Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Oct 27, 2008 1:24 am Hi there,
My husband has dreams of cutting our new house's small back garden lawn back entirely. He's talking potted plants only. We want to build a patio, and we have two little kids, so we'd prefer something 'kid proof' and good for dinky rides! We also are dreaming of a pool in the future - if my husband has his way, in the not-so-very-distant future. Pavers seem the obvious answer, but I am worried about the glare! We do plan to build a largish patio roof, but I would prefer the pool be in the sun, so it will be warmer for longer. Wooden decking is an attractive idea, and my internal floors are wood. It would have to be 'no gaps' as my kids would lose things in between the slats. But I am worried about cost, and also maintenance. My man wants NO maintenance, not LOW maintenance! I don't really want wood around the pool area for this reason, but would like a fairly seamless environment from patio to pool. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm really worried that pavers will be just way too harsh! 'And then a plank in reason broke...' Emily Dickinson Re: Reducing Glare from Pavers?? 2Oct 29, 2008 11:28 am Lara Hi there, My husband has dreams of cutting our new house's small back garden lawn back entirely. He's talking potted plants only. I certainly don't envy you - but each to their own I guess. Lara Pavers seem the obvious answer, but I am worried about the glare! Dark pavers? Shop around, you can get them in virtually any colour. Lara We do plan to build a largish patio roof, but I would prefer the pool be in the sun, so it will be warmer for longer. A covered pool would reduce evaporation (less refilling) and reduce both leaf litter and algae buildup (less cleaning). My understanding from people who have pools is that they are a lot of maintenance and I have seen a fair few that were abandoned because of the work involved. Not something for a no maintenance person IMO. Lara Wooden decking is an attractive idea, and my internal floors are wood. It would have to be 'no gaps' as my kids would lose things in between the slats. If it has no gaps, the it is not decking, it is outdoor wooden flooring The gaps are put there to allow water to run away from the wood and prevent warping. I doubt it would be a good idea to remove the gaps. Kids will only likely drop low value items down there unless you are a jeweller working from home... Decking needs regular staining, not a huge job and even quite fun the first few times but you should do it at least a couple of times a year especially if directly exposed to the elements. Lara But I am worried about cost, and also maintenance. My man wants NO maintenance, not LOW maintenance! Low maintenance either is not very nice or ..... comes at a cost. Lara I don't really want wood around the pool area for this reason, but would like a fairly seamless environment from patio to pool. Very few pools have wood around them. Water damages wood. Lara Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm really worried that pavers will be just way too harsh! Consider your options, decking, dark paving and synthetic turf. Maybe a combination of all 3? Go out onto decking, move to dark paving a bit further out and then synthetic turf for the last bit. Other things you can use are gravels, stones and coloured wood chip. I would also suggest a large tree.....err make that a large umbrella or shade sail to take soem of the glare and heat off. Don't forget to post some pics when it is done. Re: Reducing Glare from Pavers?? 3Oct 30, 2008 10:22 am Thanks for sharing my pain, builda! Yes, I have pointed out to the MOTH that a pool is not really the same as 'no maintenance' ...
Regarding the pool under cover vs in the sun, I see what you say. However, as WA now requires all pools to have pool covers on when not being used, I don't see evaporation as being such a concern as it would have been previously. As I am worried about the children burning, I would be happy to have some of it under shade, but I would like at least some of the pool to be in the sun, to keep it warmer longer into the season. ( and yes, I know that means there is the chlorine stability to consider as well, especially in high summer ) Regarding the gaps in decking, you've confirmed my worst fears - that there really has to be gaps. I'm not sure I want to argue with my kids when they lose their favourite Hot Wheels cars down gaps... but I guess it's a matter of checking the decking and taking a car along with me!! Hmm, starting to look a bit like paving... cheers! 'And then a plank in reason broke...' Emily Dickinson light pavers 4Jan 14, 2009 8:38 pm Just my opinion, but my girlfriend has cream sandstoney type pavers all over her outdoor area. They look fantastic but... the glare is unbearable. It is not undercover which makes a difference I think. After a cup of tea and bikkies, with sunglasses on, (me not the bikkies) I had a serious glare headache. Truly. Since then I have always said I will never have light coloured pavers. dark pavers can get very hot underfoot. So I will personally go with a caramelly type colour for ours. Re: Reducing Glare from Pavers?? 5Jan 14, 2009 10:10 pm A pool blanket will also help to keep the pool warm. Not sure how much of the warmth would be lost with it being under cover of a patio etc but with a pool blanket out in the sun all day the pool top foot or so gets very hot. unbearably hot in summer. Mum lives in NOR and has a pool blanket. when she knows we are calling over for a swim during the summer months she has to take the blanket off well before we come ( usually b4 10 if we are coming in the arvo) and even then the first few dives in and splashes the water is very warm on top.
Didn't know it had become mandatory in WA for a pool blanket. that really ups the price of a pool. Great though they are for saving water and chemicals costs. Re: Reducing Glare from Pavers?? 6Jan 15, 2009 9:33 am I dont think a hotwheels car will fit through the gap, I could be wrong, but the decks ive seen are maybe a $2 coin max. gap?
we've just ordered our pavers for a project, but other coverings suggested to us were, stencil creting, pebblecrete etc. the price of timber steered us towards paving though Appreciate that Chippy. I won’t do sand under pavers and will connect all up under pavers, however I was going to do: 1) Roadbase compacted with manual hand tamper 2)… 10 18563 Those span tables can be pushed a little for a low deck if you dont mind a little flex. Last deck I did, I pushed it a little and it was still rock solid - no noticeable… 6 13756 |