Best Pool Features for Beating the Heat in Sarasota’s Sweltering Summers
The thermometer is at 90 degrees and climbing, and the forecast calls for humid air and bright, blaring sunlight all afternoon.
This is Sarasota’s reality, which means there are a lot of great reasons to enjoy your pool. There are even more reasons to maximize your comfort with custom cooling features. Learn some of the most vital pool features for Sarasota homeowners to consider and how you can use them for a more enjoyable summer.
Water Features
Water features do more than just provide ambiance; waterfalls and fountains can cool the surrounding air and water. This means that a feature is a great way to cool your pool while also making it look infinitely cooler.
If your goal is to create a relaxing retreat, one or two water features will do a lot of heavy lifting. The rush of running water evokes a feeling of peace and calm. Your once sun-scorched pool becomes a multidimensional tropical haven, especially after you add additional landscaping elements around the water feature to make it look more organic.
Custom water elements are easier to implement than you think. Talk with professional Sarasota pool builders to see what fits your backyard space and aesthetic.
Shaded Areas
The most effective way to beat the Sarasota heat is to get out of the sun! Natural shade can give your space extra visual appeal and privacy. But be warned: Planting a lot of trees around your pool will likely mean a lot more pool maintenance!
Fortunately, there are many other ways to cover your pool, deck, or patio space. Your options include both temporary and permanent structures designed for sun protection.
Pergolas and cabanas are popular choices for year-round comfort. They also make your backyard space feel like a vacation destination. But umbrellas and retractable awnings are equally good at helping you stay cool.
Many Sarasota pool builders recommend combining several shade features. This means you and your guests can get away from the sun, whether you’re relaxing in the water or enjoying a refreshing drink poolside.
Energy-Efficient Pool Heaters
If this is your first time having a backyard pool, you might wonder why on earth you would need Sarasota pool builders to install a pool heater for a comfier summer swim.
Although Sarasota’s temperatures frequently reach the double digits, they fluctuate enough that it’s hard to enjoy a consistent pool temperature. If you want to enjoy a late-night swim in early summer, a pool heater will make sure the water feels just right.
Still, energy efficiency is crucial for saving on heating costs. You could even invest in a solar pool heater. These systems take advantage of the Florida sunshine to keep your pool at the ideal temperature, resulting in significantly lower utility bills.
The Right Decking Material
Are you thinking about building a new pool deck or patio? Don’t forget that some materials turn into griddles in direct sunlight. Concrete and stone get extremely hot, and they can even cause mild burns if you walk on them with bare feet.
Modern, cooler decking solutions include acrylic-based concrete coatings that reduce surface temps. You can also choose composite decking material designed to keep cool. Ask your Sarasota pool builder about the latest and greatest in pool deck tech. They can point you in the direction of a material that looks great and doesn’t grill your feet!
Further protect your deck materials from getting too hot with natural or man-made shade structures. Even if part of the deck gets too much sun exposure, you’ll have an area to retreat to when things heat up.
LED Lighting
LED lighting looks cool, but it has a functional purpose along with its visual appeal. Summer heat usually means more nighttime swimming. To keep swimmers safe, you need to be able to see everything in and around your pool, especially by the pool steps and ladders.
Most modern LED lighting is highly energy efficient, so you don’t need to worry about the high operating costs that were common with older setups. Many come with programmable controls that allow you to customize when you want the lights on and how you want them to look.
Swim-Up Bars
What could be better than a refreshing beverage on a hot summer Sarasota day? A refreshing beverage you can have without leaving the pool, of course! There is no water feature more premium than the swim-up bar. And while it’s an obvious choice for luxury, it can also be one of the best ways to keep you and your guests cool while you swim.
Ice-cold nonalcoholic drinks are an excellent way to keep you and your guests hydrated and cool. You can also add an umbrella or awning to your swim-up bar. This creates an oasis in the center or side of your pool that people can escape to when things get a little too toasty.
Tanning Ledges
Sometimes you don’t want to beat the heat; you want to make the most of it! One of the best things about summer is the sun, and many Sarasota homeowners don’t simply want to run away from it.
That’s where tanning ledges shine. These are shallow ledges in the pool that give you a space to savor the cool water while soaking up the sun’s rays.
Even though tanning ledges are meant to celebrate the sun, many designs still allow you to enjoy the space without the heat. Lounge chairs and adjustable umbrellas are common. These custom features allow you to sit for long periods without getting overheated.
You could even add jets or other water features around the ledge to turn on when you’re done sunbathing for an extra cooling blast!
Beat the Heat With Help From Professional Sarasota Pool Builders
Don’t let the sweltering Sarasota sun keep you from having summer fun! Contact Tampa Bay Pools today to discuss installing a few pool features that will make your pool comfortable and safe, no matter what the thermometer says.