Pools are one of the most high maintenance home features. They need regular attention, maintenance and chemicals. Even with this, they will need major updates from time to time to keep the pool looking healthy and minimize water damage. Pool renovations are therefore common for both practical and aesthetic reasons.
Common updates people make to pools will have to do with the drainage, fixing/updating old fittings, and often the appearance. An aesthetic upgrade is usually practical as well: for example, timber decks are susceptible to rot and will eventually need to be swapped out (whether that is for newer timber or a different material entirely).
Pool decks are often made from poured concrete for its durability, but there are a great many options available. Pool tile comes in a huge variety of colours, types and textures. Sandstone is also a very popular choice for pool coping, though there is some debate as to its suitability because it is a porous material. Decks of treated timber are also fairly popular, and vinyl is gaining attention as an excellent waterproof material for inground swimming pools and in pool seating.
Pools are very complicated, making them a tough DIY project. Mistakes could endanger the safety of your household and so this is not the task for an inexperienced DIY-er. Someone with intermediate or advanced level experience may be able to lay a pool deck themselves (depending on the type of material used) but the average person should leave it to the professionals.
Pool area renovations like rendering, tiling over pebblecrete, resurfacing and painting pebblecrete, and installing fully tiled pools are extremely difficult for those without prior experience. Consider searching for professionals near your area and ask for a multiple quotes – in major cities such as Brisbane or Sydney, you are bound to have ample choice. Consider well-known brands such as Cowee Pool Renovations, Luxapool or Quartzon.
Having a pool is very likely to improve the value of your home. A custom sized pool is likely to add somewhere between $100,000-$200,000 to the overall selling price of the house. A recently renovated pool will add even more. Note that the type and quality of pool matters significantly here; an aboveground pool is unlikely to contribute any value whatsoever to the resale price of a home. The more money that you spend on renovating your pool, the more likely you are to be able to sell for a higher price. For information on different kinds of pools and their likely resale value, see here.
Another common renovation addition is the installation of an in-ground spa. A low maintenance spa can be a huge selling point for potential buyers, because spas are seen as a sign of luxury. Even if you have no intention of selling, a spa is a wonderful addition to a pool that provides a peaceful, relaxing space where you can submerge regardless of the season.
Pools are notoriously expensive. Even small pools cost well within the tens of thousands. Similarly, renovating a pool can be quite expensive. For a large pool, renovation costs are usually around $10,000-$20,000. However, try to conceptualize this against the cost of installing a new pool altogether or the cost of removing pools. Budget is one of the most important things to consider when planning a pool renovation as it will determine the intensity of the renovation (light, moderate, extensive), the scope (how many things you can get done) and the quality of materials.
To help with some inspiration, here are four incredible before and after pool renovations – including concrete pool renovations and various inground pool renovations of modern pools.
Pool makeovers to give you swimming pool renovations ideas: Four inground pool renovation before and after images
4. Local Pool Renovations: Restoration
This restored pool looked utterly unrecognizable from its original state. It had not been painted over in a decade and the Pebblecrete edging was cracked, faded and dirty. To completely transform this pool, the cracks were repaired, waterline tile around pool was laid and coated with Poolside Paving paint, the interior swimming pool shell itself was painted with Epoxy paint to keep it fresh, and LED lights were installed. This swimming pool remodel completely revitalized the pool’s appearance and functionality, with three coats of durable PoolSide Paving paint serving to increase its lifespan for many years to come.
3. Poolside personality: Bother vs Brother
As seen on the hit home improvement show, this built in pool lacked personality. Switching up the design to a curved pool added a sense of playfulness to the pool that made it feel more tailored to the family using it. Shaped pools have a charm that cannot go overlooked. Changing the shape of your pool is difficult, and kidney shaped pool renovations will likely set you back more than cosmetic, but it can be worth it for the aesthetic impact.
2. Backyard Oasis: America’s Most Desperate Landscape
Featured on the home improvement show America’s Most Desperate Landscape where host Jason Cameron searches for and transforms the least attractive houses across the country, this pool pre-renovation was unusable and gloomy. After this swimming pool refurbishment, the backyard became an open space perfect for garden parties and poolside fun. The remodeled pool is clean and stylish, with a fully tiled poolside complete with a water feature and an inviting pergola.
1. Lush and natural: Indoors Out
This total backyard transformation was documented on the hit HGTV home improvement show, Indoors Out. The transformation included installing a stunning water feature with a natural planting bed. This feature is the perfect addition for the home, which is nestled within natural forestland. A planting bed helps to blend to pool in with the surrounding landscape, making it appear part of the natural world. A pool cabana was also added for guests, adults and storage.
