So your thinking about a new swimming pool.....

Beautiful Outdoor Living Created by Shaping Water...

Backyard Swimming Pools have been bringing together friends, neighbors and families for thousands of years. Most of you have wonderful childhood memories of cannon ball contests, water volleyball and diving for pennies but since that time swimming pools have come a long way.

The days of “Kidney Bean Shaped” swimming pools with three feet of concrete apron, inefficient loud pumps and chlorine pucks have been replaced with custom waterscapes incorporating natural stone patios & landscaping, Variable Frequency Drive Pumps, web based automation, in-floor cleaning systems and architectural details that boggle the mind. In fact, todays pools can be completely run from from your computer or iPhone.

Let’s start with the design process...You are not looking for a “Pool” design, you are looking for an “Outdoor Living” design. A proper design details every item that you want to incorporate into your yard. These items should include the swimming pool, patio, walkways, steps, landscaping, lighting, outdoor kitchen & fireplace, drainage, equipment location utility routing, fencing, etc. The plan should be drawn to scale including elevations and all the architectural details should be specified. Remember, you get what you pay for, you should plan on paying for a quality outdoor living design. “Free Designs” are a waste of time unless you are looking for a very basic pool. These designs are rarely creative, lack a cohesive vision between all aspects of the outdoor living environment and many times are the same design your neighbor was just presented with.

Now it’s time to accessorize...Your options are almost limitless when it comes to swimming pool features so lets talk about some of todays trends. Swimming pools are getting a little smaller but are incorporating more technology and architectural features. Some of the most popular items now are:

• Shallow lounging areas that allow you to lay in a lounge chair in 8 inches of water.
• Hot Tubs cascading into the pool
• Speciality pool interior surfaces including Pebble and Glass Bead Finishes.
• Saltwater Swimming Pool Chlorination
• In-Floor Cleaning Systems
• Variable Frequency Drive Pumps (60% more efficient than std. pool pumps)
• Full Automation Integration - Push button control of your entire swimming pool
• Beach Entries, Perimeter Overflow and Infinity Edge Details
• Natural Stone & Boulder Waterfalls

While this is not a comprehensive list of all features, we find that these elements are integrated into almost every pool we design & build.

How do I know if I’m on the right track?...Looking back, our happiest clients all have a few things in common. The first is that the clients decided not to skimp on the pool and go with the upgraded energy efficient equipment, a maintenance free pool interior (Like PebbleTec), integrated full chemical automation and any other features that save on maintenance time and cost. And Secondly, they had a well balanced project. We suggest that the pool account for 1/3 of the budget, the hardscaping including patio, walls, outdoor kitchen & fireplace, etc. 1/3 of the budget and landscaping, fencing, electrical, gas and all other items should be the final 1/3 of the budget. The goal of any outdoor living environment including swimming pools is that one element should not stand out more than any other element.

How to pick the right contractor...Choosing a Raleigh pool builder is much like choosing a husband or wife. Remember that once you make your decision you will be "married" to your builder not only during the installation period but for as long as you own your pool. We're all grown-ups here and all know to check references, tour completed projects, verify insurance, blah...blah...blah... you know the deal but what I suggest is a little more. Every reputable builder should be able to meet these basic requirements, so all things being equal think about what could make the pool building process as enjoyable as possible. Look for a company that you are socially compatible with and pick the company that you "feel" good about. After all isn't your "gut" feeling usually the right choice? Don't go into the process with an adversarial attitude toward your contractor, trying to beat every penny out of them. Instead create a team environment with the common goal of creating the backyard swimming pool of your dreams.

Getting it Done...There’s no clean way to excavate 100 tons of soil, bring in 50 tons of concrete, dig plumbing & electrical trenches,install retaining walls, pour 30 yards of concrete sub-deck and then install 20 tons of flagstone decking. Your yard will be a construction site and you will be tired of having workers at your house from morning to night but it will all be worth it. Once the pool is filled and the final flower is planted, it’s time to grab a bottle of wine, tell the kids to jump-on-in, have your husband cook a great dinner in the new outdoor kitchen and let new memories of your family replace the old memories of your childhood.

Frank Bowman - Frank Bowman is the principal and founder of Frank Bowman Designs, Inc. a progressive swimming pool and outdoor living contractor based in Raleigh, NC. For more swimming pool information visit www.FrankBowman.com or contact Frank directly at Frank@FrankBowman.com

Frank Bowman Designs builds outdoor fireplaces

Now that the weather is beginning to get a little cooler, people begin to think about ways to keep warm. A Raleigh Outdoor Fireplace is a great solution. Not only do they provide great warmth while enjoying the outdoors, but they also provide long lasting memories. Can't you just picture yourself roasting marshmallows with your children and/or grandchildren or sitting by your companion's side while sipping a cup of coffee or glass of wine. Outdoor fireplaces are a great addition to any backyard. For more information, email Frank at frank@FrankBowman.com or come visit us at www.frankbowman.com.

Submitted By: Frank Bowman Designs serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston and the Triangle . We are a complete outdoor contractor installing outdoor kitchens & fireplaces, natural stone & paver patios, landscaping, swimming pools & spas, pool houses, cabanas and much more...Our speciality is unique and unusual swimming pools & spas. Visit Frank Bowman Designs at www.FrankBowman.com or Contact us at Frank@FrankBowman.com or (919) 291-8354.

Variable Speed Pumps Save Energy and Money

You may not know that that a standard pool pump uses more electricity than any other appliance in the home, except for an air-conditioner. You also may not know that most pumps are too big and use more energy than you need to keep the swimming pool water sparkling clean.

The culprit: a single-speed pump. A small pump is probably fine if all you want to do is circulate the water, but it might not have enough speed to run your pool cleaner, waterfall or other electrical extras that need a blast of energy.

If that's the case, your pool service probably installed a pump large enough to handle the extras. But with only one speed, it's running full-blast even when your pool cleaner and waterfall aren't operating.

That huge waste of energy is costing you about 80 percent more in electric bills.

Don't let the high cost of running your swimming pool outpace its value as your family's go-to place for fun, relaxation and keeping cool. Making your pool more energy-efficient will save hundreds of dollars a year. Here are a few tips.

• Replace your single-speed pump with a variable-speed unit. High-performance models from such manufacturers as Pentair Water Pool and Spa let you run them on low most of the time. You can crank them up bit by bit when you need to run accessories.

The manufacturers claim the pumps can cut energy use by up to 90 percent compared with single-speed pumps. Frank Bowman, owner of Frank Bowman Designs in Raleigh, North Carolina, says his customers who have switched report saving $300 or more a year on their electric bills.

A variable-speed pump costs more than twice a single-speed model, but you'll recoup the cost in lower electric bills within two years, he estimates. Plus, he says, the pumps are quieter and last longer than older pumps.

As an alternative, two-speed pumps cost less than variable-speed models. And although they're not as efficient as variable-speed pumps, they use far less energy than the single-speed unit.• Run your pool pump less often. Most manufacturers recommend running it between eight and 10 hours a day in the summer and about half that in the winter.

• Put a timer on the pump so it automatically shuts off, and set it to run only when you're paying off-peak rates.

• Switch to LED lighting, which uses up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent underwater lights, and lasts for years.

• Keep your chemicals in balance. If you don't, your filter can run non-stop and the water will never sparkle.

• Clean trap baskets, filters, and pool walls and floor regularly. Clogging can prevent the water from flowing freely. The harder the pump has to work, the more you'll pay to run it.

Submitted By: Frank Bowman Designs serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston and the Triangle . We are a complete outdoor contractor installing outdoor kitchens & fireplaces, natural stone & paver patios, landscaping, swimming pools & spas, pool houses, cabanas and much more...Our speciality is unique and unusual swimming pools & spas. Visit Frank Bowman Designs at www.FrankBowman.com or Contact us at Frank@FrankBowman.com or (919) 291-8354.