Builders should never try to limit the many rock options available in the market to turn a regular residential pool into a resort pool. Water features are key components of a resort-style pool, which are architecturally stunning and often come with award-winning landscaping.
These unique rock water features bring in an element of fun and are exciting, especially for children. Kids love the intrigue of caves, grottos, and jumper rocks. Builders can even incorporate misters and lighting to heighten the element of mystery.
Today’s artificial rock water feature kits are designed to ensure proper water flow and weight distribution, and are structurally stronger than natural rock systems, as they are reinforced with steel. Unlike artificial rock of the past, which was often cast from rubber moulds, today’s new rock component systems look real because they are cast from actual rocks, to provide the same shape, character, and texture; and unlike other construction materials, cast concrete rocks hold up extremely well to the freeze-thaw temperatures in the Canada and the U.S.
Landscaping and lighting
Adding plants in and around water features is an important final step to ensure the creative water feature or pool house inspiration blends naturally into the backyard. Therefore, it is best for pool builders to integrate landscaping, even if it means getting help from local landscape designers.
Whether you are creating a visual barrier between neighbours or a focal point in the backyard, choose landscaping that draws the eyes away from areas you want to cover. This includes using outdoor lighting to take the focus away from neighbouring structures and focus lighting toward the new water feature.
Planting areas can also be planned into or on the backside of the water feature. Incorporating natural elements, such as potted plants or pockets of plants, will help soften the edges and provide an oasis effect. It is important to plan landscaping into water feature designs. For example, plan for planting pockets on the front and back of slides and water features. The back or side can even include an herb garden for the client.
Get creative and allow the project to accomplish multiple goals for the client—from blocking out the neighbours to providing tranquil “white noise” from the water flowing, and supplying fresh herbs for their outdoor cooking area. Choosing individual planting areas, which resemble rock-growing plants often found within a natural waterfall, can even be fed by a complete built-in irrigation system.
