OK - so we ve had the pool up for 10 days or so and so far so good - weather actually was pretty chilly (AZ standards) for the last week or so - as a result somewhat limited use - but it will be hot from now on out.
Here is the issue for this post - these big Intex rectangular pools are UGLY! Especially in a suburban setting where it is the dominant feature of that part of our yard.
We understand there are ways (and we plan to) "screen" the ugly gray and the bare dirt and blue tarp. The question is what and how much investment given we are not 100% sure how permanent this will be - but for purposes here ASSUME we would LIKE it to be as permanent as possible given it is an Intex.
PART of the decision making process will be a realistic idea of how long our 18x9x52 will last given the Phoenix area ( we are in Casa Grande ) elements. Can any other Phoenix or other AZ folks provide any input?
Option 1 - is just landscape the ground area around the base of the pool with sand/rock or something similar and live with the Gray pool for awhile - although we don't love it. This is the least expensive option of course - but still when all is said and done will be a couple hundred bucks.
Option 2 - put up a "temporary" screen of some sort like lattice or whatever but no "deck" around the pool at all. This option somewhat eliminates the need for a portion of option 1 as the "screen" would need to be outside of the legs (unlike the round pools where the screen can basically be right up on the pool itself). Ballpark it appears for a pool our size (including some remaining ground cover needs on the site) we bump up the budget to $500.00 or so.
Option 3 - go ahead and do a nicer but still "temporary" screen/deck using stained 1"x8" boards all around as a vertical screen on all sides about 16" from the pool bottom and 2 widths of boards (to make that 16" also at the top) all around the pool as a "sort of" deck just to be used as a place to set stuff on while swimming but not large enough to sit on or anything - this option is the nicest "temporary" version but given the need to have access to the pool etc. for any maintenance I would need to make it somewhat "modular" to take pieces apart as needed to get underneath to the pool. My guess for this option? At least 1K-$1500.
Option 4 (not really in the cards this season until I REALLY know we like the pool) - full borne low level deck of at least 15' out from the pool side and incorporated into the remainder of the yard landscaping. Our situation will not allow for a "pool level" deck as some have done since the pool is 52" high which would mean we would be looking over our walls into neighbors yards and they could too easily see us from theirs - so we would do an almost ground level deck for sunbathing etc. likely with "stairs" that would go up the entire one side of the pool (lots of really cool examples of this out there on Pinterest etc.). Again - this bumps us into the several thousand category so is not immediately in the plans. We do have a large yard for AZ standards with an entire paver patio and lots of lawn left even after the pool install to allow for all the needs of BBQing, sunbathing, etc. in the meantime.
BUT, back to the question - some of WHICH option I choose - and then HOW I implement them - will depend on how frequently should I expect to have to replace this thing. We will likely NOT remove it in the winter - though we likely would drain it (with suggestions of how to best do that from TFP members as the time comes).
My elements include:
SUN, SUN, and MORE SUN!!!
HEAT, HEAT, and MORE HEAT in the Summer
Occasional sub freezing temps in the winter (2-3 times a year at most).
Monsoon rains in the summer with heavy wind and often significant short term heavy rain (up to an inch or more in a very short period). Is erosion a problem that requires "re-setting" the pool base frequently because of these rains? Again, this will really impact how I build any sort of decking.
Other unforeseen factors?
Thanks!!
Here is the issue for this post - these big Intex rectangular pools are UGLY! Especially in a suburban setting where it is the dominant feature of that part of our yard.
We understand there are ways (and we plan to) "screen" the ugly gray and the bare dirt and blue tarp. The question is what and how much investment given we are not 100% sure how permanent this will be - but for purposes here ASSUME we would LIKE it to be as permanent as possible given it is an Intex.
PART of the decision making process will be a realistic idea of how long our 18x9x52 will last given the Phoenix area ( we are in Casa Grande ) elements. Can any other Phoenix or other AZ folks provide any input?
Option 1 - is just landscape the ground area around the base of the pool with sand/rock or something similar and live with the Gray pool for awhile - although we don't love it. This is the least expensive option of course - but still when all is said and done will be a couple hundred bucks.
Option 2 - put up a "temporary" screen of some sort like lattice or whatever but no "deck" around the pool at all. This option somewhat eliminates the need for a portion of option 1 as the "screen" would need to be outside of the legs (unlike the round pools where the screen can basically be right up on the pool itself). Ballpark it appears for a pool our size (including some remaining ground cover needs on the site) we bump up the budget to $500.00 or so.
Option 3 - go ahead and do a nicer but still "temporary" screen/deck using stained 1"x8" boards all around as a vertical screen on all sides about 16" from the pool bottom and 2 widths of boards (to make that 16" also at the top) all around the pool as a "sort of" deck just to be used as a place to set stuff on while swimming but not large enough to sit on or anything - this option is the nicest "temporary" version but given the need to have access to the pool etc. for any maintenance I would need to make it somewhat "modular" to take pieces apart as needed to get underneath to the pool. My guess for this option? At least 1K-$1500.
Option 4 (not really in the cards this season until I REALLY know we like the pool) - full borne low level deck of at least 15' out from the pool side and incorporated into the remainder of the yard landscaping. Our situation will not allow for a "pool level" deck as some have done since the pool is 52" high which would mean we would be looking over our walls into neighbors yards and they could too easily see us from theirs - so we would do an almost ground level deck for sunbathing etc. likely with "stairs" that would go up the entire one side of the pool (lots of really cool examples of this out there on Pinterest etc.). Again - this bumps us into the several thousand category so is not immediately in the plans. We do have a large yard for AZ standards with an entire paver patio and lots of lawn left even after the pool install to allow for all the needs of BBQing, sunbathing, etc. in the meantime.
BUT, back to the question - some of WHICH option I choose - and then HOW I implement them - will depend on how frequently should I expect to have to replace this thing. We will likely NOT remove it in the winter - though we likely would drain it (with suggestions of how to best do that from TFP members as the time comes).
My elements include:
SUN, SUN, and MORE SUN!!!
HEAT, HEAT, and MORE HEAT in the Summer
Occasional sub freezing temps in the winter (2-3 times a year at most).
Monsoon rains in the summer with heavy wind and often significant short term heavy rain (up to an inch or more in a very short period). Is erosion a problem that requires "re-setting" the pool base frequently because of these rains? Again, this will really impact how I build any sort of decking.
Other unforeseen factors?
Thanks!!
cost was about 500 for everything
