Custom Pool Design & Construction in Cypress, TX

When Your Cypress Backyard Is Not Working for You

A common mistake is to begin a pool project by asking: "What kind of pool should we put here?"

A better question is: "What do we want this entire backyard to do?"

That distinction can change the project. A Cypress homeowner may want a place where children can swim while adults relax nearby. Another family may care more about entertaining friends. Someone else may want a quiet space with a spa and water feature after a long day.

Before deciding on individual features, we look at the bigger picture.

• An oversized lawn that is rarely used
• A patio that feels disconnected from the backyard
• A pool location that leaves awkward leftover spaces
• Not enough room for guests around the water
• A backyard that lacks shade or comfortable gathering areas
• An existing pool that looks dated
• Aging pool equipment
• A desire for a spa without creating a separate outdoor structure
• Poor visual connection between the home and pool
• A backyard that looks unfinished after pool construction
• Water features that were never considered during the original pool design
• A need to make the outdoor area more useful at night

Designing a Cypress Backyard Around How You Live

A custom pool should support your lifestyle instead of dictating it. For some families, the pool is primarily a place for recreation. For others, it is the center of an outdoor entertaining area. Many homeowners want both.

The swimming zone

The pool itself can be planned around the type of use you expect. Depth, geometry, steps, entry areas and shallow sections can all influence how the finished pool feels and functions.

The relaxation zone

A spa, Baja shelf, tanning ledge or comfortable poolside area can provide somewhere to slow down.

The entertaining zone

Decking and surrounding spaces can create room for people who are not in the pool.

The nighttime zone

Lighting can change how the backyard functions after sunset.

A Pool Does Not Have to Take Over the Backyard

Instead of filling available space with water, the design should establish a relationship between the pool and the rest of the property.

• Keeping useful lawn areas
• Creating intentional walking paths
• Leaving room for furniture
• Connecting the pool to an existing patio
• Designing around mature landscaping
• Incorporating a spa without overwhelming the yard
• Using a Baja shelf instead of dedicating excessive space to shallow water
• Integrating water features into existing architectural elements
• Creating transitions between hardscape and landscape

Custom Pools for Cypress Homes

Concrete and gunite construction provide flexibility when the pool needs to respond to the property rather than conform to a predetermined shape.

• Backyard proportions
• Pool orientation
• Entry points
• Depth requirements
• Spa placement
• Baja shelves
• Tanning areas
• Water features
• Coping and tile
• Interior finishes
• Decking
• Lighting
• Equipment
• Access for future maintenance

What If Your Cypress Pool Already Exists?

If you already have a swimming pool, the question may be whether the existing structure can be improved to meet today's needs.

Renovation allows the project to focus on the components that actually need attention.

• Dated finishes
• Worn tile
• Aging coping
• Older pumps or filtration
• Outdated controls
• Poor lighting
• An inefficient equipment arrangement
• A pool area that no longer suits the home
• A desire for a spa or water feature
• Changes in how the family uses the backyard

Make the Pool More Than a Rectangle of Water

Natural rock waterfalls

A rock waterfall can introduce texture and movement and create a more natural transition between the pool and surrounding landscape.

Spa spillways

A raised spa can visually connect with the pool through a spillway, allowing water to move from the spa into the swimming area.

Sheer descents

For a cleaner architectural appearance, a sheer descent creates a controlled sheet of water.

Scuppers and fountains

These can provide water movement without requiring a large rock structure.

Baja-shelf bubblers

A shallow shelf can become a relaxation area while bubblers add movement and visual interest.

The Pool Equipment Problem Homeowners Often See Too Late

The equipment pad may not be the most exciting part of a pool project, but it can have a major effect on ownership.

A pool with water features, a spa, lighting, filtration and water-treatment equipment has more requirements than a basic swimming pool.

• Pool circulation
• Filtration
• Pumps
• Controls
• Lighting
• Water-feature requirements
• Spa circulation
• Water-treatment systems
• Equipment access
• Future service considerations

Clearer Water Is a Design Decision Too

Pool appearance is often discussed in terms of tile, plaster, pebble and lighting. But water treatment affects the ownership experience as well.

Creative Lifestyle Pools offers options including ozone pool systems and alkaline pool-water approaches, depending on the project and homeowner's goals. These are not interchangeable technologies.

Ozone

An ozone system can provide additional oxidation within the pool's circulation and treatment system and may reduce reliance on chlorine-only treatment. It does not eliminate the need for appropriate sanitizer levels, filtration or water testing.

Alkaline pool water

An alkaline-water approach focuses on controlled water balance, including pH and total alkalinity, as part of the swimming experience and ongoing pool care. It does not require an ozone system.

What About the Water Throughout the House?

Pool water and household water are two separate considerations. Some Cypress homeowners are also interested in treating water at the point where it enters the residence.

A whole-home water purification system can be designed as a point-of-entry approach, allowing household water treatment to occur before water reaches individual fixtures.

Building Around the House Instead of Dropping a Pool Behind It

Consider the path from the back door. Where do you step when you leave the house? Where will guests walk? Where will furniture go? Where will children enter the pool? Where will people sit when they are not swimming? Where does the existing patio end? Where should landscaping soften the transition? Where should lighting be placed?

Those questions can be more important than deciding whether the pool is rectangular, freeform or another shape.