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Archive for the ‘Outdoor Living’ Category

Fiberglass inground swimming pools
Fiberglass swimming pools built into the ground have significant advantages over concrete or vinyl models, although all of them will supply hours and hours of enjoyment for you and your family. The major drawback of vinyl pools is the 5 to 7 year life cycle of the vinyl pool liner, while the most serious drawback with cement is that it can crack and needs to be patched or resurfaced. Cement can crack if the ground contracts and swells due to weather or earthquake, while fiberglass can bend and will not crack when the ground shifts. One important drawback to fiberglass pools is the higher initial installation costs, but with fewer maintenance costs it will be less expensive over the long haul. Fiberglass has a non-porous surface that impedes the growth of algae and mold, while concrete has a porous surface that allow bacteria to embed and requires heavy chemicals to keep clean. The fiberglass pool shells are pre-cast and can be installed in a matter of days instead of the week or so needed for vinyl or concrete models.

Winter swimming pool covers
Protecting your swimming pool over the winter will probably call for some type of covering. Should you decide not to cover your pool a lot of junk gets in there in the winter, like dirt, rocks, twigs, leaves, and wind-blown garbage like plastic bags and food wrappers. Accidents occasionally happen around pools so you should consider buying a reinforced safety pool cover for the protection of kids, pets and the pool. One important feature some safety pool covers offer is solar heating, which will warm the pool with the sun’s energy while keeping it safe and clean. There are solid covers and mesh covers and the mesh models are recommended for folks who live in wet climate with lots of rain and snow which will drip through the mesh instead of collect on top. With a solid cover you keep the water below the cover protected but water could heavily collect on top over the rainy season, so always keep a pump on hand. Always read the operating guidelines before you deploy your new pool cover and be sure the covering is allowed under local ordinances.

Fiberglass inground swimming pools
A while back the only options for a durable in-ground swimming pool were constructed out of vinyl or concrete, but nowadays there are fiberglass swimming pools on the market that have proven to be far superior to vinyl or concrete pools. Concrete surfaces can feel like sandpaper, but with fiberglass pools the surface is so smooth it feels like glass, only far more durable and long-lasting than concrete or vinyl. Rubbing on the sides of concrete swimming pools often leave cuts and scrapes, and you can readily snag and rip your bathing suit on the edge of one of those little shallow divots you always see in concrete. The divots and grooves in concrete also accumulate bacteria which germinate into algae, and the chemical composition of concrete also spurs the growth of other potentially harmful micro-organisms. The maintenance costs are very high with concrete pools, as one must clean, scrub and give them acid washes to protect the pool from the growth of bacteria. The typical image of concrete is one of strength, but the fact is that fiberglass is far stronger than conventional concrete, which tends to crack when the ground around it swells or contracts according to the weather. While it is true that fiberglass pools cost moderately more to buy and install than concrete, the lower maintenance costs make fiberglass pools a lot more cost-efficient over time. The advantages of owning a fiberglass pool far outweigh the added expense of the initial purchase, as fiberglass is overall easier on your body, your pocketbook, and the environment.

Solar pool heaters
The solar revolution has finally hit the home swimming pool in the shape of solar pool heaters, the most cost-effective method to maintain a heated pool long after summer is over. Solar heated pools necessitate a solar collector on your roof, through which the filtered pool water is pumped, heated, and then pumped back to the pool. The solar panels on the roof need to be anywhere between 50% to 100% of the surface area of the pool, and the bigger the solar collector the better you can bask in the pool in colder months. To reach the utmost results your solar collector requires placement where it gets the most sunlight, and you need a pump timer set to operate during the day. Pool covers are a good investment to prevent the pool from losing large amounts of heat, and stop the debris and wind blown dirt from getting into the pool. You can lay out as little as $2,000 and as much as $10,000 on a solar heating system, but normal expenditures run in the $3-4,000 range, comparable to conventional propane heaters or heat pumps, but without the on-going operational costs of traditional pool heaters. Solar pool heaters only require one moving part, the diverter valve which guides the water up into the solar panels, and thus has fewer maintenance expenses than traditional pool heaters. A solar pool heating installation typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 years and will not hurt the environment, where propane gas heaters only survive 5 – 8 years and will pollute the air.

Unable to obtain the help you require from the above articles? Perhaps these sites might be more appropriate. Follow this link to learn about above ground swimming pool liners. One might also click on this link to find out about electric swimming pool heaters. Different articles relating to swimming pool accessories and above ground pool ladders are available at Buy Above Ground Pool Ladders. Lastly, recommendations pertaining to swimming pool supplies can be available at Best Swimming Pool Supplies.

Lounge chairs for the patio
Exterior lounge chairs are a necessary accessory for any backyard patio, deck, terrace or barbecue area, and you will be able to find them in many colors and styles, and built out of such materials such as metal, wood, plastic, and polyresin. If you are looking to outfit your deck or patio with new outdoor lounge chairs you need to consider comfort, costs, looks, and durability as the most important qualities you are looking for. The first thing you need to figure out is what kind of budget you can set for outdoor lounge chairs, and to answer that question you need to know how often you plan on using these pieces, since it doesn’t make sense spending good money on items you won’t use very often. If relaxation is the top concern, look for lounge recliners with weather-resistant padded cushions. There is such a broad price range for outdoor lounge chairs due to the quality fluctuations among the different materials used to build the chairs, as looks and durability are qualities that can be expensive. The most attractive loungers are made of wood, but wood is not as durable as other materials. Aluminum is the only metal that’s rust-resistant, but you can get wrought iron and steel pieces treated with rust-resistant coatings. Plastics aren’t as attractive as lounge recliners fashioned of the other materials, but plastic is cheaper and easy to clean. Perhaps the best all around outdoor patio furniture is made of polyresin, because chairs made out of this material are nearly as inexpensive as plastic, are better looking than metal chairs, and are more durable than metal or wood. A handy feature you should always consider are cup holders in the arm rests, a appreciable convenience that allows you to have your drink at hand.

Enliven your patio with outdoor lawn furniture
Whether you are using your backyard as a place of quiet repose, or a spot to entertain friends and family, you will want top notch outdoor furniture to make sure that everyone has a place to sit. The furniture you put outdoors is similar to the furnishings you have indoors, such as chairs, tables, recliners, and stools, plus you have items like swinging chairs and tree benches that are manufactured only for outdoor use. When choosing outdoor furniture the three main factors to be mindful of are comfort, appearance, and durability, as you need furnishings that will complement your exterior decor as well as hold up under adverse outdoor weather conditions. Outdoor furnishings are available in a wide variety of colors and styles, with the most popular materials being polyresin, metal, plastic, wicker, and wood. The most popular outdoor furnishings these days are made of polyresin, which is less expensive than wood or metal, more sturdy than wicker, and has a better appearance than plastic. If your individual tastes find metal attractive, you can choose between aluminum, wrought iron, or steel, although you have to be careful about rust, in which case the most rust-resistant metal is aluminum. Wood furniture looks terrific but is not as long-lasting under harsh weather conditions, and is less reliable given the normal wear and tear such outdoor furnishings are expected to withstand. It pays to do some research when shopping for outdoor lawn furnishings, as there are terrific bargains to be had during the off-season months, and lots of of clearance sales on the Internet and at the outdoor furniture outlets in town.

Outdoor pool tables
Outside fun has become more enjoyable with the arrival of outdoor pool tables, an exciting addition to any barbecue or party. The outdoor pool game is just as good as the indoor game since outdoor pool tables are very sturdy and endure many adverse conditions. The manufacturer’s warranty will spell out what weather conditions these tables will be capable of enduring, and most of them will resist snow, rain and the UV damage from the sun. Thoroughly reading the manufacturer’s warranty is the first thing to do before spending cash on a pool table, and always look for the longer warranties. These pool tables function just dandy indoors, and choices regarding an outdoor table often take into account how the table can fit inside the home. Outside conditions are not the only concern when it comes to shooting pool outdoors, as busy children can dish out a lot of abuse, but any well made outdoor table can handle it. You can easily buy a cover for the outdoor table, but many manufacturers do not call for one to keep the table in top shape. Outdoor pool tables are manufactured in a wide variety of styles to match both your outdoor and indoor decor, and there are even tables you can assemble yourself.

Assuming the preceding topics have been helpful, you may also get more information about patio furniture and accessories on the following Internet sites. Need additional help finding wood decking? Then Your Wood Deck will be a good place to visit.