sorry here is the link to our pics! Here is a link that might be useful: our pool pics

The multispeed pump actually is more efficient at low speeds even than low hp pumps. You definately don't need all that hp for a pool only. My experience is run the pool longer you get skimming action and if you have a salt chlorine generator your producing chlorine using a lot less KW. Most complaints on swg is not producing enough chlorine during summer so you don't want to run a 2hp and run it for 4 hrs when you can run a 1/2hp for 10 hrs and spend less money and get more benifits. Go on Pentairpool.com and use their energy calculator. Here is a link that might be useful: pentair energy calculator

Generally, we do the final floor coat, then the baseboards -- for the reason you indicated, it keeps the floor finish off the baseboards. Otherwise, you have to mask the basboards, which is just more work.. If the floors were done right, you won't need a shoe -- unless, of course, you just like the look. Wood floors should get a sealer coat and two finish coats.

Could really use the opinion of professionals and non professionals. We have a strong feel for the direction of our project but are getting weight down in the sheer detail. We want to enjoy the pool as soon as we can so need to be prepared to open in late May and get plantings and structures up so we can swim in June. Section to the left is 22' x 38' and will hold the gazebo (with sectional) and beside it a dining table. You can see the side of my neighbour's shed which they use for entertaining with a serving window and speakers and lighting. We want that to be completely hidden. We installed the water feature to drown out the ambient noise from their yard. Loungers will go where the sectional is currently located and just to the right of that we have a stone porch with another sitting area that is attached to the house and gives us access to my office. We are meeting with carpenters to get quotes on new fencing, privacy screens and a gazebo. We think we can build up a small retaining wall to support planting around the pool We want to plant between the pool deck and the chain link fence (city owned) so that the edge of the newly installed pool deck is softened. There is an 18" drop from deck to grade and the width between deck and chainlink is 24" (30" along the sides between deck and wood fence separating our yard from the neighbour's yard). We want install privacy screen intermittently around the edges along with small scale columnar Trees, cedars and tall grasses. The retaining will hold the dirt needed for these plantings. Grade is relatively flat but needs preparation for level installation of retaining, drainage and soil. We also want a few natural stones between deck and chainlink (approximately10" in depth and 20" width)at the far left to extend the deck so that we can walk around to access the pool equipment. This area is currently a gap with a lesser drop but we have to step down from the deck to walk along the chainlink to get around to the equipment in the back corner. Preferably we would walk alone stepping stones. Picture is project just before final decking completed. Orange temporary fence is where the gap is and where we want to plant. The orange is covering up the chain link fence so the retaining wall needs to run along the base of the chain link. Thanks Love the clean spa feel but need to reconcile with our traditional house and traditional interior. If we plant boxwoods or yews at the grade level it will add some structure to the beds. We like the look of the uplight standards as well. I think I prefer small scale columnar trees that will max out at 20' in height and 5' in width, which we would repeat around the backyard. Three grouped together on opposite sides and one on either side of our double doors to the backyard, again surrounded by boxwoods or yews. I was think about a columnar Purple Dawyck (fagus sylvatica)because we have some along our driveway and they are a nice purple colour. We have Two 15 foot cedars that survived the pool install so we want to blend in the new look with the old cedars. Because our neighbours are close we need to obstruct views from their back windows. The raised, level pool deck has increased visibility for our neighbours as we walk around the backyard and was was a 6 1/2' fence is now 5' height. Once neighbour wants to replace the fence and we will install 7' if they are good with that. The other neighbour is moving and doesn't want to speak a lot of money so we will do Privacy screens in the same still installed 2' from the property line. (love the boxwood around the base of the columnar tree and hope to do something similar along the house line (there are 3' beds running along the house). The structure we want to build needs to be about 13 x 13 and will line up with the pool so we have a shady area to overlook the kids in the pool. We worked with a designer who helped us with the pool location and some planting ideas which we are incorporating but we plan to do the planting ourselves and pay carpenters based on our screening, fencing and gazebo needs (it's more of a budget issue or we would just hire someone to get the whole thing finalized). We may have to do this in two stages and need to incorporate the lighting plan. We had to follow city restrictions and grading issues so the pool sits where it sits to maximize patio space and still have a reasonably sized pool. All was discussed in depth before instal so I am trying to solve for problems that I was aware would be part of the project. I'm a big believer in working with the experts and using professionals where I can. Just need your thoughts and feedback. Thanks!!!!