July 2019

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—
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Southern California is known as the land of swimming pools. Given our
temperate climate and the recreation and relaxation possibilities afforded
by having access to a pool, many homeowners wouldn’t consider their life
complete without one.
But a pool is really just a hole in the ground filled with water. What really
makes them come alive are the accessories that you bring to it, including
decking, waterfalls, slides, pool bars and other add-ons. These truly make the
space exciting, and appealing added components round out the backyard
swimming pool experience.
US consumers are expected to spend $1.1 billion on their swimming pools in
2019, according to research firm IBISworld, a number that is expected to increase
year over year. That means the pool is increasingly the center of home social
life, and given the trend toward integrating indoor and outdoor spaces in home
design, it only figures to keep growing.
Here are some of the hotter trends in Southern California pool design and
accessories.
*** Giant slides: Sure, that 1950s small slide with skinny legs is still around in
some dated homes. But the really fun pools are featuring large slides that would
be right at home in a commercial water park, multiplying the fun and offering
new thrills to your guests. Carrying names like the Adrenaline, the G-Force, and
the Helix-2, these slides offer twists and turns on slides that can measure 20 feet
in vertical height. In many pools, large slides have replaced old-fashioned diving
boards as the center of attention.
*** Because the diving board is largely becoming a relic, so, too, are deep
ends of the pool being eliminated. A new trend is building a pool that’s about
four-feet to six-feet in depth, with some offering a one-foot-deep children’s
area. These are known as sports pools, and are popular with families that like to
get everyone into the water. The smaller depth has an added bonus: because
the water volume is less, it’s less expensive to heat and treat the water, and
installation costs are lower.
*** Part of the fun of socializing around a pool is enjoying some great food
and drink. Some pool owners are borrowing a concept from major resorts and
installing built-in bars in their pools, allowing people to swim up and enjoy a
beverage without leaving the cool waters.
*** Pool decking is becoming more than just a concrete rim around the
water. Decking featuring porcelain tile, a flooring product that can resemble
natural wood, stone or other materials, is popular, and gives the pool area a
contemporary feel. Also rising in stature is the concept of a beach entry, where a
slope allows you to gradually descend into the water, much as you would enter
the ocean from a beach. This touch can be incorporated into your surrounding
areas to create a beautiful landscape. Some decking areas are also featuring
slip-resistant stone epoxy, which lessens the slippery surface that concrete poses
when it gets wet. It’s available in various colors that can compliment the rest of
your design scheme.
*** Another trend in accessories is energy efficient pumps. Large cartridge
pool filters can lessen the need for costly cleanings. Similarly, pool heaters are
becoming more energy efficient, with solar options available for sustainable
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