Volume 1, Issue 1

2010

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

All Things
Considered
Important Considerations Before
Making Your Backyard Purchase

• Swimming Pool
• Grill Selection
• Outdoor Furniture
• Fencing

Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition
Family Updates
Extend the indoors...out
Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons. People are choosing to
create backyard retreats where they can relax, entertain, and spend time with their family and friends.
Most backyard escape havens include a swimming pool with a grill, fire pit, and lavish gardens, but
now there are more items than ever to choose from to create the backyard of your dreams.

Whether you’re looking for a shaded area, an exotic gazebo, exquisite decking,
or an outdoor television, the Extended Living Spaces group
can be a one-stop backyard source for all of your outdoor living needs.

The companies and products found within the Extended Living Spaces program are independent
of one another and have their own dealer/distribution networks. The products are also available
through the Viking Pools, Composite Pools, and Crystal Palace Pools network of dealers.

www.ExtendedLivingSpaces.com
Extended Living Spaces • Extend the indoors...out • www.ExtendedLivingSpaces.com Volume 1, Issue 1

Contents All Things Considered

Important facts to keep in
mind before you start your
backyard transformation
5

6 Making a Splash
Donated pool is a refreshing
change for campers

Go Beyond the
Grill with Pantel 11

13 Up & Out
Homebuyers focus on outdoor
living when moving up

T.G. Sheppard Sings the

Praises of His New Pool 18

24 Why Exercise
in the Pool?

1
 2010 • Volume 1, Issue 1

28 The Right Choice

How to make the
best pool purchase

Getting Off to the

Right Start with Pool
Water Chemistry
34

37 Maintaining
Your Investment

Fence,
Getting Started 41

45 Tips for Designing the

Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

Decorative Water
Features & Ponds 47

2 Extended Living Spaces • Extend the indoors...out

 Extended Living Spaces • Extend the indoors...out

Outdoor Dining: Tips

for a Successful Event 52

55 Light Up Your Night

For the Health of It

Reality TV star Matt Roloff
raves about the fitness
benefits of pool ownership
59
Home Sweet Home
66 How the gift of a pool
continues to change the
lives of three worthy families

Beach Home
How one family created a seaside
resort in their own backyard
74

76 C’mon Baby
Light My Fire

www.ExtendedLivingSpaces.com 3
 Publisher
Viking Pools LLC
PO Box 550
Jane Lew, WV 26378

Editor
Stacy Nelson
snelson@extendedlivingspaces.com

Designers
Travis Casto
Brandon Nelson
Frazier Miller, Jr.

Editorial
Alan E. Sanderfoot
Annie Chaskalson
Alan Schuster
Gil Erlich
Stacy Nelson
Joe West
Ron Laurent
Dale Seiden
Julie Crone

Ad Sales
Pat Tomlinson

Contact Information
Extended Living Spaces
Managed by Viking Pools LLC
PO Box 550
Jane Lew, WV 26378
info@extendedlivingspaces.com
www.extendedlivingspaces.com

Copyright© 2010 by Viking Pools LLC. All rights

reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without
written permission is prohibited. All advertising
is subject to approval by the publisher. Extended
Living Spaces will assume no responsibility for
unsolicited manuscripts and graphic materials.
Please address all correspondence to Extended Living
Spaces, Attn: Stacy Nelson, PO Box 550, Jane Lew
WV 26378, Phone: (304) 884-6954, Fax: (304) 884-
3002, email: snelson@extendedlivingspaces.com.

4
All Things Considered
Important facts to keep By: Stacy Nelson
in mind before you start your backyard transformation
They say hind-sight is 20/20, and nothing could
be truer about designing your outdoor living
space. Being prepared and armed with information
before you break ground on your backyard could
mean the difference between a livable space and
a regrettable space. Whether you’re just adding
a flower bed or installing a pool, pergola, and
outdoor kitchen, considering the obstacles and
challenges along with the value and benefit is the
key to achieving your backyard dreams.

The first thing you need to do is decide what

you want to accomplish from your backyard
transformation. Will you use the area for your kids
and their friends to play so you know where they
are? Will you invite your family and friends over for
outdoor barbecues? Will you entertain business
guests on a regular basis? Will you use the space
to relax and get away from the daily woes of life?

Next, you need to determine which items you

want to incorporate into your backyard. Will your
swimming pool attract the neighborhood kids to
your backyard? Will you use your fire pit to roast
marshmallows and keep warm on cool evenings?
Will your gazebo or pergola be the centerpiece for
your lavish garden? Will your outdoor kitchen be
the gathering space in your backyard for friendly
conversations?

With the proper planning and consideration,

foresight can just as easily be 20/20. Since the
possibilities are endless, it helps to have a clear
understanding of how you will use the space and
the added benefits you are looking for the space
to provide. A successful backyard project will
transform not just the space but your life.

5
 Making a
By Alan E. Sanderfoot

W
hen 2-year-old Caleb Glover
and his family checked into
an RV resort in Silverhill, Ala.,
in 2007, they were told that
Caleb wouldn’t be allowed to swim in the pool.
It wasn’t because he was too young, it was
because he was HIV positive and the camp’s
officials thought he might pose a health risk to
the other campers.

In January 2010, a settlement in Caleb’s

favor was reached in an Americans With
Disabilities Act discrimination lawsuit.
However, Caleb’s story remains a potent
reminder of the prejudice and isolation many
youths with HIV face on a day-to-day basis. In

Donated
fact, the ostracism that Caleb confronted is a
main reason many people with HIV/AIDS never
disclose their illness.

pool is a Fortunately for these children and their

families, there’s One Heartland, which

refreshing
operates Camp Heartland in Willow River,
Minn. Founded in 1993, Camp Heartland not
only offers a fun-filled camp experience for

change for
kids affected by HIV/AIDS, it gives them a place
where they can be unconditionally accepted.

The camp has always provided a range of

campers camp activities, but going for a swim wasn’t

6
 one of them — even though the
campground has a gorgeous lake.

“A refreshing, fun-filled
swim on a hot summer day is
something a lot of youngsters
take for granted,” says Neil
Willenson, founder and CEO
of One Heartland. “Children
living with HIV, however,
aren’t so lucky. Because
of their comprised
immune systems, many
of these kids must avoid
swimming in oceans, lakes,
rivers and ponds, which can
lead to bacterial infections.”

Impressed by the work being

done at One Heartland, Viking
Pools, a manufacturer of one-piece
fiberglass pools, donated a pool to the camp
in 2007. The smooth shell is easy to clean, and an
automatic sanitization and reverse osmosis filtration
system ensures that the water remains healthy for campers.

(FROM LEFT) Sylvia Glover, Tom Straub, Robbie Amell, Caleb Glover, Jonathan Bennett, (L-R) Caleb Glover and Jonathan Bennett
Stacy Nelson, and Neil Willenson

7
 “When we heard about the good work
that Camp Heartland was doing and about
“Thanks to the
Caleb’s story, we knew that we had to generosity of Viking
get involved,” says Todd Stahl, president
of Viking Pools. “We reached out to our Pools, our entire
dealers all across the country to help out
with the installation process. I was pleased facility is transformed
that so many offered their service crews
and equipment without a second thought.”
on a hot day because
“When you think of summer camp, campers can go in
you think of swimming,” Willenson adds.
“Thanks to the generosity of Viking Pools,
the pool instead of
our entire facility is transformed on a hot
day because campers can go in the pool
spraying each other
instead of spraying each other with the with the hose.”
hose.”

A range of aquatic activities — from - Neil Willenson,

participating in formal swim lessons to founder and CEO of One Heartland
cascading down a slippery waterslide —
are now available to the thousands of
visitors to Camp Heartland each year.

“For a lot of children, especially those

from urban areas, this is really something
to see,” Willenson says. “It fits perfectly
with the utopian atmosphere we try to
create.”

And no one could agree more than

Caleb Glover, whom Willenson invited to
Camp Heartland in the summer of 2008 to
take the first swim in the brand new pool.

“It’s 2010, and people have to realize

you can’t get HIV from going swimming
with someone,” Willenson says. “As long
as there’s ignorance, One Heartland will
be here for these kids.”

Alan E. Sanderfoot is a freelance writer and author

of several pool and spa books, including What Color
Is Your Swimming Pool? A Homeowner’s Guide to
Trouble-Free Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Maintenance.

8
 ER IN...
P R O U D PARTN
A
 Go Beyond the Grill
Pantel
with

Has your patio become an essential home living

space? I’ll bet it evolved from a small charcoal
barbeque, a few folding chairs and an umbrella
to a fully developed outdoor entertainment area.
Engineered for dependable outdoor commercial
or residential applications,
the Pantel weatherproof
TV offers outdoor video
entertainment in virtually any weather condition.

J
oe Pantel saw the future of outdoor
entertainment and wanted to add TV
viewing as an essential part of the
outdoor experience. A normal LCD or
plasma TV cannot withstand the challenges
of being outdoors. Temperature extremes will
easily damage the components of a normal TV,
which is also susceptible to moisture, smoke,
insects, dust and salt air.
Even under a covered patio, an ordinary TV
will have a dramatically shorter lifespan due to
fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels.
Joe developed the Pantel weatherproof TV with
an internal cooling system and optional heating
system to provide the next level of outdoor
entertainment – the remote control even floats!
Once hotels, theme parks, ballparks and
other commercial applications discovered a
dependable high quality outdoor video display it
has been used for a variety of applications such
as a restaurant menu display, interactive video
movie poster or a queue prequel to an upcoming
ride theme, and other centralized advertising
opportunities.
The outdoors does require additional
protection from harsh elements. Due to an
internal filtration plus a heating and cooling
system, Pantel TV’s can be easily watched next
to a pool. The ultra high nit panels with anti-

11
 reflective and anti-UV
tempered glass makes for
easy daytime viewing in
the glare of the midday sun. Because
of additional component insulation, the
The TV’s can
TV can withstand temperatures from Now anyone can watch be incorporated
freezing cold to providing a perfect the game outdoors into any patio or
picture without any blackouts in the
outdoor design from
intense midsummer, desert heat. If
a freestanding unit
a consumer is continually turning a
to a fully integrated
normal TV to maximum brightness it
screen that’s
decreases the product’s overall lifespan.
durable in virtually
“I love the outdoors to enjoy and any scenario.
entertain in and began creating easy Pantel also offers marine grade outdoor speakers to
to care for landscaping products such provide enhanced sound. Consumers and commercial
as artificial turf, but I also like to watch applications can also choose from a number of powder
football and video games,” commented coated mounting solutions for any design requirement.
Joe Pantel. “To get the best of both
So if you are ready to make
worlds, I designed what I personally
the decision to truly experience
wanted most, a durable outdoor,
the ultimate in outdoor
weatherproof TV, he added”
entertainment speak with Pantel,
they would be happy to work
with you. Placed in the shade or
in the glare of the midday sun,
the bright and clear TV sets are
virtually impervious to ocean
spray, insects or smoke, and open
up a wide range of new outdoor
entertainment opportunities.

12
 Up
&
Out
Homebuyers focus on outdoor
living when moving up
By Alan Sanderfoot
When you’re a young homeowner, it’s fun to fantasize
about leaving behind your starter house and moving into
an abode that more closely resembles your dream home.
More bedrooms, larger closets, additional bathrooms and
a designer kitchen are just a few of the things that people
look for when upgrading their living spaces.

Increasingly, however, moving up also means moving

out, as in outside — which is why outdoor “rooms” with
swimming pools are becoming the ultimate amenity for
people looking to improve their home life. Such was the
case for two couples who recently participated in TLC’s
popular television series, Moving Up, which follows a
chain of new homeowners who move into one another’s
houses and begin the design and renovation process, and
then bring the old owners back for their reactions.

13
 In one episode, Andrew Lui and Olivia Tang
moved into their new Spotswood. N.J., home to
find a concrete pool desperately needing repair.
Cracked plaster and dislodged tiles presented
not only an eyesore, but also created leaks that
eroded soil, causing the surrounding concrete
deck to crumble.
“In this economy, the pool
gives us a good reason to invite
people over instead of spending
a lot of money going out.”
The couple had to decide whether to pay for
major repairs or to replace the pool entirely.
Concerned about the long-term maintenance of
a concrete pool, they opted to replace it with a
one-piece fiberglass pool from Composite Pools
and surround it with a more expansive concrete
deck for entertaining and poolside lounging.
14
The 30,000-gallon, kidney-shaped pool they
chose was smaller than the original pool, so it
fit comfortably inside the existing hole without
further excavation.
Installation happened at the end of the 2009
swim season, leaving little time to enjoy the pool
before the weather turned cold. Now Andrew
and Olivia eagerly await their first full summer in
their new backyard, which includes a heater to
help them maximize their time in the water.
“We’re looking forward to being able to use
it most of the summer,” Andrew says. “In this
 economy, the pool gives us a good reason to invite people over instead of spending a lot of money
going out.”

When the couple began looking for a new home, a pool was not on their list of “must haves,”
but they are thrilled with the outcome. “We’re active people, so this gives us another reason to get
outside. It’s definitely a plus,” Andrew says.

Another couple on
the show also opted to
install a fiberglass pool
from Composite Pools, but
their decision was based
on previous experience.
Heather and Rick Krotz
were leaving a home with a
Liberty Composite fiberglass
pool, and they knew they
wanted a larger one in their
new home in Yardley, Pa. “I
like that a fiberglass pool can
be installed in a few days,
and I like that it tends to
be less maintenance than a
concrete or vinyl-lined pool,”
Heather says. To further
simplify maintenance, their
new pool includes an in-
floor cleaning system that
eliminates the need for
vacuuming.

On the Moving Up episode featuring the Krotzes, Rick

“Why go to a resort when you is shown operating the heavy equipment used to dig the
have this in your backyard?” hole and lower the pool into the ground. “If I dream it, he
builds it,” Heather says adoringly.

Installed three summers ago in a vast, barren yard, the

fenced-in pool features a rock waterfall and extensive
landscaping. In addition to the pool, the backyard
overhaul includes a covered veranda with an outdoor
fireplace and television, an outdoor cooking and dining
area, and a hot tub on the side of the house. With so
much to enjoy, it is no wonder the pool area has become
the focal point of the family’s outdoor activities.

15
 The Krotzes like to entertain,
and their friends rarely decline
invitations to pool parties or
backyard barbecues. “We call it
Club Krotz because it’s like Club
Med,” Heather quips. “Our friends
joke about buying a season pass to
our yard. It’s been awesome.“

Ironically, the Krotzes live

adjacent to a well-equipped public
swimming pool, but they still
wanted their own pool for the
convenience and privacy. The family
includes two children: a daughter
age 15 and a son age 3. Heather
likes that she doesn’t have to pack
up a beach bag full of towels, toys,
snacks and supplies for an outing to
the public pool. “We just walk out
to the backyard and we’re there,”
she says.

Though the entire family enjoys

the pool, the backyard living space
has really become a dream-come-
true for Rick. A police officer and
part-time paramedic, Rick recently
opened his own cigar store. “The
man works really hard,” Heather
says. “So it’s nice for him to have
such a relaxing place to come home
to.”

Owning a pool also has changed

the way the family plans vacations.
“We don’t go on vacation in the
summer because we like to enjoy
the pool,” Heather explains. “Why
go to a resort when you have this in
your backyard?”

16
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 T.G. Sheppard
Sings the Praises
of His New Pool
By Alan E. Sanderfoot

18
Y
ou can take T.G. Sheppard out of the
country, but there’s no taking the country
out of T.G. Sheppard. When discussing
his renovated backyard, which includes
a gorgeous fiberglass pool and spa, the famed
country music singer says, “It’s just a hillbilly pond
to me.”
His voice is like molasses — smooth, deep and
sweet — so you want to believe him. But that’s just
T.G. being humble. Truth is, the sophisticated pool
would look as natural in Beverly Hills as it does in
the Smoky Mountains.
Though a lot of homeowners wouldn’t
undertake such a project without the support
of a landscape architect, T.G. and his wife,
singer/songwriter Kelly Lang, designed the
entire poolscape themselves and served as
general contractors. The result is an elegant
landscape that respects the surrounding
woods while offering a contemporary and
inviting outdoor living space. In addition to
the pool and spa, the yard includes an outdoor
fireplace, covered veranda and plenty of room
for dining and entertainment.
T.G. and Kelly, who married in August 2007
after a six-year courtship, moved into their
Hendersonville, Tenn., home in May 2009, and
they wasted no time renovating the house
and yard, which had been neglected for some
time.
“I felt like I was living in the Amazon,”
T.G. says, recalling all of the trees, vines and
unidentified foliage that had overtaken the
backyard. At the far side was a small pond with
a trickling waterfall. A colony of frogs had set
up residence, and the noise was louder than
“the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” T.G. recalls.
Though he has nothing against amphibians,
he does value his peace and quiet when he’s
not touring, which takes him away from home
much of the year.
19
 Cantilevered coping stones
and travertine deck pavers give
the pool an upscale look. T.G
especially likes the “dimension
and depth” provided by the
natural stone pavers, provided
by Gothic Stone. In addition,
a stacked-stone retaining wall
embraces the outdoor space,
creating a natural transition
between the pool area and
elevated landscape. Not
coincidentally, the retaining
wall was built by the son of the
mason credited for the rockwork
at Johnny Cash’s estate. “As soon

T.G. had owned several pools

previously, and that experience was
invaluable during the planning stage,
which started in June. His research led
him to Viking Pools, a manufacturer
of one-piece fiberglass pools. T.G. was
wooed by the shapes, sizes, colors
and durability Viking offers. “People
don’t realize that a fiberglass pool
is 10 times stronger than concrete,”
he says. Kelly was impressed by the
smoothness of the fiberglass shell.
“It’s like butter,” she coos.

Despite a busy concert schedule,

T.G. did manage to be home for his
birthday on July 20 when the pool
was delivered. Arriving on a flatbed
truck, the enormous vessel had to
be lifted over the house and into the
backyard with a crane.

“Although it seemed like it hovered

over our home for hours, the large
crane actually had the pool gently
laid into the perfectly dug hole within
15 minutes,” Kelly recalls.

20
 as I heard his father did
Johnny’s house, I wanted
him to do mine,” T.G. says.
From the start, T.G. and Kelly
wanted a pool that was as picturesque
to look at as it was pleasurable to swim
in. “A swimming pool is something to
beautify your home,” T.G. says, adding
that he was drawn to Viking’s water
features and lighting packages. The
pool includes several jets on the sides
that send arcs of water into the pool,
and fiber-optic lighting illuminates
the perimeter at night in a variety of
colors. The installation also features an
electric pool heater, a gas spa heater, a
salt-water sanitization system, and an
indoor remote control that operates
all of the spa and pool functions.
22
“I always prided myself in having the
Cadillac of pools, but I can honestly
say I’ve got the Rolls Royce.”
Whereas a landscape architect would create a master
plan to make sure the pool works with the surrounding
elements, T.G. and Kelly started with the pool they wanted
and then built their yard around that. “We tried to create
not just a great pool, but an environment around the pool
that would make it pleasing and serene to sit out there,”
T.G. explains.
To that end, the couple designed a stone fireplace nook
that offers a cozy retreat on cool evenings and an expansive
area for al fresco dining.
 One of the biggest mistakes
homeowners make is not
creating enough deck and patio
space to relax poolside, T.G.
says. “They put a 4- or 5-foot
swath of concrete around the
pool, but that doesn’t give them
a lot of space to entertain.”
T.G. and Kelly incorporated
about 2,500 square feet of living
space around their pool, which
comes in handy when friends
— such as William Lee Golden
of the Oak Ridge Boys, actor
William Shatner or Olympic ice
skater Scott Hamilton — stop by.
The outdoor space also comes
in handy when the couple hosts
charity events in their home.
Because the kitchen and the
master bedroom open up to
the pool area, the couple find
themselves poolside often. “We
sit out there about 80 percent
of the time,” Kelly says.
“We really enjoy sitting
outside by the pool,” T.G. adds.
“You feel like you’re in the
woods even though you’re in
the backyard.”
Because the pool and
landscaping wasn’t finished
until August, the couple is
looking forward to their first
full summer with their aquatic
paradise. “We can’t wait to
enjoy the labors of all the
efforts last year,” T.G. says. “I
always prided myself in having
the Cadillac of pools, but I can
honestly say I’ve got the Rolls
Royce.”
23
 Why
Exercise
Pool?
in the

By Annie Chaskalson
Aqquatix USA
B.S. Wellness and
Exercise Physiology

J
ust being in the water causes you to
exercise. Every move you make in the
pool has to be deliberate to resist
the continual pressure of the water
on your body. And, when I am asked by a
client, “why should I exercise in my pool?”
four good answers come to my mind, and
they include the properties of water.

First is the water resistance. Because

the water is a thicker medium than air, the
resistance from the water can range from
4 to 44 times that of movement out of the
water. Using the resistance in the water is
like exercising with weights or machines
on land, and much safer!

24
 Second, is water buoyancy. In chest
deep water, approximately 80% of your
body weight is buoyant, allowing you to
only bear 20% of your weight when you
exercise.

Third is the cooling effect of water.

Because of your constant movement in
the water, water is continually moving
around you, washing away your sweat
and cooling you while you exercise. You
never feel over-heated and sweaty.

And last is the massaging effect of

water on your body. The hydrostatic
pressure of the water on your body,
joints, muscles and internal organs
massages and comforts all parts of your
body while exercising. You never feel
fatigued.
Everyone can benefit by exercising
in the pool, but it is especially good for
those with limitations of movement,
or those rehabilitating from an injury.
The overweight person can accomplish
things not possible on land, and the
very fit person can maintain muscle
strength and tone. Those with arthritis
have a freer range of movement.
Cardiovascular benefits include the
strengthening of the heart muscle,
a lover heart rate, and improvement
of oxygen delivery to your muscles.
As a regular activity, aquatic exercise
can help lower blood pressure and
cholesterol.

When you work out in the pool you

get a total body workout and a fast way
to improve general strength, stamina,
and cardiovascular fitness. And with
the addition of Aqquatix USA’s new
state of the art underwater fitness bikes
and treadmills, one can virtually change
their pool to a “liquid gym!”

25
 The Right
Choice
How to make
the best pool
purchase
By Alan E. Sanderfoot

28
O
nce you decide to buy a pool,
your enthusiasm will be as hard to
contain as an over-inflated beach
ball under water. Nevertheless,
take a deep breath and relax. You’ll have plenty
of opportunities to enjoy your pool, but only
one chance to make sure it’s built right.

The most important part of building a pool is

the planning phase. This is when you’ll decide
the overall look of your poolscape and hire a
pool contractor. Though some pool builders are
also skilled landscape designers, it’s common
to bring in a landscape architect to create a
master plan that details the pool, landscape
and any other amenities, such as a pool house,
outdoor kitchen, fire pit, entertainment space,
lighting, etc. If you plan on soliciting bids from
several pool builders, a master plan is key to
ensuring that each builder is bidding on the
same project.

A landscape architect or pool builder can

walk you through the design process, but it
helps if you have a general idea of what you’re
looking for. To organize your thoughts, consider
these questions:

Is your yard suitable

for pool construction?
You may need to conduct a soil test to make
sure the site is suitable for pool construction.
Sandy, expansive and rocky soil present unique
building concerns. In addition, a high water
table can drastically increase construction costs
because a drainage system needs to be installed
to keep the site dry during construction.
Knowing this ahead of time can save you a lot
of aggravation and unexpected expenses.

Is your yard accessible?

Sometimes a proposed site will not work
because it is not accessible by the heavy

29
 machinery needed to dig the hole for your
pool. Ideally, the pathway should be at least 8
feet wide. If your yard is not easily accessible,
excavation could be done by hand, but the
construction time and cost will increase
significantly.

Where will your

pool be located?
Check the zoning and building regulations
for your property. Zoning laws dictate how
close to your property lines construction can
take place. To control water runoff, there
may be restriction on how much of your yard
can be covered with decking and in which
direction it must slope. In addition, many
municipalities require that pools be fenced
in, which might influence where you want
your pool located.

Also consider how people will enter and

exit the pool, where people will congregate,
and how to maximize sun exposure while
minimizing wind exposure, which contributes
to heat loss and evaporation.
Gas, electrical, telephone, cable and
water lines may also influence where you
position your pool if you don’t want to incur
extra fees for relocating them.
Because homeowners typically spend
more time looking at their pool than
swimming in it, consider how the pool will
be viewed from the rest of the yard and
from within the home. If your budget allows,
include landscape lighting and water features
so that the pool offers visual interest at all
times.
What size and shape
will your pool be?
Inground swimming pools have evolved
tremendously since they began dotting America’s
backyards more than 50 years ago. The ubiquitous
kidney-shaped pool has been replaced by myriad
sizes and shapes to suit any landscape and match
any architectural style.
When choosing a size and shape, consider how
you intend to use your pool. If you’re primarily
interested in fitness, a lap pool might be the best
option. However, if you have visions of entertaining
lots of friends, you might want a larger pool with
changing depths and an expansive deck.

30
 What type of construction will you choose?
In-ground pools are classified as concrete, vinyl-lined and fiberglass.
Each type offers enough options to satisfy most pool buyers.

Concrete Pools: Because concrete pools are

Vinyl-Lined
completely built onsite, they offer the greatest
Pools: A vinyl-
design flexibility. With a concrete pool, the
lined pool usually
excavated hole is lined with a framework of
consists of steel
crisscrossing rebar. Then concrete is sprayed
or polymer walls
over the steel latticework. After the concrete
lined with a 20- to
cures, a finishing surface — usually plaster,
30-millimeter-thick vinyl liner on a bed of sand
stone aggregate or tile — is applied. Plaster can
or concrete. The smooth liner surface helps
be prone to pitting,
keep algae at bay, but exposure to harsh pool
especially if the water
chemicals and the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause
balance is off. Tile is the
vinyl liners to deteriorate over time. Vinyl liners
most durable, but also
typically need to be replaced every 10–15 years.
the most expensive.

Fiberglass Pools: A fiberglass pool consists
of a sturdy, one-piece molded shell. A key
advantage of a fiberglass pool is its smooth
surface, which makes it difficult for algae and
other pool contaminants to grab hold. Color
selection is limited, but installing ceramic
tile along the waterline can customize the
look. In fact, many fiberglass pools include
factory-installed ceramic tile, making the
final installation that much easier. The
deck surrounding a fiberglass pool can be
cantilevered so that the lip of the vessel
does not show, giving the look of a high-end
concrete pool.

31
 What special
features will there be?
To maximize enjoyment of your pool even when
you’re not swimming, incorporate water features
and lighting. Based on how you plan to use your
pool, you may also want to consider tanning ledges,
underwater benches, shallow beach-style entries,
underwater speakers, a swim-up bar, areas to play
water volleyball or basketball and an automatic
pool safety cover that’s easy to close whenever the
pool is unsupervised. If aquatic exercise interests
you, consider installing underwater handrails and
a variable speed swim jet, which creates a current
of water that enables you to swim in place.

What other backyard

amenities do you want?
When drawing up your master plan, include
everything you’d like to include in your poolscape,
even if your budget doesn’t permit you to build it
now. Some things to consider include a pool house,
outdoor kitchen, fire pit, outdoor shower, swim-up
bar, gazebo, and even children’s play equipment.
It’s a lot cheaper to accommodate future plans
in your original design than it is to modify your
poolscape later on. For example, if you know you’ll
be adding a fire pit or an outdoor kitchen at a later
date, it’s best to run the gas lines to those areas
in the beginning so that the deck and surrounding
landscape doesn’t have to be torn up later.

32
 How will you ensure that
your pool is easy to maintain?
No pool is maintenance-free, but you can
greatly reduce maintenance by making sure your
pool is engineered to be energy efficient with
sound hydraulics and substantial filtration. This
means using variable speed pumps, larger pipes,
adequate skimmers and above-standard turnover
rates (the time it takes for all of the pool water to
be filtered at least once). Some state codes require
that pool water turn over every 10 to 12 hours.
Meanwhile, automatic sanitizers, such as salt-
water chlorinators, ensure that the proper amount
of sanitizing chemicals are in the water at all times,
making it hard for algae to bloom.

Who will build your pool?

The best way to find skilled, customer-service-
oriented pool builders is to ask for referrals from
other pool owners you know. Building inspectors
and landscape architects are other sources of
referrals.

If you aren’t set on a particular builder, get

multiple bids — but make sure each builder fully
understands the project so the bids are comparable.
Ask for references and visit some of the pools the
contractor has built.

A swimming pool is one of life’s major purchases,

so you should give it as much thought as you would
a new car or boat. By taking the time to consider
all of the things that go into creating the perfect
poolscape, you’ll know that you got the best pool
for your budget. And that’s something you can
breathe easy about.

Alan E. Sanderfoot is a freelance writer and author of several

pool and spa books, including What Color Is Your Swimming
Pool? A Homeowner’s Guide to Trouble-Free Pool, Spa, and
Hot Tub Maintenance.

33
 Getting Off
to the Right
Start with
Pool Water
Chemistry
Lots of thought goes into
the selection of a pool, its
size, color, shape, location
and equipment. A pool does
not really become a pool,
until it is filled with water.
This seemingly simple
task may be fraught with
problems, depending upon
the quality of the water that
will be used to fill the pool.
34
Before the pool is filled, have a local pool
professional run a water analysis, on the source
water, testing for pH, total alkalinity, calcium
hardness, iron, copper and manganese. In some
areas, phosphates and Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS) tests are helpful. The test results will
highlight any areas of particular concern.
Decide how you would like to sanitize the
pool. Chlorine is the most popular and includes
choices ranging from simple manual chlorine
additions - to inline feeders - to automated salt
chlorine generators. Other sanitizer choices
include: bromine, biguanide, ionizers, ionization-
oxidation, mineral sanitizers, ozonators and
ultraviolet sanitizers. Some must be used in
combination with chlorine or other oxidizers
and many are used in combination, as a means
of reducing chemical usage. The goal of a
chlorine free pool is possible, but a pool with a
reduced chlorine presence, without the negative
aspects is much more attainable and much more
consistent. Budget will play a role, in choosing a
by Alan Schuster sanitizing method.
 If your pool contains heavy metals, such as
iron, copper or manganese, it is best to treat the
water, as it is being added to the pool and before
any chemicals are added. This will help you avoid
staining and/or water discoloration. Metals can
be treated with either a Metal Trapping Filter
cartridge or the addition of a chelating agent
(complexes the metals). Use as directed.
Chlorine levels are ideal when the free
chlorine (active germicidal form) level is 1-3
PPM and the total chlorine is less than 0.3 PPM
higher. The difference between the readings
is combined chlorine: an odorous, ineffective
and irritating form of chlorine. High combined
chlorine levels require the application of a shock
treatment ( a single large dose of chlorine), in
order to decompose the combined chlorine. For
each 1 PPM of combined chlorine present, 10
PPM of free chlorine must be added.
pH is ideal within the 7-2-7.6 range, with
chlorine usage, and 7.2-7.8, with bromine
usage. Low pH levels can be irritating to bathers
and corrosion to masonry and metal parts. The
pH can be raised by the addition of sodium
carbonate. High pH levels can be irritating,
can reduce the effectiveness of chlorine, can
decrease the solubility of calcium and can
increase the likelihood of scale formation and
cloudy water. The pH can be lowered by adding
sodium bisulfate granules or liquid muriatic acid.
Total Alkalinity helps to stabilize the pH. The
ideal range is 80-120 PPM. If the TA is low, it can
be raised, by adding sodium bicarbonate. Nature
does not always allow for both the pH and TA
to be in range. pH is always more important!!!
If the TA is too high, lowering the pH will lower
the TA, as well. So long as the pH is in range
and there are no signs of scaling or cloudy water,
there may be no compelling reason to have to
lower the TA. The same chemicals, used to lower
the pH, are used to lower the TA.
35
 Cyanuric acid helps protect chlorine from
destruction, by the Sun’s UV rays. It is only
required in outdoor chlorine pools. Ideal starting
levels are 20-30 PPM. If, stabilized chlorine is
used, the level will slowly rise over time. At 150
PPM, it is suggested that some of the water be
replaced, in order to get the level closer to
50 PPM. High levels tend to make
chlorine less effective and force
pool owners to maintain higher
levels of free chlorine.
Calcium Hardness is
important to reduce the
corrosiveness of softer
water. For vinyl or fiberglass
pools, the suggest levels are
80-120 PPM. For gunite pools,
the suggested level is 150-200
PPM. Levels up to 400 PPM are
manageable, so long as the pH and TA
are in range. Levels over 400 PPM are apt to
cause scale formation or cloudy water and may
force a lowering of the TA and maintenance of a
pH closer to 7.2. Scale treatments are available
for pools with high calcium hardness.
Iron and manganese at almost any
measureable level are a potential staining and
discoloration issue. Well water is usually a
36
source of these metals. Treatment options are
available.
Copper is used as an algaecide and is a
component in many ionizers and mineral
sanitizers. Levels are usually kept under 0.3
PPM. Higher pH and calcium levels are more
apt to make staining likely. Treatment
options are available, for pools with
too much copper.
Water testing helps keep
the chemistry balanced and
goes a long way towards
providing healthy conditions.
Chlorine and pH should be
tested several times a week
or even daily, depending upon
the mode of chlorine addition.
TA can be tested monthly. Calcium
hardness and cyanuric acid should
be tested at the start of the season and
occasionally, thereafter. The range of testers
includes simple comparators, test strips and
affordably-priced, digital water testers.
Use each chemical according to its directions.
Do not mix different chemicals together. Always
add chemicals with the pump running and allow
each to dissolve in turn.
Visit www.AskAlanAQuestion.com
for more information
 Maintaining
Your Investment
by Gil L. Erlich • VP, Sales & Marketing • Aqua Products, Inc.
C
ongratulations on your decision to invest
in your family, friends and yourself by
getting a swimming pool. With gas prices
and the economy being so unfavorably
volatile, it is nice to have solace and serenity
at home. Your backyard is the new destination
to be and you are about to live the dream with
family and friends. Or are you?
Getting a pool is the first step. Maintaining
it are all the steps thereafter. Some things to
consider are what to buy and how much to spend
to protect your investment. There are a variety
of ways to maintain your pool, including doing
it yourself – manually – with a hose and pole,
which as virtually all pool owners will agree ‘gets
old fast’. You could hire a pool service company
to do it for you. This is a good option so long
as you have the money to spend and can secure
a safe and reliable company that will show up
when promised and truly take care of your
pool as agreed to. There are a lot of reliable
companies out there, but then again, there are
a lot that are not so reliable. The most common
way to maintaining a pool is to have an automatic
cleaner, which like a service company will do
the work for you, but when you want it to. Like
most things and life, here too you have choices.
There are 4 types of automatic cleaners; in-floor,
suction-side, pressure-side and robotic.
37
 In-Floor
In-Floor systems typically need to be
negotiated at the time the pool is ordered as the
pool will need to be cut to accommodate the
piping and pump system at the manufacturing
facility. This separate pump forces water through

Suction
the piping, which is released in sequences
through a number of pop-up head points in the
pool that push surface dirt towards to the pool’s

-Side
main drain.

Suction-Side cleaners are those familiar
floppy rubber mat disks that attach to long
hoses that connect to the pool’s skimmer
or dedicated suction point at the pool’s
side, hence their name. These are the most
common cleaners sold primarily due to their
relatively low price points and act as an
extension of the pool’s pump and filtration
system. They move about the pool sucking
up dirt at the pool’s surface and deposit
the dirt in the pool’s filtration system – that
is if your pool’s filter element is capable of
removing the fine particulates, such as algae,
silt, pollen, etc., which may otherwise pass
right through the filter and back into your
pool. Since the pool’s filter system now has
to siphon the water and dirt through these
lengthy, flow restricting hoses there is an
added amount of stress and flow reduction
imposed on the pool’s pump. This requires
that the pool’s pump and filtration system
be operated slightly longer to compensate
and therefore increases energy costs, thus
creating a “Catch 22” scenario with the initial
low-cost purchase price as you pay it on the
back end every month.

38 Maintaining Your Investment

 Pressure-Side
Pressure-Side cleaners are typically
ordered at the time the pool is ordered as
it too requires cutting, dedicated lines and
even a separate pump (“booster pump”) to
operate it. There are two types of Pressure-
Side cleaners. One type operates off of the
pool’s return line, which would normally be
used to circulate water throughout the pool,
but is instead used to power this cleaner type.
This type is far less common as the volume
flow of the return point connection is typically
quite low and as a result typically so is their
power and performance. The more common
Pressure-Side cleaner is the type that operates
off of its booster pump that forces water
through its dedicated pipe line and long hose
to power a turbine in the cleaner that moves
gears and belts to rotate the cleaners’ wheels
for movement, its ‘whip’ hose for lifting dirt
and its venturi water jets for vacuum flow to
trap debris in their onboard filter bag. The
whip hose, as it commonly called, aimlessly
whips about spraying water in the pool with a
scrubbing pad at its end that scrubs and lifts
dirt whenever the hose hits the pool’s surface.
Although fairly common, the Pressure-Side
cleaners have become far less common over
the past few years, perhaps due to their costly
energy operation and numerous wear and
tear components that add up to the cleaners’
already sizeable upfront purchase price.

Robotic cleaners are currently

the fastest selling cleaner type.
Equipped with internal
motor(s) for driving and
vacuum capabilities,
power washing or
rotating brushes (some
feature both) for
scrubbing, and internal
reusable filtration,
and their leading
energy efficiency and
cleaning capabilities
have enabled robotic
cleaners to lead the
way. For example
the savings experienced

39
 with a robotic cleaner can pay
for your entire yearly pool
You’ve made a wonderful
operating expenses, including
energy, water and chemicals.
investment. It’s critical that
Working without hoses they you make the knowledgeable
independently scrub, vacuum
and filter. There are several decision on how you are going to
manufacturers all offering their
robotic cleaner brands. Many protect and maintain it. All things
are made overseas in places like
China or the Middle East, while
considered you have choices,
others are made and supported
locally here in the U.S. There
many of them, and it’s up to you
are a variety of technologies, to do the research on what you
some operating on wheels built
specifically for fiberglass and want and more importantly need
other hard-surfaced pools, while
others have rotating brushes to fit your budget, with great
and drive tracks that are built
primarily for 90° angle climbing
consideration to daily operating
like those found in full tile or
vinyl pools.
expenses, and pool type.

40
Fence, by Ron Laurent
from Gilpin Fence

Getting Started
Y
ou’ve grown tired of the
neighborhood dogs racing
through the garden? You finally
relented and bought that puppy
the kids have been requesting?
You no longer appreciate the
foot traffic or even the occasional
bicycle ride through the backyard? You
installed a pool recently and now have
learned that the local building codes
require a fence. You’re ready to enjoy
the improvements to your outdoor
living space but something still seems
to be missing. Whatever your reason,
YOU NEED A FENCE!!

41
 Now that the decision has been
made, there are many factors that will
need to be considered. Determine
which fence type best fits your
needs. Should it be solid to afford
privacy? Should it be ornamental to
enhance living space? Should it be
aluminum or steel, wood or vinyl?
Determine how the work will be
done and how it will comply with
building codes. Will I make it a do-it-

yourself project or have it installed by

a professional? Will my choices meet
codes and requirements? Will I know
where buried utilities or water lines
are located? Determine the design
or layout of the fence. What area
should be included inside the fence?
What fence height or grade should be
used? What landscaping or objects
should be removed from the yard?
Four common fencing materials
to be considered are aluminum,
steel, wood and vinyl. Aluminum
will allow for low maintenance and
an attractive appearance long after
the installation. Steel will require
routine maintenance but offers decades-long durability
if maintained properly. Wood also requires routine
maintenance and offers warmth as its earth tone color
blends into your surroundings. Vinyl also allows low
maintenance but is usually only available in white color.
Aluminum and steel materials are used primarily for
ornamental fencing. Ornamental aluminum fencing will
enhance your living space around patio or deck and will
allow an exterior view of your beautiful landscaping.
Also, it is quite often installed around swimming pools
as most pool codes require a fence. Ornamental steel
fence will also accent your landscaping by creating
borders with its distinct character of rugged strength
and durability. Vinyl and wood materials are used in
a variety of ways. Two prominent styles from which

42
 building department. These codes
can be local or regional and will have
to be considered in the planning
stage. A friend recently installed his
pool by the direction of county codes
which required a cover but not a
fence. However, municipal codes did
require a fence and the project would
not pass inspection until a fence was
added, thus costing several thousand
dollars past budget. The professional

to choose are privacy and picket. Privacy fence will

keep onlookers from seeing your activities but will
also obstruct your view to the outside. Picket fence will likely know the codes of the area
will create a border and define your property with and can help in determining which
traditional home-style elegance. ones apply to your situation. Also,
neighborhood associations may have
Most fence manufacturers have designed their
fencing requirements that should be
product to be user friendly. This allows easy installation
addressed. Buried utilities are also a
for the do-it-yourselfer. Installing the fence yourself
concern when planning for a fence
will save on labor costs but also will absorb a lot more
installation. Electric, gas, water, cable
personal time. The professional installs fences on
and other utility lines cross most
a regular basis and will most likely save a lot of time
areas. To avoid damaging these lines,
in completion of the project. You will need to decide
call your local utility two or three
which you prefer to spend, time or money? The do-it-
days before digging. Most states offer
yourselfer will need to learn of local building codes by
a one-call toll free number.
researching on-line or in person at the local government

43
 Fence layout will need to be determined in
conjunction with property lines and removable
and non-removable objects. For instance, a bush
can be removed to keep the fence line straight
but a storage building, perhaps, cannot. The
property line will be marked in the four corners
and fence installation is usually a bit inside the
line. Maybe a tree has grown close to your
property line and would force the fence line
onto the neighboring property. Simply angle
the fence line in front of the tree and continue.
A shed may be a reason to end the run with a
post and continue a new run on the other side.
Trees and bushes may need to be trimmed to
allow work space for post hole digging and fence
panel installation. Remember to consider the
placement of gates. If a gate is to be installed at
a rock walkway for instance, make sure the rocks
are recessed deep enough for swing clearance.
A slight hill or grade change also may obstruct
gate operation. Fence height will need to be
considered. It is a matter of personal preference
and should be determined in regards to the type
you have chosen. A three foot tall privacy fence
wouldn’t make much sense! A three foot tall
ornamental fence would however, accent your
surroundings beautifully.

After measuring for layout mark the location of posts. This will help determine the number of fence
panels, posts, fittings and gates that will be needed. Now, it’s time to go shopping!

44
 Tips for
the
Designing
Perfect Outdoor
Kitchen
When designing commercial kitchens, the essential operations confined to the zone, and
layout is broken into “zones,” and the location of keeping everything in arms reach to minimize
each zone is strategically placed in order to create steps. Alfresco has designed all of the pieces
harmony in the operation. This is “functionality, necessary to create a fully-functioning outdoor
flow, comfort, and convenience.” Regardless of kitchen – one in which any professional chef
the zone’s purpose, we want to make sure that would feel right at home.
the zone is ergonomically intuitive, having all the

45
 Important Points to Consider:
Plan First
Decide what you want to be
able to do, how many guests
you need to entertain, and
how much space you can
allocate before you start
choosing pieces of equipment
and materials.
Top 10 Outdoor Kitchen Products:
1. A Well-built and Durable Grill
2. Access Doors
3. Storage Center
4. Trash Centers
5. Refrigeration
6. Prep & Hand Wash Sink
7. Paper Towel Holder
8. Side Burner or SearZone
9. Platting Center
10. Warming Drawer
Profile of Dale Seiden
As owner of LYNX grills
since 1995, Dale Seiden
had a vision. Before the
now popular term “outdoor
kitchen” even existed,
Seiden knew he wanted
to create a new brand that
would be marketed purely
as an outdoor kitchen line.
In 1999, Seiden helped
46
Think it Through Remember the
Enclosures can be nearly
impossible to modify once Utilities
A modern outdoor kitchen may
built, so consider all of the
need 40+ amps of electrical
pieces you need to create the
service and over 100,000 BTUs
kitchen you desire. Storage
of gas capacity, not to mention
and refrigeration can save you
water, drains, etc. Hire a
countless trips back and forth
professional.
to the indoor kitchen.
Safety Tip:
launch Alfresco Open Air
If your outdoor kitchen enclosure
Culinary Systems. As one
is to be built of combustible
of the pioneer’s in the
materials, then an insulated
early days of the outdoor
jacket is required for safe
kitchen concept, Seiden
installation of your grill.
developed a new and totally
unique marketing approach
to outdoor kitchens that Courtesy of Dale Seiden
created a huge distinction for Co-Founder of Alfresco
Alfresco in the marketplace.
 Decorative
Water Features
Adding a decorative water feature to your amazing look of a water fall emerging out of
outdoor living space will change the way you the woods you will be amazed and immediately
enjoy that space forever. Once you have heard relaxed. Then comes the night time lighting
the soothing sound of water cascading down effects and you are amazed again.
an urn or bubbling out of stone columns or the

47
 There are many types of decorative water features and many
options to consider when you are adding one to your space.
Let’s take a look at some of the opportunities available.
• Decorative Pottery has so many shapes, sizes
and colors that you can add a splash of color
and water to any part of you outdoor space.
• Carved Stone is a look that is timeless. You
have everything from spiraling columns, bowl
fountains, mushrooms and stone sculptures to
add elegance to your space.
• Natural bored out Stone is a very cool look. You
can get natural basalt columns, and bubbling
Now that we have touched base on some of the
different types of decorative features, let’s take a
look at what to consider when choosing one of these.
Your Colorfalls, pottery, and stones will
all need a self contained area of water.
• You have a few choices with half round, round,
square and rectangular type basins.
• You can also make a free flowing basin with
45ml liner, Water Matrix’s and a pump vault.
This gives you a place to hold water and return
water to the piece. It also gives you a place for
a pump and plumbing assemblies.
• A couple of key things to look for in a pre
fabricated basin are:
Heavy duty construction to hold the extra weight
of stone material.
A level surface to put your decorative piece on.
Easy plumbing hook ups.
Easy access to the pump area.
Easy way to adjust the water flow.
48
granite boulders to enhance your space.
• A lighted Colorfalls of water from a hardscape
wall is very popular and goes great with any
patio. Make sure you can view it every evening
from your indoor spaces.
• The Pond Free Waterfall allows for a lot of
creativity, lighting, landscaping on a large scale.
It takes you to a place no other decorative
water feature can.
The Pond Free Waterfall is very unique.
• You get all the beauty of water, sound,
landscaping, and the wild life that lives for a
water retreat.
• Imagine you’re sitting on your flagstone patio
near your fire pit and the sweet sounds of
water are only a foot away.
• Location of your waterfall is very important;
bring it into the space you enjoy.
• Budgets are important and know that it can be
half the cost of a pond.
• Time, utilities, treatments and commitment is
less than a pond, as they do not have to run
24/7 or have the same type of filtration.
Take in the sights and sounds of
your new decorative water feature and
watch how it changes you and your
outdoor living space forever.
 All About
Ponds
Adding a pond to your outdoor living space will bring happiness to you, your guests and a host
of Mother Nature’s friends. You will be amazed at the beauty you can create with different plants and
of course your pond pets, koi, goldfish, turtles and frogs.

49
 Consider your budget when adding a pond.

Complete pond kits are available

or choose a custom project
• Hire a contractor or do it yourself? If you do it
yourself it can save money, but it will add time
and many redo’s to get it right.

• You may be able to find a contractor that will

consult and help you with the project cutting
your overall costs and time.

Rocks and Gravel

• How much do you need and what are the costs
in your area. Each project is different and you
can get help from most stone yards or pond
retailers that are experts in pond construction.
Fish and Plants
• To complete your pond habitat you will need to
budget for these also.
• Water plants grow fast so spend less and buy
smaller plants so you can get more for your
money. Plant them in the rocks, plant pockets
or aquatic pots and watch them grow, they
really help your ponds natural eco system.
• Fish play a big role in the budget. You can
start with the Sarasa Comets, Shubunkins or
Fantail Gold Fish. These fish are very colorful
and are easy on the budget. Koi fish can dent
the budget a little with names like Kohaku,
Showa, Kujaku, and Sanke, but they sure do
look great in your pond. Make sure to protect
your investment from predators with the many
types of pond protectors.
Landscaping around your pond
• The beauty lies in a complete outdoor living
space.
• Perennial plants, tall grasses, ornamental trees
and ground cover add to the beauty and give
you that finished look.
If you cannot complete your project on the
budget you have set and want to complete it in
stages, I would recommend completing your pond
with plants and mulch around the pond area.
Finish your project as your budget allows with
landscaping and adding fish when you can.
Location, Location, Location
• Make sure to bring the pond into your living
space so you and the family can interact and
enjoy the beauty of nature night and day.
• Make your pond look as close to natural as
possible. A well planted pond and natural
landscaping will look like Mother Nature put it
there just for you.
Time and Commitment
• With any garden whether it be a vegetable
garden or a perennial flower garden a Water
Garden needs just as much care and love. You
will need to weed, prune, treat and fertilize
your water garden so you can enjoy the fruits
of your labor all year.
Take in the sights and sounds of your new pond
and watch it grow and mature each year.
Just like a fine wine it gets better with age.

50
 Our pools are
ICC Certified.

Crystal Palace Pools offers all of the finer amenities found in a top-quality
Australian-built fiberglass pool, with the convenience of being built in the U.S.A.

• Custom Tilework
• Inlayed Mosaics
• Built-In Water Features
• Easy Installation (2-3 days)
• Unique Designs with Australian Flair
• Exclusive Colors & Finishes

Environmentally Friendly
One-Piece Composite Pools

(800) 373-1031 • www.CrystalPalacePools.com

 Outdoor Dining: Tips for a Successful Event
Outdoor dining can be a welcome change to indoor entertaining. Atmosphere and ambiance combined
with your own personal style can make a lasting impression on even the most pretentious guests.

1. Theme it Out – Whether it be Caribbean, Asian, contemporary, modern or festive,

choose a theme for your event and carry it throughout your backyard for your event.
Don’t forget about the linens, decorations, table setting, music and menu. Tying
everything together helps to create a fun and memorable event.

2. Keep it Simple – Less is more when it comes to outdoor entertaining. Forget about
the fancy and elaborate seven-course meal and endless array of silverware, plates and
glasses. A simple menu that complements your theme coupled with easy non-breakable
dining sets and some simple decorations will make your event hassle-free.

3. Space for Everyone – Make sure you create conversation spaces for all of your
guests. If you plan on having a cocktail hour you might want to include a table for your
guests to put their drinks on and comfortable seating areas where they can gather in
groups. If children will be attending your event it might be a good idea for them to have
their own space for playing and eating. The key is to create a space that everyone can
enjoy and feel comfortable and relaxed.

4. After the Sun Sets – If you plan to entertain at night make sure you have adequate
lighting. Stringing some festive lights, candles, tiki torches, and fire pits are an easy way
to carry your event from day to night and create additional ambiance.

52
54
 Light
UP Your
Y Night
our Backyard is like a second
home that usually gets
neglected of your time. Why
not take some time and money
and make it the Stay-Cation Resort that
you want it to be. One of the advantages
to having a back yard is being able to enjoy by Joe West
it. While daylight creates a natural ability from Fiberstars
to see and do, nighttime makes an area
look completely different with shadows
and concealed areas. Adding lighting in
the back yard and to the water features
creates a whole different atmosphere.
Using different types of lighting creates
different effects, depending on what the
homeowner wants to feature. Dealing
with homeowners that have to have a
rock waterfall for example whether it be
a faux or the real deal always have the
same complaint after they spent quite

55
 a bit of money on the installation. We can
see and hear it in the daytime, but at night
we can only hear it. Is there a lighting kit we
can add? It is much easier to offer and install
lighting during the construction of any water
feature. Usually there are conduits that need
to be run into the areas that need to be lit.

For children that love the outdoors and like

to play after dark, be sure to add fun water
features like Lit Laminars and Lit Bubblers in
the beach areas of the pool. Also, be sure
to add standard floodlights in the areas near
the house so they can see where they are
going so they do not get hurt.

Options
Fiber Optic and LED lighting is the most common
way to light water features and the pool itself in the
back yard. Some of the water features available for
installation on a pool deck are Laminars, Lighted
Rainfalls, and Star Floor lighting systems in the
deck or in the bottom of the pool (Gunite Only).

Perimeter lighting around a pools coping is

another great feature that is an easy install and has
a mesmerizing effect once completed. Technology
has enhanced the experience of swimming at night
by providing colorful and practical approaches,
which light the way. Swimming pools may now
feature a wide assortment of lighting types and
styles, mixing old favorites with green solutions.
From party scenes to solo tranquility and everything
in between, lighting today has many moods and
features, which not only extend your swimming,
but also challenge your creative side to think about
evening activities as well as daytime events.

56
 Decks
Outdoor decorative lighting on decks and
patios is another option. It can be used by itself
or together with other types of outdoor lights for
parties or dinners at dusk and after dark. Turn the
bright lights off for special occasions. Use solar
operated lights or candles to provide ambience
without the safety problems and fire hazards of
real candles. String tiny plain white Christmas
lights on the perimeter of the pool or deck area
for decoration for any time of the year.

Security
Not only are you adding great looking water
features you are adding security. Safety in one’s
own backyard is of the utmost importance. Bright
lighting is a deterrent to prowlers, partiers and
peepers. Security lights come in a variety of
sizes and styles. The most popular and effective
method for backyard security lights is the halogen
light bulb. Different styles come with a variance
in brightness and set-up, but they are long lasting
and burn brighter and whiter than the average
light bulb. This is what makes them preferable for
security lights. Backyard security lighting reduces
the risk of having people enter the yard. Those
that do not want to be seen will avoid well-lit
areas that announce their presence.

57
For the
Health of It By Alan E. Sanderfoot

e s a b out
t t R o l o f f r av
e r s h ip
y T V s t a r M a n e fi t s o f poo l ow n
Reali t s be
the fitnes
Anyone who thinks Matt Roloff is a
small man is overly obsessed with his
height. Though he measures just 4 feet
tall, Matt is known for his big ideas and
bigger-than-life personality. Indeed, his
unabashed approach to living large in
an average-sized world is what makes
his story so compelling.

For the past five years, Matt and

his family have been the subject of
the highly acclaimed TLC reality TV
series Little People, Big World, which
chronicles the day-to-day challenges
he and his family face. His wife, Amy,
and one of their four children also live
(L-R) Ric Reineke, The Pool Guyz; Matt Roloff, Little People Big World; with dwarfism.
Aaron Stahl, Viking Pools

59
 Denied a normal childhood, Matt wanted to
make sure his kids had the ultimate playground
while they were growing up. So, the couple
purchased a 34-acre parcel outside Portland, Ore.,
in 1990, and created a childhood fantasyland.
Though Roloff Farms is no Neverland Ranch, it’s
definitely a magical place — from the pirate ship
and western town to the castle and mine shaft
that leads to a pile of treasure.
In 2007, the family added a swimming pool
and hot tub to their backyard — a process that
played out on the TV show, with the added drama
of trying to finish the pool before his daughter
“ It's been a real blessing in
terms of exercise. I used
to barely be able to swim
a length of the pool; now I
easily swim several lengths.
-Matt Roloff
60
Molly’s birthday party.
Typically, Matt’s elaborate home improvement
projects are primarily for the kids’ enjoyment,
but the pool was a bit different. Matt has
diabetes, among other health problems, and his
doctor ordered exercise as part of his treatment.
Because Matt walks with the aid of crutches,
his options for physical activity and exercise
are limited. Swimming, however, offers low-
impact aerobic exercise and resistance training
for people with a wide range of motor skills and
physical abilities.
“
 After doing some research, Matt discovered
Viking Pools, which manufacturers one-piece
fiberglass pools in various sizes, shapes and
colors. Best of all, Viking was able to modify
the 16-by-40-foot model Matt chose to make it
easier for him to step in.
As the reality show illustrates, Matt doesn’t let
his short stature get in the way of accomplishing
his dreams. Even when a task would be difficult
for a skilled average-size person, Matt doesn’t
hesitate to tackle the job, even if he has no prior
experience. In the case of the pool, he insisted
on operating the backhoe and digging the hole
himself. The result was a rough pit that needed
to be reshaped by the pros, The Pool Guyz from
Virginia Beach, Va.
The crew worked in 15-hour stretches
alongside the Roloffs’ local electrician and
masons, as well as TLC’s non-stop television film
crew.
“When they arrived, it was like having a SWAT
team,” he says. Everyone knew exactly what to
do and the kids were swimming in just four days
— just in time for the birthday party.
61
 The pool features a heater, automatic pool
cleaner, automatic cover, water features, accent
boulders, and plenty of deck space for poolside
lounging and entertainment. “The fiber-optic lights
really put you in a party mood,” Matt says of the
poolscape.

Though the kids and their friends are constantly

in the pool, the biggest beneficiary has been Matt.

“For the first two months, I was swimming every

day,” he recalls. “It’s been a real blessing in terms of
exercise. I used to barely be able to swim a length
of the pool; now I easily swim several lengths.”

Matt’s form of dwarfism causes his cartilage to

degenerate, so high-impact exercise can actually
have a negative effect on his wellbeing. “Since I
was about 14, doctors have always told me I should
be swimming regularly,” he recalls. “It keeps the
weight off your joints so it doesn’t beat up your
cartilage.”

Matt recalls his doctor measuring his lung

capacity before he got his pool. There was a
device for him to blow into, which hooked up to a
computer. The screen showed a tree with leaves on
it, and Matt’s job was to blow has hard as he could
into the device and try to blow the leaves off of
the tree. “No matter how hard I blew, I couldn’t get
those leaves to come off,” he says. “Now there’s a
measurable improvement of my breathing because
of the pool, with no detriment to my joints.”

62
 Without leaving the
comforts of home

Our pools are

ICC Certified.

With over 70 designs and countless options and features,

the design possibilities are virtually limitless with a Viking pool.

Eco-Friendly Ceramic Composite Pools & Spas With a Lifetime Warranty

www.VikingPools.net® (800) VKG-POOL (854-7665)

Follow us on various social networking sites
www.MyViking.net
63
www.ExtendedLivingSpaces.com
 o m e
H weet
S ome
H By Alan E.Sanderfoot
How the gift of a pool continues to change
the lives of three worthy families

Sun. 8/7c on ABC

66

Few things compare to winning
the lottery, but being chosen for
an episode of Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition is one of them.
Hosted by carpenter and interior
designer Ty Pennington, the ABC
series selects one deserving family
for each show and builds them a
new home — in a week.
For families that could benefit
from having a swimming pool,
Viking Pools has been there to lend
a hand. As a manufacturer of one-
piece fiberglass pools and spas,
Viking offers a wide range pool
styles — all of which can be installed
in a few days, instead of the few
weeks needed to build a concrete
pool. To date, the company has
donated 15 pools and numerous
spas to the show.
“When the producers contacted
us to donate the first pool in 2004,
we thought it would be a great
way to help a family in need and
Viking Pools has partnered with ABC’s
Emmy winning Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition on several episodes.
The reality show helps families in
need by renovating their home and
backyard. Viking Pools has donated 15
pools to families across the country.
promote our pools,” says Todd
Stahl, President of Viking Pools.
“What we didn’t realize at the time
was the effect our participation
would have on so many people.
From our employees to our dealers
to our existing Viking Pools owners,
everyone seems to feel compassion
for the families we’ve helped.”
Now in syndication on TV Land
and CMT, the show is reaching an
even larger audience. “When I’m
channel surfing, I frequently see
old episodes with a Viking Pool
installed in the backyard,” Stahl
says. “I’m proud that we’ve been
able to transform so many lives
with the help of Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition.
We caught up with a few of
the families featured on the show
to see how pool ownership has
affected their lives. Their stories
are as touching today as when they
first aired.
67
 The Hughes Family
Louisville, Kentucky
Episode aired Feb. 17, 2008
Patrick Henry Hughes is a 22-year-old student
at the University of Louisville. An accomplished
pianist and vocalist, he’s also a member of the
school’s marching and pep band. What makes
him unique from his academic peers, however, is
that he’s blind and relies on a wheelchair to get
around. Born without eyes, Patrick Henry also
lacks the ability to fully straighten his arms and
legs, leaving him unable to walk.

Despite these challenges, Patrick Henry

has embraced life to its fullest with help from
his parents, Patricia and Patrick John, and his
brothers: Jesse, age 19, and Cameron, 14. In an
inspirational display of affection and support,
Patrick Henry’s father maneuvers his wheelchair
through the marching band formations while he
plays the trumpet.
Off the field, Patrick Henry had difficulty
navigating the Hughes’s humble home in his
wheelchair, and the walls showed the impact of
many bumps and scrapes. Because Patrick John
gave up his career to stay home and tend to his
son’s needs, money for home-improvement
projects was scarce.

68
 Fortunately, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
arrived on the scene in November 2007 to build
the family a new, wheelchair-accessible home
that includes a separate apartment for Patrick
Henry. The home also features a swimming pool
with a chairlift that makes it easier for Patrick
Henry to get the aquatic therapy he needs.
The family is entering it’s third summer with
the pool, which includes a hot tub and waterfall,
and they couldn’t be enjoying it more.
“Now, with his power chairlift and ramp, he
can access the pool from his apartment and get
in and out of the pool on his own. We don’t have
to swim with him,” says Patrick John.
“It’s not just a blessing for him, but the whole
family has enjoyed it,” he adds. “It allows us to
vacation at home.”
The youngest boys frequently have friends
over, but they also like swimming with their
older brother. And the pool has made it easier
for the Hugheses to connect with extended
family members.

“We’ve become the annual hosts of what my

family calls a cousins’ reunion,” Patrick John says,
describing the four generations of extended
family at the gathering. “The pool has helped
bond our family.”

“One of the things Patrick loves to do is to

go swimming. He’s a real fish,” says his father,
Patrick John. “If we were ever on a flight that
had to make an emergency landing in the water,
he could float the longest. He’s an excellent
swimmer. In fact, swimming is the only exercise
he enjoys.”

Though confined to a wheelchair, Patrick

Henry can still use his legs to work the pedals on
a piano and to swim. “The pool is the best way
for Patrick to exercise his legs to keep them from
atrophying,” his father adds.

Before Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

came to their aid, the family had an above-
ground pool that was difficult to use. Patrick
John had to lift Patrick Henry up onto the pool
ledge and essentially throw him into the water.
That was the easy part. To get him out, family
members had to get into the water and struggle
to lift Patrick Henry’s wet body over the side.

69
 The Chapin Family
Kirkland, Washington
Episode aired Dec. 16, 2007
Before her home makeover, Connie Chapin,
an avid swimmer and a single mother of four,
was eking out a living the best way she knew
how. Raising her family in the house she grew
up in, Connie taught swimming lessons in the
same backyard pool where she learned how
to swim. But Connie’s homegrown business,
Angelfish Swimming, does more than generate
much-needed income. It teaches more than
250 children a week the important swimming
and aquatic skills they need to enjoy life near
Washington State’s Puget Sound.

As her business was taking off, however, city

inspectors told Connie that her facility was not
up to code and would need to be closed down
if certain repairs weren’t made. Despite working
hard for two years to make the improvements,

70
the problems became too great for her to handle
on her own.
During this time, Connie received another
blow. Her home, which had been poorly
constructed more than a hundred years ago, was
at risk of collapsing. Unless she received some
serious help, she was going to lose her house
and her business.
In September 2007, Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition saved the day by giving Connie’s
family the home and livelihood they desperately
needed.
A dramatic waterfall serves as the focal
point of the new poolscape. The fiberglass pool
itself measures 16 by 40 feet and includes a
shallow Convenience Ledge around much of the
perimeter, which Connie says comes in handy
when teaching lessons. Best of all, her Angelfish
Swimming logo — a colorful fish donning a halo
— was painted on the pool’s bottom.
Connie also appreciates the smoothness
of the fiberglass pool’s surface. “There’s no
scraping up feet and knees,” she says, which
can happen in concrete pools when the plaster
surface becomes rough like sandpaper.
A bathroom/changing area was built into the
detached garage, and an outdoor shower was
installed so swimmers can rinse off before and
after lessons. To make the pool truly work for
year-round classes, a tent covers the pool and is
heated during the cooler months.
Yet, the pool isn’t all work and no play for
Connie and her family. Her children — Molly
(18), Anna (16), Rachel (13) and Daniel (11) —
take turns hosting pool parties, which typically
include pizza and a movie in the home theater
room.
The pool is also the impetus for a new family
tradition. Connie and her four siblings have 11
children altogether. Last summer the entire
brood gathered at the Chapins’ house for a
family reunion. “Everyone had a great time in
the swimming pool, so now we’re going to make
it a annual event,” Connie says.
Grateful for the community’s support of her
family, Connie is looking for additional ways to
give back to the people who brightened her own
future. Currently, she is in the process of creating
a nonprofit that would fund swimming lessons
for children whose families can’t afford them.
71
 The Broadbent Family
Las Vegas, Nevada
Episode aired Dec. 12, 2004
A former social worker, Pat Broadbent
has been a longtime advocate for children —
especially those who others find difficult to love.
Though she has given birth to one child, she has
adopted six others over the years. Three of the
children had contracted AIDS from their birth
mothers.
72
Her unconditional love for these innocent
children led Pat to become an advocate for
AIDS awareness and acceptance. She continued
to take in newborns exposed to HIV through
their mothers and administer the prescribed
drug regimen that might prevent them from
contracting AIDS. She gave these children the
love and affection they needed until permanent
foster care arrangements were made.
One of her children with AIDS, Hydeia,
has also worked to bring understanding and
assistance to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Today
she is an internationally recognized AIDS activist.
Together, Pat and Hydeia have written You Get
Past The Tears: A Memoir of Love and Survival,
which chronicles their experience.
 have moved away from home. But the pool still
gets a lot of use. Pat enjoys family cookouts
poolside and watching her grandkids learn to
swim in the pool.

Pat, who has been clear of lung cancer for

Unfortunately, Pat was diagnosed with lung
cancer just as her own children were getting
their AIDS under control. Though chemotherapy
was yielding positive results, Pat was concerned
that her children wouldn’t have a suitable home
to live in should she die.
three years, also swims in the pool regularly. A
side effect of the chemotherapy has been fluid
in her lungs, which makes it difficult to breath.
Pat uses a device that extracts oxygen from the
air and feeds it to her via a tube strapped to her
nose. When she goes swimming, she hooks up a
50-foot extension tube to the device so she can
swim laps.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, touched

by Pat’s selflessness and advocacy work,
decided to give her a home that she’d be proud
to pass on to her children. In November 2004,
her 1,450-square-foot cinderblock house was
replaced by a sprawling 3,300-square-foot home,
complete with a gorgeous backyard pool and
spa. The hot tub is situated inside an artificial
stone grotto with a waterfall that spills over the
“It gives me an opportunity to get exercise
top and into the pool.
without killing myself,” Pat says, adding that
even walking can be too exhausting with her
At the time, the three daughters with AIDS
condition. “Swimming is much more relaxing.”
were her only children still living at home, and
the pool was an integral part of their lives.
A day doesn’t pass without Pat being grateful
Because of their compromised immune systems,
for her new house and pool and the generous
the girls would risk contracting a bacterial or viral
support of her
infection if they went swimming in a lake or even
community. “I am
a public pool. However, their personal fiberglass
very appreciative of
pool was easy to maintain and provided the safe
it,” she says. “I can’t
swimming environment the girls needed.
get past the fact that
it was a gift. They say
The girls couldn’t wait to take their first swim
this is a reality TV
in the pool, even though it was November and
show, but it’s not. No
Pat refused to turn on the heater. So they jumped
one comes and does
into the frigid water anyway and took frequent
something like this in
breaks to warm up in the hot tub.
the real world. This
show is a miracle.”
Today, all of her children are grown up and

73
 Beach
Home
How one family created
a seaside resort in their
own backyard
By Alan Sanderfoot
S
ome do-it-yourself projects can be done by
anyone who knows which end of a hammer
to hold, but installing an in-ground pool
isn’t one of them. So, you can imagine Matt
and Danielle Meade’s relief when the folks at
Indoors Out, the home improvement show on
the DIY Network, offered to lend a hand.
The Meades live in Newport, N.C., where they
live busy lives. In addition to raising four children
— ages 9 to 22 — Matt and Danielle have stressful
careers as a commercial pilot and therapist,
respectively. As a result, they like to make the
most of their limited downtime together.
The family enjoys a beach home they share
with relatives, but they wanted to bring a bit of
the seashore to their own home and maximize
use of their outdoor living space. Thanks to Dean
Marsico and Derek Stearns, the hosts of Indoors
Out, the Meades got their wish and much more
— including a one-piece fiberglass pool from
Composite Pools, stone patio, sandy beach, and
open-air pavilion with colorful walls and graceful
archways.
The Meades chose a 12,000-gallon free from
74
Nantucket model pool, which was the largest
size that wouldn’t interfere with the septic
system beneath the barren yard. Tumbled stone
pavers and lush plants frame the pool. To mimic
the beach, a sandy retreat was created near
the pool, complete with palm trees and accent
boulders.
When the family isn’t swimming or lounging
on the “beach,” they are hanging out in the
covered pavilion, which boasts two kitchen
islands with granite countertops, an all-weather
television and an outdoor fireplace.
“We created a kind of open-air cabana feel,”
Danielle says. One side of the outdoor kitchen
includes a grilling area, and other side features
a built-in cooler and condiment station. “This is
so convenient for entertaining, because the bar
seats are located away from the grill but near
the cooler for serving drinks,” Danielle explains.
Matt’s favorite feature is the outdoor TV
because he can watch sports and crank the
volume without being asked to turn it down or
to stop yelling at the officials. “This creates such
harmony for all of us,” Danielle says with a smile.
When there isn’t a game to watch, Matt often
hangs out in the pavilion and listens to blues
artist Johnny “Guitar” Watson on the outdoor
stereo system.
For Danielle, the biggest advantage of the
backyard makeover has been knowing where
her kids are. The pool has been a great incentive
for them to stay close to home and invite their
friends over, making it easier to supervise their
activities. “The dirty towels add up, but it is
worth the extra laundry,” Danielle says.
Though the Meades expected the poolscape
to change how they spend their leisure time, they
never predicted how transformative it would be.
“Although we always found time to get to
the neighborhood pool, it is crazy how easy it
to just relax when you have a pool in your own
backyard. You really can’t imagine the luxury of
it until you experience it for yourself.”
The Meades like to entertain, too, and their
aquatic retreat is the perfect setting for endless
pool parties and al fresco dining.
“We love to have friends over, and we grill,
dance, and the kids make s’mores by the fire,”
Danielle says. “We have definitely become the
party house for large get-togethers — which is
OK since the house stays clean with the yard
being where everyone wants to be anyway!” In
fact, the Meades have come home from work to
find friends and neighbors hanging out in their
yard.
Since the backyard makeover, the family has
hosted everything from birthday celebrations
to Super Bowl parties, and the pool is always a
hit — especially at night when the adults tend
to visit in the pavilion while the kids hang out in
the pool. “They just love the lights and the water
cannons,” Danielle says, referring to the colored
fiber-optic lighting that surrounds the pool and
the water jets that send arcs of water cascading
into the pool from the deck.
“We just love seeing the pool back there for
the beauty it adds to our whole yard,” Danielle
says. “Sometimes, we just sit by the water and
enjoy the quiet time.”
75
 C’mon
Baby
Light
My
Fire
by Julie Crone

76
O
ne of the natural elements
is being brought back into
the outdoor experience:
fire. Fire creates warmth,
community, and the “wow”
factor. Because fire is nearly
the opposite of water, we love to see
the two together. Fire features can
range from a basic manual key valve
to a gigantic bowl, flowing water over
the sides and erupting a flame out the
middle. Which is right for you? Here
are some of the fire feature options.
We’ll let you decide.

When designing a fire feature, the

first thing to consider is where the
feature will go. Will it be the focal
point of the backyard, or will it occupy
a small alcove in a secluded area?

If the fire feature will be the main

focus, big and dramatic is a good point
to begin your conceptualization. The
feature will entertain your guests, and
therefore should reflect something that
demands attention. Large, over-sized
fire pots manufactured out of either
copper or stainless steel will create this
look easily. When incorporated into a
backyard pool, try placing them on the
far end of the pool, framing the space
with fire. Fire/Water Pots are another

way to evoke a sense of spectacle in your backyard.

Dancing simultaneously, fire/water pots combine
both fire and water in one application, providing a
rare opportunity to view two polarizing elements
interacting so closely. For best results, look for a
fire/water pot that features water that completely
surrounds the flame, allowing the fire to appear as if
it is floating on the waters surface.

If subtlety is more your style, choose a fire feature

that highlights your backyard without demanding your

77

pre-fabricated fire pit to address your needs.
Produced in either round or square shapes, a
fire pit can either rise from the ground or sit
atop a small column. One of the most appealing
aspects of a prefabricated fire pit is the ease of
installation. A turn key process, installers simply
bolt the application into the ground, providing a
much quicker fire solution than those designed
and built out of masonry block.
78
undivided attention. There are three
ways to achieve this look. A low profile
fire pot is one option. Approximately
7” tall, this pot can sit atop a column
providing a sleek and refined
application for fire. Tiki torches and
fire torches are another option. Tiki
torches provide a subtle flame while
remaining movable, providing the
ultimate in flexibility, while fire torches
are a more permanent fixture that can
be used in lieu of traditional outdoor
lighting. A linear fire line is a final
option. Rather than have multiple fire
features to frame an area, condense
the focus to one long fire feature with
a linear fire line. Available in virtually
any length, the fire line is housed in a
copper or stainless steel rectangular
fire pot or prefabricated aluminum fire
pit.
If something intimate, small, and
cozy is more the focus, look for a
All fire features have one thing in common
- the method of ignition. There are three ways
to create the flame, starting with the most
basic, the manual key valve. The benefits of a
manual key valve are its ease of use, reliability
and low cost of implementation. This method
does require the flame to be struck manually
as well, sometimes a drag with windy or wet
weather. The next option is a manual spark
ignition. This ignition option improves on the
key valve by providing an push-button start
with it’s own spark, eliminating the need to
light a match and turn on the gas manually. It
also has an auto shut-off, a safety feature that
uses a heat sensor to detect if a flame has been
blown out and automatically shutting off the
gas. The final option is a fully automated remote
Now that you have the tools
and knowledge to create
the ultimate fire feature,
it’s time to set the night on fire!
controlled ignition, the premier application for
those seeking a luxurious and incredibly easy
option. This ignition is usually controlled by the
PDA (pool’s digital assistant), however it can also
be controlled via a wall mounted switch. This
option is exceptionally good for fire features in
hard to reach places, or large fire/water pots
where it may be difficult to reach the gas valves.
79
5006: 5/10