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Hot Pool Trends in Sugar Land
Bringing the Indoors Outside Just Seems Natural for Area Families
Photo courtesy Sunset Pools, Inc.
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� Sugar Land Magazine � Sugar Land, Texas 2006
April 15, 2006
By Brenda Thompson
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When the Fehres family decided to build a pool it seemed only natural, as both Kristi and Neil had grown up swimming for as long as they could remember. Their three
children were also swimmers from the beginning. The added convenience of year round swimming, not having to load up all the gear necessary for small children to go to the community pool and other concerns led them to
build a pool within two years of moving into their present home.
Not wanting your typical pool�rather a lagoon type oasis� the family soon learned there were many decisions and options they would have to consider during the planning and building stages.
Specialized Design and Custom Features
From the shape of the pool, extra features like waterfalls or sprinklers, different entry types and decking options there are as many choices about building a pool and each is unique as the customer. Dan and Shelly
Kessler wanted a pool that they could swim laps in but also a family friendly pool where their kids could swim and play or the adults could relax in the hot tub. Matt and Karen Lawson also wanted a family friendly pool
with a beach entry. �We liked the rock look and loved a slide! We also have a neat cave with a waterfall.� Today�s pool buyers have a wide variety of options to think about and educating yourself on those choices will
help make the process go more smoothly.
Outdoor Kitchens and Living Areas
Just as the pool area is an extension of the home, many Sugar Land area families are choosing to build an outdoor kitchen area to help make their outdoor living come full circle. With many options like a built-in
stainless steel grill, wet bar area and even a refrigerator, entertaining poolside just got easier. Some people choose to add an outdoor shower for rinsing off after doing yard work before getting into the pool. A
changing area and bathroom is a nice addition as well to help keep wet traffic out of the main house.
NEW TRENDS IN POOLS
Saltwater Chlorine Pools
A very popular preference that many Sugar Land families are choosing is the simplified maintenance of a saltwater generator. Because the generator produces chlorine naturally, it reduces the need for chemicals. �The salt
system finally won us over because of the lower cost and maintenance and the cleanliness and texture of the water. Our eyes don�t burn after swimming all day, our skin is still soft and our hair is not green,� said
Kristi Fehres. �We are definitely happy with it. The salt taste is very minimal.� While the upfront cost may seem more expensive, the maintenance costs in the long run are actually lower than a traditional chlorine pool,
says Janet Hebert of A-Bear Pool Innovations. Robin Coultas of Maddox Custom Pools said the saltwater system can be compared to what your bath water is like after adding bath salts. �Your skin and hair feels much nicer
when getting out of the pool,� Coultas said. �I have also noticed that the salt water gives you a much more refreshing feeling instead of feeling tired and your eyes burning after being in the pool all day.�
Lighting Trends
Hebert says a new trend in pool lighting is color wheel lighting. It is a lot less expensive than the traditional fiber optic lighting and the lights can change colors adding to the unique look of a pool.
Safety Solutions
For many area families who have small children, safety concerns are at the top of the list when researching their options for building a pool. From gates and nets, the choices are plentiful. Some families choose to
enroll their children in a licensed swimming program to help teach their children pool safety while others choose a more simple method of installing extra locks on the outside door and teaching their children to respect
the pool and its potential danger. Still others separate the pool from other areas of the yard with a wrought iron fence. Some have a special release at the top of the gate that has to be pulled up, a tricky feat for
many small children, to gain access to the pool area.
SUGGESTIONS FOR POOL BUYERS
Finding a Pool Company
Most pool owners will agree that when thinking about building a pool, it is smart to get estimates from many pool companies and to check out their references in person by going to see the pools they have built. Checking
reports on the Better Business Bureau�s website at www.bbb.org is also a good start. Marla Gutierrez, who built a pool in the summer of 2005, suggests getting several bids
and that the lowest price is not always the best. �Find a company that is reputable and that will be here for the long haul and definitely get referrals and go talk to them and go see their pools. Most people are happy
to show you their new pool and talk about their experiences with the company they chose,� she says.
Watching Weather Patterns
Stacy Kuithe also suggests watching the sun patterns in your yard before you build your pool to help decide its placement. �We didn�t realize when planning our pool that the late afternoon sun patterns shade the shallow
end of our pool which can be cool during some of the year,� she says. When Cindy Bump and her husband decided to build a pool, they knew the trees in their yard would cause some extra maintenance issues, but they didn�t
want to alter them. �I wouldn�t get rid of my trees because I love the shade and look of the landscaping around our pool,� she said.
The Cost of a Pool
A basic pool can start at $22,000. Adding extra features like waterfalls, hot tubs, flagstone decking or other upgraded materials will increase the price. A custom pool can cost as much as $60,000 or more, says Hebert.
Buyers should look to their bank for home improvement loans, or often the pool company will have a list of financing brokers that can help. The options for building a pool can seem limitless. As with any home improvement
project, it�s a good idea to have a general idea of what you want before beginning the pool planning process. Collecting ideas from magazines, websites and friends� pools are a good start. Hebert says the design process
can take a few months but typically once ground is broken your pool can be built within 30 days from start of construction. She suggests making all the decisions on materials and design before ground is broken because it
is a lot easier to make changes then. Ask yourself how you plan to use the pool, what kind of pool will work for your backyard and your budget. Then customize, design and build a pool that�s just right for your family
and you will be on your way to having years of enjoyment. For Karen Lawson, it was well worth all the effort. �We love our pool, it has been like adding another room to our house!�
Brenda Thompson is a mother of two and lives in Sugar Land. Before becoming a freelance writer and mother, she worked as the marketing director of a local Houston
bank. She has lived in the Houston area for more than 25 years and enjoys any time-spent poolside.
Submit your Sugarland news to [email protected].
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