However, Amtico has created a different line of flooring, called Stratica: "Stratica is our ground-breaking PVC-free range of sustainable floors, developed in response to demand for healthier indoor environments particularly from Healthcare and Education sectors." So, what does this mean for their other products, Amtico and Spacia? I also noticed that all their products passed testing for California indoor air quality, whatever that is worth.

Hi in Syracuse. We were surprised and happy to read your inquiry since it is so similar to our design issue and in the same area you are located. We are also in the CNY area and attempted to build a pool last year. We hit many issues-most having to do with our pool placement in our yard, that we have since changed. One other issue we had was the same as yours with the sundeck and how to do it. We have a pool ledge/sundeck in our design and we are wondering if you could share with us how yours was done and if you have success with it. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!! We wish to have it in the first step if it's possible. Our PB was not familiar with the sundeck and has since done one as well. (Maybe we have the same PB?). We are also wondering if you did install returns and if you felt you needed them. We are told we could have 6in water on first step and we are not sure if that's enough, although we think it is. Our sundeck design extends 6 feet. Any guidance/photos you could provide would be wonderful. Thank you in advance and we hope your pool turned out fabulous.

Currently, phthalates are used to create the extreme plasticity of all vinyl pool liners. Phthalates can be absorbed through the skin and are commonly known to be associated with various cancers and endocrine/hormonal disruptions. All pool linings for any type of pool ultimately get worn down by the mechanism used (chemicals, salts, minerals) to keep the water clean. Whatever is lining your pool will ultimately end up in the water. If that includes phthalates then they're being absorbed by whoever is swimming in the pool. Something I read once but, haven't confirmed: "it only takes about 3 grams or so of plastic to start affecting the human endocrine system." I don't know if that's true, but when my daughter was barely 7 she was tested and diagnosed with precocious puberty. Her endocrinologist thought she'd finish by 9. After extensive research, I ended up ditching all our food plastics, clothing plastics, and personal products with any kind of plastics, and no longer let her swim in vinyl pools. Her numbers indicating puberty went down slowly over the years and now she's 10 and still hasn't started her cycle yet. We use plastics in moderation now and still want a pool, but we're going with concrete, probably with a fiberglass lining so we can do saltwater and avoid the excess chlorine. It is more expensive so we have to save for an extra couple of years, but the price of the alternative risks being so much higher.

I actually thought that your prices seemed pretty reasonable. We got a quote earlier this summer for 42k, and that didn't include the concrete deck that you want. We decided to go the DIY route, much more headache, but more options for the $, but I've got the time, so. BTW, I would have to place my vote for the SWG from the start too. If you are planning on using the Easy Touch system, I believe that there is an Easy Touch IC model that includes the SWG for a few hundred more. Although you could add a seperate one later, you would save $$$ by doing it now! Food for thought! Keep up informed whatever you decide. Good luck with your pool! -Renee