, owner of Raft to Rafters in Columbus, Indiana.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

Our business goes back a very long way! Here’s the story: In the 1960s, my grandfather, Lorin Johnson, who was a delivery man for Wonder Bread, was trying to convince my grandmother to move from town out into the country. She refused, because the kids loved to swim in the town pool, and they wouldn’t be able to get themselves to the pool if they moved to the country. He made her a deal by saying, “If I build us a house with a pool in the country, will you go?” She said “yes”.

And so my grandfather built the house and set about the task of finding a kit to build a pool. But everyone he talked to would only sell to him if he bought more than one kit. He finally found a place called Imperial Pools in New York state that agreed to sell him a single pool kit, so he bought it and built the pool, and they all moved to the country.

Pretty soon, a neighbor said, “Hey, can you build a pool for me?” So he did. And then another neighbor, and another… you get the picture. Pretty soon, he realized he was meant to be in the pool business. So he walked into work one day and said, “I quit. I’m starting my own business.” He had $50 to his name. But he worked so hard, day and night, and they scrimped for quite a while until he got his business up and running.

After a while, he actually became a distributor for Imperial Pools. He would drive out east every summer and load up a trailer full of pools. He helped set up multiple pool companies around this area.

My path wasn’t quite so direct. I started working in the business when I was 14, but I had my sights set on being a pilot. I went to Purdue, studied aviation and got my pilot’s license. But after 9/11, it was hard for pilots to find work. I had also dreamed of being a police officer, so I went to the police academy. But right about the time I was graduating, my grandfather, who was in failing health, asked me to come and talk to him about taking over the business. I was 25 at the time, and the idea of owning a business was a little overwhelming, but my grandfather believed I could do it, so I agreed to give it a shot. I bought the company in 2012. We now have about 20 full-time employees.

What geographic areas does Raft to Rafters serve?

We serve most of southern Indiana. We install pools and spas throughout Columbus, Greensburg, Shelbyville, Seymour, Madison, Batesville and Connersville. We’ll go as far east as Cincinnati.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

You don’t have to convince people to buy a pool. They already know they want one. I never push. If folks aren’t 100 percent sure, I just say to them, “You know, I’ll be here next year too … there’s no rush.” I really enjoy guiding them to make the best decision for their family.

People know I’m going to give them my best price, so there’s no haggling. Some of these people’s families were customers of my grandfather’s! They know my family, and they trust me.

I also love the way a pool brings families together. When kids are in the pool, they’re not on their phones. They’re not playing video games. It’s so much easier for parents to connect with their kids and relax when they have a pool.

And last, but most importantly, I’m honored to carry on my grandfather’s legacy. I know how hard he worked to build this business.

What fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the areas Raft to Rafters serves?

Just like all the other dealers, I have to say the Aspen. The tanning ledges are a must-have and the shape gives it so much character. Since 95 percent of our pools are installed with an auto-cover, the fact that it’s auto-cover ready is key. We also sell a fair amount of the Lil Bob LX. We do a lot of rural installations, so our customers have plenty of room, and they want a good sized pool.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

In addition to the automatic pool covers, our most popular features are heaters and colored LED lighting packages. Lots of customers are interested in automation and being able to control their pool’s systems with their iPhones.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve had a couple of customers ask about the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839) but I haven’t sold any yet. I’m looking forward to learning more about them at the 2019 Dealer Conference.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

We’re pretty lucky with soil–just a bit of clay here and there. And as I said, most of our customers have a good amount of acreage, so space isn’t much of a problem either.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for Raft to Rafters?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is around $73,000. That will include excavation, the pool itself, a heater, LED lighting, an automatic pool safety cover and a pretty substantial amount of concrete.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

I’m a HUGE fan of Thursday Pools’ Backfill Eliminator®. I’m not typically an early adopter, but the minute I saw it, I thought, “Man, they’re on to something here. I have to try this.” I jumped right on it. My guys loved it right away. It’s really well built, and it’s a huge money, work and time saver, a God-send.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

I would say our average customer is in their 50s, but I just had a pool buyer who was only 25! A few grandparents too.

What works for Raft to Rafters in terms of marketing?

Most of our business is referrals. Like I said, we know these families, and they know us. If they decide they want a pool, they’re going to call us, and if their friends want a pool, they’re going to give their friends our number!

We’ve also recently thought about adding high-end basketball goals and playsets to our line-up of products. It’s just one more thing that might draw a family in.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

First of all, the fact that they have the ISO 9001 quality certification is awesome! They mentioned it so casually once in a meeting and I was like, “That is huge! You need to be shouting that from the rooftops!” A lot of my customers work for Cummins and Toyota, so that really means something to them.

I deal a lot with Ed and Pilar, and they are just wonderful people. Everyone there is. Thursday Pools puts relationships ahead of business. They will always do the right thing. If I needed them to jump in their truck and come here to help me, I know they would. They’re so smart, but so humble at the same time. I have 100 percent faith in them. How could you not continue to do business with a company like that?

What’s the secret to Raft to Rafters’ success?

Honestly, I strive to run my company the same way Thursday Pools does! I try to do the right thing for the right reason every time and develop relationships. I always try to help my customers see the big picture and look ahead to what they might want down the road. For example, if they don’t want a fire pit or a water feature now but think they might in a year or two, I can run the gas line or piping before we pour the concrete and save them thousands of dollars down the line. People appreciate that.

And also my people here. Everyone I know is talking about how they can’t find qualified workers. I’m blessed with an amazing staff and incredibly low turnover. One lady who works here used to work for my grandfather! She’s in her 80s! I can sell pools all day long, but without my employees, I have nothing.

About Raft to Rafters Pool and Spa

Raft to Rafters Pool and Spa sells and services inground and above-ground vinyl liner pools, inground fiberglass pools, spas, outdoor furniture and grills. They offer weekly maintenance, pool inspections, pool renovations and pool opening and closing service. They offer service throughout Bartholomew County and Jackson County, Indiana

You are by this NOTICE advised that pools manufactured by Thursday Pools are sold by independent dealers and dealerships. Each dealer is an independent business entity, that is completely separate from the manufacturer, Thursday Pools. Each dealer is an independent contractor, and no dealer is an owner, agent (in fact or law), or employee of Thursday Pools, the manufacturer. Thursday Pools, the manufacturer, hereby disclaims any liability for an intentional or negligent act by any dealer, dealership, or installer, or any damage to any Thursday Pools pool caused by an act of any dealer, dealership, or installer.

Some of the content in this blog may reflect prices, perspectives, processes, entities, and names that were relevant at the time but may not be accurate today.

November Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Easy Living Pools, Plain City, Ohio

Posted on November 28, 2018August 1, 2024 by riley

Each month, we enjoy learning more about a member of the Thursday Pools dealer family for our dealer spotlight. In November, we chatted with Chris Matthews, president of Easy Living Pools, which sells and installs both vinyl liner pools and inground fiberglass pools in Plain City, Ohio.

Easy Living Pools is located in Union County, Ohio and serves the central Ohio region, including the areas in and around: Columbus, Bellefontaine, Springfield, Marysville, Delaware, Granville and Marion, Ohio.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

Our company, Builderscape was founded by my father Ron Matthews in 2003. We built our business on design/build commercial construction. I joined the company full-time when I graduated from college. My dad dabbled in the pool business on and off over the years but was frustrated by the unreliability of suppliers. But the pool business has changed a lot over the last 20 to 30 years. We dipped our toes in the water again about ten years ago. We were selling just a couple of pools per year. Pretty soon, we realized we needed to have the word “pools” in our name if we wanted to really penetrate the market. So we created a division of our company called Easy Living Pools. We started out selling vinyl liner pools, but around 2014, a guy named Gene Foster with Thursday Pools knocked on our door and told us we needed to sell Thursday Pools fiberglass pools. He was right. We did.

At this point, pools make up about 40 percent of Builderscape’s overall business. We do up to 50 pools in a year in our current market. Our pool business nearly tripled from 2017 to this year, and 2019 is going to be a record year. Another 40 percent of our business is commercial general contracting, with landscaping and snow removal comprising the rest.

My dad is in the process of phasing out his role so that he can retire. In fact, he just moved his desk out! He’s not here on a daily basis anymore, so my role is changing.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

Pools are a place where families can be together for so many years, generation after generation. When we sell a pool, we’re selling memories. Not many other products can do that.

What fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Like many other Thursday Pools dealers, our two biggest sellers are the Aspen and Lil Bob designs. We’re buying Lil Bobs by the truckload. Around here at least, the homes are getting bigger, but the lots are getting smaller and easements are plentiful, so it’s good to have a range of sizes available. Maya is our biggest seller in terms of color, followed closely by California.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

This is definitely auto-cover country. Personally, I wouldn’t have a pool without one. So almost all the pools we sell are auto-cover ready. People will stretch their budgets to get one. Our customers also really like water features, like deck jets.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry fiberglass pool designs?

They’re interesting, for sure. They require a lot more space than a standard entry pool, so folks with smaller lots won’t be able to have them, but people with larger lots might try one.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Ohio?

We’ve got good dirt here with a few areas that require rock excavation. Tight access on smaller lots is our biggest challenge. Also, we’re heavy on permits and inspections here, within the city limits at least. You have to be a licensed general contractor to pull permits. Some want gas and electrical calculations, so we typically handle all of that for our inground pool customers.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

An average installation for us is about $125,000 to $150,000. We do almost everything in-house, including fencing. The only thing we subcontract is the concrete.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

People want ideas. They want a full-scale outdoor living environments–an entertainment space. So we’re installing pavilions, some outdoor kitchens and even putting greens with synthetic turf to round out the area surrounding the inground fiberglass pools we build.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Our buyers continue to get younger. Our demographic is between 30 and 45 years old. They’re not afraid to finance, so we’ve teamed up with lenders to make it easier for them. In their minds, it’s just like having a car payment.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

We don’t even have a sign on our building. We work through word of mouth referrals.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools’ marketing is top notch. Their brochures are beautiful, and their website is fantastic. They’re setting the bar, and other pool companies are working to catch up. I also like the fact that Bill and Ed don’t hide behind their customer service staff. If you need them, they’re there.

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Although Thursday Pools has some of the fastest turnaround times in the fiberglass pool industry, we’re in the Amazon Prime era. So I’d like to see a way to have pools ready to order. People don’t want to wait for their pools.

What’s the secret to Easy Living Pool’s success?

We are a full-service design/build firm, from concept to 3D design to completion. We have a landscape architect on staff. We have a design center, and our customers come to us first, just like they would if they were building a home or buying a car. Our team is top notch, and we’ve built a reputation over the years. All of these things set us apart from our competition.

Also, we’re continually reinvesting in our business. We bought a semi so we could control the timing of our pool deliveries. We have 15 acres of storage so we can keep an inventory of 30 to 40 pools on hand. People like to sit in a pool shell to get a feel for how big it is. We’ll continue to grow to the demand. We’re not afraid to grow.

About Easy Living Pools

Easy Living Pools is a division of Builderscape, Inc. in Plain City, Ohio. Located in Plain City, Ohio, Easy Living Pools sells and installs vinyl liner and inground fiberglass pools throughout Union County and central Ohio. They specialize in full-service inground swimming pool installations, including fencing and landscaping.

Some of the content in this blog may reflect prices, perspectives, processes, entities, and names that were relevant at the time but may not be accurate today.

Five Reasons You and Your Family Will Love a Beach Entry Fiberglass Pool

Posted on November 27, 2018May 24, 2024 by riley

You could really use a getaway. Your days are a jumble of soccer games, dance lessons, lunch-packing and chauffeuring. A break sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? Where would you go? Picture your whole family at a magnificent resort. Palm trees are swaying gently in the breeze and you’re hangin’ with the rich and famous next to a magnificent fiberglass beach entry pool (Patent US 10,472,839). The kids are splashing in water–just deep enough to play, but not so deep that you have to worry– so you’re at the water’s edge, soaking up some rays, with pool boys waiting on you hand and foot. Sounds pretty great, right? If only you had your own private jet…

Well, guess what? Fiberglass Beach entry pools aren’t just for the rich and famous anymore and you don’t have to get away to a high-end resort to experience one. You can have the luxury of a resort getaway every day in your own backyard. Thursday Pools offers inground fiberglass pools, two of which are beach entry designs– a fun and flirty freeform or a stately and classic rectangle with gracefully curved edges. Either way, you can enjoy the extravagance of a fiberglass beach entry pool at a more affordable price– considerably less than a private jet! From grandparents to toddlers, the whole family will love it (including your four-legged kids!) There are so many reasons why your family will love a fiberglass beach entry pool— here are just a few:

Ease on in. Fiberglass beach entry pools provide easy access to the pool, especially for toddlers who are just learning to love the water and may need to slowly acclimate themselves. The kiddos can gradually work up the courage to enter the pool a few steps at a time. And with a beach entry, you can walk right into the water with the kids, hand-in-hand, which is a lot easier than getting in first and trying to coax them to follow.
The beach without the hassle. You love the beach, but you might not love the hassle of preparing and packing all the stuff that has to go into spending a day at the beach— chairs, towels, sunscreen, a cooler and an umbrella– for starters! A fiberglass beach entry pool in your own backyard gives you all the fun of a day at the beach just steps from your back door (with a bathroom and fridge just inside.) Plus, you’ll never again have to worry about a swimsuit full of sand!
A depth for all. Fiberglass beach entry pools take you gradually from a zero water depth all the way to the deep-end with lots of options in between. The varying water depths provide everyone in the family the ability to wade in, hang out and swim at a water depth that’s comfortable for them. Whether your family is comprised of toddlers, tweens or teens, everyone will find a spot they love, all while being safe at the pool. Fur babies will love the ease of entry and exit too, because fiberglass pools are pet-friendly. So everyone in the family can get in the swim.
A spot to chill. Sometimes a busy parent just needs a time-out. With your own fiberglass beach entry pool, you can chill out on a ledge lounger with a beverage and book while still being just an arm’s reach away from the kiddos. Talk about the best of both worlds.
A place to party. An inground pool provides a place for the whole family to bond and the ideas for beach-themed parties are endless. You’ll never run out of reasons to celebrate at the beach in your own backyard.

There’s no better time than right now to talk to your local, independent inground fiberglass pool dealer about bringing the beach home next year. If you act now, you could be living the resort life by the time the warm weather returns in your new beach entry fiberglass pool. However, please note: pool boys are not included.

Thursday Pools designs and manufactures fiberglass pool shells that are handcrafted with the highest standards and craftsmanship. Our one-piece, inground fiberglass swimming pool manufacturing facility is based out of Fortville, Indiana. At Thursday Pools, we aspire to be the world’s most respected fiberglass pool manufacturer. Our innovations, commitment to quality, and beautiful designs set us apart. Thursday Pools is known for its innovations within the fiberglass pool industry, such as the beach entry (zero entry) fiberglass pools (Patent US 10,472,839). Get an estimate on a beach entry fiberglass pool of your very own today and bring the vacation home.

Host a Backyard Beach Party at Your Home’s Pool

Posted on November 15, 2018October 24, 2024 by riley

The beach is a special place—it’s a “shore” thing! There’s nothing quite like a day at the beach to ease away stress, recharge your batteries, and soothe your soul. Beach living is easy living. Meals are grab and go, schedules are merely a suggestion, and make-up is definitely optional. Read on to discover tasty inspirations for your next backyard beach party around your beach entry pool.

Have you ever wished you could live right at the beach? Now you can thanks to Thursday Pools’ patented (US Patent 10,472,839) fiberglass beach entry pools. With the Sandal or the Grace in your backyard, you’ll have the freedom to enjoy a day at the beach with the conveniences of a full kitchen and private bathroom just on the other side of the door.

Landscapes and hardscapes can help create a sense of place at the beach, too. And once you’re living on the beach, there’s no limit to how many different beach-themed parties you can host. Easy beach party menus help you bring the shore to your door, whether it’s just a casual weeknight dinner or a celebration full of family and friends. Where would you like to party this week?

Bring on a bit of Florida flair.

Grouper, crab cakes, and hush puppies are the de rigueur on Florida menus. Shrimp cocktails and ceviches will enhance the Florida beach feel, too. Serve a chilled seafood buffet or blacken some grouper and throw it on the grill. For dessert, key lime pie is, of course, a must.

Mix up a little Mexican cuisine.

Beach pool parties should be casual and easy. Set up a build-your-own-taco or nacho bar poolside complete with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro to garnish. Scatter baskets of chips and salsa around the tables for easy snacking, then sit back and relax at your own private beach.

How about a taste of the Caribbean?

Tropical fruits like papaya, mango, and guava paired with fresh-grilled fish, jerk chicken, shrimp, pork, or steak are the epitome of Caribbean cuisine along with Jamaican-influenced dishes like red beans and rice. Throw some kabobs on the grill to pair with a fresh fruit salsa and side of seasoned rice and beans and your Caribbean beach party is ready to go.

Or, perhaps, a Thai-Inspired Meal?

Satays are everywhere in Thailand, including on the beach. They’re similar in style to the kabobs of the Caribbean, but with a completely different flavor profile. Marinate chicken, shrimp, pork, or steak in coconut milk and Asian spices for an hour or so, thread onto wooden skewers (soaked in water first so they won’t burn), and throw them on the grill. Serve with a quick and easy peanut sauce on the side, and maybe a chilled cucumber salad or noodle dish, and you have a deliciously

authentic Thai dinner ready for your beach party.

When you decide how to throw a beach party around your backyard’s zero entry pool, you can enjoy the casual luxury of beachfront living any night of the week. Fiberglass beach entry pools are now available in both a stately rectangular design and a curving, flirty freeform. Choose the design that best fits the vibe you want to create in your backyard beach oasis and get an estimate today!

Create Your Own Private Backyard Beach Pool Oasis

Posted on November 8, 2018October 24, 2024 by riley

Beach vacations create family memories you’ll cherish forever—from building sandcastles with the kids and lounging with a good book to simply putting down your phone and reconnecting with the people you love. But beach vacations can also create memories you may not find as heartwarming, like dragging enough sand into the car to build a sandcastle in the backseat, fighting crowds for the best spots, or realizing you forgot the sunscreen as soon as you settle into your lounge chair. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have the beach all to yourself, enjoying the water in a beach entry pool and staying sand-free in your backyard beach pool oasis?

Top that off with the creature comforts of a clean bathroom, stocked refrigerator, and unlimited sna cks and supplies just steps away in the house, and you’ve got the best of both worlds.

But how is this possible?

Beach entry pools, once only available to high-end resorts and hotels, are now available for residential installations in durable and low-maintenance fiberglass in both rectangle and freeform shapes. With a zero entry pool, you can experience the feeling of a lazy day at your backyard beach pool every day, without the travel time, expense and hassle of getting there. Once you’ve installed your new beach entry fiberglass pool, you can evoke the ambiance of the beach in even more ways.

Check out these fun tips to enhance your “day at the beach” experience in your own backyard.

Surround your beach entry pool with tropical plants. There’s no better way to recreate the tropical feelings of the beach than with trees and plants you might typically find there. In the Midwest, you may have to plant tropicals, like palms, in pots and bring them indoors for the winter, but it’s worth a little extra effort to be able to listen to the palm leaves rustle in the wind on a breezy summer day.
Add tanning ledge loungers to your backyard beach pool. Sitting in a lounge chair on the shore with the waves gently lapping at your toes is heavenly. You can replicate that experience with tanning ledge loungers that allow you to enjoy the cool, refreshing water on your feet (and bottom!) while enjoying a good book or soaking up the sun.
Choose decor that feels like a beach resort. Choosing furniture, throw pillows, outdoor rugs, and lighting in cool shades of sandy tan, blue, and white will help create that posh, upscale-beach-resort feeling that transports you thousands of miles from home.
Throw a beach party. Once your new backyard beach pool oasis is installed, landscaped, and furnished, what else is left to do but throw a beach-themed party? Whether it’s a casual cookout with a few friends or a more elaborate waterside celebration like a wedding, anniversary party, or rehearsal dinner, your new backyard beach will become the focal point of your parties and the envy of the neighborhood.

Finding ways to create quality time with family and friends is a perfect solution to reduce stress and unleash more joy in your day-to-day life. Discover all the fun that awaits!

Ask the General: New Pool Owner FAQs

Posted on November 6, 2018June 17, 2025 by riley

Dear General-

I think our family is finally ready to take the plunge and get an inground fiberglass pool. We’re excited! But we have so many questions. When should we buy? How should we finance? What should we be thinking about when we’re choosing the features for our pool? What do we need to learn in terms of pool safety and maintenance? Help us be a new pool owner, dear General!

Signed-

Excited in East Chicago

Dear Excited-

Yes, getting a pool IS a very exciting time and yes, there is a lot to think about. I could go on for hours about all the fun you’ll have as a new pool owner. I could also go on about the responsibilities of owning a pool, like assigning pool maintenance chores, pool safety and common pool maintenance mistakes to avoid. But let’s just dip our toes in the water for now… I’ll try to tackle some new pool owner FAQs. You should definitely tune in to my regular posts to learn as much as you can about pool ownership.

When is the best time to buy a pool? Well, I was a pool salesman for years, so I’m tempted to answer “RIGHT NOW AND I’LL BE RIGHT OVER.” But since I’m retired I’ll just give you a little advice. If you live in the Midwest, pool builders near you are already booking (or booked!) for spring installs, so you need to get on the list now for next season. An early start will enable you to finish your landscaping so you have the most time to enjoy the pool. Most reputable pool builders will have a pretty full schedule come spring, but once the season starts, you might get lucky and squeeze onto their schedule for an early summer installation. If the weather gets nice really early and installs run ahead, pool companies may even offer discounts to help fill in gaps in their schedules, but that’s a gamble. My best advice, if you want to be in the swim by summer, is BUY NOW. Fall and winter are the best times to make your decisions and get your pool installation scheduled for the spring.
How should we finance our new inground swimming pool? There are lots of financing options for your new pool project. Just like any other major purchase, you need to do some research and get the best possible deal on your investment. Check out home equity lines of credit (HELOCs.) They allow you to borrow only as much money as you need for your pool project against the equity in your house.
What should we be thinking about when choosing the features for our new pool? Inground pools offer a lot of great benefits: quality family time, exercise, increased social activity with fun pool parties and relaxation, to name a few. Think about which of those add-on features are most important to your family. If it’s exercise, choose a large and deep pool with wide-open swim lanes. If it’s relaxation, think about a pool with a tanning ledge that allows you to lounge in the water while soaking up some rays. If your kids are just learning to swim, consider one of the fiberglass pool industry’s newest innovations– beach entry fiberglass pools (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). It’s just a like a day at the beach! Your kids can play on the “shore” and ease their way into gradually deeper water while the big kids swim farther out. Think of all the money you’ll save on vacations when you bring the beach to your own backyard! And don’t forget to add in some add-on features– extras like a slide and water features will make your new pool truly your own.
What about swimming pool safety? While we’re on the subject of kids and pools, seize the window between the time you order your pool and the time your pool is installed to teach your kids the rules of pool safety. Spend some time over the winter helping them learn the rules. You might even come up with some fun games or quizzes to make sure they’re sinking in. Then, by the time summer swim season comes around, the kids will be well-versed in the do’s and don’ts of safe swimming.
What do we need to know about swimming pool maintenance? Your pool builder will give you some great information about maintaining your new pool after it’s installed and you should look for a reliable pool maintenance pro near you. In the meantime, read up on water chemistry and decide if you want a salt or chlorine-based system. There are some misconceptions about pool ownership and pool maintenance that need to be debunked and some common mistakes you can avoid. The biggest trick is to stay on top of daily maintenance from Day One. Split up the tasks amongst all the family members to keep everyone engaged.

Every family has different needs, wants and reasons for getting a pool. For my family, being a new pool owner was all about togetherness. My wife worked for the school corporation, and had summers off. We wanted the kids to have a place to bring their friends so we could keep an eye on them and know who they were hanging out with. We had a place for family cookouts, little league teams, church groups, a wedding reception, many pool parties and a fun, safe place for our children and their friends to hang out.

Your family will find a million ways to enjoy your pool too. Don’t get too bogged down in worrying about maintenance. You’ll figure it out. And your local pool maintenance pro will help you as well. Remember how you felt when you took your first kid home from the hospital? If you can raise kids, you can take care of a pool. It will be wonderful and you’ll have experiences that your kids will remember forever. I know mine do.

Well, these leaves aren’t going to rake themselves. I’d better get to it.

Until next time-

The General

Who is The General?

The man, the myth, the legend….we just call him The General. His organized, systematic approach to pool installations over the years had his crew members calling him “The General” and it stuck. The General has over 30 years’ experience in the pool and spa industry, working for one of Pool and Spa News’ “Top 50 Pool Builders.”

Over that time, he designed, sold, project-managed and installed over a thousand inground swimming pools. As a pool owner himself, he’s the perfect authority to give you the inside scoop, with amazing tips and tricks to make pool ownership a breeze!

October Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Akins Excavating; Middlebury, Indiana

Posted on October 31, 2018October 24, 2024 by riley

Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Tabby Bratt, co-owner of Akins Excavating in Middlebury, Indiana.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

We’re family owned. We started out solely as an excavating business in 1998. My parents owned it first, and my husband, Justin, and I took it over in 2006. We started doing pools about ten years ago, and it’s now about one-third of our business.

What geographic areas do you serve?

We serve most of northern Indiana and parts of southern Michigan, so our customers are based in and around Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, Wawasee, Warsaw, Laporte and Syracuse, Indiana as well as Three Rivers and Niles, Michigan.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

Since we also do excavating, the pool end of our business is the fun side! While excavating is something people need, pools are something our customers really want! Plus, it’s nice to get to see the finished project. We know how much fun people will have in their pools with their families. Since family is so important to us, that means a lot.

What fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Our top seller is the Aspen. Our customers love it for the shape, the fact that it’s auto-cover ready and the built-in tanning ledges. I think families love it because the kids can play on the shallow tanning ledge while the adults swim and visit. There’s a spot for everybody.

As far pool colors go, Maya and California are for sure our most popular. I’d say 80% of the pools we sell are Aspens in the Maya finish.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

We sell lots of slides and games, like basketball goals. Almost all of our customers choose an automatic pool safety cover. And people really like salt water systems–I’d say about 90 percent of our customers are choosing salt water systems.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve had several customers ask about the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). Personally, I would like it! I’m interested to learn more about how they work with automatic pools covers, but I think they’re going to be very cool.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

Well, we have a lot of sandy soil here–not a lot of clay or bedrock–so that makes things easier. Probably our biggest challenge is the fact that we serve some fairly rural and heavily wooded areas, especially as we get into Michigan. So we sometimes face a challenge of getting into sites, past trees, or getting our backfill materials in.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is around $92,000. That will include excavation, 4 feet of concrete, plumbing, wiring, pump, heater, lights, typically a salt system and an automatic pool safety cover.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

Some of the best trends in the fiberglass pool industry have come from Thursday Pools! Their Backfill Eliminator® is amazing. We use it on every pool with a tanning ledge that we install. It’s a major time saver (and a major back saver!) The tanning ledges themselves are huge. I don’t see those going away anytime soon.

I also feel like the structural integrity of fiberglass pools has improved over the years. And for sure, Thursday Pools’ fiberglass pools are about the strongest we’ve seen.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Our pool buyers are all over the place in terms of demographics. Most of our customers are in their 40s, with kids in middle school, who are investing in their homes and creating something for their families that will last a lifetime. But we also see grandparents adding pools to their homes, even if they’ve downsized, to give the grandkids something fun to do when they visit.

What works for Akins Excavating in terms of marketing?

We just basically don’t market. We’re currently booked through 2019. We used to do the home shows, but we don’t even do that anymore. Our business comes from word-of-mouth. And through the excavation end of our business, we work with a lot of home builders who refer people to us.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools is a great company that makes a great product. They’re business savvy, and they’re great communicators. They deliver every time. They do what they say they’re going to do. I just think they’re the best we’ve worked with.

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything. Anytime we need them, they’re there. I would say just keep doing what they’re doing.

What’s the secret to the success of Akins Excavating?

Our world revolves around our family, our church and our community. We have two kids, and we want to teach them about hard work and caring for others. So, we just try to lead by example and do the right thing for our customers.

About Akins Excavating

Akins Excavating has served northern Indiana and southern Michigan for over 30 years. They offer excavation services for residential and commercial customers as well as septic system hook-ups and full-service fiberglass pool installation. They serve much of Elkhart County, Kosciusko County and Saint Joseph County in Indiana as well as Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan.

Some of the content in this blog may reflect prices, perspectives, processes, entities, and names that were relevant at the time but may not be accurate today.

September Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Royal Pools and More, Dyer Indiana

Posted on September 26, 2018August 1, 2024 by riley

Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Frank DeBartolo, Jr. of Royal Pools and More in Dyer, Indiana.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

Well, we couldn’t be more of a family affair. My dad, Frank, Sr., started the Royal Pools and More around 2001. Now, we have cousins, uncles, brothers and just about every other relation at some level of the business. And we’ve got 15-20 seasonal employees.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

I love that we’re in the business of creating fun. I know that sounds corny, but we take a place that’s just basically a patch of grass and we create a space where families will have fun together for many years. That makes me happy. I was in the restaurant business in Chicago for a long time, working in the kitchen. As a chef, you don’t get to see the satisfaction on people’s faces when they’re enjoying what you’ve done. In the pool business, you do. I dig that.

What are the most popular features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

A lot of pool builders will tell you the same thing– built-in tanning ledges for sure. I can’t stress enough how much people love tanning ledges. Thursday Pools really hit the nail on the head when they started adding them to several of their designs.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

Fiberglass pool owners are going for automation, for sure. We’re installing bubblers, laminars, deck jets, waterfalls, and even waterfalls with fire in them. Customers love that they can turn these things on and off from their phones, and they are loving the resort look and feel of these kinds of add-ons. We’re putting this kind of stuff into about 80 percent of the pools we sell.

What fiberglass pool colors are the most popular among pool buyers in and around northeastern Indiana and the southern suburbs of Chicago?

Maya and California for sure. There are a few customers out there who are starting to be interested in the grays, but most folks just want their pools to be blue. For me personally, I miss white, but I don’t think that’s coming back any time in the near future!

What fiberglass pool designs are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Lil Bob and Aspen. Again, people love the built-in ledges. Also, people want pools that are auto-cover ready. Because we cross state and city lines, some of our installs require fences and some don’t, if the customer has an automatic pool cover. Whether it saves them from having to get a fence or not, people love automatic pool covers for the enhanced safety and convenience.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve started to have some people interested in the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). They appeal to a very high-end clientele. No other fiberglass pool manufacturer can touch this trend. It gives us something to sell that no one else has.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

For us, it’s groundwater. So that’s why I believe Thursday’s fiberglass pools are the best bet. Thursday Pools are the only fiberglass pool shells we sell. The shells are strong. Fiberglass pools are a way better choice than vinyl liner pools around here.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

I’m a big believer in video, particularly blogging and educational videos. I think that if you help people understand your product, they’ll choose you when they’re ready to buy because you’re their expert. Video has really helped us get more visitors to our website.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Buyers, in general, are getting younger. Couples in their late 30s and early 40s are buying pools. Also, the home building business is booming here. This area used to be nothing but cornfields 20 years ago. Now we’re doing tons of new build installs. I’d say that new builds were about 40 percent of our business last year.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is between $70,000 and $95,000. That’s going to include excavation, 4 feet of concrete, colored lights, heater and a standard winter cover. Almost all of our customers are going to add an automatic pool cover onto that.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools has personality, heart and soul. They started around the same time we did. And they’re growing so fast, but you can still get a hold of Ed or Bill whenever you need them. If they make a mistake, they go above and beyond to make it right. I’ve tried every brand of fiberglass pools out there, and nothing compares to Thursday Pools.

The other thing about Thursday Pools is their innovation. I show their designs to customers and they’re like, “Wow. These are so cool.” The designs are exactly what they want. The people at Thursday Pools listen. Then they design. They set the bar. They are literally making the rules in the fiberglass pool business.”

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Their support is fantastic. The website is great. I love their dealer portal–I use it all the time. I also like the videos. They’re so helpful to show customers. The only thing I could use from them is more literature! I sell so many of their pools that I always run out of brochures.

What’s the secret to Royal Pools and More’s success?

There are lots of pool businesses in northwest Indiana and the southern Chicago suburbs that are bigger than we are. But we’ve got family values and we’ve got personality and heart. We like to put fun facts about us on our website so that people will know us before we get to their houses. We have fun and we put a personal touch on everything we do. People like that.

About Royal Pools and More

In addition to building pools, Royal Pools and More offers a retail store and weekly pool maintenance. They serve northwest Indiana as well as the southern Chicago suburbs. Some of the communities in which they offer pool building services include: Frankfort and Tinley Park, Orland Park and Mokena, Illinois as well as Dyer, St. John, Schererville, Valparaiso and Crown Point, Indiana.

Some of the content in this blog may reflect prices, perspectives, processes, entities, and names that were relevant at the time but may not be accurate today.