New Construction: Pool & Porch Addition
Design & Planning
Adding a pool and porch to your backyard is a transformative project that enhances your home's aesthetic appeal. At Howland Homes, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality outdoor living spaces. Our recent project involved meticulous planning and execution of a pool, porch, and landscape redesign to meet our client's expectations. The planning phase included detailed agreements and discussions between our hardscape/landscape and pool subcontractors, ensuring a seamless integration of all elements.
Demolition
The first step in transforming the backyard was demolishing the existing porch and sections of brick. This cleared the way for the new design elements and allowed for the necessary structural changes.
Grading
Grading was a crucial part of the project, involving the removal of the existing retaining wall and excavation to make space for the pool. The pool area was dug out, and the backyard was regraded to raise the porch grade using the dirt on-site. This created a level foundation for the new structures and ensured proper drainage and stability.
Hardscape & Landscape
With the grading complete, the focus shifts to the hardscape and landscape elements:
We installed large boulders to form a new retaining wall, adding functionality and aesthetic appeal.
High-quality flagstones will be laid on both the pool and porch patio, creating cohesive and elegant outdoor flooring.
An outdoor kitchen will be installed, featuring modern appliances and ample counter space, perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Various plants and trees will be strategically placed to enhance the natural beauty of the backyard and provide privacy.
The Pool Shell
One of the most critical phases in pool construction is the creation of the pool shell. This process involves spraying shotcrete to form a sturdy and durable base for the pool. Here’s a detailed look at how this stage unfolds:
Preparation
Before any shotcrete is sprayed, the site is meticulously prepared. This includes setting up the necessary rebar framework, which provides structural support to the concrete. The rebar is strategically placed and securely tied to ensure the pool shell's integrity.
Shotcrete Application
Shotcrete is sprayed onto the pool framework using a high-pressure hose, which applies the mix at high velocity over the rebar framework. This process ensures an even, continuous layer that conforms to the pool's design, providing a strong and seamless finish. Shotcrete creates a denser, more robust shell, making the pool more resistant to cracking and weather damage. Additionally, shotcrete's application process allows for greater versatility in shaping and forming complex, custom pool designs, ensuring that each project meets the client's specific aesthetic needs.
Curing
After the concrete is applied, it must be cured properly to ensure it reaches full strength and durability. Curing involves keeping the concrete moist and at the right temperature to prevent cracks and provide a solid, stable pool shell.
With the pool shell in place, the construction moves forward with installing finishing touches such as tile and the interior finish. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on our latest projects and tips for creating your dream outdoor living space!
Ready to start your own backyard transformation? Contact us today and let’s bring your vision to life.
