on designing and planning
Building or renovating your pool surroundings can be a daunting job, from choosing your surface to pool mosaics and also whether to include a water feature or a decorative border! Doing some preparatory work and planning will ensure the end result lives up to your expectations and budget. Here are some Amber suggestions to consider before making a decision.
1) Define your main objective: What do you want most out of your pool surroundings? To maximise its design or do you want it to be more practical? This is the time to assess your needs and wants. Make sure the main objective is clearly defined and constantly monitored throughout the project.
2) Get inspired: No doubt, you have been looking through magazines and websites to get some ideas. Amber’s styles made easy and latest trends are a great source to get the latest designs. Your design style will soon emerge!
3) Set a budget: Depending on your objective, your budget might need to cover only a small facelift or a complete overhaul. At Amber, we have many payment options to suit your financial needs.
4) Choose your surfaces: After weighing up the previous points, here’s some general information on the various flooring and wall surfaces to consider:
- Concrete Pavers: Available in a variety of sizes and finishes with many matching pool bullnoses to choose from. Extremely durable and slip resilient.
- Clay Pavers: Extremely resilient to heavy traffic areas, durable and slip resistant. Available in many colours, which won’t fade over time. Bullnoses available in various colours, textures and sizings.
- Porcelain External Tiles: Available in a variety of colours, sizes and textures, porcelain tiles have become a stylish pool area flooring solution that enables you to match latest trends in any style you are seeking. Many bullnoses to choose that generally don’t require sealing, are easy to clean and maintain.
- Natural Stone: Available in tiles or paver formats. Currently very popular in terms of latest trends. Sealing is recommended with one of Amber’s approved sealing products to prevent staining and stone may require more care and maintenance than ceramic or porcelain tiles. However, nothing beats the look and feel of natural stone for a timeless elegant look in your pool.
- Retaining Walls: Easy do it yourself with no concrete footings required. Versatile and suitable for uneven sloping areas. A range of colours to choose from.
- Artificial Grass: Becoming a popular solution and great for dry conditioned areas. Natural looking and non-allergenic. Durable and low maintenance.
- Borders & Cladding: Cladding is a stylish and durable wall solution for an outdoor water feature. Cobblestones and many borders are suitable for salt resistant areas.
5) Visit Amber’s store: By this stage, you will have an idea on the type of floor you are after. Visit an Amber store and get friendly expert advice for any additional questions you might have and view Amber’s extensive product range. Here’s a checklist of things you might also want to bring along with you:
- Images such as magazine cut outs and Amber's product information print offs showing the look you are after.
- Samples of the colour and style of your home that is visible from and around the pool area (ie. paint, soft furnishings, fence, etc.).
- Area measurements as well as current floor surface (soil, concrete, old tiles, etc.).
- Preferred payment options, timings and budget expectation.