Gathering Ideas for new build

[Taylor1584]

After much delay, the planning is starting back up. I have read so many pool builds here, all the questions and advice have given me pages and pages of notes. I can't imagine putting in a pool without TFP guidance, advice, and help. I have been maintaining my current pool with TFP and it's perfect.

My goal is to have a simple rectangular pool. I use my current freeform pool to do physical therapy exercises and walk in water. I do like to swim laps but don't need a real lap pool, my competitive swimming is 65 years in the past and my shoulders hate me. I would like to have a spa but also like the therapy jets and heat of a free standing hot tub. I was trying to figure out how to have the best of both. The free standing hot tubs are just not attractive. My new lot is completely flat in Houston. I can't nestle it into a hillside and hide it. I don't want to maintain 2 different bodies of water.

Then I read in Water Shapes this article. A Fuller Experience - Water Shapes

What do you think? Again this is in the planning stages. Building in Houston is backed up like elsewhere. This will be done along with an addition and renovation of an historic home. I do have an architect and landscape architect but have seen and read so much here and know the cumulative knowledge of TFP is invaluable.

Chris

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I see no mention of the seats in this "drop in" spa? I know my hot tub's seats beat most pool spas for comfort!

I'm sure a clever designer can easily plan a way to "cover" a stand alone spa with veneers of rock or stone, wood too I imagine to make it more attractive to the owner.

Maddie

 

[Taylor1584]

I see no mention of the seats in this "drop in" spa? I know my hot tub's seats beat most pool spas for comfort!

I'm sure a clever designer can easily plan a way to "cover" a stand alone spa with veneers of rock or stone, wood too I imagine to make it more attractive to the owner.

Maddie

I read it to mean they drop in a spa that has the seats, jets, etc. It even talks about using all the same plumbing, treating it as two pools. You could use all the same equipment, water, sanitizing. I was thinking in the colder months with valve just heat the hot tub. I wouldn't have a flow over into the pool.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

What I meant is the site doesn't mention if the seats are comfy and similar to hot tub seating. You know, the various seats, levels of seats, does it have a lounger?? All the things that make a hot tub comfortable with jets at different levels, strengths and aim??

 

[Taylor1584]

What I meant is the site doesn't mention if the seats are comfy and similar to hot tub seating. You know, the various seats, levels of seats, does it have a lounger?? All the things that make a hot tub comfortable with jets at different levels, strengths and aim??

Hey Maddie,
I think they are referring to hot tubs in general. You pick the one with all the bells and whistles, nice seats different levels, lots of jets, and just put it in the ground, flush or slightly elevated. Then you connectt up to the pool plumbing, heating. You can use valves to only heat the spa, say in the winter when you only use the spa, not the pool. It did say if there were lots of jets it might need a booster pump. I am still researching. Is there anyone else out there that would know if this was feasible?

 

[bmoreswim]

Here's the link to the pool company from the original article showing their spas and specifications. The non-spillover spa can be setup to run on the pool plumbing or separate plumbing. Those are some pretty good looking options. Looking at the seats (though tough filled with water) I'd say they are much of the way towards a typical standalone spa, but not as luxurious or form fitting. But also way better in appearance than a standalone. An interesting option. I do like the ones with the stone coping over the top lip. Seems like a viable option if you can find a builder in TX to do it.

Spas

 

[Taylor1584]

Here's the link to the pool company from the original article showing their spas and specifications. The non-spillover spa can be setup to run on the pool plumbing or separate plumbing. Those are some pretty good looking options. Looking at the seats (though tough filled with water) I'd say they are much of the way towards a typical standalone spa, but not as luxurious or form fitting. But also way better in appearance than a standalone. An interesting option. I do like the ones with the stone coping over the top lip. Seems like a viable option if you can find a builder in TX to do it.

Spas

Thank you, I am going to call them. Does it seem possible you could do this with any hot tub? Sharing the plumbing and heater, will valves to allow heating in the winter separate from the pool would be nice. the therapy aspects of a hot tub are really needed but the look is just not right for the building site. I am not DIY and would need this professionally done. I do not want a spill over. I am hoping some Houston area members chime in. I have a bit of time and would like to get this right.

 

[bmoreswim]

These are specially designed for this application. I seriously doubt a regular spa could be re-purposed to work, at least not without significant/costly alterations. And the likelihood of finding someone to do that, versus buying and installing the pre-fab option, is slim.

 

[Taylor1584]

These are specially designed for this application. I seriously doubt a regular spa could be re-purposed to work, at least not without significant/costly alterations. And the likelihood of finding someone to do that, versus buying and installing the pre-fab option, is slim.

Well dang. I did see that Bullfrog hot tubs does make inserts that you can add to a regular spa so will investigate that. Thanks for the help.