When you start thinking about your custom pool, often it's hard to comprehend what the final product will really look like. Often the landscaping or poolscaping is the last thing a homeowner thinks of. That's fine- just make sure your landscape designer is good at what s/he does!
One thing I notice on new pools is how small plantings look in relation to the new pool, patio, kitchen and/ or deck. You can avoid this by using colorful, creative large pots planted with wonderful, outrageous tropical plants!
Here are just a few tantalizing examples of how luxurious your backyard oasis can be!
Large containers enhance the architecture of your pool.... Notice how we used large cannas as the vertical of each pot? Gives color, texture and height to the containers.
The landscape can emphasize and enhance your design.
I like to use plantings to help create an overall feeling of lushness, like a tropical getaway. Many of the container designs I create use tropicals (like Cannas or palms) as centerpieces. This helps convey a laidback yet luxurious atmosphere. I use rich colors- reds, burgundy, golds with bright purples and blue to give your architecture some eye candy!
Even the most beautiful pools need regular maintenace. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to keep your chemicals balanced and the pool equipment in perfect working order. Don't wait to get help- keep your pool service company on speed dial! To find out about our pool services, visit our
services page.
(We had a cool May last year!)
Pool Opening- one of the most important times for pool owners!
Normally, in Kansas, we don't recommend opening your pool until danger of frost has passed (usually mid to late April). Well, this year is anything but normal! Open your pool as soon as you can, say our pool experts! Get more time to enjoy it but also, open it sooner to prevent any more ALGAE growth. With the temperatures being as hot as they are, this spurs algae growth. The longer you wait to open your pool, the more green algae you will have. This means we will have to use more chemicals to get rid of that algae!
Pool Opening- $225
Our trained pool technicians will open your pool and do the following:
-Remove and put away pool cover
-Start up pump and filter, instal skimmer baskets and return fittings
-Check heater operation (will leave heater off unless specifically told otherwise by homeowner)
-Install cleaner, handrails and other equipment
-Add needed chemicals to make water balanced and ready for use**
-Note any issues
Spa opening- $200 (if applicable)
**Chemicals will be invoiced separately
**Does not include mileage
For more pool opening information, click here!
When choosing a pool, one factor for people is the durability of the pool’s surface. Often, custom concrete pools are disregarded because the surface is porous and requires more upkeep. In the past, with a custom concrete pool, many people were given the option of paint or plaster. Which to choose? Maybe ten years ago, the choice was paint. Hey, you can always repaint- it may be temporary but…..
We have made a lot of strides in ten years. IPod, IPad, IPhone, Google, etc. etc. We’ve also improved our pool technology! (that’s what you’re here for, right?) This improvement is plaster- well, it’s sort of plaster (it’s in the plaster family at least). This improvement has brand names: Sunstone and Krystalcrete are the two we use. They are quartz aggregates blended with an improved Portland cement mixture. It is 3D in the water and gives the same effect as a marble or Silestone countertop but underwater!
What’s new about it: it resists degradation. As long as you are on top of your chemicals and they stay in balance, your surface will remain strong for many, many years. People frequently comment about the depth and shimmer. The quartz pieces offer color and texture but are smooth to the touch. It is also easy to apply for your pool builder. This is a plus because it limits the margin of error!
Another thing to keep in mind when fantasizing about your new pool- THE SERVICE. Make sure you choose a service company that will keep your pool in good shape. You would never buy a new car and then do all the maintenance yourself would you? Of course, change the oil yourself if you want to. But leave the big stuff to the professionals! Same with your pool.... Learn more about pool service HERE!
Another type of inground pool that we install is a Vinyl Liner pool. We frequently replace the interior liners. One component and trait of these pools is that they require liner replacement about every 3-5 years. Although many manufacturers tell you it's every 5-10 years, it seems more realistic that in our climate, we replace them every 3 to 5 years. All pools will last longer between rehabs if the chemicals are balanced!
A vinyl liner pool can be almost any shape now days. In the past, they came in limited sizes and shapes. However, all the parts are factory made and shipped to fit the liner now. The walls are made from either a stainless steel or polymer. All the parts, that we use, are made in Indianapolis at the Ft Wayne Pool company.
- Initially the pool hole is dug in the correct shape. The wall is set in the ground and then a concrete footing is poured around it and backfilled. This holds the wall in place.
- At this point, the pool is plumbed and the lights and electric are run.
- The bottom shape of the pool is poured and created with a product called Poolcrete. This shape will fit the line of the pool liner.
- The deck is poured- common options include Cooldeck, a concrete product that remains cool in the hot summer sun.
- The liner is attached- suctioned really- and the pool is filled. The pressure of the water helps hold the liner in place. It not recommended that any pool be drained unless for service! Please don't drain your pool... consult a licensed service professional if you have any questions. Here is our service page!
While prices are variable, vinyl liner pools are a less expensive option in most instances. I would say that custom concrete pools are nearly always the most expensive option- anything custom costs more. There is more design time involved, as well as more production and material costs (more elaborate plumbing and electical work, more deck materials, tile, etc). I believe that vinyl liner pools are a good "entry level" pool for many people!
Feel free to contact us with questions about this or any pool!
(785) 843-9119 OR
Click
here to download your FREE Guide to Pool Basics whitepaper!
Crazy celebrity pools and what fits you best? What is the pool of your dreams??
What is your pool personality?? While this quiz is in NO WAY scientific, it is meant to amuse you and let you imagine the pool of your dreams!
1. My favorite color palette is:
--Cool: blues, bottle green, whites, ecru
--Neutral or simple: flax, linen, cream, browns, ebony/ black
--Organic: burnt orange, soft yellow, cocoa brown, green tea
--A little Bright and a little basic: bright pink on a white background, cool cream with a yellow punch.
2. I would describe the interior design of my house as:
--Mid-century modern
--Romantic, classical
--Contemporary
--Colonial
3. The architecture of my home is:
--Ranch (California, Prairie style, split-level)
--Tuscan
--Modern
--Farmhouse/ Rustic
4. My favorite drink poolside is:
--A margarita! Duh.
--White wine
--Green tea smoothie or fresh fruit smoothie
--Ice water
A = mid-century beach house. Could be in Malibu, could be in Florida. As long as it’s long, lean, clean and cool! You like the good life, simple lines and extravagant jewels.
(courtesey of Architectural Digest. Look it's John Travolta's house!)
B= Mediterranean splendor is for you! You love the warm terra cotta colors of tile. You love beautiful curves and a splendid walkway that leads to your backyard oasis. Drama is a good thing! Dark metal, secluded nooks and great, rich texture are what makes your pool POP.
(It's totally Cher's house! On the market now....)
(Or perhaps Lance Armstrong's Austin extravaganza?)
C= Modern, contemporary style for you. Your gorgeous abode inside is carried out to your lovely backyard hideaway! You want the classic, organic lines of your furniture and kitchen to extend out to your landscape…. You crave a place of refuge and retreat. It’s perfect for family time- with simple surfaces that are foot friendly but it’s also new, fresh and state of the art.
(What used to be Demi Moore/ Ashton Kutcher's house)
D= Fun Rustic Romantic: it’s the traditional surface with a real kick. While you love the traditional and even colonial curved surfaces that create comfort and stability, you want it to be fun! It’s YOUR lifestyle… rich stone, simple lines, gorgeous lush tile in an exotic hue. But there are lots of places to relax and rest, not too many looks or textures. Just right….
Two things I want to talk about in this post:
1) Constructing a pool in the off season. We have had more pool contracts this fall and winter than in a long time. Fall and winter are the perfect time to work on pool construction- the designers have more time to focus on your project, the pool team isn't sidelined by rainy days (I'll get to weather in a minute!) nor are they having to perform service on pools. Basically you have a whole company at your disposal.
2)Custom concrete pool, also called gunite or shotcrete. All of the pools we've been working on during this mild winter have been custom concrete. Custom concrete are an incredibly flexible pool category. Pool design is only limited by budget.
**Design Costs:
Usually there are more design costs associated with this type of pool. As well, maintenance and construction costs are higher. The upside? Custom. Want a spa? Got it. Want a swim up bar? Ok. Want a slide, laminars and a fire feature? That is affirmative.
Custom pools also allow you to pick colors and textures and an overall look with much more detail. If you are an interior decorator and love to work with texures inside your house, you will love the design work that goes on in a custom pool design! As well, these pools can be any shape or size that your property allows!
**Maintenance:
Because the surface is porous, even with plaster on it, it will require resurfacing. It also demands attention to your chemical balance. You must pay attention to the chemicals or pay someone to pay attention to it weekly. Careful balance of chemicals will keep the surface in good shape for a number of years and prolong the life of the plaster.
A few more pictures of construction.....
**Another thing to think about is the construction time. Often, custom pools take longer to construct. While a fiberglass pool comes in pre-made or factory made shapes, which are ordered and shipped to us, a concrete pool is designed and built by hand.
**How do I pick a custom pool construction company?
While we'd love to be your choice, we focus our construction on the areas of Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan and Overland Park. To choose a company, take a good long look at their pools. Ask them for a timeline- this should not be set in stone (beware the guys who guarantee a timeline!). Make sure you understand the parameters of your contract- ask questions. Expect to pay for each piece of construction, as it is built. Expect to sign a change order and be billed for everything you add to the process, the design and the pool. Ask for references- do not hesitate or feel bashful!!
Here is our gallery with custom pool work! Here are some videos of us "shooting concrete".
Visit our facebook page to get a feel for our current projects: here!
When it comes time to finally make that pool choice, many people choose a fiberglass pool. The most popular reasons are:
-Ease of maintenance: non-porous pool surface. They hold chemicals really well!
-The color: more fade resistant than either plaster, painted or vinyl surfaces.
-Shorter construction time
-Better warranty: 35 years on the structure, 15 years on the color.
We are pleased to introduce our main fiberglass pool supplier, Leisure Pools.They are an international company with a sterling record for producing high quality, gorgeous pools. They have recently achieved ICC approval. They are the only company that has passed the new, tougher standards.... Click here for more information: Leisure Pool blog.
Fiberglass pools come in a variety of pre-manufactured shapes and sizes. They are a good value for the homeowner and a truly beautiful addition to the backyard of your dreams!
An update to this fiberglass pool blog: we were just awarded a silver medal in the APSP Design Awards, fiberglass pools division. We are so proud of this award and can't wait to bring our knowledge and expertise to your backyard!
Pondless waterfalls are the latest design trend in low maintenance water features. Their appeal is having the visual and audible benefit of a water feature without the laborious maintenance of a pool that attracts algae, wildlife, and insects. A pondless water feature also has the benefit of allowing small children and pets to interact with the water without the fear of falling into an open pool.
The key component of the pondless water feature is to have the pump draw its water from an underground cistern-style reservoir, rather than an open air pond. The water that runs down the fall percolates through layers of decorative rock where it is drawn into the pump.
At Midwest Custom Pools and Lawrence Landscape, we have taken the pondless water feature design to the next level by incorporating them into retaining walls. By doing this, we now provide our clients with all the benefits of running water while minimizing the required space that many natural stream bed designs require. The other challenge with natural stream beds is that most look like volcanoes that all of a sudden appear in the corner of someone’s back yard. With our approach, the water feature co-exists with a natural retaining wall that is needed to define the outdoor space or create a screen of nearby structures.
We have also developed our mechanical system to utilize tried and true off-the shelf components, while keeping them completely out of site. This has greatly reduced the need for follow-up repairs and replacements.
To continue pushing the envelope with our design, we are designing both water features and pools that incorporate fire and water together. Fire bowls are a fun way to add an unexpected element to your outside area, as well as a great feature for evening and night enjoyment!
One of the hot trends in residential pools has been and continues to be infinity edge pools. I always imagine infinity pools in Jamaica or LA or Miami. But we, in the midwest, can get in on it too! We built one for a family in Manhattan- they wanted the best of both worlds. They were new grandparents and wanted something to entertain their grandkids but didn't want to sacrifice style. Their pool is a great continuation of the house- the inside just flows right out to the patio and the infinity pool keeps the eye moving. It is really a fresh and harmonious pool design! Our friends over at the Kansas City Home and Garden magazine used pictures of their house in this great article. (While you're over at their site, check out some of the other great decorating ideas they have. They are an excellent source for what's hot in home, garden and living in the Kansas City area.)
One of the things I like most about pool design these days is that modern, clean lines are back. Not every pool has to be a grotto (either stylistically or practically). Some families want a clean, simple rectangular lap pool.... many of the "new" designs we do reflect this. A pool is a big investment but it can remain a subtle or harmonious element in the backyard design. Many house styles call for a simpler, lower pool. For instance, long, low Praire Style homes or the traditional Rancher are complimented by wide, long, low pools. All three pool types, custom concrete (or Gunite), fiberglass and vinyl liner pools can do the retro-modern style very well! Obviously, it's the finishing touches that create a truly custom masterpiece- the tile, the colors of decking material as well as the type. Many of the retro simple pool styles do well with plain concrete deck. However, making that pop and look like a choice rather than an economy is the trick! Choose great finishes (staining and stamping) and use stone to accent the design.
I wanted to post a short piece of information I overheard today. It was from a pool customer. His story went like this:
He and his wife were looking at houses and settled on one that, incidentally, had a pool. He wasn't initally sure if he wanted the responsibility but, being grandparents, were sure it would be fun for the grand kids. The pool is a steel sided vinyl liner pool. It had been sitting on the market for months and the pool had suffered. We were hired to replace the vinyl liner. When Bryan, our service supervisor, was asked how much it would cost to fill the pool, he said "$40." Our customer filled it and it was almost perfectly, on the nose, $40. During the three months he had the pool open that first year, it cost him approximately $30-$40 a month in electricity to keep the pump running, etc. This means that monthly, it cost as much as one extra tank of gas to keep this pool running.
Is that less than you thought? It's less than I thought!