With temperatures rising there has never been a better time to add a pool to your property, but what should you look for – Logan pool experts give us the rundown.
Brad and Leanne Van Barrelo from Mediterranean Pools and Spas said formal style pools especially rectangular pools are timeless and very popular this time of year.
“People are looking for nice clean lines and a minimalistic look,” they said.
“The beauty of inground concrete pools is that they can be tailor made to suit your property.
“As each property is unique, it is all about making the most of the space you have to work with.”
To make your pool space as family friendly and inviting as possible, the Van Barrelo’s suggest a seated area made with materials that “work with the lay of the land.”
“Decking around the pool is suggested for steep or sloped properties whereas concrete and tiling is more for an even ground,” they said.
“Porcelain tiles are also a popular choice around the pool due to their resistance to staining and general low maintenance.”
The pool is in, now it’s time to dress it up with some plants.
Horticulturist, Jenny Douglas said when landscaping around the pool be selective and choose plants that are pool friendly.
“For plants around the pool, I would suggest plants that are low maintenance and drought tolerance,” she said.
“Plants like your Native fuchsia, waxflower, Himalayan dogwood, grevillea varieties are all good choices, as well as smaller palms and ornamental grasses.”
“It also nice to scatter some plants in decorative pots, things like citronella and geraniums look pretty when they flower and will keep the mosquitos away.”
For saltwater pools, Mrs Douglas said salt tolerant plants are a must.
“For saltwater pools you will need salt tolerant plants, so look for things like banksias and myrtles, tea trees and even coastal rosemary and westringia.”
“You also have great ground covers like the everlasting daisy, dianella, and the Australian native succulent pig face.
Mrs Douglas said be careful when choosing larger plants because they may cause issues down the line.
“While Blueberry Ash (Native Quandong) might provide good shade, the trees can grow up to 35metres in height and the roots could cause the concrete around your pool to crack, it could also potentially crack through the pool itself over time,” she said.
“Stick with smaller shrubs and palms because you can maintain them at a nice height.”
The Van Barrelo’s said if you do have a pool or are looking at getting one; make sure it has a high standard filtration system.
“Make sure the pool has a high standard of filtration specifically a very good chlorinator due to the high demands of Queensland weather,” they said.
“Getting a good pool cleaner and making sure the pool water is tested regularly.”
And when choosing a pool company, “exercise due diligence when researching, look out for unlicensed pool builders and builders that have a poor QBCC record which can be looked up online on the QBCC website.”
Real estate agents say some people look to install a pool in order to raise the value of their property, but they advise against the practice as not all buyers see it as an advantage.
Peter Mitchell from Local Realty Group said some people see pools as high maintenance, while others saw it as a luxury.
The moral of the story, he said: If you have a pool, keep it maintained through the sale process. If you don’t have one, it won’t overly impact the sale of your home.
Beauty, it would seem, is firmly in the eye of the home owner when it comes to pools.
