POOL OPTIONS FOR COOLING SUMMER BLISS

Installing a pool can make a huge difference to your home lifestyle over the hotter months of the year — and there are plenty of features you can add for easier maintenance, health benefits and, of course, fun and games

AS THE typical early summer begins to swelter for Far Northerners, residents start looking to the water to cool down and Placid Pools knows the feeling all too well as it shares the must-have features in new pools.

The multiple Master Builders awards winner is generally always all hands on deck at this time of the year, but construction manager Mark Spelta says the government building stimulus has led to an even bigger surge in demand for his business.

“Placid Pools would already be booked out for Christmas pools by now, but this year, this happened in July and we are now booked well into 2021,” he said.

“The building stimulus packages have meant a high demand for new pools but also a shortage of skilled tradesmen and women, particularly in specialised work such as pool construction.”

Mr Spelta said a well-designed pool must be thoroughly thought into the entire house, yard, and outdoor living space, also ensuring the pool is easy to maintain and not prone to inundation of phosphates, causing headaches.

“In addition to the design, the style of pool, the selection of tiles, pebblecrete and finishes around the pool are imperative to get a ‘stand out’ pool,” he said.

Projects manager Andria Young said some must-have features in modern pools also doubled as health bonuses.

“Mineral, magnesium and natural pools have soared in popularity in the past few years,” Ms Young said.

“It defines your overall swimming experience and is an added lifestyle bonus product, which affects your family’s health and wellbeing along with the already in-built effects of having a swimming pool; it becomes a health choice also.

“Other features, that are less common due to location, budget or personal preference, are infinity edge balance tanks, automated systems, and feature and light walls.

“They give the pool another dimension to swimming and overall ‘wow’ factor. Sun pods, submerged pool furniture have also become statements, as well as built-in accessories, such as wine coolers or eskies.

“Kids’ accessories are a growing trend — either fixed pool slides or add-on accessories including family fun games. We have found heaters and pool covers have surged during the winter months as well.”

A reason many people avoid building pools is maintenance, but Ms Young said there were plenty of options.

“There are so many great solutions when it comes to maintenance of swimming pools. The most popular and time saving device is the robotic cleaners; they are a little more upfront than traditional cleaners but really do an outstanding job of cleaning the whole pool in a sequenced and smart manner,” she said. “The most effective quirky tip in the tropics is to install an auto water leveller. Due to our high evaporation, it ensures the pool is always at the optimal level to save burning out of your valuable pool equipment.”