FEATURE ARTICLE
Seeding Concrete Slabs
The choice of materials to use in the decorative seeding of concrete slabs has expanded greatly, and the technique offers considerable cost savings compared to adding decorative aggregate to the mix before pouring or casting. Sue Marquette Poremba, contributing writer for Concrete Decor magazine, explores seeding as one option pool builders might consider. [more]
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LESSONS LEARNED
Bad Plot Plans, Big Changes
In the latest installment of his ongoing series, Scott Cohen describes what can happen when building plans vary significantly from the reality on the ground. “Make sure homeowners sign off on designs that are actually going to be built, and avoid springing major changes on them midstream,” Cohen advises. [more]
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POWERFUL ‘DEATH RAY’ FRIES
GUESTS AT LUXURY VEGAS
HOTEL POOL [more] |
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TRAVELOGUE
Revisiting Hearst Castle
Mark Holden’s less-than-laudatory assessment of Hearst Castle, part of his ‘Essentials’ series, drew a flood of responses from readers — some agreeing with his view of the iconic estate, others strongly disagreeing. We’ve published the responses in previous editions of WaterShapes EXTRA!, and now we’re giving the author an opportunity to answer his critics. [more]
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BOOK NOTES
Design from Italy to India
WaterShapes book reviewer Mike Farley goes international by taking a look at two works on Tuscan design: Tuscan & Andalusian Reflections (2005) and Homes and Courtyards (2007), both by designers from the firm Bassenian/Lagoni Architects. He also explores Hindu and Islamic influences by reviewing Masterpieces of Traditional Indian Architecture by Satish Grover. [more]
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JOIN THE DIALOGUE
No Drain, No Gain?
In the last issue of WaterShapes EXTRA!, Dr. William N. Rowley proposed a startling solution to the serious problem of suction entrapment: getting rid of main drains altogether. We thought the idea would roil the watershaping waters — and we were not wrong. To read the feedback we received, click here.
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FIRESTONE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
(Indianapolis, IN) offers PondGard rubber liners. Designed for affordability, durability, extreme conformability and ease of installation, the product is intended for applications not only in ponds, but also in streams, waterfalls and other landscaped, decorative waterfeatures. The material is safe for fish and plants as well as resistant to ultraviolet radiation, weather and algae. [more]
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AQURON
(Rockwall, TX) has introduced a collection of products designed to seal and waterproof cementitious and stone surfaces in and around watershapes to stop problems related to water intrusion before they start. The system includes CPSP, a concrete pool-shell protector; MGS, a mortar and grout solution; Invisa-Shield, a stone and concrete sealer; and Invisa-Deck, an elastomeric deck coating. [more]
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HEARTH PRODUCTS CONTROLS
(Dayton, Ohio) offers fully assembled, ready-to-install fire pits for outdoor applications. Constructed of heavy-duty stainless steel, the drop-in units come in standard sizes from 13 to 43 inches; are available for operation in a range from 90,000 to 400,000 Btus; and feature the Hot Wire Ignition system, which is designed to work well under rainy and high-wind conditions. [more]
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S.R. SMITH
(Canby, OR) offers the Portable Aquatic Lift (PAL), an ADA-compliant, fully portable, battery-operated system that requires no mounting to the pool deck. Featuring a counterweight weighing more than 700 pounds, the device has a lifting capacity of 300 pounds and is designed to meet the needs of facilities that need a lift for multiple locations or that can be stored away when not in use. [more]
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