Landscaping and Tulsa Pool Design - Why They Go Hand-in-Hand

The terms "Landscaping” and "pool design" may not seem overly related at first, but they do in fact go hand-in-hand. When it comes to Tulsa pool design, landscaping is very important. 

Having a well-planned landscape design when you’re building a new pool is important because the pool is part of your outdoor environment as a whole. 

“Your pool won’t exist in a vacuum. It’s a vital part of the whole backyard where the landscape provides the perfect setting. This is why pool design is best done by a landscape architect who understands the big picture of site function and circulation so the pool is placed in the most optimal location,” noted The Landscaping Network.

Yes, instead of just an ordinary pool builder who may focus purely on the pool construction elements, a Tulsa landscape architect who also designs and builds pools will plan the pool to function as part of a larger outdoor environment and understand the best way to weave other landscaping and hardscape features into the overall outdoor living theme.

With custom Tulsa pool design, a backyard can be transformed into a complete resort-like destination for the whole family. The custom pool can be designed with features for children like slides and waterfalls while also having elements for adults such as an attached custom spa. Other custom features can include zero or “beach” entry design, in-pool sun deck or tanning shelf, fountains, grottos, and specialty pool lighting.  But these pool design elements are just part of a larger theme designed around the lifestyle of the homeowner and the architecture of the home.

“It’s important then to consider the landscape as a frame for your new pool. It should enhance pool design and solve problems at the same time,” The Landscaping Network added.

Knowing the best plants to add around your custom pool area also makes landscape experience vital to good pool design. Plants can provide additional texture, style, color, and privacy elements that really enhance the pool and outdoor environment design. These should also complement your overall outdoor living space theme. 

The landscape architects and pool designers at Tulsa’s Oklahoma Landscape can design and build the perfect custom pool to match the outdoor environment of your dreams. Blending nature with hardscape elements to complement one another, we can help you create an outdoor living space that you’ll love to escape to every weekend.

How to Select the Best Tulsa Pool Builder for Your Project

Selecting the right pool contractor can be a pleasure, picking the wrong one a nightmare. So what are some things you can do to ensure you find a Tulsa pool designer that you won’t regret.

Compile a list of potential builders. Ask friends, family, and neighbors which pool contractors they would suggest. If you see a pool you like in a neighborhood, you might stop and ask the homeowner who they used and how the building process went. Check out the websites of local pool builders to see a variety of pool designs and get an idea of which features or designs you like best. It's wise to choose a local Tulsa pool builder who will be here to assist you even long after the pool is finished.

Make an unannounced visit to the company. Stop by the company in person to get a good feel for how their business is managed. Are they courteous? Do they seem professional and knowledgeable? Is the owner involved in the company full-time?

Check their Stats. Always look up your list of potential builders on the Better Business Bureau’s website to see their rating and if they have had any complaints filed. See how long they have been in business.

Ask for references. The pool builder should be able to provide you with a list of recent customer references. Check with these references and ask them how the building process went and what they thought of the finished product. Marcus Sheridan from River Pools and Spas in Virginia recommended a certain way of asking for these references. He said to first ask how many pools they built last year. Then ask the contractor to give you a list of those references from that year. If the contractor only gives you a small number of references in comparison to how many he said he built total last year, then as Sheridan said, he may not have had a good satisfaction rate.

Also, it doesn’t hurt to ask to see their insurance certificates and a list of supplier references to make sure they are financially stable in themselves.

Get everything down in writing. When the pool builders comes to your home to discuss your pool building site and design ideas, ask them for a pool design and a written bid.  If they make any promises or claims including warranties or purchases, get it in writing. Also, make sure the bid is specific including brand names for products.

Comparison shop. Carefully consider your options and don’t rush your decision. It may not be in your best interest to sign any contract on your first appointment. Make sure you read all proposals carefully before you sign. Make sure you choose a designer that will listen to your needs and wants.

Again get all contracts in writing. Once you’ve told the Tulsa pool builder any changes you would like to see to his initial design, get a revised bid in writing again with all specifics and brand names of equipment included. Also ask them for a completion date estimate. Get all the specifics with the construction in writing.

If you’re searching for a Tulsa pool designer, make sure you keep in mind these things, so that your exciting experience of completing your new pool project can be a splash! Check out the Tulsa pool builders at Oklahoma Landscape, measuring us against these tips, to see why we’d be a great fit for you.

Pool Design for your Tulsa Outdoor Enviroment

To have a pool built at their home some feel they need to have a very spacious outdoor enviroment, but actually that doesn’t have to be the case. Tulsa pool builders like Oklahoma Landscape can design a custom pool to fit perfectly in a variety of landscape areas. Using a few carefully planned landscape design elements, you can have a pool that will look great and be functional in even smaller outdoor spaces.

How can design elements help you make the most of the space in your backyard? 

Custom Tulsa pool design. The beauty of custom-designed pools is that not only do you have a unique pool designed specially for your family and the architecture of your home, but your pool can also be planned to fit your specific backyard space. This custom designed can open up new possibilities for landscapes that might not fit a standard size pool. Landscape architects can tailor the pool size to be proportional to the size of your outdoor environment so that it perfectly complements your outdoor space and does not overwhelm it.

Build a pool close to other outdoor structures. You can maximize space in a smaller landscape by building the pool near the home or close to the fence or another outdoor structure. Not only are there spacing benefits by building a pool closer to the home, but this can also allow you to more easily supervise children as well as cook and entertain guests with an easier transition from inside to outside. Pool designers can create a pool that will aesthetically match the look and feel of your home.

Use stimulating design elements. Including native plants, rock accents, and shrubs around the pool or even integrating a vanishing edge or a rock waterfall in the pool design can help to blend the pool with the rest of the outdoor environment. Also using materials with different but complementing textures and shapes can help the pool area seamlessly integrate with the home and landscape. A retaining wall is a practical landscape design element that can help to level out uneven landscapes as well as provide aesthetic interest and structure to the outdoor space.

Built-in outdoor living features. A swim-up poolside bar creates an easy connection between the pool and an outdoor kitchen. Built-in seating areas around a nearby fire pit help to consolidate space while offering interesting and appealing designs. These and other multi-purpose landscape design elements allow homeowners to create functional and engaging outdoor living spaces in even smaller landscapes.

With custom landscape design touches, the Tulsa pool designers at Oklahoma Landscape can help you transform your backyard into the outdoor environment of your dreams.

 

Tulsa Pool Design Ideas - Salt Water Pools Vs. Chlorinated Pools

Are you considering adding a swimming pool to your Tulsa outdoor living space? Pools are an excellent way to increase your family’s summer fun while also increasing the value of your property and home. Today, the pool design ideas for Tulsa abound. You can have a custom pool designed and built especially for your family’s way of life and a Tulsa pool that will seamlessly complement your home’s architecture.

On the matter of Tulsa pool design, there is an increasing debate between chlorine versus salt water pools. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of swimming pool. In the end, it really depends on which type is better for your lifestyle, family, and overall needs. Although there are many points to consider, it is nice that there are more choices in pool design today. Below are a few of points to consider.

Salt water pools are literally easier on the eyes. Although they do still have some chlorine in them, salt water pools do not create all the harsh effects that chlorinated pool systems do. They are less likely to cause dry skin and red eyes than chlorinated pools. And they won’t leave that tough chlorine odor on your skin for hours after you swim. These pools can be safer for your pets and family.

Salt is corrosive. Because salt by nature is very corrosive, it can be harder on surrounding materials causing them to wear out faster. Experts have reported that nearby ladders, decking, concrete and furniture has been damaged by salt water systems. Thus, when building a salt water pool, it’s important to pick materials that can endure the effects of salt.

Salt water pools may require less regular maintenance. To keep a chlorine pool clean and safe, it’s important to have a constant routine of testing the pH levels of the water and then adding chlorine depending on those levels. Continually adding more chlorine to balance out the water may cost more in maintenance.

Ehow.com noted that extra chlorine may be needed to remove chloramines that are formed from free chlorine mixing with organic substances. While chlorine kills contaminants, the website quoted the Chicago Tribune as saying, chloramines remain, and more chlorine is needed to eliminate the chloramines that are irritating to the eyes and skin. Having an inadequate chlorine balance can also cause a build-up of algae. The website also noted that chlorine pools should be shocked every three to four weeks to eradicate excess bacteria.

Salt water pools use a generator unit to separate dissolved salt into the water. This generator creates its own chlorine from the salt and sends a regular stream of this chlorine into the water. This will keep the chlorine levels in the water more consistent, thus causing less harm to your skin and eyes. However, this generator unit does mean extra up-front costs in building the salt water pool versus a chlorine pool. A good salt-to-water ratio and good pH levels must still be maintained, Wright’s Pool Service, Inc. of Indiana noted, but you just have to add more salt to maintain the levels. This may be easier and more cost-effective than constantly adding chlorine manually, so maintenance may be less time-consuming with a salt water system.

Professionals also say that the salt water pool generator may need to be cleaned a number of times during the year to remove build-up and may eventually need to be replaced.

So what type of pool is better? Well, it may be contingent on what the pool owner wants to care for and what he or she likes best overall. Salt water and chlorine pools may have a similar number of pros and cons in the end. As a Tulsa homeowners, it may come down to preference, but there are viable options in the world of Tulsa pool design.