Published June 14, 2013 | 
The Deck and Patio’s outdoor expert believes that even the humble deck railing can help showcase one’s personality. This is because, other than the specifications required in local building codes, there are few rules or requirements in choosing a railing.
For example, a deck railing by no means has to match the deck. It just needs to coordinate with it. With all the different options available: baluster and post sizes, shapes, materials, and colors — and the freedom to mix and match — a railing is an easy way to express oneself. And when we do that? We’re rarely unhappy with the results.
So homeowners might ask themselves: Are we people who cherish privacy? Or, are we nature enthusiasts who want the maximum view possible? Or, perhaps, are we traditional in our tastes. Yet, again, maybe, we prefer a bit of whimsy and like to let loose a little?
(Above) To give the sophisticated drama that best expressed their clients, Deck and Patio installed TimberTech’s “Radiance Rail.” Radiance Rail provides the ability to mix and match posts and balusters, and also offers a range of post caps. The ideal choice for these clients was a cap fitted with TimberTech’s recessed DeckLites. This extra outdoor deck lighting not only offered more nighttime safety but provided it in an understated style — perfect for these homeowners.
In this case, lovely outdoor views were of primary concern to clients who are avid outdoor enthusiasts. Acting first as deck builders, Deck and Patio installed a two-story raised deck. And, as is often the case when building a deck, the homeowners also requested a spa. Deck and Patio helped the clients choose the ideal encasement for a new Bullfrog Spa that coordinated nicely with the deck planks and also integrated the spa harmoniously into the deck.
When it came to the deck railing, after all that had been accomplished, it was important that, when the clients sat on their new deck deck or relaxed in the hot tub, the railing infill would not spoil the exquisite views. To accomplish this, infills by “CableRail by Feeney” were chosen because these infills are almost unnoticeable.
For this final set of clients, who live at a rivers edge, their extraordinary view was so expansive, there was little concern that a railing would obstruct the view. However, these clients, who can step from their deck onto a private dock, functionality and durability were key. Long Island deck builders, Deck and Patio, installed for them a handsome Trex Composite Railing with black metal balusters that offered more than waterside security. These railings offer protection from UV rays and will stand against damage from insects, water, or sun.
Note: because the top rail (cap) of a railing is usually selected separately from the infill and posts, the cap presents special opportunity to be creative. You can go wild with color choices, materials and styles. Here’s a tip: Pick a wide top rail if you are a passionate gardener or you love to entertain. With a wider cap, you can easily rest small planters or drinks.
Posted in Uncategorized | 
cable railings, CableRail by Feeney, deck railing safety tips, DeckLites, decks and railings, Long Island deck builders, metal balusters, perfect railing infills, Radiance Rail, stainless steel cable, stainless steel railings, The Deck and Patio Company, Timbertech, Trex Composite Railing, Trex Decking and Railing, Trex Traditional Railing, wood railings | 
Leave a commentPublished June 7, 2013 |
At Deck and Patio we’re finding that it’s not just a desire for “stay-cations” motivating Long Islanders to want their own spectacular outdoor retreat. It seems, as the economy improves, the desire to celebrate is in the air. And with the onset of great weather, we’re hungering to hold life’s special occasions — outdoors.
Whatever the motivation or celebration, any outdoor oasis must start with the right foundation. We have found Cambridge Pavingstones with ArmorTec to be the most durable and beautiful. That’s because these pavers do not show signs of color loss or fading over time, and have blemish-free surfaces. In particular, at Deck and Patio, we often recommend the “Ledgestone 3Pc. Design Kit” from Cambridge’s “The Sherwood Collection,” for the pavers’ particular shape, surface and unique design opportunities.
Cambridge also has a good line of Wallstones to complement the pavers laid down in patios, terraces, walkways, and pool surrounds. Constructed to the right height, in addition to delineating outside spaces attractively, these walls can make perfect seating benches. Such extra seating is great for friends and family to gather around a large-screen television for ballgames, or a fire pit to toast hot dogs and marshmallows, or to sit when eating from a buffet plate.
In addition, no one plans an outdoor oasis to enjoy just for one season. We’re talking about a lifestyle change — which is another reason why we love Cambridge Pavingstones so much. For as summers get hotter and winters get colder, these seem to withstand abuse better than any poured and stenciled concrete. They are also quite resistant to chipping, de-icing salts and snow plowing.
Of course, maybe you don’t want to create the “ideal” outdoor paradise all at once. If that’s the case, you are not alone. Budgetary realities might mean starting small — but with a plan. Here at Deck and Patio we have a terrific computer program. We can design an oasis that can be done over time. And you can see how it will look each step of the way.
Perhaps the first phase will be simply a new walkway, or terrace — beautifully made from durable Cambridge Pavingstones. Another phase might include a fire pit and pergola. Still later, a pool, or water feature, spa, and outdoor kitchen. A stepping stone path, new deck, patios — the sky’s the limit for your dreams.
Photos: Courtesy of Cambridge Pavingstones with ArmorTec
Posted in Ask the Experts, Decks and Patios | " Cambridge "The Sherwood Collection Ledgestone 3-Pc. Design Kit Sahara Chestnut patio, "stay-cations, backyard paradise, deck and patio company, deck and patio furniture, Decks, dream backyard oasis, dream backyard retreat, fire pits, hot tub patio, landscape design, landscaped patios, landscaping, multi-year projects, outdoor entertaining, outdoor furniture on patio, outdoor kitchens, outdoor seating, patios with boulders, patios with retaining walls, paver and brick patios, pergolas, pools, raised spas, stepping stone paths, walkways, water features | Leave a commentPublished November 13, 2012 | Published November 4, 2012 | My name is Bill Renter. I’m the owner of Deck and Patio Company deck builder in Huntington Station. Hurricane Sandy hit my home badly, and 2- 50′ trees landed on the roof. Luckily my home was not damaged, but the thought of how I would get these trees off of my home scared me. Fortunately I have someone I could call and the trees were removed safely.
Bill Renter from Deck and Patio Company offers help to people in need for Hurricane Sandy
I’m lucky to have my electric restored at my home and office. Because I have this gift of power back I am able to communicate and help my neighbors on Long Island and Huntington township. If you live in the Huntington area and need help with removing branches, debris, or a small outdoor fix, we are offering 1/2 hour of free service (with 2 men) yes free no strings attached. If you need additional help we have tree, landscape, deck, mason, pond, swimming pool, Hot Tub, and patio experts on staff and ready to work that can help with repair, replacement, or removal of damaged anything outdoors.
Although our free service offer is extended to our local neighbors, we will still offer discounted pricing for distressed families on Long Island who need our help. We are a deck builder and we repair, paver patio builder and we repair, swimming pool builder and we repair, along with Hot tubs, landscape, mason, and tree removal experts.
Over the last few days we have seen the effects of Hurricane Sandy on Long Island, and especially in Huntington, Dix Hills, Babylon, West Islip, Massapequa, Bellmore, Merrick, Oceanside and Bayshore New York.
These are some photos of the damage done by Hurricane Sandy to fallen trees and tree removal in Huntington and Dix Hills New York
These are some photos of the damage done to a deck and patio by Hurricane Sandy in Babylon New York
These are some photos of the damage done by Hurricane Sandy to a Bullfrog Hot Tub and spa in Babylon New York
Bill, thanks very much for all your help. We are in Atlanta visiting our son in college. I don’t think we will be able to fly back tomorrow. Take care. K—–
We cannot thank you enough for your generous offer of help this weekend. Our deck was cleared carefully and quickly and we are most grateful. It’s not often that a company shows such concern and support to past customers. Thank you for being the thoughtful company that you have proved yourself to be. Sincerely, Barbara and Harold H——–
Please email me at landscape@deckandpatio.com if you need help a little or a lot of help and we will respond quickly.
Posted in Bullfrog Hot Tubs, Decks and Patios, Hurricane Sandy | Bullfrog spas and hot tubs, deck, deck and patio company, deck builder in suffolk and nassau county, Deck repair, Hot tub repair, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Sandy superstorm, Long Island deck builder, patio builder, patio repair, patio. paver patio, Spa repair, swimming pool builder, swimming pool repair, tree removal, tree work | Leave a commentPublished September 11, 2012 | Vinyl-liner Pool Shares Top Honor
Written By: Rebecca Robledo
For the first time, a vinyl-liner pool received the Northeast Spa & Pool Association’s most prestigious design award, “Best in Competition.”
The complex combination aquascape built by The Deck and Patio Co. in Huntington Station, N.Y., shared the designation with a gunite pool built by high-end firm J. Tortorella Swimming Pools in Southampton, N.Y., a Pool & Spa News Top Builder.
Unlike other categories, builders don’t nominate their work for Best in Competition. The award is given to the project or projects that garner the highest number of overall points while being judged in the other categories.
This project, which has a concrete shell, was originally submitted for two categories: free-form residential vinyl-liner pool and outstanding achievement in design – vinyl-liner and fiberglass. It won medals for both.
With this first-ever designation, vinyl-liner projects have broken through another barrier, said Bill Renter, president of the firm. “This may finally let the world know that vinyl-liner pools are high-end swimming pools.”
“It was very dramatic that a vinyl-liner pool won,” said Joel Caesar, a former executive director of and now-consultant for the association who helped judge the contest. “But the changes that have been taking place over the last few years [in vinyl-liner pools] have been even more dramatic.”
Renter attributes the award to the project’s complexity. A heated waterfall spills into a spa, raised 5-1/2 feet above the main pool. “If you’re sitting in the spa, you actually have the hot water hitting you on your neck,” he said. From the spa, water spills over large moss-rock boulders and into the pool. An additional waterfeature cascades directly into the pool. A stream with waterfalls can run during winter, when the pool and spa are covered. The streams end in a gravel reservoir, rather than a pond.
The pool includes a vinyl liner, while the waterfeatures are covered with rubber liners made specifically for ponds. Where the waterfeatures meet the pool, face plates seamlessy connect the vinyl to the rubber.
The whole project contains 120 tons of moss rock, with some boulders weighing between 2,000- and 4,000- pounds. Five propane fire pits and several embedded umbrellas were placed throughout.
Published September 11, 2012 | Troubleshooting in Pond Paradise
By: Christina DiMartino
The water garden of your dreams is complete and provides the utmost enjoyment. Its meticulously chosen setting serves as the visual centerpiece of your landscape. Lush foliage lines its borders, and waterlilies supporting open blossoms float on its surface. Frolicking fish periodically poke their noses through the mirrored exterior breaing 
the water’s stillness. Currents run gently down a raised waterfall positioned at one end of the pond, splashing gracefully against a rock placed in its center. Perhaps a fountain spurts from its interior – arms spread tall and wide – offering wildlife a refreshing shower on warm days. The gentle sound of chirping birds quenching their thirst brightens your day. A welcoming cherub sits pondside, next to the charming park bench that has become your favorite reading spot.
Ahh…serenity, sweet bliss.
In contrast, if something occurs to blemish this scene, stay calm. It is best not to overreact to an unexpected problems; instead, exercise caution. Experts suggest that left unattended, and incidental pond dilemma can escalate into a nightmare, but do not start tearing your pond apart right away. A quick online search can help identify common quandaries and offer instant remedial help, but talking to your pond care professional is essential. He or she will provide reassurance, make suggestions and give direction. It is important to keep in mind that a water garden is a natural ecosystem, and it is now supposed to look as sterile and pristine as a swimming pool or spa.
A sampling of common problems (and solutions!) experienced by new pond owners follows.
What causes algae growth and how can I fix the problem?
This is usually the result of the ponds being over stocked with fish or having too few plants; sometimes it is a combination of these factors.
Not having enough plants results in algae gobbling up all the oxygen and nutrients. A lack of surface plants allows too much sunlight to reach beneath the water, which promotes algae blossoms. Plant fertilizers, even those that are harmless to fish, can also cause algae growth.
Overfeeding fish can aggravate an already present algae condition. Fish generally thrive on naturally occurring foods. If you add feed, either reduce that amount or stop completely.
If the problem persists, flush the pond and add new water and more aquatic plants (allowing as much as 50 percent of the water’s surface to be covered). Add a biological or mechanical filter, and, if necessary, reduce the number of fish in the pond.
How can I control leaves and debris in my water garden?
These are coming from nearby trees and shrubs. Skim the pond often with a net on a large pole. Trim branches in the pond’s vicinity to prevent shedding.
Some people feel that netting takes away from the aesthetic quality of the pond, but you many have no choice, at least during shedding periods. Stretch basic garden netting across the pond’s surface and anchor it securely on all sides.
What causes the water in my newly established pond to be green and slimy?
Some green water conditions are common, especially for three or four weeks after the pond is first filled. Water clears as it equalizes the combined nutrients from plants and fish.
My pond water is cloudy and brown. How do I correct this?
This is most likely due to a dirty filter. From filters must be removed and washed with water and liquid detergent. Cartridge filters should be hosed with a strong stream of water.
My floating plants are turning yellow and brown, and they are not blooming. What can I do to restore them?
Excessive leaf growth above the waterline can prevent waterlilies and similar plants from getting nutrients necessary to promote blooming. Remove plants from containers, divide them and replant half in separate containers.
What causes my fish to get sick and die?
Fish can become unhealthy for several reasons, the most common is the lack of oxygen. This is often easily corrected by adding submerged plants to the environment.
An imbalance of the fish-to-pond-size ratio can also cause inadequate oxygen levels. A conservative estimate used for healthy fish capacity is to allow one inch of fish for every square foot of surface area (water depth is not considered). Remember to include the ultimate size of the fish within your calculations, i.e., a koi that is small in May might be twice its size by January.
Too much chlorine or chloramines in the water can also be deadly to fish. There are kits that test for this, and depending upon the results, use commercial treatments to balance the water to a safe level.
How can I prevent plants and fish from freezing under ice during the winter?
Most popular pond fish species do very well throughout cold months, as long as they have a oxygen supply. Pond aerators also circulate and de-ice the water. Another choice is simply place small floating ball in the pond. This will keep a portion of the surface from freezing and allow air to reach the water.
Container plants that are not winter-hardy may have to be moved to a sheltered place and replanted when the weather turns warmer. Check with your local horticulture specialist to learn how to care for plans in your growing zone.
Should I add water from the hose when the level drops?
Yes. Water evaporates, especially in hot weather. It should be added as needed, but not more often than necessary. If water loss is excessive, check for a leak in your pond liner or fiberglass form. Repair kits are available for both types of systems.
Help! Birds are diving into my pond and flying off with my koi! What can I do to stop them?
It is difficult to accept that having a natural ecosystem means that it is also susceptible to nature’s conditions, including the innate food chain. Large birds have been feeding on fish since the beginning of time, and they do not know that the rules are different in your backyard.
Some ponds owners report warding off birds with scarecrow types of structures or plastic owls. If all else fails, you many place a mesh screening over the pond, at least until your feathered friends find a new dinning hall.
Above all, remember that Mother Nature rules, so when it comes to pond care, try to leave the job to her.
Posted in Ask the Experts, Awards, Magazine article about Deck and Patio Company projects, News and Awards, Ponds and Water Features | deck and patio company, Deck and Patio Company blog, in Nassau and Suffolk, landscape design landscaping, ponds, Pool&Spa Living Magazine, waterfeatures | Leave a commentPublished September 11, 2012 | Pure Magic
How the Right Chemicals Enhance Paradise
Written By: Debra Wood
In theory, the only necessary steps to keep water clear are to ensure it stays properly balanced, with the ideal ranges for pH and total alkalinity; has adequate sanitizer to kill bacteria, algae and viruses; and has an oxidizer or shock to remove unwanted elements such as oils and organic matter.
But as anyone who has walked into a pool-supply store knows, there’s an array and equipment that allow homeowners to expect, sparkling, clear pool water with little effort. Just how – and when – should you use these products?
- Algicides: Chemicals that kill algae and prevent its proliferation. Use if you have an algae bloom, such as when the water turns green, or yellow algae cling to the walls, or for routine maintenance.
- Balancers: Products specially formulated for pools to keep pH or total alkalinity within the desired range. Every pool owner needs these to keep the water in balance. “They have the right composition, specified for trace materials, and the right dissolution rates, which is how fast or slow they dissolve,” says Scott Newton, brand manager for BioGuard.
- Chelating agents: Chemicals that help keep metals in a solution, so they don’t stain the surface. Use if stains develop or the water turns reddish brown or blue-green.
- Clarifiers: Agents that attract small particles together, so the filter can remove them. Use when the water becomes cloudy or on a regular basis.
- Cover cleaners: Products applied to solar and winter covers to remove dirt prior to storage. Unless specified on the product label, these cleaners are meant to be used while the cover is removed from the pool. You need to use these before storing the cover for the season.
- Defoamers: Products that rid the pool of foam caused by soaps, makeup, algicides or other elements. Use if water foams.
- Filter Cleaners: Agents used to clean filters. “There are alkaline and acid cleaners, and we suggest pool owners to use both – alkaline to remove the body oils, and acidic for the calcium and scale buildup,” Newton says. Use this whenever you clean a cartridge filter.
- Flocculants: Chemicals that gather smaller particles together. Often used with sand filters to help catch smaller particles. Flocculants work like clarifiers, but gather larger particles that are more easily filtered. You can use these products when the water becomes cloudy or green.
- Muriatic acid: Chemical used to decrease the pH. Pool professionals also may employ it when acid-washing pool surfaces. Many pool owners use this instead of a pH decreasing agent.
- Non-chlorine alternatives: Sanitizing chemicals that do not contain chlorine, such as PristineBlue. These products are ideal for swimmers whose skin becomes irritated by chlorine, or for pool owners who worry about the effect of pool chemicals on the environment. “PristineBlue is a safe alternative; it won’t burn your eyes or sting, and your skin and hair will feel soft with out the contaminants in the water,” says Deborah Adkins of Earth Science Laboratories, Inc., which manufactures PristineBlue. “It is also an environmentally friendly product, without any byproducts for future generations to worry about.”
- Phosphate eliminators: Agents that remove phosphates, a nutrient that algae thrive on, which enter the water through pollen, leaves and decomposing vegetation. “If you take phosphates out, it’s difficult for algae to grow,” says Rick Coffey, vice president of research and development at Zodiac Pool Care in Pompano Beach, Florida.
- Potassium monopersulfate: An oxidizer used as a non-chlorine shock and to re-energize bromine. You can use this product to oxidize the pool without adding chlorine.
- Sanitizers: Chlorine, bromine, minerals systems and biguanide products kill pathogens, Biguanide systems require special accompanying products. You cannot add chlorine to a biguanide pool. You must use a sanitizer to keep the water safe.
- Scale inhibitors: Products that prevent scale from forming. Scale develops when the pool water falls out of balance, such as when calcium levels are high. You can use this product to help prevent scale from forming on surfaces, pips and heating elements.
- Sequestering Agents: Chemicals that bind metals, allowing the filter to eliminate the metals, which can stain the surface. You need this if stains develop or the water turns reddish brown or blue-green.
- Shock: Chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium monopersulfate solutions used to oxidize the pool, removing impurities from the water. You mush shock the pool regularly with one of these products to remove unwanted elements.
- Sodium bicarbonate: Agent used to increase total alkalinity. Many pool owners use this instead of a pH increasing agent.
- Stabilizers: Products that prevent sun breakdown of free chlorine. You need to use these agents with unstabilized chlorine, such as liquid chlorine or chorine produced by a salt-water chlorine generator.
- Stain removers: Chemicals applied to help remove a stain. Select a product specific to the type of stain on the surface. Some stains may not come out or may require professional cleaning. You can try to remove a surface stain with one of these products.
- Tile and vinyl cleaners: Agents that help remove dirt and scum lines from above the water line. “These products have been tested, so they are safe for pool products and do not affect the water chemistry,” Newton says. You need to use this product if dirt and scum form at or above the water line.
Published September 11, 2012 | POOLING THE
Resources
Expert Advice on Deciding the
Best Pool Type for you
By: Paul Plummer
Most homeowners can tell you exactly when they decided to stop dreaming and start swimming. They also can tell you that making the decision to build was the easy part – choosing their type of pool and the specific builder required more time and consideration.
Many might agree that if they could have invited some top pool-building professionals to their homes for an information session, the process would have been smoother. With that in mind, Pool & Spa Living went to some of the country’s foremost pool experts for insight into their specialties: concrete, fiberglass and vinyl-lined pools.
Each type has distinct advantages, but all can incorporate sought-after features such as waterfalls, in-pool barstools, beach entries and accompanying spas.
Concrete pools, the most popular type, cab be formed into virtually any shape and size – even when homeowners have an atypical backyard or ask for a seemingly impossible design. “With concrete, you can build any style pool anywhere, including on the side of a hill. Concrete provides freedom of choice,” notes Thomas Brown, vice president of Aquatech, Society of Pool-Building Professionals, in Costa Mesa, Calif. “With concrete, if it can be conceived, it can be built. From all-tile to pebble finishes to built-in mosaics and spas, anything can be achieved within a customer’s budget.”
Fiberglass pools, made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic and molded into a specific shape at the factory, and now available in a wider array of shapes, sizes and colors than in the past. Because the ultra-smooth surface of fiberglass is nonporous, algae and dirt cannot penetrate it, making it very easy to clean and maintain. Fiberglass is also extremely flexible, easily adapting to freeze/thaw cycles, making it an increasingly popular choice in colder climates. “True, homeowners in the warmer climates have always chosen fiberglass pools,” says Kirk Sullivan, president of San Juan Products of Lakeland, Fla., a manufacturer of fiberglass pools. “But customers in colder climates, such as Canada, are discovering the benefits of fiberglass. In fact, the University of Winnipeg did a detailed study showing that fiberglass’s flexibility is the best product to handle the freeze/thaw cycles,” Todd Stahl, president of Composite Pools in Jane Lew, W.Va., agrees: “Fiberglass pools can be installed virtually anywhere, and they hold up well in climates with drastic freeze/thaw conditions.
Vinyl pools, long known for being the lowest-cost option, are now gaining popularity for being as customizable as their concrete counterparts: Replacing the outer liner costs about $600 – $800 plus installation, so they can get a wallet-friendly facelift for a totally new look. Vinyl pools are also very smooth, eliminating the risk of skin scrapes, and they flex with temperature drops. “We find that here in the Northeast section of the country, vinyl-liner pools perform better because of the freeze/thaw climate,” says Bill Renter, owner of Deck & Patio Company in Huntington Station, N.Y., which constructs vinyl-lined pools.
The Facts about FAQs
Once you settle on a pool type – with advice of your builder, no doubt – what can you expect?
Some answers:
How long will my pool take?
The answer to that is tricky. “Timing is dependent on the intricacy of the design, the season, sub-contractor scheduling and the difficulty of the terrain,” explains Brown. “Some projects can take as long as six months to complete, but generally speaking, most concrete pools can be finished in about six to twelve weeks.”
For vinyl-lined pools, expect construction to take, on average, about three to five weeks, says Renter. Meanwhile, because a fiberglass pool is delivered on-site in its “finished” shape, installation additional two weeks or so for the decking, landscaping and general cosmetic detailing.
Are repairs easy to make?
If there’s a nick, crack or tear on your pool later on, they usually can be repaired. Concrete can be fixed, but that degree of difficulty is based on the cause, says Brown. Vinyl can be easily patched or changed, says Renter, while fiberglass, because it’ white, can be seamlessly repaired. “We offer non-prorated structural 25-year warranty, but the great thing is that you should never have to use it,” says Sullivan.
What if I want a new look?
Styles are ever-evolving, and most types of pools can accommodate a homeowner’s need to update. No matter your preferred pool type, laying a new deck or freshening the surroundings landscape can magically transform a poolscape for a bold, new look, while new finishes or plastering can change the look of a concrete pool. With vinyl, a re-do is very easy: “There are numerous color choices in vinyl,” says Renter. “In fact, earth tones are becoming popular. And, we are working with a supplier to create returns, skimmers and main drains to match the pool’s vinyl. That way, they are not a distraction.
Stahl explains that one of the easiest facelifts a homeowner can do to a fiberglass pool is to replace the perimeter tile. He says, “This cab be done easily by a trained professional.”
Both Brown and Sullivan agree that sometimes just changing the peripherals can have the same effect as digging up the old pool and putting in a new one. “New pavers, replastering, new coatings, new deck, new slides, all combine to change the look of a pool,” explains Brown.
Adds Sullivan: “Even though you can’t change the shell, you can change everything around it to make it look different.”
Bottom line: Pools are deeply personal, and all homeowners, along with the pool builder, have to determine what is best for their backyards. Be it vinyl, concrete or fiberglass, the final product has a lot to live up to. But, if the homeowner makes all the correct decisions up front, then the pool will have no trouble living up to the hype. And, in the end, that is what a pool owner really wants: a no-hassle good time right outside the back door.
The Future is now
Once upon a time, when you anted a pool, you got a nice, plain rectangle in the backyard. But, as the years went by, homeowners demanded more – and pool builders stepped up to the challenge. Today, the only limits are set by the human imagination. Want an interior spa in a fiberglass pool? No problem. Like the look of barstools for you vinyl-lined pool? It can be done. Interested in solar panels to heat your concrete pool? The technology is available. “We have to be forward-thinking,” says Bill Renter, owner of Deck & Patio Company in Huntington Station, N.Y. “We have to be willing to work with a client to get a desired effect, no matter what.”
Sullivan states, “In the past, homeowners were limited to what shape they could craft from fiberglass, but today, more styles are possible, including built-in spas, vanishing edges and perimeter overflows.” Stahl adds, “With more and more people concerned about our environment, our eco-friendly pools are already the pools of tomorrow. Fiberglass pools are natural insulators. Your filter and heater will potentially run dramatically less.”
Meet the Experts
Thomas C. Brown
Vice President- Aquatech, Society of Pool-Building Professionals
Thomas Brown has been with Aquatech since 1997. Before joining the society, he was general manager of Crawford Products, a premier paints and coatings company. Prior to that, he was a project engineer for an architectural firm. Mr. Brown holds a B.S. in business management.
Bill Renter
Owner- Deck & Patio Company
Bill Renter founded The Deck & Patio Company in 1992. In addition to his degree from CW Post, Mr. Renter has received many industry certifications. He holds memberships in a variety of professional societies, including the Association of Pool and Spa professionals. Mr. Renter and his company have won many awards over the years, including the 2007 Gold Award from NESPA for Outstanding Achievement in Design & Building Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass.
Kirk Sullivan
President- San Juan Products
Kirk Sullivan has 24 years of experience in fiberglass manufacturing, installation, sales and marketing. He is one the Manufactures Council of APSP and has been a judge for the organization’s numerous design awards. Mr. Sullivan obtained his master’s degree in business finance from Northeastern University.
Todd Stahl
President- Composite Pools
Todd Stahl stepped into the family pool business in 1989 as vice president to assist his father and president, Alan Stahl. In addition to managing several retail stores, Todd was directly responsible for the operation of each of the company’s manufacturing facilities. In 2005, Latham International acquired the business, and Todd was appointed president. The company has experienced incredible growth over the past few years and now includes Viking Pools, Composite Pools, Crystal Palace Pools, Liberty Composite Pools and Hydro Zone.
Posted in Ask the Experts, Awards, Magazine article about Deck and Patio Company projects, News and Awards, Ponds and Water Features, Pools and Spas | Award winning pools, deck and patio company, Deck and Patio Company blog, in Nassau and Suffolk, patio. paver patio, Pool&Spa Living Magazine, swimming pools, waterfalls, waterfeatures | Leave a commentPublished September 11, 2012 | Pool
Cool
By: Susan Morris Novick
Water elements enhance this season’s landscape designs: Forget the traditional rectangular swimming pool and look for free-form organic pools that merge with the landscaping around them. “Almost every pool we’re building is in some sort of free-form logoon shape, with dark interior finishes,” reveals Dominic Solitario of Blue Haven Pools. “Clients are looking for a more natural look. Interior finishes of grays and blacks make the pools look more like grottoes and lakes.”
Changes in pool care technology have freed homeowners from a lot of the maintenance and management worries of the past. Wireless computerized remotes work from a handheld control panel, so you can turn on the spa or change the water temperature without having to go back inside the house or behind the shrubs, where the pool equipment is hidden. Computerized salt generator systems can monitor and maintain a healthful, bacteria-free environment without the use of chlorines and other chemicals. The new and quiet electric heat pumps are energy savers and more economical then gas or oil heaters.
A wide range of lighting and water effects can turn you pool or spa area into the life of the party. Although a vanishing-edge pool makes the water appear as thought it is going off a cliff in the distance, it actually creates a natural waterfall below that can be used as a dramatic seating area.
Hidden laminar deck jets shoot arcs of water in a solid stream into the pool and can be illuminated with LEDs and multi color fiber-optic light displays. “It looks like a glass tube of light, that’s how perfect and fine it is,” explains Solitario.
With all this style, comfort and drama in your own backyard, you may decided that this summer there really is no place like home.
Posted in Ask the Experts, Awards, Magazine article about Deck and Patio Company projects, News and Awards, Ponds and Water Features | Award winning pools, deck and patio company, Deck and Patio Company blog, Elements Magazine, in Nassau and Suffolk, landscape design landscaping, swimming pools, waterfalls, waterfeatures | Leave a commentPublished September 11, 2012 | Dramatic 56-Ft. Water Slide
Graces Inground Vinyl Liner Pool
By: Ron Derven
LOCATION
This magnificent inground vinyl liner pool is located on the North Shore of Long Island in the town of Centerport. The pool captured a Gold Medal in NESPA’s 2009 Design Awards competition, a Gold Medal in the Association of Pool & Spa Professional’s competition and Gold in the Long Island Pool & Spa Association’s Design Awards contest.
THE BUILDER
The builder is True Blue Swimming Pools, Dix Hills, New York. Owner Michael Truehart got into the pool business in high school. The father of the girl he was dating got Truehart a job installing pools for him. Truehart installed pools during the summer while he was in high school and in college. After college, he worked for a firm for about ten years and then, in 1991, he opened his own business.
“The business started with me, a van and a helper,” he said. “We eventually took on another helper then another. We grew to the point where we were established pool and spa company,” said Truehart, who is now in his 20th year in the business. His wife, Patty, who he met while building a pool for her parents, works in the business part time.
True Blue builds, renovates and services mostly inground pools. “We are primarily builders, although lately we have been gearing more toward the service and renovation end of the business,” he explained. “We do not have a retail store. I have looked at it a few times, but have never gotten into it. The company has 10 trucks on the road today to handle the service and building end of the business. Its marketing area is all of Long Island, except for the East End.
“We build mostly vinyl liner pools with concrete walls and some gunite pools. Vinyl liner pools are the market in out area for the most part,” he noted. “We typically build between 80-100 pools a year, which makes us a medium-sized company. I work mostly on referrals rather than advertising. I get a lot of my leads from landscape companies, architects and, of course, my own clients send a lot of work to us.”
PROJECT PARAMETERS
The Centerport customer lived in a large home located on one-half acre of land. When Truehart first visited the customer about the pool project, the main element that the client seemed to focus on was a large water slide. As Truehart wrote down the information, he envisioned a large 15-16 foot slide gracing the pool. When he created drawings for the project including this slide, the client looked at the drawings and said the slide wasn’t big enough. In the next version, Truehart incorporated an even larger slide-20-30 feet. The client looked at the drawing and said: “Not big enough!”
“Finally, the client seemed to be satisfied with a 35-foot slide, but as we were about to order materials, he said it was still not big enough,” recalled Truehart. True Blue then designed the largest slide it could into the space – a 56-foot water slide! The customer was thrilled.
The pool itself is only about 30-feet long by 30-foot wide. Eight feet deep, it was specified in accordance with the slide manufacturer specs. The pool was kept at the 30-ft x 30-ft. size because the customer did not want it to cover his entire backyard.
Incorporating into the pool is a sun tanning ledge, or sun shelf; an added feature that True Blue is building more and more of on its jobs on Long Island. The sun shelf has about four to six inches of water on it when the pool is filled. It is even with the top step of the pool. Sun bathers can place a foam rubber float on the sun shelf and lie on it, summing themselves while partially submerged in the water to stay cool. The sun shelf is 8-feet by 12-feet. True Blue custom built the sun shelf out of concrete, then wrapped it in foam padding. The pool’s vinyl liner then went over the top of the shelf.
CHALLENGES
It’s one thing to draw a 56-foot slide on paper and quite another to build it. True Blue began with a relatively flat half-acre site on which to incorporate the pool and large water slide. The decision was made to create a hill so that the slide fit into its surroundings. Hundreds of yards of fill were trucked into the job site to create the hill.
Angry neighbors were another challenge. Prior to installation of the pool, the lot was heavily wooded. In order to install this particular pool and slide, almost all of the land had to be cleared. Although the client always intended to re-screen the property, the neighbors were extremely unhappy about what was taking place.
“When we began constructing the slide – it was 10-12-feet high at its highest point and is supported by three-foot wide concrete columns – neighbors really began to express their concern,” said Truehart. “One of the neighbors made it difficult for the township that had approved the permit for the job – mostly regarding the retaining walls. At the end of the day, the job was completed, all the requirements of the township were met and the property was re-screened.”
Behind the slide there are two retaining walls that face the property line. Rather than install massive, high retaining walls, True Blue created two-foot retaining walls and then sloped up the earth to the top of the slide. From the four-foot elevation to the 10-foot elevation was a simple grading. Boulders were brought in for aesthetics and to stabilize the earth.
There were not ground conditions to be dealt with, but the builder did run into problems storing soil. The job had to be coordinated whereby the soil was delivered to the job after the slide was constructed. The job of placing the soil around the newly constructed slide had to be done carefully.
Dolphin Water Slides of Adamsville, Tennessee, manufactured the slide. Dolphin was supplied with schematics and then broke out the slide into three- or four-foot increments. The sections were delivered to the job site and bolted and gasketed in place while being supported by the concrete columns.
“That was one of the more difficult parts of the job because concrete footings were placed beforehand based on just the schematic,” said Truehart. “It would have been far too difficult to try to install the slide by putting it together, holding it up in place and then adding the columns. We took careful measurements, starting at the pool and working our way back. The footings were almost dead on with only one needing slight adjustment.”
A critical part of the job was placing the fill around the columns and slide without hitting anything with a 7,000-pound piece of equipment. Truehart was on the job through this whole process to make sure it was done right.
The customer wanted lots of water cascading down the slide, so True Blue added two three-horse pumps to supply 300-plus gallons a minute to the slide (which is what the slide manufacture specified.) About two thirds of the way down the slide is a water fall that spills more water off the rocks and into the slide.
The deck around the pool is Techo-Block pavers. The Deck and Patio Company, a Long Island firm, worked with True Blue on the deck, landscaping and placement of the rocks. There is a natural timber railing and stairs that lead from the pool to the slide entrance.
The job took between three and four months to complete.
PRODUCTS & EQUPIMENT
Besides Dolphin Waterslides equipment, True Blue used Jandy pumps, Jandy filtration and Jandy colored lights on the job. There is a dual heating system on the pool, a conventional, natural gas heater and heat pumps. Truehart uses the same system on his own pool. True Blue used Loop Loc liners and a Loop Loc safety cover. Because of the location of the rocks around the pool, True Blue service people use an inflatable boat to place the safety cover at the end of the season.
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