We all know how much fun a pool is all summer. But come fall, chilly weather forces everyone out of the water - and often, off the patio. If you’re wondering how you can make the most of your landscape, here’s how a landscape contractor can make your poolscape usable practically year-round in the Exeter and Blandon, PA areas.
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Must-have #1: Fire
A fire feature is the number one consideration for enjoying the outdoors during fall and even most of the winter. At the poolside, you’ll want to choose a natural gas or propane fire feature to prevent splinters and other wood debris from making its way into the water. If you prefer the natural aroma and crackle of wood, a wood-burning fire feature could work if it is located some distance from the water. Choose a fire pit if you enjoy having a crowd gathered around the fire. A fire table is similar but somewhat taller (usually coffee-table height); it’s the perfect solution for outdoor entertaining when the weather gets chilly. An outdoor fireplace gives the space a more formal feel reminiscent of a living room.
Fire features can fit beautifully into the outdoor space with careful choices of materials and styles. The most customizable fire feature is the outdoor fireplace: add a chamber for a wood-fired pizza oven, or even integrate a water feature into the structure for added drama.
Must-have #2: a Pavilion
Shelter is essential to make outdoor activities enjoyable once the weather cools, especially on rainy days. A pavilion could be the ideal solution to extend your use of a pool area. A pavilion is a permanent outdoor shelter structure that is designed to be placed on top of an existing platform such as a paver patio or deck (by contrast, a gazebo has its own floor and can be located anywhere with very little site prep).
A pavilion features four open walls and a solid roof. The open walls make it feel like an outdoor space, while the roof keeps out the worst of the weather - and also helps hold heat in. Much of the time, the overhead protection will be enough.
During swim season, a pavilion is the perfect spot to relax out of the sun, without the hassle of moving umbrellas around as the sun moves across the sky. Add a ceiling fan to keep the space even cooler.
After swim season is over, a pavilion creates an outdoor room that can be made very cozy with comfortable outdoor furniture and a gas-fueled fire pit, fire table, or an outdoor fireplace. A natural gas or propane fire feature can safely be located anywhere in the pavilion. A wood-burning outdoor fireplace can be located either centrally in the pavilion or along one side, with the same precautions taken as an indoor wood-burning fireplace. A gas fire pit is the simplest, cleanest, and safest way to quickly heat the space.
If cold winds threaten to send everyone inside, though, you could add outdoor curtains or a more permanent wind block on the windward side of the pavilion. A slat wall or a large masonry outdoor fireplace will work very well for this purpose; the fireplace will of course provide ambience and warmth, and the slat wall can be home to a vertical garden or some cool artwork.
Make sure to have outdoor storage for blankets in your pavilion, to provide extra warmth for your guests if temperatures dip too low for comfort.
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