Inground Pools Article

Consumers have always wanted two things when buying inground pools: design options and low maintenance. Now, with energy costs rising and many people trying to reduce their carbon footprint, buyers increasingly want their inground pool to be eco-friendly, too. Fortunately, pool designers and builders continue to address all of these areas, giving future pool buyers more choices than ever when it comes to creating the poolscapes of their dreams.



Design Trends

One thing has become clear over the past few years: A pool is no longer just a pool. Instead, it has become the focal point of an elaborate outdoor living space that may include everything from an outdoor kitchen and dining area to a firepit and wet bar.

Because of the increased emphasis on outdoor entertaining, the aquascape of tomorrow will continue to evolve. Increasingly, the way inground pools look will be just as important as the way inground pools function. A lap pool, for example, will not simply serve as a space for aquatic exercise, it will also be a stunning, illuminated water feature to be enjoyed by patio passersby. Consequently, consumers should be on the lookout for greater choices when it comes to "water architecture" — the way water is circulated back to the pool. Water architecture often involves fountains and water features, and pool buyers will enjoy a growing array of style options — whether they are drawn to laminar-flow systems, bubblers or deck-mounted jets. Fountain work, using both real and faux rock, is also expected to increase in popularity.

Fire elements will find their way into more pool designs as well. Both natural-gas and wood-burning firepits have been popular poolside attractions for years, but there is something both powerful and dramatic about juxtaposing fire and water in an inground pool design. Many builders anticipate more work incorporating these two features in the future.

Other popular design elements for 2009 and beyond include beach entries, tanning shelves, underwater benches, bars with in-pool seating, vanishing edges and full-perimeter overflows.

Over the years, pool builders have discovered ways to overcome the engineering challenges of constructing some rather creative and outlandish inground pools and designs. Though mavericks will always try to push the envelope of what is possible according to homeowners' desires, some designers predict a return to more "traditional" pool styles. While some think this could be a sign of the economy, many consider the change a longing for simpler times — nostalgia for the kind of pool today's baby boomers grew up with. Some builders have already noticed a shift away from freeform and natural-looking pools toward more geometric-inspired pool designs, where the pool provides a suitable recreational space for the family as well as aesthetic pleasure.



Maintenance Trends

In addition to style and elegance, consumers will continue to allocate more of their budgets for ease of maintenance. In fact, some builders predict that consumers will readily spend more to get the design and easy maintenance features they want, even if it means opting for a smaller size pool.

To simplify routine operation and maintenance, consumers will have access to improved, software-driven automatic controls systems and automatic chemical sanitation systems. As the technology develops, consumers will be able to control more of their pool functions from a desktop computer; in addition, the cost of automation will come down, making it even more affordable for the average pool owner. Salt systems continue to dominate the market for automated sanitization, which eliminates the need to manually apply chemicals. However, ultraviolet and ozone technology will gain market share as their systems improve.

In-floor cleaning systems will build upon their existing fan base; while these systems are more expensive than other automatic pool cleaners and are installed primarily in new pools only, they virtually eliminate the need for homeowner involvement.



Environmental Trends

Consumers have never been more concerned about energy costs and their personal impact on the environment than they are right now. Because eco-consciousness continues to influence their customers' pool-buying decisions, equipment manufacturers and pool builders are racing to develop features that make pools more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

When it comes to lighting, for example, the fiber-optic fixtures that replaced traditional incandescent lights are now giving way to LEDs, which last longer than other light sources and operate using a fraction of the energy.

Another technological advancement saving consumers more on their energy bill is the variable-speed pump. The vast majority of a pool's energy expense can be attributed to its pumps, which traditionally have just one or two speeds. The development of variable-speed pumps, however, created the opportunity to reduce energy consumption through smarter pool designs that use only as much pumping power as necessary. More new pools will use variable-speed pumps in 2009, with the potential for all new pools to use them in future years.

Consumers can look forward to more emphasis on solar heating systems, which should bring the cost of these units down. Most solar systems will be "closed loop" systems, which route pool water through the solar heater before returning it to the pool.

Meanwhile, the proliferation of automatic sanitization systems will ensure that the pool contains a sufficient amount of chemicals — eliminating the chance of human error causing environment contamination. Plus, the use of alternative purification technology, such as UV and ozone, will further reduce the amount of sanitizing chemicals being used.

For consumers buying a pool in 2009, satisfaction is virtually ensured. With countless design options, easy maintenance and earth-friendly operation, pool ownership has never looked more attractive.