“People are looking for materials that will make their pools and outdoor spaces distinctive,” says Wendell Lee, president and head of design for Pacific Aqua-Scapes. This year, new technology merges with tried-and-true materials to create fabulous design options for outdoor living. Ready to dream about the world beyond your back door? Start here.
Photo by Olivier Koning
Durable, Beautiful IpeSince 1992,
Pacific American Lumber has supplied Hawaii’s homes with superior timber. The company’s decking line is no exception. Iron Woods decking is hand-selected ipe, chosen for consistency in grain and texture. These decks are known for their scratch and pest resistance, and come with a 25-year warranty. Iron Woods lumber is also responsibly harvested.
Photo by Scott T. Kubo
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Stone SurroundsMarblehaus Hawaii brings a superior selection of granite, marble, slate, travertine and more for interior and exterior uses. Company owner Kevin Nip suggests surrounding pool areas with quartzite tile or flagstone. The rough stone offers a nonslip surface for possibly slick-when-wet areas. Nip chose Marblehaus’s exclusive Hebei Gold quartzite for this home.
Photo courtesy of Hot Spring
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The Look of Real StoneLooking for a more natural way to embellish the look of your spa?
Blue Champagne Pool & Spa’s Hot Spring SpaStone Surrounds might be just the thing. They’re made from synthetic stone but have the look and feel of the real thing. Bonus: These spas are portable, but the natural stone surround gives them a built-in look.
Photo by Scott T. Kubo
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Sleek ArtistryThis infinity pool and coordinating spa by
C&J Contracting constantly overflows, creating a sleek, glassy edge. Ceramic interior pool tile from
Selective Stone echoes the color of the ocean on a calm day, while custom-made ceramic sea turtles and fish, created by artist Dennis Yee, dot the bottom and sides. At night, the lights go on, thanks to the pool’s Jandy lighting system, which reveals eight color options ranging from soft white to deep purple. The surrounding deck is fashioned from 12-inch-by-12-inch quartzite pieces from
Marblehaus. Even the keenest eye may be unaware of the pool surround’s slight slope downward, a feature that keeps water from collecting on its surface.
The AquaPalm (pictured above)manufactured by Jandy, puts all of this pool’s heating, lighting and cleaning functions at the push of a button. “This can get wet without damage, and it has a radio wave, so it can go anywhere you go,” says Clifton Crawford of C&J Contracting.
Sublime Salt WaterThis salt pool presents a popular alternative for sanitizing pools, because fewer harsh chemicals are needed to treat the water. “The feel of the water is very soft compared to traditional chlorine,” says Monte Sloan of
Gemini Pool & Spa. Gemini can also install a Mineral Springs unit, which gives the water an even softer feel and makes it easier to manage pool chemical levels.
Photo courtesy of Trex
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Reclaimed WoodCreating a green outdoor area is easy, especially with Trex from
Honsador Lumber. This composite deck material is made from recycled plastic grocery bags (keeping them off our beaches) and reclaimed wood. Thanks to its efforts, Trex is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition to being earth-friendly, Trex features more than 10 colors for its decking, trim, railings and fencing. A 25-year warranty illustrates its durability—Trex won’t warp, fade or rot.
Photo courtesy of Jacuzzi
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New Spa TechnologyWhat if you could listen to your favorite song, get a great massage and watch a beautifully lit, trickling waterfall all at the same time? If you own a Jacuzzi 400 Series spa, available at
T. Oki Trading Co., you can. Its jets deliver a perfect air-to-water ratio for a water massage that doesn’t sting. Lights in cup holders, on the spa floor and even in the waterfall provide great visuals. And you can control your own music selections thanks to the iPod docking-station stereo system with subwoofers and floating, waterproof remote control.
Photo by Tomas Del Amo
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Stone PaversAdd a touch of Hawaii around your home with
Bella Pietra’s puka lava rock in random flagstone pavers. The rich, black stone creates nonslip surfaces, perfect for poolside areas. Bella Pietra is one of Hawaii’s premier stone distributors, offering random flagstone or tiles of travertine, limestone and basalt in a variety of finishes, plus quartzite and slate in natural finishes for all outdoor applications.
Photo courtesy of Timber Tech
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TimberTech composite decking, railing and trims offer that real-wood look, while adding durability and selection, thanks to its mix of reclaimed wood fibers and plastic resins. This material doesn’t ever need to be painted or refinished. Termites won’t ever be an issue, either. Homeowners can choose from a variety of wood tones and styles, including the company’s newest offering, Earthwood planks in teak, rosewood and walnut. TimberTech is available on Oahu from
Hardware Hawaii and on the Big Island from
HPM Building Supply.
Photo courtesy of Daltile
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Glass Pool TileWhile glazed porcelain tile is still a great-looking and cost-effective option for pool surfacing, glass tile is the ultimate in luxury. “We use it on more of our higher-end pools because we can do so much artwork with it,” explains Travis Schonleber, pool and exterior lines representative for
Daltile. “You can make murals out of it … fish scenes, coral scenes … you name it. They are all made by hand.”
Photo courtesy of Porcelanosa
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No-Slip SurfacesCombining beauty and function,
Porcelanosa offers STON-KER AntiSlip tile. While this line resembles natural materials like stone and wood, its synthetic material is both impervious to water and durable for high-traffic areas. It’s great for pool surrounds, because it prevents wet feet from slipping.
Photo courtesy of Maru Flooring
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Pretty PatternsThis summer,
Maru Flooring is bringing Venteak to Hawaii’s lanai. Available in solid or mellow teak and ipe, in straight or diagonal patterns, Venteak’s interlocking pieces make installation a snap. Plus, the hardwood material stands up to Hawaii’s extreme sun and moisture. We like Venteak for its green side—the company uses sustainable harvesting practices, and is certified green by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Photo courtesy of Tyson's Inc.
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Concrete ConceptsConcrete is the perfect poolside material for Hawaii—it stands up to heat and moisture. However, a wash of gray hardly makes a pool oasis inviting. That’s where
Tyson’s Inc. comes in. The family business and licensed contractor has been in Hawaii for 10 years and offers coatings, concrete staining and stamping for indoors and outdoors. The company practices sustainability by repairing and covering existing concrete, while updating bland spaces with brilliant colors and designs. Beyond the masonry aspect, the Tyson team (Ken, his wife and two daughters) brings an artistic eye to each project: Ken worked for 17 years in the silk-screen business, and one of his daughters is company vice president and an interior designer.
Photo courtesy of Big Rock
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Rock VeneerJust like painting to transform the indoors,
Big Rock Manufacturing’s lightweight stone veneers can help dress up decks and lanai. For 25 years, Big Rock has offered lavarock and mossrock wall veneers and pavers to transform ordinary outdoor pools into grottos, and flat, cement decks into natural-looking havens. The company’s accessories, including fountains, sculptures and planters complete the scene.
