Advanced Safety Cover

Advanced Safety Covers are not only effective protection for your pool, but more important for your family. These covers are manufactured specifically to fit your pool size and shape. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/advanced-safety-covers.php

Ultra Automatic Safelty Cover

The Ultra Cover System is a UL approved safety cover and also meets all ASTM powered safely cover requirements. It's an additional later of protection that gives the kind of peace of mind you need to enjoy your swimming pool for years to come. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/ultra-cover.php

In the Swim

In the Swim is your source for quality swimming pool supplies at the lowest prices. Whether you're looking for equipment and accessories for your pool, hot tub, or spa, we have everything you need to take care of every aspect of pool maintenance and care. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/in-the-swim.php

Endless Pools

Endless Pools gives you your own precision engineered swimming pool, where you swim or exercise against a smooth current that's fully adjustable to any speed or ability. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/endless-pools.php

CL Free Water System

Cl Free Digital Water Systems provide the most advanced ECO friendly pool water purification technology on the planet. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/chlorine-free.php

Aqquatix USA

Aqquatix gives you the comfort of exercising in your own pool with high quality pool fitness equipment. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/aqquatix.php

Palm Tree Island

At Palm Tree Islands, we bring the best elements of indoor entertaining to your patio, deck or poolside. Our grill islands, bars, and other outdoor furnishings enable users to cook, serve and socialize-all without having to leave the fun. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/palm-tree-islands.php

Eden Outdoor Living

Eden Outdoor Living's uniquely elegant european designed outdoor furniture brings a breath of fresh air to the outdoor living space. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/eden-outdoor-living.php

Bobe Water and Fire Features

Bobe Water and Fire Features specialize in the fabrication of copper and stainless steel products to service the artistic needs of the pool, spa, landscape, and architecture industries. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/bobe.php

Decking

Complete your backyard oasis with that natural stone look you have always wanted. Gothicstone Pavers had everything you need to create the deck of your dreams. http://www.extendedlivingspaces.com/gothicstone.php

C'mon Baby, Light My Fire

One of the natural elements is being brought back into the outdoor experience: fire. Fire creates warmth, community, and the "wow" factor. Because fire is nearly the opposite of water, we love to see the two together. Fire features can range from a basic manual key valve to a gigantic bowl, flowing water over the sides and erupting a flame out the middle. Which is right for you? Here are some of the fire features options. We'll let you decide.

When designing a fire feature, the first thing to consider is where the feature will go. Will it be the focal point of the backyard, or will it occupy a small alcove in a secluded area?

If the fire feature will be the main focus, big and dramatic is a good point to begin your conceptualization. The feature will entertain your guests, and therefore should reflect something that demands attention. Large, over-sized fire pots manufactured out of either copper or stainless steel will create this look easily. When incorporated into a backyard pool, try placing them on the far end of the pool, framing the space with fire. Fire/Water pots are another way to evoke a sense of spectacle in your backyard. Dancing simultaneously, fire/water pots combine both fire and water in one application, providing a rare opportunity to view two polarizing elements interacting so closely. For best results, look for a fire/water pot that features water that completely surrounds the flame, allowing the fire to appear as is it is floating on the waters surface. See more...

Beach Home

Some do-it-yourself projects can be done by anyone who knows which end of a hammer to hold, but installing an i-ground pool isn't one of them. So, you can imagine Matt and Danielle Meade's relief when the folks at Indoors Out, the home improvement show on the DIY Network, offered to lend a hand.

The Meades live in Newport, N.C., where they live busy lives. In addition to raiding four children-ages9-22- Matt and Danielle have stressful careers as a commercial pilot and therapist. respectively. As a result, they like to make the most of their limited downtime together.

The family enjoys a beach home they share with relatives, but they wanted to bring a nit of the seashore to their own home and maximize use of their outdoor living space. Thanks to Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns, the hosts of Indoors Out, the Meades got their wish and much more-including a one-piece fiberglass pool from Composite Pools, stone patio, sandy beach, and open-air pavilion with colorful walls and graceful archways. See more...

The Broadbent Family

A former social worker, Pat Broadbent has been a longtime advocate for children- especially those who others find difficult to love. Though she has given birth to one child, she has adopted six others over the years. Three of the children had contracted AIDS from their birth mothers.

Her unconditional love for these innocent children led Pat to become an advocate for AIDS awareness and acceptance. She continued to take in newborns exposed to HIV through their mothers and administer the prescribed drug regimen that might prevent them from contracting AIDS. She gave these children the love and affection they needed until permanent foster care arrangements were made. See more...

The Chapin Family

Before her home makeover, Connie Chapin, an avid swimmer and a single mother of four, was eking out a living the best way she knew how. Raising her family in the house she grew up in, Connie taught swimming lessons in the same backyard pool where she learned how to swim. But Connie's homegrown business, Angelfish Swimming, does more than generate much-needed income. It teaches more than 250 children a week the important swimming and aquatic skills they need to enjoy life near Washington State's Puget Sound.

As her business was taking off, however, city inspectors told Connie that her facility was not up to code and would need to be closed down if certain repairs weren't made. Despite working hard for two years to make the improvements, the problems became too great for her to handle on her own. See more...

The Hughes Family

Patrick Henry Hughes is a 22-year-old student at the University of Louisville. An accomplished pianist and vocalist, He's also a member of the school's marching and pep band. What makes him unique from his academic peers, however, is that he's blind and relies on a wheelchair to get around. Born without eyes, Patrick Henry also lacks ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, leaving him unable to walk.

Despite these challenges, Patrick Henry has embraced life to its fullest with help from his parents, Patricia and Patrick John, and his brothers: Jesse, age 19, and Cameron, 14. In an inspirational display of affection and support, Patrick Henry's father maneuvers his wheelchair through the marching band formations while he plays the trumpet. See more...

Home Sweet Home

Few things compare to winning the lottery, but being chosen for an episode of Extreme Makeover:Home Edition is one of them. Hosted by carpenter and interior designer Ty Pennington, The ABC series selects one deserving family for each show and builds them a new home- in a week.

For families that could benefit from having a swimming pool. Viking Pools has been there to lend a hand. As a manufacturer of one-piece fiberglass pools and spas, Viking offers a wide range pool styles-all of which can be installed in a few days, instead of a few weeks needed to build a concrete pool. To date, the company has donated 15 pools and numerous spas to the show.

"When the producers contacted us to donate the first pool in 2004, we thought it would be great way to help a family in need and promote our pools" says Todd Stahl, President of Viking Pools. "What we didn't realize at the time was the effect out participation would have on so many people. From our employees to our dealers to our existing Viking Pools owners, everyone seems to feel compassion for the families we've helped." See more...

For the Health of It

Anyone who thinks Matt Roloff is a small man is overly obsessed with his height. Though he measures just 4 feet tall, Matt is known for his big ideas and bigger-than-life personality. Indeed, his unabashed approach to living large in an average-sized world is what makes his story so compelling.

For the past five years, Matt and his family have been the subject of the highly acclaimed TLC reality TV series Little People, Big World, which chronicles the day-to-day challenges he and his family face. His wife, Amy, and one of their four children also live with dwarfism. See more...

Light Up Your Night

Your backyard is like a second home that usually gets neglected of your time. Why not take some time and money and make it the Stay-cation Resort that you want it to be. One of the advantages to having a backyard is being able to enjoy it. While daylight creates a natural ability to see and do,, nighttime makes an area look completely different with shadows and concealed areas. Adding lighting in the backyard and to the water features creates a whole different atmosphere. Using different types of lighting creates diddrernt effects, depending on what the homeowner wants to feature. Dealing with homeowners that have to have a rock waterfall for example whether it be faux or the real deal always have the same complaint after they spent quite a bit of money on the installation. We can see and hear it in the daytime, but at night we can only hear it. Is there a lighting kit we can add? It is much easier to offer and install lighting during the construction of any water feature. Usually there are conduits that need to be run into the sreas that need to be lit.

For children that love the outdoors and like to play after dark, be sure to add fun water features like Lit Laminars and Lit Bubblers in the beach areas of the pool. Also, be sure to add standard floodlights in the areas near the house so they can see where they are going so they do not get hurt. See more...

All About Ponds

Adding a pond to your outdoor living space will bring happiness to you, your guests and a host of Mother Nature's friends. You will be amazed at the beauty you can create with different plants of course your pond pets, koi, goldfish, turtles, and frogs. Consider your budget when adding a pond.
Complete pond kits are available or choose a custom project:

*Hire a contractor or do it yourself? If you do it yourself it can save money, but it will add time and many redo's to get it right.
*You may be able to find a contractor that will consult and help you with the project cutting you overall costs and time. See more...

Decorative Water Features

Adding a decorative water feature to your outdoor living space will change the way you enjoy that space forever. Once you have heard the soothing sound of water cascading down an urn or bubbling out of stone columns or the amazing look of a water fall emerging out of the woods you will be amazed and immediately relaxed. Then comes the night time lighting effects and you are amazed again.
There are many types of decorative water features and many options to consider when you are adding one to your space. Let's take a look at some of the opportunities available:

*Decorative Pottery has so many shapes, sizes and colors that you can add a splash of color and water to any part of you outdoor space.

*Carved Stone is a look that is timeless. You have everything from spiraling columns, bowl fountains, mushrooms and stone sculptures to add elegance to your space. See more...

Tips for Designing the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

When designing commercial kitchens, the layout is broken into "zones," and the location of each zone is strategically placed in order to create harmony in the operation. This is "functionality, flow, comfort, and convenience." Regardless of the zone's purpose, we want to make sure that the zone is ergonomically intuitive, having all the essential operations confined to the zone, and keeping everything in arms reach to minimize steps. Alfresco has designed all of the pieces necessary to create a fully-functioning outdoor kitchen- one in which any professional chef would feel right at home. See more...

Fence, Getting Started

You've grown tired of the neighborhood dogs racing through the garden? You finally relented and bought that puppy the kids have been requesting? You no longer appreciate the foot traffic or even the occasional bicycle ride through the backyard? You installed a pool recently and now have learned that the local building codes require a fence. You're ready to enjoy the improvements to your outdoor living space but something still seems to be missing. Whatever your reason, YOU NEED A FENCE!!

Now that the decision has been made, there are many factors that will need to be considered. Determine which fence type best fits your needs. Should it be solid to afford privacy? Should it be ornamental to enhance living space? Should it be aluminum or steel, wood or vinyl? Determine how the work will be done and how it will comply with building codes. Will I make it a do-it-yourself project or have it installed by a professional? Will my choices meet codes and requirements? Will I know where buried utilities and water lines are located? Determine the design or layout of the fence. What area should be included inside the fence? What fence height or grade should be used? What landscaping object should be removed from the yard? See more..

Light Up Your Night

Your backyard is like a second home that usually gets neglected of your time. Why not take some time and money and make it the Stay-Cation Resort that you want it to be. One of the advantages to having a backyard is being able to enjoy it. While daylight creates a natural ability to see and do, nighttime makes an area look completely different with shadows and concealed areas. Adding lighting in the backyard and to the water features creates a whole different atmosphere. Using different types of lighting creates different effects, depending on what the homeowner that have to have a rock waterfall for example whether it be faux or the real deal always have the same complaint after they spent quite a bit of money o0n the installation. We can see and hear it in the daytime, but at night we can only hear it. Is there a lighting during the construction of any water feature. Usually there are conduits that need to be run into the areas that need to be lit.

For children that love the outdoors and like to play after dark, be sure to add fun water features like Lit Laminars and Lit Bubblers in the beach areas of the pool. Also, be sure to add standard floodlights in the areas near the house so they can see where they are going so they don not get hurt. See more...

Maintaining Your Investment

Congratulations on your decision to invest in your family, friends and yourself by getting a swimming pool. With gas prices and the economy being so unfavorably volatile, it is nice to have solace and serenity at home. Your backyard is the new destination to be and you are about to live the dream with family and friends. Or are you?

Getting a pool is the first step. Maintaining it are all the steps thereafter. Some things to consider are what to buy and how much to spend to protect your investment. There are a variety of ways to maintain your pool, including doing it yourself-manually- with a hose and pole, which are virtually all pool owners will agree 'gets old fast'. You could hire a pool service company to do it for you. This is a good option so long as you have the money to spend and can secure a safe and reliable company that will show up when promised and truly take care of your pool as agreed to. There are a lot of reliable companies out there, but then again, there are a lot that are not so reliable. The most common way to maintain a pool is to have an automatic cleaner, which like a service company will do the work for you, but when you want it to. Like most things and life, here too you have choices. There are 4 types of automatic cleaners; in-floor, suction-side, pressure-side and robotic. See more...

Getting Off to the Right Start with Pool Water Chemistry

Lots of thought goes into the selection of a pool, its size, color, shape, location and equipment. A pool does not really become a pool, until it is filled with water. This seemingly simple task may be fraught with problems, depending upon the quality of the water that will be used to fill the pool.

Before the pool is filled, have a local pool professional run a water analysis, on the source water testing for pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, iron, copper and manganese. in some areas, phosphates and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) tests and helpful. THe test results will highlight any areas of particular concern.

Decide how you would like to sanitize the pool. Chlorine is the most popular and includes choices ranging from simple manual chlorine additions- to inline feeders- to automated salt chlorine generators. Other sanitizer choices include: bromine, biguanide, ionizers, ionization-oxidation, mineral sanitizers, ozonators and ultraviolet sanitizers. Some must be used in combination with chlorine or other oxidizers and many are used in combination, as a means of reducing chemical usage. The goal of a chlorine free pool is possible, bur a pool with a reduced chlorine presence, without the negative aspects is much more attainable and much more consistent. Budget will play a role, in choosing a sanitizing method. See more...

The Right Choice

Once you decide to buy a pool, your enthusiasm will be as hard to contain as an over-inflated beach ball under water. Nevertheless, take a deep breath and relax. You'll have plenty of opportunities to injoy your pool, but only one chance to make sure it's built right.

The most important part of building a pool is the planning phase. This is when you'll decide the overall look of your pool scape and hire a pool contractor. Though some pool builders are also skilled landscape designers, it's common to bring in a landscape architect to create a master plan that details the pool, landscape and any other amenities, suck as a pool house, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, entertainment space, lighting, etc. If you plan on soliciting bids from several pool builders, a master plan is key to ensuring that each builder is bidding on the same project.

A landscape architect or pool builder can walk you through the design process, but it helps if you have a general idea of what you're looking for. See more...

Why Exercise in the Pool

Just being in the water causes you to exercise. Every move you make in the pool has to be deliberate to resist the continual pressure of the water on your body. And, when I am asked by a client, "why should I exercise in my pool?" four good answers come to my mind, and they include the properties of water.

First is the water resistance. Because the water is a thicker medium than air, the resistance from the water can range from 4 to 44 times that of movement out of the water. Using the resistance in the water is like exercising with weights or machines on land, and much safer.

Second, is the water buoyancy. In chest deep water, approximately 80% of your body weight is buoyancy, allowing you to only bear 20% of your weight when you exercise. See more...

TG Sheppard Sings the Praises of His New Pool

You can take TG Sheppard out of the country, But there's no taking the country out of TG Sheppard. When discussing his renovated backyard, which includes a gorgeous fiberglass pool and spa, the famed country music singer says, "It's just a hillbilly pond to me."

His voice is like molasses-smooth, deep and sweet-so you want to believe him. But that's just TG being humble. Truth is, the sophisticated pool would look as natural in Beverly Hills as it does in the Smoky Mountains.

Though a lot of homeowners wouldn't undertake such a project without the support of a landscape architect, TG and his wife, singer/songwriter Kelly Lang, designed the entire poolscape themselves and served as general contractors. The result is an elegant landscape that respects the surrounding woods while offering a contemporary and inviting outdoor living spaces. In addition to the pool and spa, the yard includes an outdoor fireplace, covered veranda and plenty of room for dining and entertainment. see more...

Up and Out

When you're a young homeowner, it's fun to fantasize about leaving behind your starter house and moving into an abode that more closely resembles your dream home. More bedrooms, larger closets, additional bathrooms and a designer kitchen are just a few of the things that people look for when upgrading their living spaces.

Increasingly, however, moving up also means moving out, as in outside- which is why outdoor "rooms" with swimming pools are becoming the ultimate amenity for people looking to improve their home life. Such was the case for two couples who recently participated in TLC's popular television series, Moving Up. which follows a chain of new homeowners who move into one another's houses and begin the design and renovation process, and then bring the old owners back for their reactions.

In one eposode, Andrew Lui and Olivia Tang moved into their new Spotwood. N.J., home to find a concrete pool desperately needing repair. Cracked plaster and dislodging tiles presented not only an eyesore, but also created leaks that eroded soil, causing the surrounding concrete deck to crumble. see more...

Go Beyond the Grill with Pantel

Joe Pantel saw the Future of outdoor entertainment and wanted to add TV viewing as an essential part of the outdoor experience. A normal LCD or plasma TV cannot withstand the challenges of being outdoors. Temperature extremes will easily damage the components of a normal TV, which is also susceptible to moisture, smoke, insects dust, and salt air.

Even under a covered patio, an ordinary TV will have a dramatically shorter lifespan due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels. Joe developed the Pantel weatherproof TV with an internal cooling system and optional heating system to provide the next level of outdoor entertainment-the remote control even floats!

Once hotels, theme parks, ballparks and other commercial applications discovered a dependable high quality outdoor video display it has been used for a variety of applications such as a restaurant menu display, interactive video movie poster or a queue prequel to an upcoming ride theme, and other centralized advertising opportunities. see more....

Making a Splash

When 2-year-old Caleb Glover and his family checked into an RV resort in Silverhill, Ala., in 2007n they were told that Caleb wouldn't be allowed to swim in the pool. It wasn't bacause he was too young, it was because he was HIV positive and the camp's officials thought he might pose a health risk to the other campers.

In January 2010, a settlement in Caleb's favor was reached in an Americans with Disabilities Act discrimination lawsuit. However, Caleb's story remains a potent reminder of the prejudice and isolation many youths with HIV face on a day-to-day basis. In fact, the ostracism that Caleb confronted is a main reason many people with HIV/AIDS never disclose their illness.
Fortunately for these children and their families, there's One Heartland, which operates Camp Heartland in Willow River, Minn. Founded in 1993, Camp Heartland not only offers a fun-filled camp experience for kids affected by HIV/AIDS, it gives them a place where they can be unconditionally accepted. see more...

All Things Considered

They say hind-sight is 20/20, and nothing could be truer about designing your outdoor living space. Being prepared and armed with information before you break ground on your backyard could mean the difference between a livable space and regrettable space. Whether you're just adding a flower bed or installing a pool, pergola, and outdoor kitchen, considering the obstacles and challenges along with the value and benefit is the key to achieving your backyard dreams.

The first thing you need to do is decide what you want to accomplish from your backyard transformation. Will you use the area for your kids and their friends to play so you know where they are? Will you invite your family and friends over for outdoor barbecues? Will you entertain business guests on a regular basis? Will you use the space to relax and get away from the daily woes of life? see more....