Glossary

Alphabet Filter
3D Pool Rendering -

A digital preview of a pool design.

Aggregate Finish -

A finish made from pebbles or glass beads.

Alkalinity -

Water’s resistance to pH changes.

Auto Cover -

A motorized safety cover that slides over the pool with the push of a button.

Backwashing -

Cleaning filters by reversing flow.

Backyard Transformation -

Full outdoor redesign.

Baja Shelf -

A shallow ledge for lounging.

Bench Seating -

Built-in seats in the pool.

Bubblers -

Small vertical fountains on shallow areas.

Built-In Grill -

A permanently installed outdoor grill.

Cabana -

A shaded outdoor structure.

Calcium Hardness -

Level of dissolved calcium.

Cartridge Filter -

A pool filter that uses replaceable cartridges to trap debris without requiring backwashing.

Chlorinated Pool -

A traditional pool sanitized using chlorine tablets or liquid to keep water clean and bacteria-free.

Chlorine -

Primary pool sanitizer.

Compaction -

Compressing soil for stability.

Concrete Deck -

A poured concrete surface around a pool.

Coping Stones -

Stones along the pool rim.

Countertops -

Granite, quartz, or concrete outdoor prep surfaces.

Custom Design Consultation -

A meeting to plan layouts.

Custom Pool Design -

A fully personalized pool layout tailored to a customer’s backyard, style preference, and functional needs.

DE Filter -

A filter using powdered fossil material to trap extremely fine particles for superior water clarity.

Deck Jets -

Jets that shoot streams of water into the pool.

Design-Build Process -

One team handling design and construction.

Electrical Runs -

Wiring installed for pool equipment.

Energy Efficiency -

Features that reduce power usage.

Engineering Plans -

Technical construction drawings.

Excavation -

Digging the pool area.

Fiberglass Pool -

A pre-manufactured pool shell made of fiberglass, installed in one piece and known for durability and low maintenance.

Filter -

Equipment that removes dirt and debris from pool water.

Filter Cycle -

Regular filtration process.

Financing -

Payment plans for projects.

Fire Features -

Decorative fire elements for ambiance.

Fire Pit -

A contained open-flame feature.

Fireplace -

A built-in outdoor fire feature.

Gas Heater -

A heater powered by natural gas or propane that quickly raises water temperature.

Gas Lines -

Natural gas piping.

Gazebo -

A freestanding roofed structure.

Grading -

Leveling ground before construction.

Grotto -

A cave-like structure often with a waterfall.

Gunite Pool -

A type of concrete pool built by spraying a mixture of cement and sand over rebar, offering maximum design flexibility.

Hardscape -

Non-plant features like patios and walls.

Heat Pump -

An energy-efficient heater that warms the pool using ambient air temperature.

Heater -

General term for systems that heat pool or spa water.

Infinity Edge Pool -

A luxury pool with one or more edges designed so water flows over and creates a seamless visual “vanishing edge.”

Inground Pool -

A pool built into the ground using concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl, offering a permanent and custom outdoor feature.

Inspection -

Official safety and code checks.

Island -

A built-in kitchen base containing appliances.

Lap Pool -

A long, narrow pool built specifically for swimming laps and exercise.

LED Pool Lighting -

Energy-efficient lighting with color options.

Main Drain -

A drain located at the bottom of the pool that circulates water.

Natural Stone -

Stone materials for decks or accents.

Outdoor Bar -

A serving and seating bar.

Outdoor Kitchen -

A built-in outdoor cooking area.

Outdoor Living Upgrade -

Enhancements to outdoor areas.

Outdoor Refrigerator -

A weatherproof fridge.

Patio Cover -

A roof extending from the home.

Pavers -

Interlocking blocks for decking.

Pebble Finish -

A polished pebble interior.

Pergola -

A slatted shade structure.

Permitting -

Required approvals for construction.

pH Level -

Water acidity/alkalinity.

Plaster -

A smooth cement-based pool finish.

Plumbing Lines -

Pipes for water circulation.

Plunge Pool -

A small, deep pool designed for cooling off, relaxation, and smaller backyards.

Pool Automation System -

A smart control system that operates pool equipment.

Pool Cleaning -

Routine debris removal and balancing.

Pool Construction Timeline -

Step-by-step schedule.

Pool Start-Up -

Initial conditioning of new water.

Pool Tile -

Decorative or protective tile.

Pump -

The main motor-driven device that circulates water through the pool’s system.

Quartz Finish -

A quartz-infused plaster.

Rebar Framework -

Steel reinforcement.

Retaining Wall -

A wall for soil support.

Return Jets -

Openings where filtered water returns to the pool.

ROI -

Return on investment.

Safety Cover -

A secure cover that protects children and pets.

Salt Cell -

Converts salt into chlorine.

Saltwater Pool -

A pool using a salt-chlorine generator to produce chlorine naturally, providing softer water and reduced harsh chemical smell.

Sand Filter -

A filter that strains water through sand.

Seating Wall -

A low wall designed for seating.

Shade Structure -

Any structure providing shade.

Sheer Descent -

A smooth, sheet-like waterfall.

Shock Treatment -

High-dose sanitation.

Shotcrete Pool -

Similar to gunite, but made using a wet-mix concrete sprayed onto rebar. Strong, durable, and highly customizable.

Site Survey -

Measurement of land boundaries.

Skimmer -

A device that pulls in floating debris from the pool’s surface.

Slide -

A recreational feature for sliding into the pool.

Smart Pool Controls -

Automation features operated from smartphones or panels.

Soil Testing -

Checking soil load-bearing ability.

Spillover Spa -

A spa that overflows into the pool.

Stamped Concrete -

Concrete textured to look like stone or brick.

Swim Jets -

Jets that create a current for swimming in place.

Swim-Up Bar -

Seating and bar built into the pool.

Travertine -

A cool-to-the-touch natural stone.

Turnkey Installation -

Complete start-to-finish service.

Variable-Speed Pump -

An efficient pump with multiple speed settings.

Vinyl-Liner Pool -

A pool with a custom vinyl liner installed over a steel or polymer frame, typically more budget-friendly.

Warranty -

Equipment or workmanship guarantees.

Water Balancing -

Maintaining proper chemistry.

Waterfall -

A cascading water feature.

Waterline Tile -

Tile installed at the pool’s water level for protection and design.

Weekly Pool Maintenance -

Routine upkeep.

Winterizing -

Preparing for cold weather.

Zero-Entry Pool (Beach Entry) -

A pool with a sloping, ramp-like entry that mimics walking into the ocean.