Solid quotes and timelines
As builders decide to start offering rock water features around slides, cast concrete artificial rock offers some very tangible benefits. Unlike working with real boulders, it does not involve a lot of labour-intensive, time-consuming work. Due to the unpredictable nature of using natural stone, many builders shy away from offering actual rockwork, because the scope of the project can quickly go beyond the original quote. All pool builders and renovators know the importance of being able to determine exactly how much time it will take to execute each element of a particular job—not only to provide an accurate quote on the project, but also for planning and scheduling purposes. This is where cast concrete artificial rock really shines. For example, when using cast concrete component systems, it is typical for a crew of four workers to arrange all the components for a slide in roughly half a day to a full day, depending on the size of the slide. Since the timelines for cast concrete artificial rock systems are predictable, labour costs are easily managed and builders remain profitable.
These artificial rock components are a great solution to put around a slide because their steel structure and simple bond wire meet most building codes. A concrete pad with a bond break at the pool shell can be easily sloped towards the pool. In the case of building caves and grottos around the slide, the builders just need to backfill these structures with concrete.
When builders order the artificial rock kits, they come complete with all the parts. Each system is built by fitting parts together. Many builders like to place the water features while doing the concrete deck work, then add the first layer into the deck, so the water feature does not look like an afterthought. The best part of these component kits, from the builder’s perspective, is these water features have been designed to ensure proper water flow and proper weight distribution.
Prior to component systems, most builders were not interested in offering rockwork around slides. However, the trend towards adding water features with slides on pools can be embraced now that trained builders can add these artificial rock component systems into their repertoire.
Guaranteed dazzle
Unlike natural stone, these component systems allow builders to show their customers the final product when they sell the job. Builders simply order the slides and the prefabricated artificial rock kits. It is also easy to order parts for waterfalls, caves, grottos, and climbing walls.
Additionally, many builders are now incorporating cast concrete artificial rock coping stones, which they integrate around the perimeter of the pool to tie in and match the overall look of the backyard.
Cast concrete artificial rock features are attractive to the eye and terrific to light up. Adding lighting ensures clients can enjoy their resort pools both day and night. Since the rocks are made of concrete, they are easy to drill into to place lights or fire bowls. It is also very simple to cut channels into their surfaces to embed long lighting strips which illuminate the rockwork. The objective is to hide the light source within the water feature around the slide, creating a glow as the sun sets. It is also important to light the staircases leading to the top of the slide. The electricity for lights and the gas lines for fire features are easy to run behind the concrete rocks. They can be hidden behind panels, which are then easy to remove for maintenance access. The lighting within artificial rock adds dazzle and warmth. When fire and light reflect off the surface of the water and are visible from inside the home, out on the patio, or even poolside, the client is sure to feel their backyard resort is complete.
Slides with water features are not just for new pools. They are also ideal for pool renovations. Over the past two seasons, requests have more than doubled for complete renovations on existing pools. There are now more opportunities for selling resort-style water features than there have been in the past 20 years.
