Issue No. 51 June 2014

CAIRO WEST MAGAZINE
HOME AND GARDEN
What options do we have for pool
surrounds?
MA: Hard-scape is the flooring around
the water or leading to it. Other
features can be used to complement
the pool according to its use and style,
in keeping with the total surroundings.
MH: A rustic brick feel or wooden
pavers are the best option for the
pool decks; they allow for maximum
drainage and minimize moisture. To
accentuate natural serenity around
the place, waterfalls and fountains
are always a big hit in the swimming
pool design. You can add LED lights
around the pool decks to add mystery
and illusion; also RGB lighting can be
added to change pool color at night
for great effects.
What types of filtration system are
used?
MA: You need a multi-level filtration
system to clear color and odor and
implement biological filtration using
several levels of filters. Now ozone is
used to give better hygienic control
and quality.
The filtration is around the clock with
timer control to save on chemicals and
cleaning materials as well as electricity
costs.
What is involved in adding heating
for a pool?
MA: You have the options of electric
heating using main electric supply or
solar plate electricity or gas heaters.
We generally use dual source heaters
as standby to each other, but we tend
to mainly use gas due to the lower cost
compared to electricity.
MH: A pool heating system is a big
investment. Whether you opt for gas
heaters, heat pumps, solar heaters,
or an electric heat pump, the best
system for your pool is determined by
your needs and your budget. I always
24 23
recommend solar energy heaters to
save energy and money in the long
run.
What about cleaning and
maintenance?
MH: Keeping the swimming pool
clean can take more work than you
imagine, it is not a trifling matter. Use
the hand skimmer daily to clean out
unwanted items and vacuum it weekly.
Pool filters require periodic cleaning,
depending on the type of the filter and
how often the pool is used; you might
need to consult the manufacturer to
carry out the regular maintenance and
make regular water tests to make sure
it’s clean and healthy.
Is there a big price difference in
constructing different types of pools?
MA: Given the same size you would
expect to pay almost the same unit
rate, but the overflow requires more
space around the swimming area so it’s
a bit higher in cost. Construction using
traditional methods is linked to the
R.C. cost in general plus the internal
and external insulation costs. The big
figure that varies from pool to pool
is the internal finishing cost. It starts
with tiles, then special ceramics used
for pools and finally mosaic, which
can go to the highest limit according
to the type. There are many options
ranging from pottery or glass mosaic
to gold and platinum decorated
mosaic, which would normally be
used for smaller indoor pools for spas.
Another Option
Emak pools provides polypropylene,
a relatively new technology for
swimming pools. They supply these
through their cooperation with Jean
Desjoyaux of France. The benefit of
these pools is that they are almost
unlimited in shape and size, with
assembly being fast and easy as well
as cost effective. Sizes normally range
from 18 m2 up to 120 m2, according
to the client’s requirements. The
production uses a special recycled
polypropylene mixed with carbonate,
which is highly effective against UV
rays, bacteria and pool chemicals.
The pool panels create an ‘active
permanent casing’, using welding
technology, and have a ten-year
guarantee.
If you need to find something really
special Palm Gardens Egypt and Mikati
Investments have a great range of
tiles and paving stones for pools and
surrounds that are worth investigating.
Both Emak and Foxxx have a wide
range of heaters, filters, covers, pool
lights and pumps to suit all types of
pool. Just give their professional sales
teams a call to learn about all available
options. Aquatop has a state -of-theart
collection of Jacuzzi and spa pools.
Information available in
alphabetical order:
emakpools.com
foxxx.com.eg
magnument.com (Medhat Abdallah)
monahussein.com (Mona Hussein
Design House
Tiles available at:
mikati-inv.com
palmgardensegypt.com
terra-egypt.com