Contract signed, design almost finished, dig begins April 1st

[homesteadpool]

Hi everyone!

I am still trying to pick my final design for the pool, but the contract is signed.

We will be going with a 600 sq foot geometric shaped pool
12" coping and 6" frost proof tile
Standard marble plaster included
Jandy DE 60 filtration system
2HP pump
40 PVC piping
2 built in surface skimmers
3 flowe returns
Polaris 280 pool cleaner
400k heater
64 ft raised 18" spa with 8 jets, 1 led light, and 1.5 hp air blower
Jandy pure link salt
100 sq foot with 2 floor jets
4 deck jets with booster pump
700 sq foot of pavers
3 led lights
Jandy aqua link RS remote system

Optional upgrades:
$2,500 to upgrade to diamond brite premium
$5,000 to upgrade to pebble sheen
$3,500 to add a water fall on each side of the spa (8' long 18" high left and right of spa and to 24" sheer descents and booster")

The two designs we're considering are attached. You'll see the initial design, and how we now are going to move the spa to the back rear wall (a picture is attached by my builder of the same idea with the spa at the back wall). We are doing a small pavilion on the side of the pool, behind the tanning ledge side. It won't be behind the spa.

The other idea we were floating was the spa on the back wall and the tanning ledge broken up to either side.

I still haven't picked out pavers or pool color yet- I really like a darker color pool and need to narrow down to which company I want to use (I see NPT a lot as well as pebble tec)- but there's so many! I need to find one that isn't super rough - I was in a pool this past weekend and it ripped my sons feet up from hitting the surface (he's 5) so I wanted to try to find something a little more smooth that super rough.

Super excited, but also nervous!!

 

[homesteadpool]

Also, my builder gave me the option to go with a cartridge filter (someone had suggested this to me) but he suggests against it for some reason. I have no idea on either so any suggestions is really helpful!

 

[jimmythegreek]

I would want a variable speed pump and I would ditch the cleaner he gives you for a outlet powered robot. I see you are in NJ too, I would want the spa to be standalone so I could use it in the winter. Once you shut the pool down for the year the spa goes to sleep with it. Just making sure you understand that part. they are great as a combo in Texas and Arizona, here the standalone spas with a good cover can be kept open all year with a few bucks a week on the electric bill. Nice to sit in the spa when its snowing

 

[bmoreswim]

Built-in spas are also much less comfortable in addition to only being usable for maybe 6 months. Agree on definitley ditching the 280 and getting a Dolphin S-Series or twin. Cartridge filters are easy in that you don't have to dispose of or handle DE, if that makes a difference to you. They both filter quite well.

There is no such product as Diamond Brite Premium. See this link for Diamond Brite or Diamond Brite Watercolors. Perhaps they are saying it covers up to the Watercolors colors which are probably a premium over standard Diamond Brite colors. Diamond Brite (a quartz product) is as smooth as plain plaster. Pebble Sheen will be pretty smooth but have a texture. Pebble Fina is Pebble Tec's smoothest but is more yet. DB (quartz) is a nice way to get a more premium look to your pool at a modest cost in your case. Be aware though that any finish (although it shouldn't if done properly) may have mottling (color variations that are noticeable either in streaks or spots).

Darker colors tend to have more mottling. Darker colors tend to create a slightly warmer pool (good thing in NJ). You may like a bluestone coping with pavers. It's a nice contrast and a classic look for the northeast. Though bluestone is hot, it's tolerable. I have it.

 

[homesteadpool]

I would want a variable speed pump and I would ditch the cleaner he gives you for a outlet powered robot. I see you are in NJ too, I would want the spa to be standalone so I could use it in the winter. Once you shut the pool down for the year the spa goes to sleep with it. Just making sure you understand that part. they are great as a combo in Texas and Arizona, here the standalone spas with a good cover can be kept open all year with a few bucks a week on the electric bill. Nice to sit in the spa when its snowing

So you mean skip the Polaris 280 pool cleaner ? What cleaner to you suggest. Yes, I know about the spa but I really don't like stand alone spas.

 

[Jimrahbe]

hsp,

I don't like the pool in the hand-drawn picture at all.. The jagged coping does not seem to fit at all and will make any type of pool cleaner useless..

I too would opt for a Robot pool cleaner over 1960's water powered cleaners, such as the 280, any day of the week.

I have pools with DE filters and cartridge filters... I can't really tell the difference.. It takes about the same effort to clean. The advantage of a cartridge filter is that you do not need a multiport valve, which is just one more part to go bad over time. The disadvantage is that without a multiport valve you can't vacuum to waste, but I don't see that as an important issue as I have a robot and never need to vacuum.

Any new pool builder who builds a saltwater pool without a VS pump is doing his customer a disservice. You need the ability to run slow for a long time so you can generate the amount of chlorine your pool will needs without the electric company owning your pool....

Make sure the salt system is at least 2 x the volume of your pool...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

hsp,

Have you ever been in a gunite spa??? If not, I suggest you try one before you buy it.. You may love it, but better to find out first..

Jim R.

 

[bmoreswim]

I don't like the pool in the hand-drawn picture at all.. The jagged coping does not seem to fit at all and will make any type of pool cleaner useless..

I hadn't looked at your drawing. I agree. I think there is a better design than the hand drawn version. Can you post a few pictures of your backyard and/or a Google Maps satellite picture of your space for us to mull over?

 

[homesteadpool]

The hand drawn picture is just moving the hot tub to the back wall. Would it look better just to have the tanning ledge even with the side wall? Heres the original drawing from the builder and the survey of the back yard

 

[homesteadpool]

Here’s the google earth image

 

[homesteadpool]

I could just do the tanning ledge like this - along the side wall

 

[homesteadpool]

hsp,

Have you ever been in a gunite spa??? If not, I suggest you try one before you buy it.. You may love it, but better to find out first..

Jim R.

Yes, I’ve been in a gunite spa- my dad has one. We had a hot tub at our old house, a stand alone, and we really didn’t use it nearly as much in the cold like we thought we would. I know I loose a lot of the time I can use it by putting it with the pool, but I love the look and I know it fits with us good.

 

[homesteadpool]

Here’s pictures of the yard

 

[homesteadpool]

There’s more space on the other side but it’s kinda dead space. We have the shed over there and a separate dog “run” that was going to be for them to poop but we never use it lol. The swing set will be moved over to that side

 

[homesteadpool]

Built-in spas are also much less comfortable in addition to only being usable for maybe 6 months. Agree on definitley ditching the 280 and getting a Dolphin S-Series or twin. Cartridge filters are easy in that you don't have to dispose of or handle DE, if that makes a difference to you. They both filter quite well.

There is no such product as Diamond Brite Premium. See this link for Diamond Brite or Diamond Brite Watercolors. Perhaps they are saying it covers up to the Watercolors colors which are probably a premium over standard Diamond Brite colors. Diamond Brite (a quartz product) is as smooth as plain plaster. Pebble Sheen will be pretty smooth but have a texture. Pebble Fina is Pebble Tec's smoothest but is more yet. DB (quartz) is a nice way to get a more premium look to your pool at a modest cost in your case. Be aware though that any finish (although it shouldn't if done properly) may have mottling (color variations that are noticeable either in streaks or spots).

Darker colors tend to have more mottling. Darker colors tend to create a slightly warmer pool (good thing in NJ). You may like a bluestone coping with pavers. It's a nice contrast and a classic look for the northeast. Though bluestone is hot, it's tolerable. I have it.

I’m going to for sure upgrade to the cleaner you suggested! So the filter he included is fine then? It’s so hard when you have no clue what you’re doing! I’m so grateful for the help!

Agreed, the dark color is good for NJ. I’ve read good and bad about diamond brite, and a lot better about pebble tech but haven’t made any decisions on that just yet. Trying to finally pick the design, and then that’s my next battle lol.

 

[homesteadpool]

I hadn't looked at your drawing. I agree. I think there is a better design than the hand drawn version. Can you post a few pictures of your backyard and/or a Google Maps satellite picture of your space for us to mull over?

I attached it plus some pictures- the swing set will be moved over to the far left by the shed!

 

[bmoreswim]

Thanks for the picutures. My thoughts are going one of two ways, one is an "L" shaped pool. Basically a rectangle with the tanning ledge in the L. And the spa at the inside corner of the L. Another option might be for a long pool with the spa and ledge at one end.

Going back to the zigzag sections in your designs. My reasons for not being in favor or them are:

1. Many sharp outside corners for people to get hurt on. There will be a lot of play going on out there.
2. Either robot brushing or manual brushing is going to be affected by these angles.
3. They essentially take up space. Not only have they cut off square corner space, but the space in the zigzags isn't going to be used.
4. It looks too busy for me (this one is just personal).

Have you given any thought to automatic cover? Just being up front, they will be in the $12-15K+ range so it may be a quick no. They do keep your pool quite clean if your trees will be providing debris. Trees don't get smaller with age (naturally anyway). It allows for an easier early opening and late closing (which are good for opening clear each spring), because you can keep it covered during oak tree season and covered as autumn leaves fall. We also have two dogs that love to swim so it's nice to have it open for them for a longer season. It also keeps the pool warmer eliminating all of the evaporation. If not interested or able, move along. Just presenting an option since you seem to like geometric. They work best with rectangles.

I did a quick mockup (attached) of my first thought. Shallow end goes by house with deep end towards back right corner. My second option listed earlier would just take the shelf/spa area and move it adjacent to the shallow end for a long pool arrangement. But I'd really recommend making a full backyard masterplan showing all possible current and future uses/areas (play, pavillion, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pool deck, patio, house deck, landscaping, basketball court, etc.) so you have a design that you can complete as you wish, but the pool doesn't preclude anything in the future.

 

[homesteadpool]

Thanks for the picutures. My thoughts are going one of two ways, one is an "L" shaped pool. Basically a rectangle with the tanning ledge in the L. And the spa at the inside corner of the L. Another option might be for a long pool with the spa and ledge at one end.

Going back to the zigzag sections in your designs. My reasons for not being in favor or them are:

1. Many sharp outside corners for people to get hurt on. There will be a lot of play going on out there.
2. Either robot brushing or manual brushing is going to be affected by these angles.
3. They essentially take up space. Not only have they cut off square corner space, but the space in the zigzags isn't going to be used.
4. It looks too busy for me (this one is just personal).

Have you given any thought to automatic cover? Just being up front, they will be in the $12-15K+ range so it may be a quick no. They do keep your pool quite clean if your trees will be providing debris. Trees don't get smaller with age (naturally anyway). It allows for an easier early opening and late closing (which are good for opening clear each spring), because you can keep it covered during oak tree season and covered as autumn leaves fall. We also have two dogs that love to swim so it's nice to have it open for them for a longer season. It also keeps the pool warmer eliminating all of the evaporation. If not interested or able, move along. Just presenting an option since you seem to like geometric. They work best with rectangles.

I did a quick mockup (attached) of my first thought. Shallow end goes by house with deep end towards back right corner. My second option listed earlier would just take the shelf/spa area and move it adjacent to the shallow end for a long pool arrangement. But I'd really recommend making a full backyard masterplan showing all possible current and future uses/areas (play, pavillion, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pool deck, patio, house deck, landscaping, basketball court, etc.) so you have a design that you can complete as you wish, but the pool doesn't preclude anything in the future.

You're totally right on all the sharp corners. And I agree with the busy aspect- I'm going for a sleek look with a dark finish and probably lighter tan pavers.

I looked into it, but it just doesn't fit in the budget. We're already so over budget at this point.

Thank you for the mockup! We're going to put a pavilion outside to the right side that will eventually have a outdoor kitchen and bar. We have a deck now with the pool that will be sorta useless. Eventually we'll cover it and screen it in and have it as a screened porch we can use.

 

[Jbrillo]

Homesteadpool,

Just my opinion, but I would say go for the pebble sheen option. Either finish can last a long time with proper care. Pebblesheen costs a little more upfront but will last the longest. If you factor in the cost of resurfacing a pool, the additional cost of the pebble finish is more than worth it just for the longevity.

If you are worried about smoothness, I can tell you mine is not rough at all. It’s wonderful. Our pool is new but the kids have been in several times and we have had no cut feet and no torn swimsuits. If I’m correct, a lot of the roughness that people feel have may be an installation issue. So find out who your PB uses and do a little research. We loved the look and feel of the pebble finish in our neighbors pool and we knew that’s what we wanted. They used Wetedge but stepping in our pool or their pool, you would never be able to tell they were from different companies. They both feel the same and in a good way! It would definitely be worth your time to step in a pool with a pebble finish to feel it for yourself. Just my $0.02.

And robot cleaner all the way!!! Brushes and vacuums your pool surface and uses less electricity. Pressure cleaners just vacuum and use a lot of electricity.

Love your backyard too! It’s huge.

 

[homesteadpool]

Homesteadpool,

Just my opinion, but I would say go for the pebble sheen option. Either finish can last a long time with proper care. Pebblesheen costs a little more upfront but will last the longest. If you factor in the cost of resurfacing a pool, the additional cost of the pebble finish is more than worth it just for the longevity.

If you are worried about smoothness, I can tell you mine is not rough at all. It’s wonderful. Our pool is new but the kids have been in several times and we have had no cut feet and no torn swimsuits. If I’m correct, a lot of the roughness that people feel have may be an installation issue. So find out who your PB uses and do a little research. We loved the look and feel of the pebble finish in our neighbors pool and we knew that’s what we wanted. They used Wetedge but stepping in our pool or their pool, you would never be able to tell they were from different companies. They both feel the same and in a good way! It would definitely be worth your time to step in a pool with a pebble finish to feel it for yourself. Just my $0.02.

And robot cleaner all the way!!! Brushes and vacuums your pool surface and uses less electricity. Pressure cleaners just vacuum and use a lot of electricity.

Love your backyard too! It’s huge.

Thank you!! I am going to go for the pebble sheen, I think it's the best bet for sure! I was concerned about the roughness, but if it's where you don't hurt your feet or get cuts then that is perfect!! I'm going to for sure opt for the robot cleaner!!