For many families, pools serve as a backyard oasis and reprieve from the challenges of the work day. With their interesting shapes, beautiful color options, and other appealing features, most people find their pool to be an aesthetically pleasing and functional addition to any yard. However, the utility and beauty of a pool are not limited to the water basin and landscape decoration.
Water features can elevate a pool from standard to inventive, and they come in varieties to suit any taste and vision. With the help of expert Delaware pool installers, the right water feature for you is within reach.
Here is a list of what water features you can add during a pool installation to provide inspiration for your pool project.
Waterfalls
When people envision water features for a pool, the first thing that comes to mind is almost always a waterfall. Cascading water can provide a beautiful ambiance, a fun area to play in and under, or a place to relax as the lush sound of the water merges with the pool.
Waterfalls can be added from troughs that recycle the pool’s water, or you can opt for a visually striking piece such as a basin or bowl (sometimes called a “water wok”) that overflows into the pool.
Fountains
Fountains can come in all shapes and sizes, but the current trend is to install multiple small spouts close together to create a sort of “fountain garden.” The rise in popularity of tanning ledges—shallow shelves meant for users to stick their feet into on the edge of a pool—has created an upswing in fountains being incorporated into those features.
Bubblers create short bursts of water that can alert users of where the edge of the pool or intended entry point is, while spray fountains rise higher into the air to create a fine mist that sparkles in the sunlight creating shimmering rainbows.
Jets from the Deck
For those who are not interested in fountains that rest directly within the pool itself may find deck jets to be more appealing. Typically located along one side of the pool, these arcs of water jet out from pumps on the exterior walkable surface of the pool, peaking over the walkway and into the water.
Similarly to fountains, they create a pleasant sound and can disturb the surface of the pool to encourage sparkling, glistening water. Laminar jets are the upgraded version, retaining their smooth arc shape all the way until they hit the water.
Cascades
While waterfalls may come from a secondary water source such as a basin or rock formation, cascades are evenly spread and emerge from the pool’s architecture. They form a gentle, graceful shape, producing less sound and creating a shimmering veil of water. Some can be assembled to create a raindrop pattern when the water flows down, but the most common style creates a consistent sheer descent.
Statues
If you like the concept of a water jet but do not feel that it fits into the aesthetic, consider statue water features. Statues may contain spouts in a variety of places, from inside a lion’s mouth to within the jug of water being carried by a woman.
The versatility of statue designs allows homeowners to select the style that best suits their aesthetic, functioning as both overall yard decoration and an element of the pool. Animals and Greek or Roman sculptures are the most common types of statues, but the only limit is your imagination.
Spillways
If you are including a spa or hot tub attached to the pool, consider a spillway to connect them. This gradual rocky descent provides a place for overflowing water from the spa to cascade down into the pool similarly to a natural waterfall. Spillways may take on the appearance of stairs, rocky cliff faces, basins, and more.
Rain Curtains
Those aiming for a naturalistic pool landscape can benefit from rain curtains. These water features function as cascades, but they are placed higher up causing the water to tumble down as a rainfall.
These tall structures can function as an aesthetic centerpiece within a landscape on their own, and the addition of LED lighting can accentuate their beauty even during the night.
Get Your Ideal Pool Setup from Expert Delaware Pool Installers
A pool is a canvas onto which homeowners can create their ideal backyard oasis based on their own sense of style. Water features are one option for realizing your vision in your backyard pool, and with the wide range of choices available, there is sure to be a feature that resonates with every homeowner.
The experts at Masten Pools have spent decades helping new pool owners innovate their landscape with exciting installations. Contact Masten Pools to share your vision and discuss how we can help that vision come to life for you in Delaware.