Extend Green And Environmentally Friendly Aspects To Your Backyard
Work with your swimming pool builder and landscape professional to incorporate environmentally friendly items and technologies into your swimming pool area - from the pool itself to the landscaping, there are ways to go eco-friendly.
Here are some items to look into for going earth-friendly with your landscaping design: Recycled products, great way to go green: You can purchase yard fencing and outdoor furniture and items such as hot tub cabinets in recycled resins or plastic and they have the appearance of natural wood.
Many of these items are made from recycled milk cartons or even soda bottles.
Because these recycled items are low maintenance they can simply be hosed off or rinsed with soapy water.
Unlike wooden patio furniture, they require no treatment, sealing or staining.
Harness the energy of the sun: The sun's rays can be harnessed to help heat your swimming pool water and can also help extend the swimming season by up to one month.
Your builders are great resources for information on how to install solar panels and solar power energy toward your swimming pool.
You can have a direct solar power system installed that draws the water into panels, heats it, then returns it to the swimming pool.
Even though these systems can carry price tags of between $5,000 and $10,000 they will pay for themselves within four to five years.
Another way to use solar power is to install solar lights that will illuminate your swimming pool deck area.
Reclaimed wood products: If you simply can't live without the beauty of natural wood for your deck or deck and patio furniture consider purchasing wood that is from either reclaimed or sustainable.
These woods will carry a seal from the Forest Stewardship Council that certifies the wood was harvested from forests that promote conservation.
What materials are your products made from: You need to become a label reader when you're purchasing products for your home.
Bamboo is a great, sustainable wood because of its rapid growth rate.
Bamboo is used on many pool accessories - from towels to placemats to tables.
Burn soy candles as an alternative to other types.
The soy, a byproduct of soybean oil production would be thrown away if it weren't recycled.
Capture the rain: Depending on the area of the country in which you live, you may see a lot of rainfall and there is no reason to let nature's water go to waste, right? You can capture the water that falls from your roof, filter it and store it for later use.
Filtered rainwater can be used to water your law or even be used to refill your swimming pool when evaporation lowers the water levels.
A rainwater system can cost between $4,000 and $6,000 but you should see a return on your investment within three to five years.
Xeriscaping is the way to go: Your landscape professionals know that lawns with non-native plants and grass lawns - especially in arid climates, require excessive amounts of water to help them thrive.
A lawn that has been xeriscaped lawns rely on natural terrain and native plants and reduce water usage.
These lawn types also provide natural habitats for native wildlife.
Talk with your swimming pool builder and landscape professional for further ideas on outdoor living ideas.
Here are some items to look into for going earth-friendly with your landscaping design: Recycled products, great way to go green: You can purchase yard fencing and outdoor furniture and items such as hot tub cabinets in recycled resins or plastic and they have the appearance of natural wood.
Many of these items are made from recycled milk cartons or even soda bottles.
Because these recycled items are low maintenance they can simply be hosed off or rinsed with soapy water.
Unlike wooden patio furniture, they require no treatment, sealing or staining.
Harness the energy of the sun: The sun's rays can be harnessed to help heat your swimming pool water and can also help extend the swimming season by up to one month.
Your builders are great resources for information on how to install solar panels and solar power energy toward your swimming pool.
You can have a direct solar power system installed that draws the water into panels, heats it, then returns it to the swimming pool.
Even though these systems can carry price tags of between $5,000 and $10,000 they will pay for themselves within four to five years.
Another way to use solar power is to install solar lights that will illuminate your swimming pool deck area.
Reclaimed wood products: If you simply can't live without the beauty of natural wood for your deck or deck and patio furniture consider purchasing wood that is from either reclaimed or sustainable.
These woods will carry a seal from the Forest Stewardship Council that certifies the wood was harvested from forests that promote conservation.
What materials are your products made from: You need to become a label reader when you're purchasing products for your home.
Bamboo is a great, sustainable wood because of its rapid growth rate.
Bamboo is used on many pool accessories - from towels to placemats to tables.
Burn soy candles as an alternative to other types.
The soy, a byproduct of soybean oil production would be thrown away if it weren't recycled.
Capture the rain: Depending on the area of the country in which you live, you may see a lot of rainfall and there is no reason to let nature's water go to waste, right? You can capture the water that falls from your roof, filter it and store it for later use.
Filtered rainwater can be used to water your law or even be used to refill your swimming pool when evaporation lowers the water levels.
A rainwater system can cost between $4,000 and $6,000 but you should see a return on your investment within three to five years.
Xeriscaping is the way to go: Your landscape professionals know that lawns with non-native plants and grass lawns - especially in arid climates, require excessive amounts of water to help them thrive.
A lawn that has been xeriscaped lawns rely on natural terrain and native plants and reduce water usage.
These lawn types also provide natural habitats for native wildlife.
Talk with your swimming pool builder and landscape professional for further ideas on outdoor living ideas.