Author Archives: Christina Mantoura-Gough

There are not many people that complain about having too much room in their homes, and many look forward to being able to put an addition when possible. It may just be a want for some extra space that can be used as a getaway from the rest of the house. You may be considering a sun room and even expanding its use by having a swim spa built into it.

There is no doubt that this is an exciting combination, and provides a lot of advantages by making good use of the extra space as well as increasing healthy activity for the entire family.

If you have decided that this duo may be a great addition to your lifestyle, then it means you now have lots of decisions ahead of you. Before making any major decisions about your sun room, you may want to focus on the swim spa first. Here are a few things to consider for adding a swim spa.

Demand Quality

The priority will be making sure that you are going to invest in a quality unit that is from a known and trusted brand name, such as Hydropool.

Choose According to Purpose

Most quality swim spas come with multiple features that meet many uses. Some want to use a swim spa for light exercise and just enjoy relaxing in a body of water. Others are intent on using water as their main means of exercise, while others want it mainly for frolicking around in the water and having fun. There is no reason why you can’t enjoy all of these activities with any swim spa, but some are better suited for specific needs than others.

Size and Shape

You are going to want to consider two aspects here. What size would best fit the main purpose of why you are buying the unit? And what is an appropriate size that would work well with the sun room you are considering?

These water units come in many sizes and shapes. The AquaSport or AquaTrainer brands are available in sizes ranging from 14 ft to 19ft. When it comes to shapes, there are plenty to choose from in the Bespoke line of swim spas.

In Ground, Above Ground, or Semi

If you are in the situation where you are having your swim spa installed first, you are going to have to consider your sun room construction. Then, you have the choice of whether you want to have this water unit installed in ground, above ground, or partially sunken.

There will be many additional decisions to be made, but these are the major ones that have to be made first so that you can make proper considerations for your sun room.

Your Sun Room Decisions

While you may be thinking about utilizing your sun room as your pool enclosure, do take some time to give this some extra thought. You may not be aware that there are some additional and equally good choices for other types of pool enclosures. The advantage of using a sun room may be that you don’t have to step out of your home to get access to your swim spa. The disadvantage is if you were planning on using your sun room for other uses like extra seating for entertaining, or for green housing, then you are dedicating some of the space that may have been used for this towards your water unit. There are some big decisions to be made for the housing of your swim spa, but the great news is there are lots of options ahead of you, and you are sure to find the perfect solution for you.

For those who desire a form of water entertainment at home, deciding between a swim spa and a swimming pool can seem like a difficult decision. Often it is a matter of budget when it comes to an addition like this, but with today’s technology both the swim spa and swimming pool can be quite affordable. So this means the choice now comes down to preference, and which best suits the family needs. Let’s take a look at how you can make your decision.

Location

This is usually one of the prime concerns when it comes to deciding between the swim spa or swimming pool. First, look at your space options, both indoors and out. You may think you could never have an indoor swimming pool, but you may be surprised both at the space requirements and the cost. With so many choices of shapes and styles, you just may have the perfect room to accommodate an indoor pool. Then again, once you have checked out all of the benefits of the swim spa in respect to its size, you may find this is a better choice. Swim spas are often more compact than a regular swimming pool. If an indoor water feature is not an option for you, study your outdoor area carefully. Chances are you will have better options there for either the swim spa or swimming pool. Let’s take a look at a few other things before you make your decision.

Use

If you have a family, no doubt each family member is going to have their own expectations of what they want their new water unit for. For the kids they want plenty of room to romp around in. The fitness buffs want to get down to some serious water exercise. Others may be looking at a water feature that is going to allow them to relax, entertain in, and maybe reap some health benefits. No matter what the priorities are, the swim spa and swimming pool are going to have some great options.

Comparison

Swim Spa

Swim spas are built for flexibility in regards to meeting all of your needs. It demands less space and less water, meaning that water temperature is more easily controlled. It is appropriate for both the beginner exerciser right up to those that want intense exercise options. This is all done through the control of the water current features that come with the swim spa. There are some types that include a hot tub on one end for people intent on relaxation. They are easier and faster to install if they are above ground. In a nutshell, the swim spa is capable of meeting all of the needs of a family while taking up less space.

Swimming Pool

If you have a large family, especially young ones, then they are going to want to make constant use of the unit and most likely want to have friends join them. In this case, one of the many outdoor above ground pools may be more suitable. Maintenance and repairs can also be less time consuming or expensive, because overall, swimming pools may have less parts to be concerned about in comparison to the swim spa which has the additional water jets and pumps.

Along with this information, your swim spa or swimming pool provider will be able to offer you additional information for comparison to help you make the right choice for your new swim feature. No matter what you choose, we’re sure you’ll love your new home addition!

At one time, owning any type of water unit meant that there was a lot of extra work to keep it in prime condition. This has all changed over the years, and water venues like the swim spa only require a few steps to maintain. However, there are a few mistakes to avoid to ensure that you are not creating more work for yourself when it comes to swim spa maintenance.

Not Keeping It Covered

If your swim spa it didn‘t come with a cover, or you didn‘t feel it was necessary to purchase one at the time, you may want to reverse this decision and buy one now. No matter how clear the surrounding area, the wind can still carry dirt and debris into the water. This means you are going to have to skim the water with your net each and every time you use it. It can also set the scene for potential problems, such as debris in the water, that make the filters work harder. The simple solution is a cover that is easy to put on and take off. This will also help to control the temperature of the water.

Not Wearing Bathing Caps

People with short hair don‘t have to be as concerned about this, but for long-haired individuals it is a good choice to wear a swim cap. Over time the long hair starts to clog up the inlet filters, much the same as what happens with your bath tub when hair accumulates in the drain. This doesn‘t have to be a hard and fast rule, as on occasion not wearing the cap is not going to cause that much of an issue. If the spa is used on a regular basis by individuals with long hair, it helps to implement the bathing cap rule.

Not Using Proper Swim Spa Products

One mistake that really has to be avoided is using normal household products to clean and care for the swim spa. With the use of the internet, you may at some time come across information that says you can do this – but you must take into account that all information on the net is not always accurate, and your swim spa may be totally different than the one being discussed. It is much safer and cheaper in the long run to stay with the products that have been specifically designed and formulated for swim spas. Home products contain different chemicals that could damage the components of your swim spa. Plus, mixing household chemicals with proper swim spa products could cause dangerous chemical reactions.

Wrong Water Temperature

Find the right temperature balance for water in respect to the environment it is installed in. If the temperature drops below zero and you are keeping your water cold then it could freeze. On the other hand, keeping it too hot means you really have to be on top of preventing bacteria.

Not Showering

Your swim spa is not a bath tub, and you can keep the water and its components optimized much easier if you set the rule that all users must shower prior to using it. The natural skin oils, suntan oils, and body creams can cause damage to your swim spa. A quick shower eliminates this potential problem.

These are just a few simple things to avoid along with the suggestions for correcting them to help you make the most of a fully functional and optimized swim spa. Over time, you’ll find that following these simple steps will make maintenance a breeze!

Almost anyone that loves the water will be content with a new water unit, whether it be a hot tub, swim spa, or pool. Often, when people try a swim spa it quickly becomes their first choice. So what makes swim spas different?

The use of little space without compromising its benefits is probably one of the biggest features that swim spas offer. For those that like to use a swimming pool to swim, they often want a pool big enough for their activities. They end up using public swims so they can get the benefits of doing full laps, and this isn’t always convenient. With swim spas, length isn’t an issue because the user swims against the current of the water and can adjust the difficulty level, so you can do laps on the spot. There never is a need to focus on not hitting the wall or having to break the swim stride so you can turn around, like a conventional swimming pool.

Depending on the unit features, it can have more options than the regular swimming pool. There are some that act as a dual unit, where one end acts as a hot tub. These two-in-one units offer the best of both worlds for those who like to use water to help them stay fit physically and mentally.

The current can be adjusted to meet the needs of the individual swimmer so they are getting the level of exercise they desire. For those just starting out, there is less strain on their body and they can adjust their level of water resistance accordingly. The only way to get the same effect with a regular swimming pool is by gauging the amount of time they are swimming. This is inconvenient for those who don’t have a pool of their own and must travel to one, or don’t have tons of time to spend swimming. They battle with traffic or time constraints, and are only able to take advantage of doing laps for a short period of time.

While many people like to use swim spas for their exercise regime to assist in their overall fitness, there are many that like to use swimming as a preventative measure. It has been shown that physical activity is beneficial in helping to prevent stroke, heart disease, and even diabetes. For those that are intent on prevention like this and don’t have a swim spa, it means looking for other forms of exercise, or once again relying on the standard swimming pool. This type of health regime must be consistent to remain beneficial. For some, the regular form of swimming means having to share the pool with others, which means they may be more confined. The swim spa is ideal for personalized use for both fitness and pleasure, but also can accommodate several others at the same time for a great option while entertaining. No matter what you’re looking for, a swim spa is sure to fit your needs!

No matter the size, features, or location of your swim spa, you’re sure to get many hours of enjoyment out of it. If you’re in the process of deciding which swim spa is right for you, there are a few main things to think about first. Included in this is the decision between an above ground and in ground swim spa. If there are no specific issues preventing one choice or the other, here are some tips to help you make this decision a little bit easier.

Benefits of Above Ground Swim Spas

Once you let the family know about the exciting home addition you have in store, they’ll surely be excited to have it arrive so that they can start using it. If you decide on an above ground spa, this will be a much quicker process. There is a bit more time and work that goes into installing an in ground spa.

You may find that you’ll have more options for placement with an above ground spa. There is some digging involved with in ground spas, so this may limit your choices regarding where you’d like the spa installed.

When it comes to cost, you’ll likely find that many above ground styles are less expensive than in ground.

You’ll be able to choose and customize your model when you purchase it, and won’t have to worry about losing it if you move. If you decide to move, you can simply bring an above ground spa with you to your new location.

You also have many different options for completing a wonderful surround or patio area for an above ground spa and you can choose to have various types of coverings installed to add to the decor, including retractable closures.

Benefits of In Ground Swim Spas

Some people find that they simply like the look of the in ground spas better, and this may very well be the case for you. If you are having your spa installed outdoors, there are many ways to use it to enhance your outdoor living space. It will also add value to your home, should you ever decide to sell.

If you are having a new home built and have decided that you want your swim spa to be an indoor feature, you will find that having the spa installed during that building process is the wisest choice. Indoor swim spas are also easier to maintain, and it will be easier for you to plan the surroundings since you don’t have to deal with unexpected weather conditions.

In ground swim spas don’t require a built-up deck area in order to enjoy the exterior of the swim area or to be able to watch those who are enjoying it.

Often, in ground swim spas are slightly more expensive than above ground, but many people find that the experience and look of the spa is worth the extra cost.

Whether you choose above ground or in ground, indoors or outdoors, you’re sure to enjoy great fun, exercise, and relaxation in your beautiful new swim spa.