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Archive for the ‘Patio and Outdoor Living’ Category

Fiberglass inground pools
A while back the only choices for a sturdy in-ground swimming pool were constructed out of vinyl or concrete, but nowadays there are fiberglass swimming pools available that have proven to be far superior to vinyl or concrete pools. If you think about the difference between walking on glass or sandpaper, and you will get an idea of the difference between the rough surface of a concrete pool compared to that of a smooth fiberglass pool. Fiberglass pools provide even surfaces that are kind to tender skin, while the uneven surfaces of concrete often leave scrapes and cuts and can readily catch and rip bathing suits. The chemical composition of concrete promotes the growth of micro-organisms, and the divots and grooves in concrete are spots where bacteria and algae collect, leading to significant cleaning and maintenance costs. Concrete pools have to be scrubbed and cleaned and given acid washes, while fiberglass is non-porous, chemically inert, and doesn’t have to be treated with harsh chemicals. Fiberglass is multiple times harder than concrete, and it won’t crack like concrete does, so there are no resurfacing and patching expenses with fiberglass. Don’t consider the initial cost of a fiberglass pool in contrast to a concrete pool and conclude that concrete is less expensive, because the extra cost of fiberglass is made up for in savings on cleaning and maintenance. A concrete pool can take weeks to pour and require the use of environmentally unfriendly chemicals to clean and maintain, while a fiberglass pool only takes a few days to put in and hook up and does not need those nasty chemical products to keep away even nastier microorganisms.

Keep your pool warm with a solar pool heater
The solar revolution has finally hit the family swimming pool in the form of solar pool heaters, the most cost-efficient way to maintain a heated pool long after summer is over. Solar heated pools necessitate a solar collector on your roof, into which the filtered pool water is pumped, heated, and then pumped back into the pool. The solar panels on the roof must be anywhere between 50% to 100% of the surface area of the pool, and the more sizable the solar collector the better you can enjoy the pool in colder months. To attain maximum results the solar collector needs to be placed where it gets the most sunshine, and you need a pump timer set to run during the day. Because pools lose a tremendous amount of heat it is wise to use a pool cover to reduce evaporation, and help prevent dirt or debris from blowing into the pool. Solar pool heater systems normally cost in the $3-4K range, similar to propane heaters or heat pumps, but those systems have on-going operating expense that solar systems do not feature. Solar pool heaters only have one moving part, the diverter valve which steers the water up into the solar collector, and thus has less maintenance expenses than conventional pool heaters. Additional advantages to solar pool heaters is the utilization of clean sunshine instead of polluting energy sources like propane gas.

Above ground swimming pool covers
For the protection of your loved ones and the durability of your swimming pool, always deploy a pool cover to keep kids safe and junk out of your pool. No matter if you have an in-ground or an above ground swimming pool, water evaporation will be significantly less if you keep the pool covered. The most durable pool covers are usually constructed from vinyl, and the insulated types are big favorites. Solar covers trap the heat of the sun and keep the pool warm, and are generally less expensive than the heavy duty vinyl covers. Families with small children should avoid the solar bubble covers, which cannot hold the weight that vinyl covers do. Automatic pool covers are usually the most expensive, followed by semi-automatic covers and then manual ones, the three basic pool cover models. There is a full range of models and pricing on the market both in-store and on-line, so make sure to shop around enough to find the bargains.

Fiberglass pools
Fiberglass swimming pools built into the ground have major advantages over concrete or vinyl models, although any of them will supply many hours of fun for your entire family. Concrete and vinyl pools have more serious disadvantages than fiberglass models such as the short 5 to 7 year life-span of a vinyl pool liner, and the fact that cement will shows cracks at some point and require patching. There is a degree of bend in fiberglass which allows it to stay intact when the ground shifts from changes in climate, temblors, or the impact of aggressive tree roots. One major drawback to fiberglass pools is the higher up-front installation costs, but with fewer up-keep requirements it will save money over the long haul. Bacteria growth is not an issue with fiberglass since the non-porous surface doesn’t allow algae or mold to take hold, as opposed to cement which needs cleaning with harsh chemicals. The fiberglass pool shells are pre-cast and could be installed in a matter of days instead of the week or so needed for concrete or vinyl pools.

On the Internet there are a lot of additional websites which address swimming pool accessories topics. If, for instance, you have an interest in above ground pool liners, then Buy Above Ground Pool Liners will have plenty of helpful advice. If you are curious about electric swimming pool heaters then try Buy Electric Pool Heaters. Additionally, a person may have questions about above ground pool ladders and will find Buy Above Ground Pool Ladders to be of value. One final swimming pool accessories website will be Best Swimming Pool Supplies which has information on swimming pool supplies. I imagine you will discover this site to be highly informative.

Employing a decorative rain gauge as a component of your yard’s decor
Rain gauges with a decorative appeal enhance the exterior of your house and measure snow and rain to boot. Rain gauges are weather measurement devices which gather data on the amount of liquid or solid precipitation your area receives over a given period of time. Rain gauges come in either analog devices or the more modern digital device which sends the snow or rain measurements to a receiver. The practical advantage of a rain gauge is that it will help you figure out a watering program for your garden and lawn. To record an accurate measurement avoid setting your gauge near the ground where other water sources could possibly skew the rainfall reading. Flower motifs are a big favorite for decorative rain gauges, followed in popularity by star, bird and sun designs. Durable materials such as wrought iron, pewter, plastic, copper or chrome are normally used to make rain gauges.

Lawn furniture
Whether you enjoy your backyard as a place for quiet repose, or a spot to entertain family and friends, you need top notch outdoor furniture to make sure that everyone has a place to sit. Some outdoor furnishings are versions of indoor furniture, such as tables, chairs, stools, and recliners, while other items like swinging chairs and tree benches are built for outdoor use only. When choosing outdoor furniture the three main factors to to keep in mind are appearance, comfort, and durability, as you need pieces that will complement your exterior decor as well as withstand all outside weather conditions. Outdoor furnishings are available in a full range of colors and styles, with the most popular materials being polyresin, plastic, metal, wood, and wicker. Outdoor lawn pieces made out of polyresin are highly popular these days since polyresin is less expensive than wood or metal, is more durable than wicker, and looks a lot nicer in the backyard than plastic pieces. Your choices for metal outdoor furnishings are steel, wrought iron, or aluminum, and while aluminum is naturally rust-resistant, steel and iron have to be treated with a special anti-rust coating. Wood furniture looks terrific but is not as long-lasting under rough weather conditions, and is not as reliable given the normal wear and tear such outdoor furniture is expected to withstand. It pays to do some research when hunting for outdoor lawn furniture, as there are terrific discounts to be had in the off-season months, and plenty of clearance sales on-line and at your local stores.

Patio pool tables
Primarily known as an indoor recreational activity, shooting pool has gone into the great outdoors as numerous companies now build pool tables that are meant to be used on the patio, balcony or next to the swimming pool. These pool tables are made so reliable and durable you don’t have to worry about maintaining the quality of the game outdoors. Neither snow, nor rain, nor sun should damage your outdoor table, but always double check the manufacturer’s warranty to make sure what is specifically covered. Before you commit to the purchase of a table, carefully double check the manufacturer’s warranty to see not only what weather-related circumstances are covered, but the time period of the warranty itself. There should be no problem putting your pool table indoors as long as you have the space, and you might want to base your buying decision on this flexibility. Weather conditions are not the only concern when it comes to shooting pool outdoors, as active children can dish out a good amount of abuse, but any well made outdoor table can handle it. Many people will be inclined to lay a cover over their outdoor pool table, but lots of manufacturers do not require a cover at all. Outdoor pool tables are available in a wide variety of styles to fit both your outdoor and indoor decor, and there are even tables you can set up yourself.

If you wish to keep on exploring the topic of patio furniture and accessories, jumping to the following sites may be helpful. For example, if you have an interest in a wood deck, then Your Wood Deck has plenty of usable advice.