Yankees vs. Red Sox, Nike vs. Adidas, McDonald’s vs. Burger King. For decades, these great rivalries have shaped popular culture. But one of the biggest rivalries can be found in your own backyard.

The debate between saltwater and chlorine swimming pools is a long and complicated one. Both methods of sanitizing have their pros and cons depending on a number of factors, but if you’re debating on one to pick, here’s what you should know.

SALTWATER

Nothing feels quite as good as jumping into a saltwater pool. With softer, more natural water compared to the more chemically treated chlorine, it’s no secret that saltwater pools are better for your skin, hair, and eyes. It’s also generally easier and safer to store salt over chlorine, and it requires less maintenance on a day-to-day basis.

Despite seeming like the opposite of chlorine, saltwater pools actually use chlorine to keep your pool clean. Rather than using tablets or chemicals to treat the water, saltwater pools use a salt-chlorine generator to turn the salt in the water into chlorine. It sounds much more complicated than it actually is, and it usually just takes adding salt to the pool and letting the generator do the work for you.

Why isn’t saltwater the overwhelming favorite then? Well, these benefits come at a price. Saltwater pools are generally more expensive to start but become less expensive to maintain over time, which is the inverse of chlorine. You’ll also want to test the pH of the pool at least once a week using testing strips or electronic meters to ensure the water is being sanitized properly. Saltwater is also corrosive, meaning it can slowly eat away at lighting and surfaces

Also, you might be worried about the taste of a saltwater pool, thinking that it’s similar to the ocean. Luckily, saltwater pools have roughly one tenth the saline of the ocean, meaning you won’t even taste a thing. 

CHLORINE

When many think of backyard swimming, they’re usually thinking of chlorine pools. The distinct chlorine smell that many have a love/hate relationship with is as synonymous with summer as grilling and fireworks.

It’s hard to beat the guaranteed cleanliness that chlorine brings. It’s easier and cheaper to install, and because it’s so popular, you’ll always be able to find someone to fix it in case of a major malfunction. It’s also easy to maintain specific chemical levels and won’t corrode surfaces the way saltwater can. 

However, chlorine has its own drawbacks. As mentioned earlier, not everyone is a huge fan of the smell and irritation it can leave on your skin, hair, and eyes. They also need to be shock treated often in order to maintain correct chlorine levels and prevent the production of chloramines, which is the chemical that leads to skin irritation, allergy, or asthma symptoms some feel after swimming.

(Also, if you have bleached or dyed blonde hair, it might be best to skip the chlorine unless you’re going for a lovely shade of green.)

If you’re willing to spend the money upfront, saltwater might be your choice. If you’re worried about maintenance and correctly cleaning the pool, chlorine might be the way to go. Regardless of which method you choose, your pool will be the place to be for many summers to come.

Looking for a way to brighten up your outdoor space? There are a variety of lighting options on the market, so it can be a bit overwhelming when choosing the one that’s best for you.

But after a little reading and research, you’ll find a well-planned lighting design and installation that adds visual appeal with security and safety benefits.

Types of outdoor lighting

There are quite a few options when it comes to illuminating your outdoor space. So, let’s start with defining some of the popular lighting options.

Floodlights

Floodlights do precisely what their name suggests. They flood dark areas with light. 

Floodlights most often shine on fixed structures or large dark areas. They can be installed in the ground or placed on something sturdy like a wall or a pole.

Spotlights

Spotlights are a popular and versatile lighting option. They can be placed in the ground or mounted and come in a variety of bulb and beam width options.

Other Landscape Lights

Landscape lights include a variety of fixture types. Some of these include sconces, lanterns, well lights and step lights. They’re all installed a little differently and provide different lighting effects.

How to Choose the Best Light for My Outdoor Design

Three main factors play a part in selecting the type of light you’ll want for your space.  

Visual Appeal

Is there a feature that you want to draw attention to? If so, envision where you’ll need to place lighting to accentuate that feature.

Spotlights are usually the best choice for drawing attention to structures or features of your outdoor space. Other landscape fixtures such as sconces add a finishing touch that can complement your design style.

Security and Safety

Outdoor lighting helps make low visibility areas safer and deter criminal activity. Floodlights are a common choice for dark areas that may deter roaming animals and protect areas prone to theft.

Pathway and hardscape lights, on the other hand, are a top choice for making walkways more visible.

Large Areas

Larger areas may require many different light fixtures or a combination. Flood lights, such as wall wash lights, tend to work well for illuminating larger spaces. 

Smart Lighting

While switches will always be around, you now have more advanced options in terms of programming and controls. Companies like Control4 Smart Lighting make it easy to turn your lights on and off at the press of a button no matter where you are.

Need help building an outdoor space? Give one of our outdoor-living specialists a call at 281-265-1994 in Houston or 972-915-2727 in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Are you looking for a great addition to your outdoor kitchen? Here are some reminders when choosing a sink for your patio.

Know your materials

Before you decide what your sink should be made of, consider how often you’ll be using it, where it’ll be positioned in your kitchen, and how willing you are to maintain it.

The most common material used for outdoor sinks is stainless steel. And while it’s durable and easy to clean, it does come with a few downsides. They tend to scratch easily and don’t come in wide varieties if you want a specific look. Also, if you have it in direct sunlight, there’s a good chance it could be roughly the same temperature as the sun on Texas summer afternoons. 

With its striking look, a natural stone sink could look great with your patio style. On top of their look, they also don’t absorb heat as easily and can withstand the elements for many years. However, these sinks need to be regularly maintained and may not be suitable for heavy use.

Granite sinks have become a popular choice in recent years. Both durable and visually appealing, granite could be a great fit for your outdoor kitchen.

Specialty vs. utility sinks

If you’re planning on throwing outdoor parties this summer, it might be worth investing in a bar sink. This stainless steel sink allows for a space to wash your dishes by day and store your drinks by night, with a spot to hold condiments, cut up fruits and vegetables, and open bottles. The compact size also means you’ll have more room to eat and serve meals.

If you’re wanting something heavy-duty to get the job done as effectively as possible, a large utility sink might be in your future. This no-frills sink with one large basin is made to withstand anything you can throw at it. Doing dishes? Check. Making dinner? Check. Cleaning gardening tools? Check. Just because you have it in your outdoor kitchen doesn’t mean it should exclusively be for food, right?

Consider your flooring

One thing that may not be initially obvious to anyone planning their outdoor sink is the floor that will be under it. Like your kitchen inside, it’s best to have flooring that’s non-porous and can be hosed down or swept easily. That way, you won’t have to worry about spilling liquids or food under it.

An outdoor sink can be a very convenient addition to your outdoor kitchen. Consider these factors when planning the next chapter of your patio.

Does your dream patio have a kitchen included? Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of your future outdoor kitchen.

Refrigerator 

How many times have you been to a house where someone has a second fridge outside or in a garage that’s almost exclusively for drinks? Over the years, the “garage fridge” has become a must for many people, so it only makes sense to have a refrigerator in your outdoor kitchen. Not only is it great for storing drinks, but it can also become the one-stop shop for any party, equipped with fruits, veggies, cheese, and anything else to make the perfect spread.

Grill

We’ve previously gone over the best grills for your patio, and we still believe that no outdoor function is complete without the perfect grill. While there are plenty of options between gas, charcoal, and smokers, consider the size of groups you’ll be cooking for, what type of fuel you prefer, and how much time you want to spend grilling.

Side Burner

Don’t get us wrong: A grill is great, but sometimes you want to multitask or use different heat levels depending on the food. That’s where the side burner comes in. This small addition can become a huge help when cooking a big dinner, meaning you can pan-sear or keep pots warm while you’re grilling.

Sink

We’ve also talked about the perfect outdoor kitchen sink and the convenience it can bring. Similar to the grill, you should focus on how often you’ll be using it, where it’s positioned on the patio, and how willing you are to maintain and clean it.

Icemaker

Sure, you could go for the regular old ice out of your refrigerator. But why not spice it up? There are plenty of ice makers out there big and small, but you can’t go wrong with that tiny ice that’s great to crunch on.

Pizza Oven

If you’re a huge pizza fan (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you can’t go wrong with an outdoor pizza oven. Pizza ovens can vary in size depending on your style. This means regardless if you want a full-on brick oven or a stainless steel oven to sit on your countertop, you can become a master pizza chef in no time. 

These great appliances can help make your outdoor kitchen the place to be for years to come.