Does buying a pool sound like the lifestyle choice you’re looking for?

If you’re ready to start your backyard staycation contact Compass Pools today. Their friendly teams across Australia and New Zealand will help you find the right size and style pool to best enhance your property. Enjoy quality time with your family now and for years to come.

Setting out on your pool design project is an exciting time…finally your dream is becoming a reality! But you are likely to have all sorts of questions to ask and choices to make before making your final decision about the design of pool which will fit your backyard beautifully and give it the ambience you crave. Read on to find out what questions you need to ask before you select your plan, and to understand what the go-to pool designs are right now.

Planning is key

First of all, planning is key. There are many considerations to take into account before you settle on a pool design, as well as lots of questions to ask!

Let’s start with the basics: what is the ground like in your backyard? If it’s a level surface, then you are on to a winner, as constructing an in-ground or above ground pool should be possible.

If your property is set on sloping land or a hillside, or a particularly rocky or uneven surface, you may think that you face a challenge. But do not despair – above ground pools are perfect for this situation. A fibreglass shell for an above ground pool, for example, can be installed securely on this type of terrain. Here, Compass Pool Australia’s Maxi Rib technology comes into its own, providing a strong and durable structure ideal for this situation.

Next, think about where you plan to position your pool within your plot. Many pool owners go for central positioning to make their pool the centre of attention. Others will place it near to their house, to create a seamless transition from house to backyard to pool. Of course, you may also need to think about how your pool installer will access your backyard and how this can affect positioning.

Finally, give some thought to how you intend to use your pool. There are some great options for families, such as the lap pool with its wide, easy access ledges, that are ideal for children or not so confident swimmers. Of course, the primary function of a lap pool is to provide unobstructed lap swimming, so this is a highly versatile option for many families.

If your backyard is particularly compact, a plunge pool could be a good option for you. These small, deep pools take up the minimum of space but still provide an environment for gentle exercise, or when customised with jets, can double up as a spa.

What happens next?

Onto the final stages of preparation before you can really get stuck into your backyard design ideas.

Get in touch with your local council to find out about approval requirements, and check out your site map to find out whether there are any cables or pipes running underneath your pool area.

You will also need to avail yourself of the safety regulations for your area, which you will be able to find on your local building authority website.

Once you have gathered some pool ideas, get in touch with your local authorised Compass Pools Australia pool builder, who will be able to efficiently install your above ground pool with the minimum of hassle.

Best small courtyard design ideas

When it comes to courtyard designs, size certainly shouldn’t matter. In fact, if your backyard comprises a small courtyard then you have plenty of scope to create a wonderful oasis incorporating a tranquil pool.

Given your courtyard’s compact dimensions, the ideal pool design for you is a plunge pool. This small, deep pool will allow you space to swim, exercise and relax. Available as in-ground or above ground options, they are a versatile way to achieve your dream of having a pool in a small space.

If you have a modern-build house, a contemporary, straight-edged design could be for you. Surrounding tiling in neutral tones will enhance the fresh, modern feel to this design. Opt for some leafy plants in pots placed at intervals around your pool for a really luxe look – try palms and hibiscus for a really lush feel.

Good small backyard designs also take into account proximity to your neighbour’s property. There are lots of clever features you can incorporate to give your pool area a more private feel. If your pool area is right up against your neighbour’s perimeter, an elevated deck, for instance, can detract the eye from their fence or wall and provide an attractive view and a feeling of spaciousness.

Plunge pools suggest luxury, so why not recreate a spa look in your courtyard? Place comfy seating around the edges of your pool, and keep the colour scheme of surrounding tiling neutral and calming. You can even add jets to your pool to make it into a sumptuous experience.

For a soft, appealing look, opt for a plunge pool shell with a rounded edge. The 4.5 Courtyard model by Compass Pools Australia is made for this look. When it comes to landscaping, you can really indulge your imagination here. Go for romantic, flower-bearing plants around your pool area such as agapanthus and bromeliad for colour and structure. Add height with grasses or bamboo, and mix in features such as rocks and natural materials to complete the wild, romantic look.

Best contemporary ideas

If cool and contemporary is your style, there are endless pool designs you can choose from.

For this kind of look, you’ll find that shape is key. Clean, straight lines work really well to convey an up-to-the-minute look, best epitomised by the infinity pool. These ideal pools trick the eye into thinking that your pool goes on forever, creating a feeling of freedom and luxury. You may be surprised to learn that infinity pools are achievable small backyard designs, as even a small rectangular pool can provide the basis for this stunning look.

The lap pool is another design that is rapidly gaining popularity. As their name suggests, they are suitable for swimming laps and are long and narrow in shape. Compass Pools Australia offers a number of lap pool designs, for example, the Fastlane, the X-Trainer, and the Vogue. You can complement this clean and stunning design with a water feature emptying directly into the pool or a deck with glass surround for an ultra-modern look.

Another way to incorporate a modern vibe into your pool design is to create a sleek seating area adjacent to your pool. You can achieve this with decking, or with clean, neutral tiles. Add some comfortable seating with cushions in accent colours, some strategic lighting and even a fire pit for warmth and focus, and you have a desirable, modern look for your backyard which will be the envy of your neighbours!

Best family pool ideas

When you think of a classic swimming pool, images of lazy summer days spent with the family splashing about and having fun spring to mind.

Create a classic swimming pool look with a family pool from Compass Pools. Their Contemporary pool shell is perfect for all the family, providing depth in the centre and shallow areas at both ends – great for pool games. Large steps and bench seating at both ends means the pool is fully accessible for all the family. From 8.3 to 10.9 metres, this model is good for a medium-sized garden.

If you are tight for space, there are also plenty of options for small backyard ideas. The Vogue model comes in a range of sizes, with the smallest measuring 7.15 x 3.0m. It also boasts a step ledge where kids can rest, a perimeter rail to provide support and anti-slip steps and flooring for safety.

Make the surrounding area appealing for all the family with some effective pool landscaping ideas. Deck jets add fun and excitement to your pool area. They are jets fixed on the decking next to your pool creating jets of water that spurt into the pool. You can even backlight them for some extra fun after dark!

You can also have fun with coloured lights around the pool, or strings of fairy lights around your decking area to create a magical atmosphere.

A covered lounge area overlooking your pool is also fantastic for all the family to use. Providing shade and a place to rest, this is a wonderful resource for families with small children. And once they get that little bit bigger, mum and dad can supervise them from the comfort of their lounger!

Of course, if your pool is intended for small children’s use, you will need to be ultra-aware of safety regulations. You will require fencing on all sides, and beyond the fencing, there has to be a safety zone of 900 mm minimum around the pool. You mustn’t place any large objects there which could be used by children to climb over the fence.

Best nature-inspired ideas

Nature lovers can really run wild with their passion when it comes to planning a swimming pool.

Even a small plunge or courtyard pool can be landscaped to reflect a wonderfully natural look to it. Fill in the surrounding area with rocks and gravel, planting grasses or succulents in the spaces in between to give an impression of an organically created environment.

For a truly stunning look, add a waterfall that empties into the pool, mimicking something you may stumble across in the natural world. You could go for a rocky waterfall, which will look as natural as possible as the water trickles between the nooks and crannies. Or, for the more ambitious, what about an infinity waterfall? This links two levels of pools so that the upper level cascades into the lower one, creating movement and interest. This is a great small backyard idea as it makes the most of space going upwards when surface area is at a premium.

Planting the adjacent garden area with specimens that attract birds, insects and butterflies is another way to feel at one with nature while you are relaxing in your pool. Acacia attracts butterflies and insects, while the pods provide food for seed-eating birds. The luscious blooms of the New South Wales Waratha will attract birds in abundance to your pool area, while the Red Flowering Gum flowers exude nectar making beautiful exotic birds such as parrots flock to it in droves. Plant rice flower bushes too, which will add structure and shape to your wildlife area and attract colourful butterflies.

The final word

Whichever look you go for, it’s a good idea to start planning way before you want your pool installed. Use Pinterest to capture and sort pools by design, and see if you go and see some examples of pools to get an idea about what might work for you. Above all, enjoy the planning stages and remain open-minded as to what design would work for your backyard…you may be surprised at what inspiration you find!

or head to our pool inspirations gallery for more pictures

A water feature can transform your swimming pool into a stunning design centrepiece in your backyard, and they are becoming more and more popular across Australia. But what type of water feature will work best for you? How much will it cost? And when is the ideal time to have a water feature built?

Here we answer all your questions about water features, and discuss the unique qualities they can bring to your backyard.

Why are water features so popular?

Your swimming pool is an important and hugely enjoyable leisure facility in your backyard. It’s the ideal place to spend quality time with family and friends, get fit and healthy, and enjoy the relaxing benefits of life in the water.

However, as well as being great fun to use, your pool also has to look good if you want it to provide maximum value. Including a water feature will instantly transform your pool into a standout piece of exterior landscape art. Water features look extremely luxurious – we have all seen them in the grounds of exclusive hotels, and in magazine photographs of celebrity homes. By adding a water feature, you can make your swimming pool stand out from the rest, giving your property an extra touch of luxury and improving the appearance of your yard.

For this reason, a water feature can increase the value of your property. Potential buyers will instantly be smitten by the opulent look of a water feature. It shows you have put a great deal of thought into the design of your backyard, and that your property is well cared-for. This will encourage them to offer a higher price, as they will feel more confident that they are buying a property which will need very little renovation work.

There are numerous ways in which a water feature can be used to add to the appearance of your pool. It can be positioned at the poolside to make your landscaping more decorative, for example, adding an extra “wet zone”. Alternatively, you can use a water feature as a divider between different areas of your pool, such as if you have a separate spa section. Whichever option you choose when positioning a water feature, it will add extra decorative appeal and complete the look of your pool.

Do water features add to the benefits of a swimming pool?

One of the main benefits of owning a swimming pool is that it assists with relaxation. Spending time in the water is one of the best ways to relieve stress and anxiety, lower your blood pressure, and help you sleep better at night.

However, these benefits can be improved even further with a water feature. You can hear the sound of the rushing water and see it constantly moving, which adds to the calming experience and makes it feel more natural, as if you are swimming next to a waterfall or in a stream. This allows for an even more relaxing experience in your pool, enabling you to transport your mind to an exotic location at the end of a difficult day and feel your worries melt away as you relax in the water. This is a level of calm that is difficult to achieve inside the home.

The sound of the water will also encourage you and your family to spend more time outdoors, as it provides a constant reminder of your pool when you are doing other things. This means you are all likely to use the pool more often, enabling you to make the most of all the health benefits of swimming and spending more quality time together. All of this can have a profoundly positive effect on your wellbeing.

If you have children, a water feature increases the ways that they can enjoy the pool. They will love playing in the water jets, providing them with hours of extra fun even when they aren’t swimming!

How much does a water feature cost?

Water features do add to the cost of having a swimming pool installed, but they are more affordable than you might think. They are also good investments, as they enhance the benefits of your swimming pool and the appearance of your backyard landscaping, looking great at all times, whether in daylight or with the pool lights highlighting the water at night.

The cost depends entirely on the type of water feature you choose. A relatively simple water feature can cost as little as $2,000, whereas a more complicated structure can up to $8,000 or more.

The cost of each water feature will also vary depending on the size you select and the type of tiling you choose.

When is the best time to install a water feature?

Many people choose to have their water features installed at the same time as their pool is constructed, but this does not have to be the case. If you decide to buy a pool without a water feature but think you might want one in the future, a reputable pool builder can put the necessary infrastructure in place so that you can add a water feature at a later date of your choosing.

This can be a practical way of doing things, as it enables you to keep your options open. It will save you adding to the initial cost of your pool, and enable you to live with your pool before deciding whether or not you want to go ahead with a water feature. Once the infrastructure is in place, you can add a water feature at any time in the future, even years later. This way, you can plan and budget for your project, and have it installed at a time that suits you.

What are the most popular types of water feature?

Water features come in many different shapes, sizes and styles, and the type you choose should depend on the design of your pool and what will coordinate well with the rest of your property, as well as the overall look you want to achieve.

However, there are three types of water feature which we have found to be particularly popular with pool owners:

1. Sunpod

Designed and developed by Compass Pools Australia, the Sunpod is a water feature which offers maximum enjoyment for everyone who uses your pool. It has a classy design with a number of simple water jets bubbling upwards, so it does not look too ostentatious, but is ideal for creating extra design interest and making your pool look that little bit more special.

The Sunpod also makes an ideal “splash zone” for the kids, as they can enjoy playing around the water jets, adding plenty of extra fun.

The jets are created by extending concealed pipework from the pool into the structural beam around the pool, providing a controlled flow of water which pushes up from the “bubblers” and cascades back down into the pool. This simple but effective design stands the test of time and never goes out of style.

Sunpods can easily be customised to suit your preferences. They can be installed on any side of a pool, or wrap around a corner to make the design stand out even more. They also provide an ideal dividing section between your pool and spa. You can tile a Sunpod in a subtle way so it looks like an integrated part of your pool, or make it into a real standout feature by adding contrasting tiling.

2. Deck jets

Deck jets are ideal for extending the benefits of the pool into the poolside area or your other landscaping. They can be positioned anywhere you like, providing added interest, with water shooting upwards from the jets in the ground, back into the pool.

Deck jets are ideal for providing the sound and motion of running water, so they can add to your relaxation in the pool. They are also loads of fun for the kids to run through, and offer a convenient and quick way to cool down on a hot day.

These simple features look highly attractive, and their visuals are particularly effective when lit up at night.

3. Water wall

A water wall is a beautiful feature which is usually custom-made according to your preferences. It is designed so the water actually flows through the wall beck into your pool, creating the effect of a mini-waterfall in your backyard, and it is one of the most impressive types of water feature you can have built.

The “wall” itself is a structure which can be a size of your choosing. It is usually constructed either from timber or from steel and concrete, and can be tiled over to create a more attractive appearance. A water blade is then added, so that, when the water flows from the pool through the concealed pipework into the wall, the water blade pushes it out and it cascades back into the pool.

Water walls are more expensive than many other types of water feature, but they do add a huge amount of visual appeal and are extremely relaxing.

Find out more about water features

When you are considering a water feature to heighten the benefits and appeal of your pool, there is help available if you want more information and advice. Our authorised Compass Pools dealers have dedicated teams who are always happy to offer their knowledge and discuss which type of water feature is best for you. Please contact us if you would like more details about water features and how to have one installed.

Want more advice about pool landscaping?

The most important thing about your pool landscaping design is that you like it. Your backyard is one of the most critical elements of your property, so it should reflect your personality, lifestyle and tastes. This way you can continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

However, pool landscaping is a difficult thing to plan, especially if you have no previous experience. Most new pool owners appreciate a little help when planning the design of their poolside areas. If you would like some more advice, the team at Compass Pools Australia are always happy to help. Please contact us for more information.

Your swimming pool is a beautiful design feature in your backyard, and you need to be able to enjoy it at any time of the day or night. This means you will need the right lighting for your pool.

But which type of lighting to choose? And how do you create the perfect pool lighting design? Here we answer some of the most common questions we receive from our customers about swimming pool lighting, to help you highlight your pool to best effect.

What Are the Different Types of Pool Lights?

Swimming pool lighting has come a long way in recent years thanks to the latest technology. There are two main types of lighting that are used in and around swimming pools, but energy efficiency and cost are major considerations when choosing the right type of lighting for your pool. Incandescent bulbs were used for decades but they are not being installed anymore. These original regular light bulbs used large amounts of energy, so they were not particularly good for the environment. They also tended to need replacing up to three times per year, which could be a difficult job in a swimming pool.

1. Halogen Lighting

Halogen bulbs gradually replaced incandescent bulbs as the standard type of pool lighting. They lasted longer, and used up to 20 percent less energy, so they were more environmentally friendly. They also cut down the time required for pool maintenance, as they needed replacing less often.

However, halogen bulbs cost almost twice as much as incandescent bulbs, so they were a more expensive option, in spite of the savings made on household bills due to reduced energy use. They also required fairly regular replacement, and as they still used filaments, they gave the same green cast to the water as incandescent bulbs. These factors meant that halogen was still not the ideal choice for swimming pool lighting.

2. LED Lighting

LED technology has revolutionised swimming pool lighting. Cost-effective, clean, and long-lasting, LED lighting can produce the same amount of light as a 100-watt halogen bulb while using only six watts of power. This is because LED lighting is highly energy efficient, as it converts all of the energy it uses into light rather than some of it being converted into heat, so nothing is wasted.

Because of this, LED lighting is kind to the environment and cheap to run, as it uses only a fraction of the electricity required by halogen bulbs. LED lamps also last much longer, so your pool will require far less maintenance. This leaves you free to spend more time enjoying the water.

For these reasons, LED lighting has now become the standard type of lighting used for new swimming pools in Australia.

What Colours of Pool Lights Are Available?

One of the main advantages of modern LED swimming pool lighting is the amount of colour choices available. LED lighting does not use a filament to produce light, so it does not have the yellow glow of incandescent or halogen bulbs that can give your pool water a green appearance.

Instead, white LED lights are pure white, so even at night, the colour of your swimming pool will stay true to its daytime appearance, showing off your pool to best advantage after dark.

Alternatively, you can choose a red, blue, and green LED lighting system. These three colours can be combined to produce pool lighting in any colour you choose, personalising the appearance of your pool to suit your tastes. You can also change the colour of your pool lighting easily whenever you want a change of mood, or program your lighting to alternate through a range of different colours. This can be a highly effective feature for evening pool parties, helping to create an extra celebratory atmosphere.

How Easy Are LED Pool Lights to Use?

Another great feature of LED pool lighting is its level of practicality. Modern swimming pool lighting systems are easily programmable, so you can set them to turn on and off at specific times. This cuts down even further on energy wastage, saving you more money on your household bills.

Many LED pool lighting systems can also now be paired with the rest of your home automation. This offers the ultimate convenience, as you can turn your pool lights on and off, or even program your different colour choices using a simple smartphone app. Your pool can be lit in the colour of your choice, ready for you to enjoy the moment you arrive home! This is also a great way of saving time if you are preparing your home for a party or evening with friends.

How Many Swimming Pool Lights Do You Need?

This really depends on a number of factors:

• The size and shape of your swimming pool
• The amount of light in the area surrounding your pool
• The design and colour effects that you want to achieve.

Obviously, a large pool will require more lights than a smaller pool. If you live in a rural area without much ambient light, your pool may also need more lighting to ensure everybody can see it, reducing the danger of accidents. This is particularly important if you have young children.

You should think about the shape of the pool when planning your pool lighting. If it is curved or L-shaped, you need to make sure all areas of the pool are well-lit. This also applies if you have any additional areas to your pool, such as a joined-on spa area. Plenty of lighting around the steps is also essential, so everyone can see to get in and out of the pool safely.

Finally, think about the aesthetic effects. Are there any areas of the pool you particularly want to highlight? For example, if your pool has a water feature, you will want to make sure this has adequate lighting so it can still look its best after dark.

Which Are the Best Ways to Position Your Pool Lights?

Your pool lighting design needs to be planned before your swimming pool is installed, once you know the size and shape of your pool and where in your backyard it will be positioned. Remember to consider how the landscaping around the pool will look when the installation is complete — you won’t just need lights inside the pool, you will also need to light the area surrounding it.

Strategically placed garden lights can highlight particular features of the landscaping, while floodlights are ideal if you have a large area you want to illuminate. Be careful not to overdo the lighting, however, as this can take away from the character of your pool, and your design features will not be highlighted so well.

You also need to think about your pool lighting design from a practical point of view. Remember, it will need to be wired into your electricity mains. Your pool lights need to be positioned in a way that makes this possible.

The best option is to consult with an electrician during the planning phase of your swimming pool project. They will be able to advise you on the most practical positioning for your pool lights as well as the visual effects that you will be able to achieve.

Which Brand of Lighting Should You Choose?

There are many different brands of pool lighting on the market, but they do not all offer the same benefits. It can be tempting to choose the cheapest option, but in the long run, this is not always the most practical choice.

Firstly, the lights have to be capable of achieving the effects that you want. Your pool is a major investment, and if it looks attractive, it will add considerable value to your home. This means it is important to give plenty of consideration to its appearance. In addition, you want to enjoy spending time in your pool, and you will feel a lot more comfortable there if it reflects your personal tastes and coordinates well with the rest of your property.

In addition, you should look at the warranties that different lighting brands offer. Repairing or replacing swimming pool lighting systems can be a difficult job that needs to be tackled by a professional, so it is essential to choose a company that will do this for you if anything goes wrong. More often than not, cheaper brands do not manufacture their products to such high standards, and do not offer particularly good warranties. Needless to mention, these might not save you money at all and could even end up costing you more.

Before choosing a lighting system, it is advisable to speak with your pool consultant. An experienced company will have worked with many different lighting systems, so they will be able to recommend the best brands to choose.

Find Out More About Swimming Pool Lighting

If you would like more information about swimming pool lighting systems, brands, and design ideas, please contact one of our authorised dealers. Enter the postcode or search by your area to find your local pool builder. Their specialist pool consultants will be happy to answer all your questions and help you choose the perfect lighting for your backyard swimming pool.

Checkout some of the swimming pools our dealers have installed by dusk with their pool lights on:

Selecting the right swimming pool or spa is a very personal choice which comes down to your individual needs and circumstances. Before you commit to a significant outlay, it’s important to look at all the options so you can be absolutely sure you’re making the right decision for you.

These days, people often find themselves weighing up the choice between a swim-spa and an in-ground swimming pool with additional spa unit.  Naturally, both options have significant pros and cons.

Swim Spas

Swim Spas (or swimming spas) appeal because you can get the best of both worlds, a small swimming pool for exercise and play as well as a spa for therapy and relaxation. Swim Spa’s have grown in popularity in both Australia and New Zealand over the last decade and in part, this is because they offer a practical, and often cost-effective solution for people who have smaller sites or limited options due to site constraints.

Being plug-and-play also has benefits, most Swim Spas arrive practically ready to swim in and require minimal site preparation prior to delivery. This also makes them easier to take away with you when you sell your home in the future.

While swim-spas might be a perfect choice for some people, they can be highly impractical for others.

Here’s a few things to think about:

• Will it be the right size for you? Naturally, swim spas are quite compact and traditional pools can be made much bigger. If you picture yourself and your family using your pool for playing games (no need to go to playgrounds so much anymore) and rough-and-tumble activity you may be better off opting for a larger in ground pool if you have the room.
• What is your main objective for your pool: If the main purpose of your pool is to enjoy a quiet and relaxed soak then a swim spa could be a good option. However, family time and robust exercise is often limited by the fact that the pool component tends to be much smaller than a traditional in-ground pool. When it comes to exercise, Swim Spas are most practical for single person use.
• What will it look like? Most Swim Spas are designed as stand-alone above-ground units. How will a large rectangular box fit into the aesthetic of your back yard? It’s important to pay attention to the living space around the pool area. What will it look like from inside your home? How will the above-ground unit impact on the practicalities of the remaining outdoor area?

So what’s the alternative to a swim spa?

If the idea of having both a spa and a pool appeals to you, one option is to choose a traditional swimming pool with additional spa pool (a pool and spa combo). By opting for a traditional pool, you have more freedom to choose larger options – this often means you’re more likely to get what you truly want out of your pool.

And of course, you can still enjoy a nice hot soak in a separate spa. One key difference, however, is that you can locate your new spa wherever you want in relation to your pool rather than being locked into a fixed position. Many people even chose to have their pool and spa units at different levels to add a different dynamic to their pool area.

Whilst many swimming pool manufacturers have spa options to match their pools, you can also consider opting for a stand-alone portable spa; this is often practical if you wish to create different zones, for example, a family pool in common areas and a spa pool in a separate more private area.

The main point to take away from this article is that you have a choice and before rushing into a purchasing decision think carefully about what will work best for you. All Compass Pool dealers offer a free pool planning consultation which is designed to help you find the best solution for you – even if that option means they don’t end up selling you a Compass Pool. Click here to get in touch with your nearest Authorised Compass Pool Dealer and book your FREE consultation today.

One of the first things to consider is whether your home is well-suited to installing a swimming pool.

In most cases, your site will be absolutely fine (provided you have enough space). When our consultants come to your house they’ll check your property to ensure they give you the right advice.

Slope

If you have sloping land they will provide you with practical options to keep costs to a minimum.

Access

They’ll also check the easiest way to deliver your swimming pool. Clear access means your pool will be easier to place in position with less costs involved.

Space

Your Compass Pool consultant will give you practical suggestions for making the most out of the space you have available. They’ll be sure to recommend a pool shape and size which works for your family.

Compass Pools is proud to introduce some exciting new pool design options for 2018!

Always on the pulse of the latest industry developments and aware of the needs of our customers, we felt it was time to extend our range, making it easier than ever before to achieve the custom pool you’ve always wanted.

• Our current Sanctuary pool range will be joined by a stylish new addition – the Sanctuary 7.0.
• Also, our range of pools will be available in a beautiful new Bi-Luminite colour – Pink Quartz.

The new Sanctuary 7.0

The Sanctuary 7.0 is an important step forward for Compass Pools, increasing our Sanctuary pool range and offering our customers more versatility. Named for its length of 7.0 metres, it is the largest Sanctuary pool we have ever created. The extra length provides more space for aquatic exercise whilst still maintaining a small footprint for tighter backyards.

With a width of 4.2 metres and a depth transitioning from 1.18 to 1.74 metres, this new pool is everything you need in a swimming pool. Designed for a high level of functionality and aesthetic charm, it is available in a variety of colours to appeal to most tastes and surroundings.

Like many of our pools, it includes a number of safety features including non-slip surfaces throughout and step ledges around the perimeter. The Sanctuary 7.0 provides the perfect way for the whole family to relax and enjoy life outdoors with complete peace of mind.

What are Sanctuary pools, and why are they so popular?

Sanctuary pools have become increasingly popular in Australia throughout recent years. At Compass Pools, we are passionate advocates of everyone being able to experience the benefits of pool ownership, which is why we have decided to increase our Sanctuary pool offering at this time.

Sanctuary pools are ideal for those who don’t have huge amounts of space in their backyard. These scaled down, fully functional pools offer a way for everyone to enjoy the pleasures of their own swimming pool, no matter how much space you have available.

With a compact and unobtrusive design, a Sanctuary pool can fit neatly into a relatively small space. This enables you to enjoy the water in the privacy of your own back yard and provides a beautiful design feature that will continue to benefit you for many years to come.

With a range of different sizes in both Contemporary and Classic designs, Compass Pools aims to offer everyone a perfect custom pool which will meet your needs and transform your yard into a haven of peace and relaxation.

A beautiful new colour option

Compass Pools is also increasing its variety in 2018 by offering a beautiful new colour option – Pink Quartz. This chic shade is the latest addition to our already extensive palette, and adds an instant touch of class to your pool by providing subtle warming tones that transform the appearance of the water.

Pink Quartz is part of our Bi-Luminite colour collection, which is exclusive to Compass Pools. This innovative technology has the dual benefits of providing an amazing 3D effect when the pool is filled with water, at the same time as adding an extra layer of protection for a longer-lasting, more durable finish.

Pink Quartz, like the Sanctuary 7.0, is available from the beginning of 2018. Please get in touch if you would like more information about either product or any of the other pool designs we offer – we are always happy to hear from you.

All of us at Compass Pools want to send our huge congratulations to our Sydney dealers, Local Pools and Spas, who won four awards at the prestigious NSW SPASA Awards recently. It was a hugely successful night for them. We’re delighted at their success as we enjoy a long-lasting and highly productive relationship with them.

The Local Pools and Spas team scooped a total of four awards at this year’s Gala Dinner, which was held on July 8^th at Luna Park Ballroom. The awards they won are:

• Gold – Residential Fibreglass Pool over $60,000 (Metropolitan)
• Silver – Residential Fibreglass Pool over $60,000 (State)
• Bronze – Residential Fibreglass Pool up to $40,000 (Metropolitan)
• Bronze – Residential Fibreglass Pool $40,000 – $60,000 (Metropolitan)

This success boosts the excellent reputation of Local Pools and Spas even further as a highly respected pool and spa company in the Sydney area. We want to congratulate them on a wonderful result.

What is SPASA?

SPASA (The Swimming Pool and Spa Association) is Australia’s peak body for the swimming pool and spa industry. It represents all sectors throughout the industry. Its aim is to maintain and improve standards and growth throughout the industry nationwide, representing it to state and federal agencies as well as overseas bodies.

The SPASA Awards of Excellence are held regionally every year – 2017 is the 31^st year they have been held. As one of Australia’s most prestigious prizes for the pool and spa industry, competition is fierce, and the Awards ceremony is a highlight of the annual calendar for the pool and spa industry in each state.

What are the NSW SPASA Awards and why do they matter?

The NSW SPASA Awards of Excellence are given to the “best of the best” pool and spa industry businesses from NSW and the ACT. The Awards are judged by an independent panel who select the best pool and spa industry contributors from a number of areas:

• Retail
• Sales
• Service
• Manufacturing
• Products
• Construction

With many excellent companies to choose from, the selection process is rigorous. The Awards demonstrate the excellent standards set by their recipients at all times. Only companies which are members of SPASA are eligible for the awards, which shows a commitment to quality and compliance.

What makes an excellent pool builder?

Most pool builders who are serious about their craft are members of SPASA, which they join voluntarily. Membership is only available to licensed specialist pool builders. Once they join, they are bound by a strict Code of Ethics, demonstrating that they offer the very highest standards in swimming pool and spa construction.

All materials used and services offered by SPASA members must meet established industry standards and comply with all relevant state and federal legislation. This offers you increased protection as a consumer, as all SPASA members must provide statutory warranty entitlements.

To become a SPASA member, a pool builder must be able to demonstrate a history of excellent industry knowledge and ethical trading practices. Members can complete a SPASA Industry Training Program each year to maintain the highest standards and stay informed about all the latest developments within the swimming pool and spa industry.

This is why, if you’re looking for an excellent pool builder whose work will last, it makes sense to choose a SPASA member.

About Local Pools and Spas

Local Pools and Spas is the most awarded pool building company in the whole of NSW. A family-run business established in 1998, it has been working with Compass Pools from the beginning to provide the highest quality fibreglass swimming pools to homes and families in and around Sydney. Its products have won numerous awards, as has its beautiful Display Centre in NSW.

We want to let everyone at Local Pools and Spas know how thrilled we are at their latest successes, and we hope to continue working with them for a long time to come.

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Vivers from Maitland for winning the 2017 #Pinkcompasspool Fiji Holiday.

We are excited to announce that, starting today, we will run a new competition with winners for another Fiji Holiday announced next year as our charity work continues with the McGrath foundation.

Would you like a Compass Pools authorised dealer to build your dream pool?

Each year, SPASA Victoria showcases excellence in the swimming pool & spa industry at the annual Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner. These prestigious awards cover a range of categories from finished pool & spa installations to the latest equipment innovations. Compass Pools Melbourne, our dealer building pools in the Greater Melbourne region, has again received multiple awards this year.

There are multiple categories available within this prestigious event. Judges may award a Gold and/or Highly Commended, or no award, in each category.

The Awards of Excellence are designed to:

• Promote achievement in design, construction, innovation & professionalism across the industry
• Encourage a high degree of competency & professionalism by members
• Provide a means & opportunity for consumers to identify Award winners

We are proud to announce that Compass Pools Melbourne, the authorised Compass Pools Australia dealer, has been successful again this year. One of their pool installations was awarded Gold and four pools were awarded Highly Commended by the committee. The official SPASA Victoria website lists all the awarded pool builders for each of the categories. These are the successful fibreglass pool installations by Compass Pools Melbourne:

Paradise in the Country

Sitting gently in the environment, the two lanes lap pool allows multi purpose swimming. The pool features a glass wall which is still a very new technology in the fibreglass pool building industry.

Renovation Designed Around the Pool

The customer wanted their courtyard to be part of their everyday living. Their daily life ‘lives’ with the pool – morning, noon and night. Glass panels were positioned to be ‘balanced’ with the courtyard.

Photography

Paradise in the country. Living out of town this client wanted to have the swimming and aesthetic pleasures of a river or natural body of water view. They wanted the pool to sit gently yet tastefully with the view.

Artistic Design

The customer did not want a negatived edge due to the evaporation rate of the water running over the edge but did want the look of extended water view or disappearing edge. This was the reason the glass edge was added to the project. They didn’t want blue water to contradict the landscape. They wanted to enhance not contrast.

Originally looking at a long lap pool they decided that they needed more lap swimming but in proportion to the large deck space. A skinny pool would look wrong in size. Hence, they made it two lanes instead of one!

Degree of Difficulty

This site was very easy due to wide access, however, the height difference did cause some complexity. The pool was engineered by Compass Pools Australia the Maxi rib technology to allow the pool to be ‘free standing’. This pool was originally sold with the base of the pool shell sitting on the natural ground. This would have meant the client had to walk 5 or 6 steps down to the pool from the house (as the house was sitting high on the hill). The pool was then re-engineered to have a floating slab constructed so that the pool was raised to sit almost level with the finished height of the house. They didn’t want long continuous deck so they broke it up with one step down.

Obvious Perceived Qualities

The aim in fibreglass pool building is to make sure edges still look sharp. To do this, as the pool builder you have to combine existing manufactured practises that are not easily changed with on site adjustments. Manufactured pools do restrict the individual aspect of a look and as the builder, you need to push the boundaries of what the shell was originally designed for ‘to get the look’. An experienced fibreglass pool builder can do this and make it look like all one beautiful vessel.

Innovation

Glass is common with pools, but only with concrete construction. Glass has very rarely been used with fibreglass pool given the fibreglass shell is flexible by nature. Any people who wanted a ‘wow’ factor with a swimming pool always had to revert to concrete pools.

PWe had the manufacturer build one edge with a ‘drop edge’ on the pool shell. Once in position, the Compass Pools Melbourne team could measure and have a custom made stainless steel channel designed.This was then fixed and sealed to the pool. The glass then sits in this and it is hidden so it doesn’t look ‘tacked’ on, The inside of the pool shell then has a matching tile to cover this edge.

Desirability

The client wanted the benefits of fibreglass pool with the smooth surface and ease of maintenance but was worried it would look like an old fashioned pool. By giving clients the advantages of these pools but constructing it with the ‘wow’ factor it gave them the best of both worlds.

Amenity

This pool was designed for regular lap swimming but they also wanted to have a pool proportion to space. They wanted it to be easy to get to (not having to walk down many steps to get to the pool). They also recognised that it enhanced their view and made them enjoy it more.

2017 SPASA Victoria Awards

Photography

This house renovation was designed around the pool. The customer wanted their courtyard to be part of their everyday living. This photo captures how their daily life ‘lives’ with the pool – morning, noon and night

Artistic Design

When designing this pool with the client, Compass Pools Melbourne had to work out where the glass panels could be positioned so they were ‘balanced’ with the courtyard yet had to be built between the fibreglass structural support ribs. These engineered free standing support were non-negotiable as to their position. They had to work with a prefabricated product and manoeuvre it in an existing space and we needed to make it look ‘balanced’ and not have the windows ‘off centre’.

Degree of Difficulty

This site proved to be somewhat difficult for many reasons. Inner city Melbourne (Richmond) meant that the fibreglass pool delivery had to consider trams/clearways and working in a small space. The house was existing and with the tight space in Richmond, we couldn’t have a crane lift the pool into space. They had to use two small cranes and a custom built trolley to end up wheeling it through the kitchen area into position.

Obvious Perceived Qualities

The pool shell is manufactured with a ‘void’ to allow them to build the glass windows. It’s important that the fibreglass shell look like one with the glass and not just ‘inserted’ in ….i.e. not two different structures. It had to blend. It is not till you explain how it’s built that people realise there is a marriage between the fibreglass and landscaping (or deck fit out & tiles) to make this look complete.

The fibreglass shell was manufactured with recesses built into it. These recesses were trimmed out on site. Glass was measured up and glued into position and sealed watertight. Secondary glass window – removable for cleaning was used on the outside so that the pool would comply with fencing regulations.

Innovation

Glass is common with pools but previously only with concrete construction. Glass has very rarely been used with fibreglass pool given the fibreglass shell is flexible by nature. Any pool buyers who wanted a ‘wow’ factor with a swimming pool always had to revert to concrete pools construction. This is not the case anymore. This client wanted the colour of the water visual from the house. The pool was only able to be positioned free standing (due to site conditions) and they did not want to look at ‘box or wall’. It brings the pool and the life of the pool into the house.

Desirability

The client wanted the benefits of fibreglass pool with the smooth surface and ease of maintenance but was worried it would look like an old fashioned pool. By giving our clients the advantages of these pools but constructing with ‘wow’ factors gives them the best of both worlds.

Amenity

This pool is used day and night and we are not even talking about when the kids are swimming. At family meal time, the pool lights are on, the pool has in-floor cleaning so it always looks crisp and clean. It had to have infloor cleaning given it was on show every time anyone was in the kitchen. The beautiful pool colour had to be sparkling all the time.

2017 SPASA Victoria Awards

Would you like Compass Pools Melbourne to build your dream pool?

At Compass, we try to provide as much information and knowledge for our customers as possible. Texts and images can be informative, however, sometimes it’s better to see and hear it in the form of a video. We already had a lot of videos on the website, but they were scattered around the site and could not always be accessed readily. From now on, you’ll find more than 30 videos in the dedicated Video Library. You can access it from the main menu under Advice – Video Library.

In the Library, we have organised more than 30 videos into seven categories. At the top, there are five featured technology videos, which explain the hidden advantages that make Compass Pools so much better than other fibreglass pools. In the Planning a Pool section you will learn about considerations that might be important before even deciding to build a pool. Here, an interesting question that many people ask is explained as well: Should you build a pool before the new house is constructed or after it’s built?

Generally, among the many issues that need to be considered, pool cost is the number one. Let our pool planning experts explain to you what affects the cost of a swimming pool and how to prepare your swimming pool budget. When it comes to pool construction, you might like to know how long it takes to build a swimming pool or how to build a future-proof pool. Find these and four other interesting videos in this section.

We deal with swimming pool design and features in the next section of our new Video Library. Find out more about the different pool shapes and sizes available, how to choose a colour for your pool or how to build a freestanding fibreglass pool. In the Why Compass Pools section, we assure you that you won’t regret selecting a Compass fibreglass pool. Are you curious why real estate agents love our pools? You will find out why in another video within this section. Finally, we share insights on swimming pool care in the final section. If you do not know what a hands-free pool is or you still believe that maintaining a pool is hard work, stray into this section of the Video Gallery to be enlightened.

We hope you will enjoy this new multimedia part of our website. We will be more than happy to hear from you – please get in touch with us either by calling 1300 667 445 or contacting your local Compass Pools pool builder.