All great things begin with an idea. Pools are no different. Gorgeous waterfalls, stone landscaping, and fountains begin with the decision to dive into a pool installation. Perhaps your yard is missing something, you may have an abundance of space and youre wondering how you can take your backyard to the next level. And yet the process seems too complicated.
Heres the good news. When you hire professionals, they take care of it. Dorian Construction will handle the complicated stuff. Custom pools. Traditional pools. Backyard Oasis. We do it all.
And when it comes to designing and conceptualizing, you are part of the process of bringing your vision to life.
Heres what the process looks like.
Not all pools are created equal. The materials used for the pool will determine the kind of pool it is. The most popular include:
Here at Dorian Construction, we use high-quality prefabricated linersvinyl or fiberglass.
Building a pool is not as easy as digging a hole and filling it up with water. Many localities will have different zoning laws or restrictions. So some of the many considerations we factor in include:
The pool-building process will depend on several factors and might vary in total project time. The average will be between 6 to 12 weeks. The process will look something like this:
Part of our job is ensuring that the pool is in compliance with state and local regulations. We acquire a permit for building. If your home is part of an HOA, there must be approval on that end as well.
As we said, it all begins with an idea. So what do you envision? What are you looking for? What features come to mind? We work all of this out and prepare a unique design and construction plan/proposal. This involves you meeting with our in-house designing team and having a conversation about the kind of work youre looking for. If youre looking for detailed landscaping and features, we discuss this as well, although this can often be altered as the initial excavation and building begin.
The designated digging crew work their magic first. This means clearing out big areas around the pool, including shifting any landscaping or obstructions from the digging site. Digging must be done carefully to prevent damage and keep everyone safe! While El Paso soil seems to be the same throughout the general area, some areas might be harder to dig than others. This also depends on the depth of your pool.
If youre getting a concrete pool, installation of the steel is next. With fiberglass pools, there is also the installation of the steel frame. People often find this part of the process quite fascinating, as the many steel bars are bent and manipulated to conform to the size and shape of the pool.
Depending on the kind of system you are installing and what features, this may vary as well. However, youll likely have some electrical components and we make sure that the electrical parts of the pool are also installed to high standards of excellence. They must also pass the city inspection. At the same time, plumbing fixtures are installed and properly mounted.
Depending on the type of pool you are building, this process may vary. For concrete pools, the pressurized concrete is installed at this point. If using prefabricated liners, they are also installed at this point. The surfaces are smoothed out, and its beginning to look like your pool!
Once the basic pools design and finish are completed, the details begin to appear. Here you will have any tile or decking installed. If you are installing concrete, tile, or other types of decorative features, this is the moment where the dream starts to become reality. A final coating is applied to ensure resilience and longevity.
Once we test out the pool and make sure components are working properly, we are almost good to go.
Building a pool doesnt have to turn your life upside down. In just a couple of weeks, you will have a whole new world set up a few steps from your home. Whether youre looking for a custom pool or a simpler design, we got you covered.
Ready to take the plunge? Talk to professionals about the kind of pool youre looking for. Call Dorian Construction today.
The Benefits and Possibilities of Custom Swimming Pool and Design
Our approach to swimming pool design has always been about thinking outside the box and redefining the meaning of craftsmanship and creativity in outdoor paradises. In our line of work, the creation of an outdoor paradise is a culmination of artistic vision, technical expertise, and working with homeowners who seek a new level of enjoyment from their swimming pools. As summer approaches in the Sun City, we thought wed explore some of the many benefits and possibilities available to you as you install an original outdoor paradise in your backyard. Take swimming pools to a whole new level and explore the options at your disposal!
Every home is different and comes with varying outdoor dimensions. Part of the challenge is finding ways to maximize outdoor space to install the right size pool without compromising the rest of the yard. A pool comes in many different sizes and can be built in a custom size. The average rectangular pool will have a depth of about 5.5 feet and be something like 10 X 20, 15 X 30, 20 X 40. These, of course, are standard pool sizes, but we dont do standard here at Dorian Construction, so your pool can come in any size. The important considerations when it comes to size, however, are the following:
Sure, when most people think about a backyard swimming pool, they think about the classic rectangular pool that seems to be the standard. Of course, you dont want a standard for your home, you want whats right for you. Rectangular pools are not always possible or efficient within certain spaces. They may even make your yard feel cramped. Here are more options to consider when working with us:
There are too many shapes to name here. And once we take a look at your yard, we will devise an idea and design completely unique to your space.
There are several reasons why you might incorporate a swimming pool in your homes backyard. As we have helped many El Pasoans transform their backyards, we see the many benefits they draw from their finished creation.
Life is short. If the year of the pandemic taught many people a lesson, it was that a home is a place that should be both a place of growth, productivity, and discovery. This is, after all, where families grow and prosper. Infusing the space with beauty and opportunities for family gatherings and intimate moments is part of why our homes are at the center of our lives.
Give your mind a respite from the chaos of the world. There are healing powers of water and mental health benefits of going for a swim. Life gets tough sometimes, and creating a world of peace and freedom in your own backyard is a way to restore your energy and build the strength to fortify your body and mind.
Here at Dorian Construction, we work with homes of all shapes and sizes. It is not a requirement to have a mansion in order to create a backyard oasis. Whats needed is expertise and artistic vision to maximize space, find the right shape and size, and build it right.
Ready to find the right oasis for your backyard? Call us today and find out the endless possibilities of Dorian Construction swimming pools.
How the Pool Went From Ancient Greece To Your Backyard
There is nothing that can replace the crowded, noisy, slightly murky, smelly neighborhood pool with those suspicious unidentified floating objects, the next-door kid screaming his head off as he gets splashed in the face, and kids jumping off doing belly flops for what appears to be the fun of it. Oh, wait! There is something to replace it with. You can replace it with a custom pool oasis from Dorian Construction. Ok, perhaps there is a certain charm to the memories of those neighborhood pool days, but those days are over and now you appreciate privacy and quiet and the beauty of clean fresh water. In the spirit of remembering those wild belly flop summers, we thought wed take a look at the history of swimming pools and how they became a much-beloved luxury in the modern home.
The Great Bath is one of the oldest structures that belongs to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization in Pakistan. This structure serves as archeological evidence that in the 3rd millennium BC civilizations wanted to go swimming. It is considered the first public water tank and is a nicely designed brick structure. Enter the Ancient Greeks and the Romans and they too, of course, dabbled in the art of the pool. The Greeks and Romans were the first to see swimming as an athletic venture and built pools to reflect this. Swimming was part of training for young boys. Its somewhat well-documented that the first heated swimming pool was built by Gaius Maecenas of Rome in the first century BC. he is often known as the first patron of the arts.
A lot had to happen before civilizations had the leisure time and resources to build pools in the modern world. Before that, there was a lot of civilization-building to do, infrastructure, plagues, the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, and so forth. So fast forward to London, England in the middle of the 1800s and you find six indoor pools with diving boards. The modern Olympic Games may have had something to do with it, as they began in 1896. Around this time, the athletic event drew people into participating in this activity for more than just leisure and it became a competitive stroke. First, the freestyle and then the backstroke added in 1904.
According to NPR, the countrys municipal pools (or public pools) were first built to get the hoodlum kids of the neighborhood out of the rivers and out of the publics view. Dirty street kids, in other words, would hit the pools as a way to get clean. Some of these establishments even served as public baths for the lower classes. And as pools hit these communities, some historians suggest that pools became part of social change. These pools served as congregation places for whites, blacks, and other poor immigrants. Men and women swam on separate days, but the pools served as great places of social interaction for many people.
After World War I, the pools changed from what seemed to be more private bathhouses to places of leisure and socialization. At the same time, the rise of the Olympic Games gave way to the increased interest in swimming as a competitive sport. The first official public swimming pool opened in 1887 in Brookline, Massachusetts, then in Belmont, Massachusetts in 1912. This was some time before air conditioning so the pools were desired destinations to escape the summer heat. These early pools were also quite labor-intensive, as they were dug out manually or with the help of a mule. What city was the most avid building of public swimming pools in the United States? Well, none other than Philadelphia. Interestingly enough, many of these pools were built before germ theory and the understanding of the spread of diseases. The facilities did not have showers, as the pool itself was seen as one big bath.
Into the 1930s, hotels began building swimming pools as a luxury to attract customers. After World War II, plenty of young soldiers returned ready to marry and able to buy a home. And voila, the kidney-shaped residential pool was born! In the 1950s, local neighborhoods were becoming much more common but were far cleaner than they had been just 40 years before. The rise of the movie industry and Hollywood led to people seeing luxury pools on-screen and wanting a little of that action for themselves. It was around this time that many homes began building pools in their backyards. It was not just affluent folks that were able to afford such amenities, but a typical middle-class family was able to install a pool or have one built with their home. The residential pool became a way to have your personal swimming space in your home.
Today there are approximately 10.4 residential pools and 309,000 public pools in the United States. Advancements in pool cleaning technology have also lessened the hassle and headaches that people often associate with owning a pool. Keeping your pool clean today is easier than ever thanks to more efficient pumps, advanced automated pool cleaning systems, and better systems for chemical monitoring.
Of course, Dorian Construction doesnt just build pools. We build your backyard oasis. We build your escape, your dream lagoon, your paradise. Call us today and find out how you can transform your backyard.
The Shape of Dreams: Laguna Pools, Ponds, and Backyard Gardens
In a recent issue of Texas Builder magazine, the Dorian Construction Group explains a little bit about who we are and the process of building. When we first sign on to a project, we go on an imaginative quest to find the best possible design for the space at hand. We will either draw and design it on paper, render it on computers, and even hand carve some of the rocks ourselves, we relish in the creative process of space transformation.
Science has now proven that the architecture that surrounds us affects mood and well-being. This, of course, is not a great surprise to anyone. In some fundamental way, its why architecture exists. Famous early architects like Francis Lloyd Wright understood that the spaces that we inhabit will have an impact on our lives, and its why he designed spaces with natural concepts and functionality in mind. The same applies to our outside spaces. We dont often think about it this way, however. People that work in the design are not often seen as people that hold our health in their hands. And yet, according to the American Institute of Architects, there are six ways that architecture affects our health, safety, and welfare.
And while here at Dorian Construction Group, we are not necessarily building your home or your office, we are also contributing to a big part of a space that you interact with often. Turning your backyard into a paradise with beautiful creations and functional designs will have an impact on the way you interact with your own property on any given day. Whether its adding a little landscape or adding a pond, waterfall, or laguna pool, having a space that evokes beauty, nature, and peace, is about improving lives.
For the Dorian Construction family, we know that beautiful space creations will enhance your life and make your time outdoors special.
“Laguna” is the Spanish word for lagoon, and it refers to a body of water that is cut off from a larger body of water by a reef of sand or coral. Lagoons found in nature tend to be surrounded by incredible landscapes, trees, islands, coral reefs, and everything else. Part of our design process when concocting your backyard paradise is how we can bring nature and the natural world to the design. At the same time, we focus on what you want your space to look and feel like. There are several elements that we build on when it comes to the design. These are the following:
Where a natural pond exists, nature reigns. And the creation of ponds in your backyard is a way to bring in the natural settings into your home. Ponds contain a variety of plants and the water attracts wildlife and animals, such as frogs, salamanders, and insects. So when looking to add a pond to your backyard, we consider a couple of foundational design questions. These include:
Youre looking to make your home a place that inspires and enhances your life. One way to do that is to evoke the natural world and welcome it into your home. Here at Dorian Construction, we strive for gorgeous designs that bring your property to life. Call us and change the way you live, entertain, and relax.
Tips For Your Spa or Pool In The Fall
With the fall right around the corner, we thought it would be a great idea to talk about maintenance in the fall. Especially in El Paso, the early fall season can be a great time to enjoy the spa or pool, since the temperatures drop from extreme heat to warm and comfortable. In this article, well briefly discuss how to maintain your spa or pool in the upcoming season.
In the fall, people often decide to neglect the maintenance of their pool. Cleaning your pool filter should happen regularly, so the normal debris and chemicals that fall into the pool are properly filtered out. Having the proper equipment, like skimmers and pool rakes helps drag debris out of the water efficiently.
Chlorine levels should be monitored regularly, along with the cleanliness of the pool. The levels of chlorine depend on other products being applied to your pool, the usage, size of the pool, and other factors. We can guide you based on all the factors unique to your spa or pool.
The pH balance of your pool is important for determining the safety of your pool. Be sure to have a quality pH monitoring kit to regularly check the chlorine levels. Pools should generally be slightly higher than 7 on the pH level, around 7.2 to 7.4.
The fall season in El Paso is a wonderful time, especially with a luxury spa or pool. Contact us today if you have questions or would like a quality spa or pool of your own!
Winter-Proof Your El Paso Backyard
If youre an El Paso native then youre well aware of how unpredictable the fall and winter seasons can be here. Thanksgiving day could be warm enough to go outside and play football or you and the family could be inside keeping warm with a cup of hot chocolate. Then theres the possibility of snow in late December. Regardless of what type of weather heads our way, your backyard should be prepared for the event of rain or snow as well as the possibility of freezing temperatures. Allow us to help you prepare!
Patio furniture left uncovered is susceptible to rust and other damage caused by wet conditions. Even if it only snows for a couple of hours, once it melts, it could potentially seep into the cushions of chairs and ruin the color of its legs. To prevent this from happening, we recommend covering all outdoor furniture with patio furniture covers. You can find many sizes and types at Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowes. From lounge chair covers to patio sofa covers and even covers for the larger items like full sectional sofas, youll be able to find everything you need and more.
Avid gardeners already know this but if youre new to the realm of outdoor plants then heres a rule of thumb: potted plants dont enjoy 50 degrees or below temperatures. Once you feel the temperatures dipping, its a good idea to bring your plants indoors. Prior to doing so, inspect the pot for any insects. If you happen to spot a couple of love bugs, spray some water and move them to the ground. For pesky bugs who just dont want to let go, try insecticidal soap. You can find this at most garden stores.
In addition to bringing plants indoors, before the peak of winter, make sure to trim your trees, rack up the leaves, and gather any loose branches. This will help prevent any issues with your gutters and roof. If youre planning on putting lights up around your home for holiday decoration, consider wrapping a string of lights around your trees and bushes to keep branches from falling.
Instead of completely emptying your pool for the winter, consider leaving some water behind. When you completely drain your pool you put it at risk of damage from debris that tends to gather during the winter months as well as any cracks or risk of shrinking. The water left behind will help prevent these types of damages.
How much water should you leave behind? It depends on your pools system. If you have an above-ground pool, drain some water but leave room for expansion then place a cover on it. For in-ground pools, youll want to drain more water but leave it below skimmer level. Also, be sure to cover it to avoid any debris from getting inside.
In El Paso, theres no telling what one winter day will look like from the next. If youve invested in a couple of patio heaters then theres no need to completely avoid the backyard. With your furniture protected, your beloved plants indoors, and your pool protected, you can comfortably enjoy other parts of your backyard without fear of damage.
For more recommendations and to explore backyard additions, contact Dorian Construction. We can make your vision for an El Paso backyard come alive.
Custom Made Swimming Pools is the Way to Go
Whether you want to simply install a new swimming pool or want a backyard transformation, custom swimming pools is the way to go. Aside from beautifying your backyard and creating a personal oasis for your friends and family, custom made backyards offer a wide array of benefits. From being unique to quality craftsmanship, the difference is so apparent.
When you decide to go with a custom design instead of a prefabrication you can be sure you will receive a quality product. At Dorian Construction Group our pools are never prefabricated. We start with a drawn rendering of your desires and the finished product is a luxurious backyard. You can be sure that you are receiving quality work, materials, and one-on-one attention for your ideas and needs when you go with custom work. Our construction group has been named best in El Paso for many years because we deliver quality.
When you decide to work with a custom construction group the possibilities are endless. The best part is that your outdoor oasis all begins with your ideas. The designer will listen to your needs and ideas and create drawings based on what you want. Oftentimes, a company will prefabricated hot tube or Jacuzzi ideas or standard landscaping features. Your backyard can end up looking just like that of anyone elses on the block. With Dorian Construction Group by your side this simply isnt the case. We deliver unique work designed for each and every individual client.
When you decide on a custom design you dont have to worry about paying for features you will never need or use. Often times a builder will offer you package deals that offer a variety of features. However, this does you no good if the features included are not what you desire. At Dorion Construction Group we offer a wide variety of features like both indoor and outdoor pools, spas, hot tubs, spools, decks, pavilions, outdoor fire pits and so much more. We only include exactly what you want in your custom backyard design.
If you are looking for a unique backyard oasis you can be sure Dorian Construction Group will deliver the results you are looking for. If you are interested in starting a custom design with our designers contact us today!
Getting an Addition to Your Pool
You love your pool and enjoy it each summer. But as you look out your window, you wish it was a bit more. Or perhaps you wish you pool looked a bit nicer. Or maybe you want to spruce up an older pool. All of these issues can be reasons to get an addition to your pool. Dorian Construction can help create any addition you want to your pool. Getting an addition to any pool can improve its appearance, increase its value and make it feel like a new pool. But before you go off to order one, you should know a few things. The first the different options you have. The second is to think about what you really want.
There are many different addition options for all types of pools. From the elaborate waterfall, to the simple seating. If it can be imagined, it has probably been done. Some options include adding a Jacuzzi to your pool. This is typically done for very standard, rectangle-shaped pools. This way you do not change anything too major, but get a nice area to relax in. This will increase the value of the property and make you want to use it more often. It also popular for people who have a harder time getting around. Particularly if you have a back problem. Hot water really helps to loosen up the muscles. Other options can be mini waterfalls or elevated wading areas. This is helpful for people with small children. As it give them a space all their own. A waterfall addition can also make your entire backyard appear more luxurious.
Before you look into any addition for your pool, be sure of what you want. This is an important step to take as the number of choices can seem overwhelming. If you have an idea of what you would like beforehand, it makes sorting through the options easier. One way to begin deciding this is too look at the needs of your family. If you have smaller children for example than you may want something safe above all else. If your children are older, then maybe you want something a bit more exotic looking. After you have decided on the needs of your family, then pin down a budget. Doing this will help you narrow down your search options. It will also help when you sit down with builder. They will take this info and focus on what you need and want.
If you are unhappy with have your pool looks, then you should consider getting an addition. Dorian Construction has many different pool addition available for you choose from. Getting an addition can help increase the value of your home. Or perhaps you want to make your pool look more modern? All of these desires can be accomplished by adding an addition to your pool.
Winter Pool Party Tips – Enjoying Pools Year Around
Nothing says summer like a pool party. Why do we have to miss out on all the fun during the winter? With the various options for backyard pools that Dorian Construction Group has to offer, homeowners can tailor their backyard oasis to be pool-party ready all year around! Here are a ideas that will help you throw a backyard pool party in the winter like a champ.
First, it is important to have the right pool set up. While swimming pools are great for hosting summer pool parties, hot tubs or spools are much more appropriate for winter parties. A spool is a cross between a swimming pool and a spa, and it can function as a hot tub or a pool depending on the owner’s preference. For hosting year-round, spools are a great addition to any backyard! Chances are that your friends are not going to many pool parties in the winter, so acknowledge that the idea is out of the box. Although some friends may be standoffish on your winter party idea, assure them it’ll be fun and relaxing.
Encourage your friends to come with a fun loving, adventurous attitude. Make sure they know about the hot tub! Your party will be different and fun, and it will stand out. And who can forget about the food? Instead of barbecue, watermelon, and lemonade, consider a more winterized menu. Hot chocolate or frozen hot chocolate are great options for beverages, and a ham and cheese board is a wintery, sophisticated spin on traditional summer appetizers. There are some party classics that are always good to have, of course. Chips, salsa, and guacamole are appropriate whatever the season!
It is a kind courtesy to provide towels for guests, and keeping towels warm is a nice touch for winter pool parties. By placing the towels near a space heater or keeping them inside, you ensure that they will be warm and cozy when your guests are finally ready to get out of the pools. Games are also a great addition to any party! If you are planning a winter pool party, it may be a good idea to have some indoor games planned as well – just in case!
At Dorian Construction Group, we believe pools can (and should!) be enjoyed all year around. While the weather can sometimes prevent homeowners from enjoying their swimming pools, spools, and hot tubs, El Paso temperatures in the winter often permits for pool parties! Rather than waiting until summer to enjoy your backyard oasis, make the winter work for you by inviting your friends to a winter pool party!
Features to Include in Swimming Pools
Swimming pools are a great addition to your El Paso home. If you are thinking about adding a pool, Dorian Construction can help. We can make a beautiful custom swimming area that you and your whole family will love. Swimming pools don’t have to be just for swimming. There are countless options available to make your home’s pool truly original and your very own. To make your pool extra special, we can also help you add fun features that will take the pool from ordinary to extraordinary.
Many homeowners in El Paso have interest in swimming pools. They will decide to add a hot tub as a part of their pool. An in-ground hot tub which is added with your pool can look beautiful. This is especially true if you design the hot tub with a cascading waterfall into the pool or otherwise integrate the design. Adding a hot tub along with the pool also ensures you can enjoy a longer season since you can go into the hot tub even on colder nights.
In addition to a hot tub, there are lots of other fun features which you can add to enhance your swimming pool. For example, it is popular to put in tanning shelves which are shallow areas that are a part of the pool and that are a foot deep or less. We can add tanning shelves with or without bubblers. They are a great place to put a lounge chair and sit with your feet in the pool. Kids can also enjoy tanning shelves since they are a fun place for younger children to play. Water falls are also a popular feature for pools, as are water slides.
If you want your pool to be beautiful and you want the freedom to add lots of fun features, you need to find a quality builder of swimming pools. Since Dorian Construction is El Paso’s premiere pool installer, we can help you achieve exactly what you need. You can find out more about how we can add the pool of your dreams to your backyard. All it takes is reaching out to us. Let’s get started on your dreams, contact Dorian Construction today.
