Pool Covers Comparison: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing the best cover for your inground pool can be just as time consuming as deciding on the look of the pool itself. Each cover brings its own advantages and disadvantages to the table, and we want to help make your selection process a little bit easier. Here are the four main types of pool covers and what features you can expect from each.

Solar Pool Cover

A solar cover is great to use during the summer because it will soak up the heat and warm your pool, as well as keep debris out. After summer though, when it comes time to close the pool, this cover won’t do you any good. Plus, many people complain that these covers can be a pain to take on and off every day. It’s definitely better than nothing, but this isn’t a swimming pool cover that will keep your pool totally protected all year round.

An inexpensive alternative to a solar cover is to create individual lily pad solar covers that you can spread across your pool. They may not offer as much protection as a traditional cover, but they will still help absorb heat and catch some debris. 

 Winter Pool Cover

If you’re looking for a more substantial cover that’s pretty inexpensive and you don’t mind replacing every couple seasons, a winter cover is for you. The tarp-like material does a good job of keeping out excess water and debris, but it can also be a little temperamental and move around because it is only being held down by sandbags. Expect to keep a watchful eye on the pool and perform some occasional maintenance all winter if you choose this route.

Safety Pool Cover

Safety covers, or security covers as they are sometimes called, are the safest option for most pool owners (no pun intended). Not only can they support concentrated weight and keep your family safe around the area, but they also can be customized to any pool shape unlike other types of covers, so you won’t have to worry about any guess work for finding a pool cover for your freeform pool. Although installation can be a little complicated and challenging, the lifespan and low maintenance for this cover makes it well worth it.

Automatic Pool Cover 

Why spend the time manually putting on a cover when you can just put it on with the touch of a button? Automatic pool covers are great because of how easy they are to use and also because they offer protection against unwanted visitors, like animals, getting into your pool. In many cases, however, automatic pool covers can only be installed into rectangular pools and also have the ability to break, which can lead to not being able to use your pool for a couple of days. If the cost and shape of your pool isn’t an issue, however, these covers can be well worth the investment.

What kind of cover do you have or want for your pool? Let us know in a comment!

Want A Pool By Summer? Here’s 3 Things To Do Right Now

Although summer is still pretty far away, if you are considering purchasing a pool, now is the time to start your research. We’re giving you a jumping off point for the process with these three things you need to do before you buy your pool.

1. Figure Out Your Motives For Wanting A Pool 

This isn’t as simple of a process as it seems. Really ask yourself why you want a pool. Do you want it for family to enjoy and play in, or are you a swimmer and want a place to train? If you want it for family fun, are your children younger or older? Younger children are probably going to need a shallow end, and older children may want a deep end to dive into or play games in. Pools, especially in-ground pools, are large commitments; are you willing to keep up with the maintenance? Looking at your motives for a pool will help you to better determine if a pool is the appropriate backyard accessory, because we don’t want it to end up being an unused space that you sank a lot of money into.

2. Establish Your Budget 

You’ll need a pretty penny to be able to purchase a pool, so planning out your budget for this expense is a necessity. You can’t plan out your pool if you can’t pay for it. Begin looking at your accounts and seeing what money you’ll be able to put into it out of pocket, what you’ll need to finance, etc. While you’re planning, start looking at financing options and make sure you are eligible and meet the terms of the loan options in your current financial state. While you won’t be able to plan out exactly how much the pool is going to cost without actually going through the purchasing process, knowing how much you are able to spend will be helpful for you and your contractor.

3. Begin Researching Your Desired Size, Shape and Material 

This step is a lot more fun than the previous two, because it involves envisioning and brainstorming about your dream pool. Think about the pool shape you’d like to have: maybe rectangular, kidney-shaped, or custom? Do you like the look of concrete pools or fiberglass more? You can find images of pools that you like and compare them all to see which features you would like from each of them. Have some fun with this part, but be sure to keep your motives and your budget in mind while brainstorming.

How To Lose Weight In Your Hot Tub

Even people who hate exercise love how they feel after exercising, with all their blood flowing and feel-good hormones releasing. But did you know that you have that post-exercise feeling waiting for you in your backyard? The warmth of your hot tub can give you the some of the same effects that you would feel just after a hard workout, including weight loss. We’re sharing the secrets of how your hot tub can actually help you lose weight and feel healthier.

Increases Circulation

When you sit in a hot tub for at least 30 minutes, it starts to raise your body temperature. When your body temperature increases, you increase your circulation and your blood vessels begin to dilate at the same time. This simulates the same process that happens when you exercise for 30 minutes. Increased circulation and body temperature are also key in keeping your body healthy, which is why raising your body temperature boosts your immune system to fight off viruses.

A study by the New England Journal of Medicine showed that a group of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were able to lose weight in three weeks just by using a hot tub for 30 minutes a day, six days a week. They also saw a decrease insulin doses, decreases in glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, and improvement in sleep quality.

Improves Digestion

The increased blood circulation make it is easier for blood to flow to your organs and make them function properly. The organs in your digestive system particularly benefit from this because the heat also relaxes them and makes it easier to digest your food. This not only helps you get rid of waste in your body, but it also leaves you feeling less bloated and heavy.

Helps Burn Calories

Because your body is already in the same state as it would be during exercise while you are in a hot tub, exercise on top of that is even more beneficial. Your stimulated blood circulation helps your metabolism be more effective and burn more calories, so even simple exercises like stretches and deep breathing have an extra boost in calorie burn.

Helps Reduce Stress

Stress can often lead to weight gain, so if you take stress out of the equation by relaxing in your hot tub either alone or with friends, you help yourself decrease the risk of gaining weight and can focus more clearly on what makes you happy about your body and what you would like to work on. Without stress as an added pressure in your weight loss, your chances of losing weight are greater.

Bonus: Helps Reduce Appearance Of Cellulite

The fatty deposits that build up on the hips, thighs and buttocks as you get older, known as cellulite, often make people feel self-conscious about their bodies. Like many of the weight loss benefits listed above, improved circulation can help reduce the appearance of cellulite by stimulating the blood vessels around it. Although it won’t technically help you lose weight, diminishing cellulite can help you feel better about how your body looks, giving you more confidence and motivation to work towards your ideal body image.

Has your hot tub helped you lose weight? Know any great hot tub exercises you’d like to share? Tell us about it in a comment!

7 Beautiful Patio Sets You’ll Want In Your Backyard

Looking for inspiration for decorating and accessorizing your backyard? Check out these 7 gorgeous patio furniture sets that will get your creative wheels turning and help you get started on your own patio project! 

 

This outdoor couch, table, and ottoman set that are part of the Meridian collection by Agio look like the perfect way to relax in the sun on a Sunday morning. Mimosas anyone?

Source: White Gold & Design

Pergola patios are a popular trend because they provide some shade and are easy to hang objects like curtains and lights from. This outdoor room gives you the homey feeling of your living room with a backyard breeze.

This patio set from the Animal Kingdom collection by Agio could really bring out the wild side in your get-togethers. Although they are pretty tame, the animal print pillows prove to bring just the right amount of adventure to this patio set.

Classic and sophisticated, this patio furniture from the Agio’s Arrington collection would stay timeless in any backyard and would fit in easily for any season.

Sitting around the fire never looked so elegant! This Balmoral fire pit table from Agio would look great by any pool or hot tub on a chilly fall night.

Source: Homedit.com

For those are looking to spruce up a sunroom, this light design with its wooden ceilings and wicker furniture would be inviting to any house guest. And not many other people could say they have a couch that hangs from the ceiling!

Although you may not have a lakeside patio to put it on, this wicker set from the Veranda collection by Agio would go great on any patio and make it feel nice and cozy.

Did you see a set or piece of furniture by Agio that you think would look fantastic in your own yard? You can find these designs and many others in our selection of Agio products! For more inspiration, check out our Backyard Paradise Inspiration board on Pinterest!

Hot Tub Health Benefits

Thinking of owning a hot tub?






Here's four great reasons!



Check Out Our Site For Great Deals On Your New Hot Tub!

28 Real Reasons To Own A Hot Tub

You want to be a hot tub owner, so let’s give you 28 real reasons to take the plunge!

1.    Energy Efficient: The day of hot tubs increasing your utility bill to a ridiculous amount is over.  Current models are much less expensive to operate.

2.    Me Time: Everyone deserves some quiet time alone. Can you really think of a better place?

3.    Sleep Better: Research has shown those who take a nice soak prior to turning in enjoy more restful sleep.

4.    Enjoy The Outdoors: Even during the coldest days of winter, you’ll still be able to stay toasty outside in your new spa.

5.    Pain Relief: Taking medication to help alleviate your common aches and pains? Doesn’t a daily soak sound more appealing?

6.    A Vacation Everyday: You remember how comfortable it was at that resort, you could enjoy that same experience everyday!

7.    Party Host: Invite friends and family over (the ones you like!) and have a few laughs.

8.    Increase Home Value: Unlike other purchases, hot tubs are an investment that can add value to your home, especially when you make it the centerpiece of your backyard or deck.

9.    Cool Off For Summer: Turn the thermostat down and soak in some cool water during those blistering summer months.

10.         A Massage Anytime: Those jets can feel even better than a trained masseuse.

11.         Make It Your Own: Customize it with lights, heated towel bars, even a stereo and television!

12.         More Endorphins: In a relaxed state, your body produces pleasure-inducing hormones that give you the warm and fuzzies.

13.         Less Strenuous Than The Gym: And we don’t mean using the free weights.  It’s just really easier to benefit from the warm waters when you don’t have to deal with traffic driving to the health club.

14.         Lose Weight: A sample study recently showed that those who soak in a hot tub have had more success reaching their weight-loss goals than those who don’t.

15.         Convenience: Think you won’t use it? It will be right outside your door!

16.         It’s Clean: Unlike the spa at the gym or hotel, you will know the water and equipment is well maintained.

17.         Can Fit Anywhere: Some available models will only take up a small corner of your deck or yard. 

18.         Morning Boost: Get yourself energized before taking on the day.

19.         Aromatherapy: Add a few drops of selected oil into your spa to help improve energy, make you feel calmer and reduce anxiety.

20.         More Quiet Than The Library: Wouldn’t it be nice to read a book, outside, quietly soaking in your hot tub?

21.         Romance: Turn off the television, grab some wine and have a soak and a conversation with your soul mate.

22.         Keep Your Kids Close: Your children are will actually want to have their friends over…to hang out at your place.

23.         Exercise: Strengthen your muscles as you perform resistance exercises in your hot tub.

24.         Tanning: The bubbling water reflects the sun, giving you more exposure for that perfect skin tone.

25.         You Deserve It: If not now, when? You’ve earned some leisure time.

26.         Feel Younger: It’s a pretty safe bet that you’ll feel younger, more flexible and mobile after bathing in the warm, relaxing waters.

27.         Save Up To $3,000: Yes, that’s right! From now until February 28^th, all floor model hot tubs are on sale!

28.         0% 60 Month Financing: During this promotion you can also take advantage of no interest financing for a full five years.

Would You Buy A Car Without Seeing It First?

That may sound like a rhetorical question, but it does beg for an answer. Would you purchase a car without being able to see it beforehand? What about renting an apartment or buying a home? Certainly you wouldn't lay out your down payment or security deposit sight unseen.

It's really the same type of scenario when it comes to purchasing a hot tub. As we mentioned in earlier articles, the big box retailers that sell spas force you to only look at pictures and read specs online. They don't even have a single model available at their brick and mortar stores for you to see, let alone touch or even climb into!

Some hot tub dealers only have two or three, if any, physically on display. Unfortunately, many times these demo models aren't even filled with water.

All Seven Seas locations have a variety of spas on display from the leading brands like Coast, Caldera and Hot Springs, and yes....they're fully functional and filled with water.

There's something almost indescribable about actually hearing the water rush through the jets of what could be your future hot tub. Smelling the warmth bubbling throughout. Visualizing the seating capacity filled with your friends and family. Experiencing the entertainment system as it plays relaxing music. Watching the tranquil, mesemerizing lights surrounding the spa.

We will admit, however, that in our current Cranberry location we just don't have the floorspace to display as many hot tubs as we'd like. But that's about to change.....

Coming soon, we will be moving up the street to a new address. In 2014 we will be opening a brand new Seven Springs Super Store that is going to help us alleviate our current space restrictions.

Imagine:

• 7200 Square Feet of space loaded with all of your Spa, Sauna and Pool needs!

• 2 Fully Functioning In-Ground Swimming Pools on-site!

• And, maybe best of all.....room for more than 20 hot tub displays, allowing you the ability to actually witness, in person, the wide variety available!

Keep checking our website and Facebook for more details. If you're considering purchasing a new hot tub, 2014 just might be the year! Learn about the health benefits of owning a hot tub HERE