When you have a backyard pool, inclement weather keeps you from making the best use of it but you can solve that problem with one of these two ways to extend the swimming season.
Surrounding your pool with an enclosure or a sunroom will keep the weather at bay while still giving you the feeling of being outdoors. These structures function as a second family room as well as a place to entertain.
Enclosures
A permanent enclosure is built around the pool using light-conducting polycarbonate, an alternative to glass, on the roof and walls. This traps heat from the sun to keep the water warm and the enclosure well-insulated. When the weather is nice, the roof can be opened to let the fresh air in. In a seasonal climate, an enclosure heater that typically runs on oil or gas can be installed. Most heaters are built with sensors or programmable thermostats.
Some manufacturers have catalogues with pre-determined designs to choose from and these take only a few days to install. If you prefer a custom enclosure, you can choose any style, color and size you wish and add options such as a domed roof, custom molding, a motorized opening system and outdoor overhangs, to name a few.
Enclosures can be freestanding or use the side of your house as one wall. Custom enclosures give you the freedom to create a truly unique and personalized space but will probably take longer to plan and build.
Sunrooms
Sunrooms are generally built as an attachment to the house. They usually have a series of polycarbonate or tempered glass sliding doors along the walls so that, when the weather is warm, you can open the doors to allow the breezes in, while screens prevent the insects from getting in. Adding skylights can provide additional sunlight and a perfect view of the stars at night.
Because sunrooms use sunlight as the primary heating source, it costs less to heat them than traditional house extensions.
The construction of a sunroom can take anywhere from several days to a month, depending on its size and the time of year it’s being built. It’s better to plan your sunroom during the spring or early summer so that there will be less chance of bad weather delaying its construction.
Furnishing a sunroom with tables and comfortable chairs creates an inviting place to relax and entertain all year long. Sunrooms also provide the perfect environment for growing flowers and plants which add to a peaceful atmosphere.