Surrey Homes | SH21 | July 2016 | Interiors supplement inside

Watery
wonderland
As the weather warms up, having a swimming
pool becomes an ever-more tempting option...
Positioning your swimming pool
Chris James, Graduate Landscapes
Our raison d’être is to ensure the finished landscape is
integrated and visually pleasing with a pool merging seamlessly
and organically into the landscape. We spend a great deal of
time planning the shape, position and landscaping of a pool,
taking into account the changes that the seasons bring and
the growth and alteration of the garden over time. If we get
this stage right, the finished project not only adds value to
your property, but it will be a fabulous addition to the garden
for decades. There are some obvious considerations about the
siting of a pool. Avoid shady areas such as under large trees
or a north-facing position where shade will make the pool
less enticing. If in doubt, go for a south-westerly orientation
to get the heat of the sun during the day as well as the last
of the late afternoon and early evening sun. In most cases a
swimming pool is a dominant feature of the garden and will
require softening in order to integrate into the wider landscape.
The most effective way of doing this is to design planting
beds around the pool to blur the line between hard and
soft landscaping and at the same time creating an attractive,
comfortable and tempting space. Subtle planting such as box
hedging and topiary will provide year-round interest and, with
a natural swimming pool, the planting zone will automatically
create a more organic feel to the surrounding area.
Keep the patio area around the pool uncluttered and furniture
to a minimum but buy the best furniture your budget will
allow, to enhance the ambience and feel of the pool area. For
practical reasons, the heating system needs to be close to the
pool, though these buildings should be inconspicuous and
screened with shrubs and climbers so they fade from view.
We try to use the best quality materials for the patios, but
endeavour to keep its size to a minimum to reduce the hard
look of the area, particularly in winter. We have had great
results using a variety of pre-cut and bespoke stone. Both are
naturally beautiful products and can suit any budget.
This is the perfect time to think about enjoying a pool in your
garden or rejuvenating an existing one.
Graduate Landscapes, 01428 724080,
www.graduatelandscapes.co.uk
Heating your swimming pool
David Horne, Origin Leisure
There are a wide variety of methods to heat a pool, the
most suitable method will depend on a number of factors
which can include; if it is outdoor or indoor pool, the
services (Gas, Electric, Oil) available in the area and how
close you are to them, the size of the pool, the temperatures
required, how quickly you want to be able to warm the
pool up also for outside pools the period of the year you
want to be able to swim. Traditionally gas oil and electric
were most common heating sources for pools but the rapid
developments of greener technology such as; Solar thermal,
air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps make
them a viable alternative. It is important to consider all
the factors in the design to make sure it meets the client’s
requirements and is a cost efficient solution. Air source
heat pumps and outdoor pools work exceptionally well
together as typically the heat pump is most effective at
heating the pool in the warmer weather – which is when
most people like to swim. They can also be specified to
facilitate swimming all year round so it is important to
understand how the pool will be used. Indoor pools often
have additional heating requirements for showers, hand
basins and heating for the air for dehumidification, so this
often leads to using a combination of heating sources such
as air source heat pumps and electric or gas.
Origin Leisure, 01895 823366 www.originleisure.com
www.wealdentimes.co.uk
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