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The Citizen, 1991-05-15, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 15,1991. 910‘Rt'E API) 1991 Lots of options for pool owner So you've decided to take the plunge and buy a swimming pool. Now comes the hard part; deciding which type to buy. Outdoor pools come in just about every size and shape imaginable, says Bill Dovgala, executive direc­ tor of Canadians Spa and Pool Association (CANSPA). Your dream pool could be rectan­ gular, oval or shaped like a teardrop; it could have a vinyl liner or be lined with concrete; and it could be inground, onground or above ground. Before making any plans, Mr. Dovgala suggests you check with local building and health authori­ ties. Rules about the size and siting of swimming pools, fences and drainage lines vary from one municipality to the next. When planning the siting of your pool, the CANSPA director recom­ mends it be placed to the side of What kind of carpet do you need? Knowing what you want or need before entering the carpet show­ room can simplify the purchase process. A careful analysis of the type of conditions to which the car­ pet will be subjected is fundamen­ tal. Do you want a luxurious carpet that you can sink your toes into? Ch- do you need a carpet that can sur­ vive an active family and withstand lots of wear and tear? Knowing the traffic patterns in various areas of the home will help complete your analysis. Halls and stairs: These high traf­ fic areas should be covered with a densley tufted carpet with low pile. Colour should be neutral and the carpet should possess good soil hiding properties. Dining Room: Slain and soil resistance are high priorities here. Living Room: If the living room is used a great deal by the family, look for a carpet with the same characteristics as the dining room. Otherwise go for luxury and com­ fort. your backyard, rather than in the centre. This leaves room for other recre­ ational activities and could be important in terms of resale value, especially if prospective buyers have young children who need room to play. Generally speaking, the most expensive type of pool is the tradi­ tional inground variety, which can have a vinyl liner or can be lined with concrete (gunite) and trimmed with ceramic tile. Mr. Dovgala says concrete is the most expensive version of the inground pool, with prices starting at about $15,000. All pools were originally made with concrete and its advantage is that you can cus­ tom design any shape you like. Lib- erace, for instance, had a pool shaped like a piano. One type of pool that's usually custom built is the "swimmer", a long and narrow model about 3.0 metres (10 feet) wide and 18.3 metres (60 feet) long. Like its name suggests, this pool is for athletic types who are serious about swim­ ming lengths. Mr. Dovgala says the vinyl-lined pool is now the biggest seller on the market "It was developed as a means for people in the middle­ income bracket" to be able to afford backyard swimming pools. Prices start between $8,000 and $10,000. It's estimated there are close to 60 different shapes of vinyl-lined pools available, including various versions of the rectangle, kidney, oval, teardrop, keyhole and L- shape. The smallest pool available is about 3.6 by 7.3 metres (12 by 24 feet). CONCRETE Discussing the merits of concrete versus vinyl, Mr. Dovgala says although concrete can heave and crack in the winter, it may still be cheaper to maintain in the long term. But replacing a vinyl liner may be slightly cheaper than hav­ ing to resurface a pool, he adds. A vinyl liner has a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. Another type of inground pool available in North America but not popular in Canada is the fibre-glass shell, which comes in one or two pieces. Mr. Dovgala says it can be diffi­ cult to manoeuvre the large pieces into a backyard. Onground pools, which start between $5,000 and $6,000, are usually built on property that’s rocky or has a severe water prob­ lem. "They sit on the ground but they usually have a deeper end that goes into the ground." Most onground pools are rectan­ gular and they come with decks. The shallow end of the pool is usu­ ally about 1.2 metres (4.0 feet) deep and the deep end can be as deep as 2.3 metres (7.5 feet). In comparison, inground pools can be 2.6 to 3.0 metres (8.5 to 10 feet) deep. Above-ground pools are com­ pletely raised above the ground and are usually oval or round, a shape which provides structural strength. The metal shell has a vinyl liner and a frame of aluminum or steel. "They make it affordable for a young family to have the pleasure of water in their backyard when they're just starting out" A 3.6 metre (12-foot) "splasher" starts at between $600 and $700. Above-ground pools are usually a maximum of 1.2 metres (4.0 feet) deep. Whichever pool you decide on, Mr. Dovgala advises you purchase it through a CANSPA member. The national association of pool and spa retailers, builders, distributors and manufacturers follows a strict code of ethics. As well. "Should a misunder­ standing occur and it is not resolved, (customers) have a recourse to call on us." (For the name of CANSPA mem­ ber in your area call 676-1591 in Toronto or 1-800-263-6103 toll free.) For the best in Custom Woodworking We specialize in We are your dealer for ... •Custom Made Window and Door Casings. •Rossette Blocks •Baseboard & Base Blocks •Inside & Outside Comer Blocks •Curved Casings for arched windows and archways •Accentra Storm and Screen Door Collection •Arbour & Trellis •Custom Made Porch Post and Railings •Victorian Gingerbread Porch Brackets in Cedar Call us Today......... SHARLA CUSTOM CRAFTS BOX 3, MARY ST., FORDWICH, ONT. 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