Small Space? No Problem! Custom Pools to Fit Any Yard

Is your backyard oddly shaped or so small that you never thought you could fulfill your dream of having your very own in-ground pool? Crites Custom Pools has actually worked with all kinds of spaces – very big and very small – and we can figure out a way to install your dream pool right in your backyard no matter how much space you have to work with.Get Inspired Pools don’t have to be a certain size to be enjoyed, but it can be hard to picture one that’s not as massive as the one at your gym or local school. Pools can come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re lacking in the inspiration department, head over to Decoist to check out some cool small pool ideas and discuss what you have in mind with us. We can take any idea and help identify how feasible it may be and offer alternatives and suggestions to create a custom pool to fit your space.

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Preplanning for Your Pool: What to Do Before You Design

If you’re thinking about adding a pool to your property this year, you may think you’ve dotted all the I’s and crossed all the T’s, but more often than you might think, there are still some considerations that haven’t been made. Even the most meticulous planners are prone to forgetting a few things during the pre-design and installation process. Not to worry: the expert custom pool designers here at Crites Custom Pools have put together a pre-design checklist for you so that you can make sure that you’ve considered every aspect of adding a new pool to your property.Learn the LingoThe first step in the pool-design process is to figure out what you want, and that means you’ll need to add a few words to your vocabulary. Porch suggests that you learn about features like a Baja shelf (a flat, shallow area), beach entrance (a pool with no stairs, just a gradual decline from shallow to deep) bubblers (aka fountains), coping (stone masonry used at the edge of the pool) and more.

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Making a Splash: Trendy Pool Options for 2017

We have jumped into 2017, and it is time to start planning what style of pool you would like to jump into at your home this year. While it may not be pool season now, the cooler months are the perfect time to start planning ahead for the pool you want at your home this summer.Like fashion, cars and pop-culture, pools go through different trends. Let’s discuss 2017’s hot new trends for cooling down!Vanishing Edge PoolsThe vanishing edge pool has been on the rise for quite some time and is definitely still climbing in popularity. 2017 will most likely see a summer of vanishing edge pools. This style is clean and sleek, with water gently falling over the edge into a catch basin that gives the pool the illusion of merging with the horizon. Vanishing edge pools are commonly associated with resorts, but are an excellent addition for a home with a beautiful view, making every swim a surreal, dreamlike experience.

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Making a Splash: Water Feature Options for Your Home

Are you interested in trying to make your backyard stand out from all the rest? One of the most stunning ways to do it is by incorporating a water feature into the mix, and these days, there are many different options for you to choose from. Whether you want to devote a large portion of your property to a large or elaborate new water feature or you just want to add something small that will make a big splash, there are a number of different types of water features that will add value to your property and change the look of the exterior of your home.Water gardens have become very popular among homeowners who want to add ponds to their backyards. These small ponds are designed with just a few fish in them to provide a soothing water feature that is more intimate – perfect for homes where space is at a premium. Another popular option is to create more intricately designed ponds that feature a number of rocks, waterfalls and plant life in and around them, creating a more immersive and unique garden area where you can relax to the sound of flowing water amid the peaceful greenery.

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Let Your Pool Take Shape with Free Form Pools

Are you planning on installing a new swimming pool in your backyard? You could put in the same old rectangular or oval-shaped pool that everyone else in your neighborhood has or you could put in something totally unique with a free form pool.Crites Custom Pools has experience building all kinds of custom-made pools, and we can come up with something truly special for your backyard if you want to wow all of your guests and have a unique design for you and your family to enjoy every day.There are many advantages that come with adding a free form pool at your property. The most obvious one is that you will get to create a pool that takes on any shape that you want it to. You don’t need to be confined to straight lines and 90-degree angles or simple rounded forms when you sit down to design your free form pool. Rather, you can let your mind wander and come up with any design you want.

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Negative, Wet and Vanishing Edges: Different Pool Designs

Have you been dreaming of adding an elegantly designed pool to your property, but having a hard time deciding between a traditional style and a pool with a negative edge, wet edge or vanishing edge design? Not sure what the differences are? Let’s take a look at the different pool styles, edges and designs to help you pick the look that would work best for you.A pool in your backyard transforms your outdoor space into an area of endless possibilities. You can host pool parties for the kids, hang out and relax with your friends, and even work on your fitness. But a regular pool is only so impressive. That’s why we offer negative and wet edge pools. But what does that mean exactly?

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Enjoy the Outdoors More – And Add Significant Property Value!

Standards of suburban living have gone up over the past decades, and you deserve to be right on par with everyone else. Many homes today include an outside add-on of some sort. For example, many homeowners will have their patio redone or have an outdoor kitchen installed. This allows for more space in the outdoor areas of the home and more opportunities to entertain guests.Outdoor additions are a great way to improve your home and your quality of life. Not sure what to do? Adding an outdoor kitchen or barbecue area is an appealing spot to develop. Not only will this make your home a more luxurious place for you and your family, it will also add significant property value.There is no better home investment than having an attractive and useful patio installed. This will give your home a much higher value than the price you purchased it for. The cost of the addition will pay for itself when you are able to sell your house for a high profit. Potential homebuyers look for certain things when they are weighing their options. A custom build stone fire pit could not only be the selling point, but it could give you a significant return on investment (ROI).

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Closing Your Pool: Tips to Safely Winterize

Winter is around the corner, and the coming cooler season brings a list of errands that must be completed to protect your pool during the off-season. Most importantly, you need to close or winterize your pool so that you don’t have any issues while it’s not in use. Whether you’re shutting down your pool as you head to a second home for the winter or just want to close up during the colder weather, these tips should make the pool-closing process much simpler.Balance the Water ChemistryWhen closing your pool, it is important that you modify the water chemistry and “shock” the pool. There are general levels that your water chemistry should meet. For example, you’ll want to keep your alkalinity at 80-120 ppm, the calcium hardness at around 180-220 ppm and your pH between 7.2 and 7.6

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Beyond the confines….

Have a small backyard? Feel like you can’t squeeze a swimming pool in due to setbacks, easements, or other factors? Take a look at how these homeowners were able to build an amazing backyard retreat! Beyond The Confines

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Looking to spice up your pool?

Looking for something to add to your existing pool to add to the excitement? Or are you looking building new pool but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on crazy features? Check out some of these products you can add to spice up your backyard.  Luxe for less      

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