Topic: Pool Landscape

Pool Design: It’s all in the Shape

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Ewing Aquatech - Outdoor Design, Pool Additions, Pool Landscape

Determining the shape of your brand new pool is an exciting task, and one that requires much collaboration with your pool designer. First, you need to consider the size and shape of your backyard. Then you need to take into account the style of your home. Your pool design should complement your home’s aesthetic, and the shape will govern whether you go for a classic look or something more modern. The possibilities here are almost endless. The best part is that we don’t charge for the shape. You achieve the look you’re after without worrying about cost.

Freeform or Geometric?

When it comes to pool design, this is the first big decision you’ll make. That decision often boils down to two choices between freeform or geometric looks. Neither is better than the other, and working through the factors mentioned above will often yield the best answer A free form shape allows you to customize the look of your pool without being constrained to the lines of the house. These styles can range from contemporary to natural. A popular option in this genre is the lagoon look. These pools trend family friendly, lending themselves to hidden grottos, rock wall slides and other water features.

Geometric pools range from the classic roman shapes to the very modern use of intersecting squares and rectangles. Roman and Grecian shapes complement Mediterranean style homes quite well, while the angles of more modern designs suit the hard edges of modern architecture.

What people often don’t consider is that the materials being used in and around the project can dictate the decision as well. Natural rocks don’t look right on rectilinear pools just as travertine coping contradicts a lagoon look.

Ready to pick your pool shape? Let the designers at Ewing Aquatech build your perfect pool.

Luxury Pool Design: Let’s Talk Decking

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Ewing Aquatech - Outdoor Design, Pool Landscape

A beautiful geometric swimming pool and spa by Ewing Aquatech.

Once you decide on a pool shape, add those water and fire features, your pool designer will turn your attention toward the decking. The selections for pool decks vary widely from less expensive concrete designs to luxurious travertine stone. Each offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. The choice really depends on your preference and budget. Your pool designer can walk you through the details, but here are is some general information regarding the pros and cons of both.

Concrete Pool Decks are Trendy and Inexpensive

Concrete pool decks offer a wide variety of options. They have also come a long way from the plain slabs of old. In fact, concrete pool decks are considered one of the hottest outdoor design trends. Versatility is why. Pool designers have been pushing the creative possibilities using stamped concrete overlays to mimic the look of stone or brick for much less. Different overlays can also be combined to create a border around the pool. Traditional looks or more modern industrial aesthetics can all be achieved with stamped concrete. However, concrete does need to be sealed every couple of years, which can add to the expense over time.

Natural Stone Provides Endless Variation

Natural Stone pool decks can last generations with minimal maintenance. They lend elegance and sophistication to any backyard. Limestone pool decks have become increasingly popular. Limestone can be cut into many shapes and tolerates extremes of temperatures very well. Coral stone is particularly durable and contains a unique mixture of shell fossils, coral, and bits of compressed sand or limestone. Travertine is perhaps the most luxurious choice. You can find it in a variety of rich tones and finishes to complement your home’s exterior. Natural stone is more expensive than concrete, but prices vary greatly depending on the stone you choose.

Talk to Your Pool Design Company about Decking

Whether you’re interested in a new pool or maybe want to renovate an existing one, Ewing Aquatech can show you all the beautiful the possibilities and help you choose the best decking for your lifestyle and budget.

Creating Ambient Pool and Landscape Lighting

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Ewing Aquatech - Outdoor Design, Pool Additions, Pool Landscape, Tips & Advice

A beautiful pool design by Ewing Aquatech that is enhanced by ambient pool lighting.

The role of lighting is essential in bringing balance to your pool and landscape. Lighting provides an opportunity to enhance and create the perfect ambiance for entertaining and relaxing. It unifies your pool and landscape into a seamless environment. However, to be successful, landscape lighting must go beyond the basic functionality of merely pointing light to evoking a mood that will transform your backyard at night. Similarly, the traditional two large lights embedded into each side of a pool’s interior should be exchanged for playful lights that add color and excitement LED and fiber optics are two lighting elements for both pool and landscape that can provide you with the ability to create the perfect ambient lighting.

LED and Fiber Optic Lighting for Pools

When it comes to pool and landscape lighting, they each have their own rules. For swimming pools, LED lighting is the ideal choice, providing both energy efficiency and endless color options. Reminiscent of the traditional pool era when incandescent lights were the norm for providing a safety light during night swimming, LED lights offer much more versatility. With their rise, incandescent lights started to pale in comparison to the LED’s energy savings and vibrant colors. LED lights owe their vibrancy to their higher color temperature, resulting in increased brightness and visibility at a lesser cost.

Fiber optics can compete with the LED’s vibrancy, but tend to be more expensive. They are best used to compliment pool designs by lending more of a decorative touch. For instance, fiber optics strategically placed at the bottom of a pool can portray a starry night sky to the delight of the pool owner. The goal is to balance having a well-lit pool while maintaining the ambience you desire. When choosing color for your lights, it is also important to note that the different types of interior pool finishes will influence the way the pool light renders. Your pool’s texture and color should be taken into consideration when choosing lights.

Landscape Lighting

Extending the use of your backyard for enjoyment year-round can be as easy as adding fire features and, of course, the right landscape lighting. Enhancing your landscape with the strategic placement of lights can create a variety of visual destinations. While every backyard environment will differ, there are common techniques that can add the perfect amount of ambience and class to any landscape. Elements to consider when choosing lighting are types of plant life, pathways, and water features.

A lighting technique that can be used universally among most landscape designs is uplighting. Uplighting is perfect for calling attention to softscape elements such as small trees. Uplighting can also be used to highlight textures and create unique visuals. On the other side of the spectrum, down lighting can provide subtle, yet inviting light where needed, such as around pathways. Pathways with interesting designs can become more visually appealing at night as the subtle lighting follows the curves and dips of the path. For a more dramatic tone, highlight the focal points of your landscape such as water features. The playful movement of water combined with colorful lighting results in a striking feature that enhances its surroundings.

For more information on how lightening can enhance your pool and landscape, contact Ewing Aquatech today to get started on the backyard of your dreams.