Automatic Retractable Safety Pool Covers

Posted by Gappsi Group on

Automatic-Retractable-Safety-Pool-CoversThe benefits of owning a swimming pool equipped with Automatic Retractable Safety Pool Covers are many. Homeowners in the market looking to purchase a swimming pool sometimes are not educated by their pool contractors.  Most often they focus on items that are less important for the large investment. A safety auto-cover is one item.  The benefits it offers far surpass the cost of buying one, you just need to educate yourself on them. Often consumers don’t purchase it mainly because the contractor does not take the time to educate the consumer on the benefits a safe electric auto-cover offers.

At Gappsi, as experienced pool builders and residential outdoor living designers and builders.  We have incorporated and built many backyards with swimming pools equipped with automatic retractable safety pool covers. We have calculated that operating and owning a swimming pool without an auto-cover is.  It would cost more than paying principal and financing charges if you have to get financing to install a safety auto-cover on your new swimming pool.

An automatic pool cover is a reliable and convenient way to keep your family safe around the pool.  It also is helpful in preserving its water level, chemistry, and heat for longer.

These retractable electric pool covers are effective safety barriers for your children, prevent debris from falling into your pool, and reduce your maintenance and heating costs. With a simple turn of a key or touch of a button, your warm, clean pool will be ready to go for a fun day of swimming.

Heat, Water, and Chemical Retention

While protecting your children is always our top priority, our automatic pool covers do so much more. We use a special fabric and webbing inside the track to insulate your pool

This insulation helps to prevent evaporation and loss of heat. With these covers, you won’t need to top off your pool water quite as often, and the water will stay warmer for longer. This helps you operate your heater more efficiently and keep the pool at a comfortable swimming temperature for a much longer swimming season!

Gappsi retractable pool covers are also opaque, and completely block out sunlight while the pool is closed. Sunlight exposure makes sanitizing chemicals like chlorine break down more quickly in the water, as well as contributes to the growth of algae.

Building a New Pool or Have an Existing pool? Does your pool qualify for an automatic pool cover based on your pool shape and layout?

  • New Build – Yes ✔

If you are building a new pool, you can incorporate an automatic pool cover into your build.

  • Existing Pool – Maybe?

It will depend on your pool’s shape and deck layout. Read more about the system below to see if your existing pool can accommodate one.

Automatic-Retractable-Safety-Pool-Covers1Examples of Pools that CANNOT have automatic covers:

  • Raised Walls (some exceptions can be made, see pools that can have auto covers)
  • Spas that stick up higher than the pool height
  • The deck is not one level – end to end.
  • Raised Rocks/ Dive Rocks at the edge of the pool

Examples of Pools that CAN have automatic covers:

  • One Level from End to End
  • No Changes in Elevation

Other Pool Cover Options

While an electric pool cover for your inground pool is a great option that we highly recommend, we know it is not always the ideal solution for every pool. Other great options are available, including mesh safety covers, pool safety nets, and pool safety fences, which all provide their own unique benefits for you and your loved ones.

Winterizing Automatic Retractable Safety Pool Covers

Although during the winter your pool cover requires less attention, water and/or snow will build up on the cover. If the water level in the pool is not properly maintained, serious damage to the cover can occur. Properly maintaining a pool’s water level prevents excess weight on the top surface of the cover that can cause damage to the cover system.

During the winter, make at least monthly inspections of the pool’s water level and make sure the cover pump is operating properly so that water on top of the cover does not build up. Even a few inches of water on top of the cover is an enormous weight and can pull the cover and guide it into the pool. In situations where the water level is too low, you should add water to the pool immediately to better support the water or ice that is on the cover. Your cover will survive any normal winter if these simple precautions are taken.

Make sure your water is chemically balanced before covering the pool for extended periods of time. Double-check the water after the chemicals had a chance to mix completely. This may require checking the pool water a day or two after chemicals have been added. When covering the pool for long periods of time, turn down ozone generators and chemical feeders to their lowest level. The constant long-term build-up of ozone can damage the fabric. Place the cover pump on the cover to remove melted snow.

Automatic-Retractable-Safety-Pool-Covers2Vinyl Pool With AutoCover and Large Natural Stone Pool Pavers

Located in Brightwaters Long Island Gappsi added to an existing 16 x 34 vinyl liner pool built with concrete walls.  We built a sundeck on one side of the pool and steps across the entire sundeck with a bench on each side of the stairs. Additionally, we installed two water bubblers on the sundeck and led lights in the pool. Gappsi installed the automatic retractable safety pool covers for the homeowner too.

The patio consists of G045 limestone selected from the Gappsi stone collection roman pattern for the patio and rock-faced tumbled coping for the pool edges. We also built a gas fire pit for the family to enjoy. The wall is veneered with natural stones and the coping is matching to the pool coping with the G045 2 inches of rock-faced and tumbled coping.  Latest backyard design and installation by Gappsi. 

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VIEW OUR VIDEO OF AUTOMATIC RETRACTABLE SAFETY POOL COVERS

Benefits of Limestone Patio Pavers and Pool Copings

Posted by CDP on
Limestone Patio Pavers & Pool Copings
A custom limestone patio designed by Gappsi

Planning to revamp your patio? Limestone patio pavers and pool copings are your best bet!

The material of patio pavers and pool copings matters because it affects everything, from convenience and aesthetics to budget and several other factors.

Although patio pavers and pool copings are available in many different forms, limestone has remained one of the most reliable paving choices in the market over all these years. Read on to find out why.

What is Limestone?

In simple words, limestone is a natural sedimentary rock formed of calcium carbonate, clay, silt, sand, and many other minerals. The deposits of this naturally beautiful rock are present all over the world.

Limestone is rightly described as universal and timeless; people have used it in many monumental constructions, like the Pyramids of Egypt, the Empire State Building, and the Houses of Parliament.

Due to the presence of minerals in limestone, it is available in various natural colors, including blue, gray, tan, green, beige, and red.

Want to know the main reason behind its high appeal and value? It’s the natural feel that radiates from this rock! It can complement both traditional and contemporary settings.

Benefits of Limestone Patio Pavers and Pool Copings

Expert Masonry designers and contractors in Nassau and Suffolk county, Long Island, NY, recommend limestone for patios. The reasons are as follows:

Gappsi's limestone patio pavers and pool coping
Limestone Patio and Pool Coping in Suffolk County

Hardwearing

Durability is the first thing people look for when constructing patios; limestone fulfills this requirement perfectly.

Limestone’s high durability may sound surprising because of its soft and elegant look, but this naturally-dense rock is impervious to elements. It doesn’t break or crumble easily under harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures.

In fact, people have been using it in building things intended for heavy-duty use. This rock is not only suitable for patios but also ground floors, kitchens, and other interior parts of a home.

Aesthetic and Versatile

The best part about limestone is that it fits well with any style and color palette you have in mind. It is available in many colors, from dark to light gray, buff, white, blue, green, and even gold. Hence, you can easily match your patio with the interior of your house.

You can find limestone in different textures, amounts, sizes, and durability. Although most limestone pavers have a honed surface, some varieties can also be naturally split.

Experts usually heat limestone to a high temperature in a flame to create a smooth and uniform surface. They can easily chisel, tumble, split, or cut edges to match your requirements. Some textures are suitable for flat and smooth surfaces indoors, while others are perfect for patios and walkways.

Designers can help you choose from the limestone patio pavers and pool copings displays in showrooms. You can also get custom fabrication done by contractors in Nassau and Suffolk County in Long Island, NY.

An Effective Insulator

With its strong insulating properties, limestone prevents your patio and pool copings from getting too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer.

You can walk barefoot on the patio without worrying about burning your foot on hot and sunny days in Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. Similarly, you won’t get cold feet while walking barefoot on the patio on chilly days.

Slip-Resistant Properties

Limestone has a little textured and riven profile, making it even more ideal for patios. How? Its texture facilitates underfoot resistance and reduces the chances of slipping to a great extent, even if your feet are wet or it has rained heavily.

With limestone patio pavers, you can let the children in your family run freely around the patio without having to worry about a bad fall.

An Eco-Friendly Choice

Limestone is one of the best options for environment-conscious people when it comes to remodeling the exterior of a house. This is because it’s a renewable stone and doesn’t increase your carbon footprint. Even if it gets damaged for any reason, its repairs won’t contribute to the already-high pollution levels of the nation.

Limestone Patio & Pool Pavers
Gappsi’s custom limestone patio pavers

Cleaning and Maintaining Limestone Patio Pavers and Pool Copings

One of the best parts about limestone patio pavers and pool copings is that you don’t necessarily have to seal them.

  • The first step to cleaning your limestone patio pavers and pool copings is to brush off the dust and debris from the surface with a broom. But be careful not to scratch the stone with your brush.
  • After removing dust and dirt from the surface, wash the pavers with warm water and non-acidic soap. You can soap the water and use a sponge mop to thoroughly clean all the grime and stains. After that, rinse with clean water and let the surface dry naturally.
  • Limestone is more susceptible to chemical damage than other building materials like concrete. Hence, you should never use any acid to clean limestone.
  • Acids cause chemical reactions and affect the colors and hardiness of the stone. So, always choose your cleaning products wisely.
  • Some soap scum and mineral stains may not come off easily. To get rid of them, pour a mixture of baking soda and warm water on a sponge and scrub well. If a stain still persists, you should let a professional paver cleaning service take care of that.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With A Gappsi Professional Today!

Gappsi has been providing masonry services to residential and commercial property owners for a long time in Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. Being an integral part of the masonry industry in our region has enabled us to understand your requirements to the core and recommend the best possible ideas to remodel the interior and exterior of your home.

If you want to install, seal or clean your limestone patio pavers and pool copings, contact Gippsi today to let our experts handle that for you!

Wood Fired Pizza Oven 101: A Complete Guide

Posted by Gappsi Group on

The name “pizza oven” doesn’t quite do it justice. While it makes incredible pizza, its true potential goes so much further. Think of it as the most versatile tool in your outdoor kitchen. Imagine baking crusty, hearth-style bread, roasting vegetables until they’re perfectly caramelized, or searing steaks in a cast-iron skillet. A wood fired pizza oven opens up a whole new world of cooking possibilities. In this post, we’ll show you how this one appliance can handle everything from quick weeknight dinners to elaborate weekend feasts, making it a worthy centerpiece for any home.

Outdoor-Custom-Wood-Fired-Pizza-Ovens-On-Long-Island1Gappsi brick ovens are the pinnacle of excellence when it comes to at-home cooking with our outdoor custom wood fired pizza ovens on Long Island. Our brick ovens outperform every other oven on the market.  Gappsi Ovens are built and designed to last a lifetime and go well beyond just cooking just pizza view our Gappsi Ovens page to view the full collection of ovens for your home. Fresh bread, grilled pork chops, cast iron skillet meals, rich desserts this list goes on! So, gather your family around the fire, enjoy a wood-fired meal, and make memories that your family will look back on for years to come. Your home will be the one everyone wants to come over to, celebrating life’s moments and building years of memories.

Besides being able to cook beautiful pizzas in a wood-fired pizza oven. Did you know you can bake as well as cook plenty of other foods for instance?  All the food from the wood-burning oven is excellent and so delicious all your friends will be asking where they can buy their own grill too. Tasty and healthy, rich in flavors with light hints of smoke.  You can apply several cooking techniques like baking, grilling, or cooking in cast iron skillets or carbon steel pans in wood-burning ovens also.

Bake Delicious Hearth Breads, Focaccia, And Snacks

Besides baking delicious hearth bread, focaccia, and snacks in the oven.  You can cook, grill, and roast different seafood, meat, poultry, and vegetables in all the wood-fired ovens also with them.  Brick wood fired pizza ovens are ideal for cooking one-pot meals using Dutch ovens, clay cookers, and roasters. This way, you can prepare stews and beans and seafood, meat, potatoes, and much more all at once.

There is so much that goes into entertaining.  There’s not only tasty food but the unique outdoor cooking experience that matters when entertaining. A wood-fired pizza oven is an excellent place for socializing and hanging out with your friends and family too.  The brick oven is a great conversation starter for guests when they come over as well.

Outdoor-Custom-Wood-Fired-Pizza-Ovens-On-Long-IslandWhat Is A Wood Fired Brick Pizza Oven?

A wood-fired brick oven is a specially designed oven that heats up evenly, retains high temperatures, and cooks the perfect pizzas, meats, and more. It is an oven that uses burning wood on the inside to heat up the surfaces. Once the oven has reached the right temperature, you can cook pizzas in just a few minutes or less; the oven reaches temperatures of 850+ degrees Fahrenheit.

How Do Wood Fired Brick Pizza Ovens Work?

A brick wood fired pizza oven can get to temperatures upwards of 850+ degrees without causing damage or compromising the structural integrity of the oven. The dome shape bounces the heat in every direction allowing the oven to be at the same temperature all over. This allows for pizzas and foods to cook evenly no matter where it sits in the oven.

What Kind Of Wood Is Used For Wood Fired Brick Pizza Oven?

Hardwoods are the best kinds of wood to use in a wood fired oven. Brick pizza ovens allow you to take advantage of delightful aromas and flavors you can’t get in a regular oven. You can use anything from applewood to oak, maple, and even hickory wood in a wood fired brick pizza oven.

Are All Brick Ovens Wood Fired?

Some brick ovens can be converted to gas or propane oven. Using this heat source can be convenient for people who want the perfect cooking properties of a brick oven without dealing with the mess of wood and ashes to clean up.

Why Choose a Wood-Fired Oven?

A wood-fired oven is more than just an appliance; it’s the heart of an outdoor kitchen and a centerpiece for social gatherings. It completely changes the way you cook and entertain, turning a simple meal into a memorable event. If you’re considering adding one to your backyard, you’ll find that the benefits go far beyond just making great pizza. From unparalleled flavor to healthier cooking, a wood-fired oven offers a unique culinary experience that a conventional oven simply can’t match. It’s an investment in a lifestyle centered around good food, great company, and beautiful outdoor living.

Superior Flavor and Texture

If you’ve ever wondered what makes wood-fired pizza taste so incredible, the secret lies in the heat and the wood. Cooking in a wood-fired oven imparts a special taste that’s impossible to achieve with conventional methods. The high temperatures, often soaring above 850 degrees, cook pizzas in minutes, creating a perfectly crisp crust that’s still tender and chewy on the inside. This intense heat also locks in moisture, keeping toppings fresh and flavorful. The type of wood you use, from oak to applewood, infuses the food with subtle, smoky aromas that enhance every bite. It’s not just about cooking; it’s about creating an authentic culinary experience right in your backyard with a custom Gappsi brick oven.

Healthier Cooking Methods

Beyond the amazing taste, cooking with a wood-fired oven can also be a surprisingly healthy choice. When you think of pizza, “healthy” might not be the first word that comes to mind, but a wood-fired pizza is a world away from greasy, fast-food options. The unique cooking process allows you to create meals that are not only delicious but also more nutritious. Because you control every ingredient that goes onto your pizza, from the dough to the toppings, you can craft a meal that fits your dietary preferences perfectly. The high-heat environment itself contributes to a healthier final product in a couple of key ways.

Retaining Nutrients with High Heat

Wood-fired ovens cook at much higher temperatures than your regular oven, which means your pizza is done in a flash—often in 90 seconds or less. This rapid cooking is fantastic for preserving the nutritional value of your toppings. Vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, and tomatoes retain more of their vitamins and antioxidants because they aren’t slowly baking for long periods. Instead of becoming a soft, overcooked mess, they maintain their fresh texture and vibrant flavor, making your meal both tastier and better for you.

Creating a “Whole Food” Meal

When you make pizza from scratch and use fresh, high-quality ingredients, it can easily be considered a “whole food” meal. You have complete control over what goes into it—from using whole wheat flour for the dough to topping it with fresh vegetables from your garden and lean proteins. This process transforms pizza from a guilty pleasure into a wholesome, satisfying dish for the whole family. It’s an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen and build a meal that is as nourishing as it is delicious, all centered around the heart of your outdoor entertainment space.

Mastering Your Wood-Fired Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide

Owning a wood-fired oven is an incredible experience, turning your backyard into a gourmet pizzeria. But getting started can feel a little intimidating. Don’t worry—with a few simple steps, you’ll be cooking like a pro. The key is understanding how to manage the heat. Unlike a conventional oven, you’re working with a live fire, which means you’re in control of creating the perfect cooking environment. It’s a hands-on process that’s incredibly rewarding. This guide will walk you through everything from firing up the oven to serving that first perfect, crispy pizza to your friends and family.

Preparing the Oven for Cooking

First things first, you need to build a proper fire. Start by placing kindling in the center of the oven and lighting it. Gradually add larger pieces of seasoned hardwood—like oak or maple—to build a strong, sustained fire. Your goal is to heat the entire oven dome and floor, not just the air inside. This process is called “heat soaking,” and it’s what allows the oven to retain incredibly high temperatures for a long time. A well-built Gappsi brick oven is specifically designed for this, using its dense materials to absorb and radiate heat evenly for consistent cooking results.

Knowing When the Oven is Ready

You’ll know your oven is getting hot when the inside of the dome, initially black with soot, starts to turn white and clear. This is a sign that the oven has burned off the initial carbon and is reaching cooking temperature. A brick wood-fired pizza oven can reach temperatures over 850°F without any issue. The signature dome shape is engineered to bounce heat in every direction, creating a uniform temperature throughout the oven. Once the dome is clear and you have a bed of glowing embers, you’re ready to start cooking.

Cooking the Perfect Pizza

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Cooking pizza in a wood-fired oven is a completely different experience from using a standard kitchen oven. The intense heat cooks the pizza from two directions at once. The oven floor, or hearth, cooks the crust from the bottom, making it perfectly crisp. At the same time, the heat radiating from the dome cooks the toppings and gives the crust that classic, slightly charred finish known as “leoparding.” This combination of conductive and radiant heat is the secret to authentic, Neapolitan-style pizza that you simply can’t replicate otherwise.

Achieving the Ideal Temperature and Cooking Time

For the perfect pizza, you want your oven to be very hot. Aim for a floor temperature of around 850°F (or 450°C). You can check this with an infrared thermometer. At this temperature, the magic happens fast. A pizza will cook in just 90 seconds to two minutes, depending on the thickness of your dough and the amount of toppings. This rapid cooking time is what creates a crust that is light and airy on the inside but wonderfully crisp on the outside, all while keeping your toppings fresh and flavorful.

Step-by-Step Cooking Technique

Once your oven is at the right temperature, use a long-handled brush to sweep the embers and ash to one side, clearing a space on the oven floor for your pizza. Lightly flour a pizza peel, place your prepared pizza on it, and give it a little shake to make sure it isn’t sticking. In one quick, confident motion, slide the pizza off the peel and onto the clean oven floor. After about 45 seconds, use the peel to give the pizza a half-turn to ensure it cooks evenly. Once the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling, pull it out and enjoy immediately.

Maintaining the Fire for Multiple Pizzas

If you’re cooking for a crowd, you’ll need to maintain the oven’s temperature. The initial fire will get you started, but you’ll need to feed it to keep the heat consistent for cooking multiple pizzas. The key is to add small pieces of hardwood every 15 to 20 minutes. This will keep a lively flame going, which is essential for providing the radiant heat needed to cook the top of the pizza. Managing the fire is part of the fun and ensures that every guest gets a pizza that’s just as perfect as the first, making your outdoor kitchen the ultimate entertainment hub.

Choosing the Right Wood-Fired Oven for Your Home

Deciding on the perfect wood-fired oven is a big step toward creating your dream outdoor kitchen. The right oven isn’t just an appliance; it’s a centerpiece for gatherings and a gateway to incredible food. The choice largely comes down to your space, cooking style, and how permanent you want the installation to be. Whether you envision a fully integrated masonry masterpiece or a sleek, modern unit that you can move around, understanding the key differences will help you find the perfect fit for your Long Island home and lifestyle.

Types of Ovens and Materials

Your first major decision is choosing between a permanent, custom-built oven and a more flexible portable or freestanding model. Custom ovens become a true extension of your home’s architecture, seamlessly blending into your patio or outdoor kitchen design. They are built on-site and offer unparalleled thermal mass and durability. On the other hand, freestanding ovens provide more versatility. They can be moved around your patio or even taken with you if you relocate, offering a great entry point into wood-fired cooking without the commitment of a permanent structure.

Custom-Built Masonry Ovens

A custom-built masonry oven is the ultimate statement piece for any outdoor living space. Constructed from brick, stone, and refractory concrete, these ovens are designed to last a lifetime. Because they are built from scratch, you have complete control over the design, ensuring it perfectly matches your home’s aesthetic. This is where expert masonry work is essential. A well-built masonry oven offers incredible heat retention, allowing you to cook for hours after the fire has died down, making it perfect for baking bread, slow-roasting meats, and of course, turning out perfect Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Portable and Freestanding Pizza Ovens

If you’re looking for flexibility, a portable or freestanding pizza oven is an excellent choice. These modern ovens often feature sleek, contemporary designs and are built to be powerful yet mobile. Many are crafted from stainless steel and other high-quality materials, allowing them to heat up quickly and cook efficiently. While they may not have the same massive heat-retaining capabilities as a traditional brick oven, their convenience is a major plus. You can place them almost anywhere in your backyard and start cooking in a fraction of the time it takes to heat a large masonry oven.

Key Features to Consider

Once you’ve decided between a custom or portable oven, it’s time to look at the specific features that affect performance. Details like the materials used for insulation, the overall size and cooking capacity, and the quality of craftsmanship can make a huge difference in your cooking experience. Paying attention to these elements ensures you invest in an oven that not only works well but also stands the test of time, providing delicious meals and memories for years to come.

Oven Materials and Insulation

The materials and insulation are the heart of any wood-fired oven. High-quality ovens use refractory materials in the dome and floor to absorb and radiate heat evenly, eliminating cold spots. This is how they can reach temperatures of 900°F and cook a pizza in under two minutes. Excellent insulation—often ceramic fiber—is crucial for trapping that heat, which means the oven stays hot for longer with less wood. This efficiency is key for consistent cooking and is a hallmark of a well-constructed oven, whether it’s a custom build or a high-end portable model from the Gappsi Store.

Size and Cooking Capacity

Think about how you plan to use your oven. Will you be hosting large pizza parties for the whole neighborhood or making smaller meals for your family? The internal cooking surface determines how much you can cook at once. A larger oven can accommodate multiple pizzas or large roasting pans, giving you more versatility. Also, consider the fuel source. While classic ovens are wood-fired, many modern options are available in gas-fired or even hybrid models that let you use both gas and wood for the ultimate convenience and flavor.

Country of Origin and Craftsmanship

The quality of an oven often comes down to the skill of the people who built it. Many of the world’s finest ovens are handmade in Italy or Portugal, where generations of artisans have perfected the craft. This dedication to quality ensures every weld, seam, and brick is perfectly placed for optimal performance and durability. At Gappsi, we bring that same commitment to expert craftsmanship right here to Long Island. Our team has decades of experience designing and building exceptional outdoor living spaces, ensuring your oven is not just an appliance but a lasting work of art.

Outdoor-Custom-Wood-Fired-Pizza-Ovens-On-Long-Island2Custom Built Pizza Oven Built In Huntington Bay NY

As a complete Long-Island Italian brick pizza ovens distributor, Gappsi provides a great selection of pizza ovens.  Our store of ovens includes complete ready-to-use units, custom-built indoor and outdoor ovens, and custom-built on-site. We can incorporate all other outdoor cooking elements in your outdoor kitchen too. Gappsi pizza ovens come in a variety of sizes and models.  Customers can choose from countertop units with an optional finish in stone veneers or choose ceramic tiles and stucco in any color or finish desired.

Recently Gappsi refreshed a beautiful backyard located in Huntington Bay NY.  The backyard has a raised patio built several years ago with a Hanover chapel wall for the retaining wall. Gappsi installed G046 limestone treads for the steps and stone pavers for the patio. The home is sitting in a beautiful setting on the water with a breathtaking view. In our backyard update, we added the same G046 limestone pavers, an island, and a table.

Custom Built Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

A custom built pizza oven with a base was installed. Gappsi utilized eldorado prefab concrete boxes, veneered with Quartzite split-face natural stones. For the outdoor kitchen, we installed an AOG 24-inch grill and made a base for the smoker.  Gappsi designed the outdoor custom wood fired pizza ovens which extended the homeowner’s outdoor kitchen entertaining area. The countertop was created with limestone G046 coping and pavers.

The exterior of the oven is finished with stucco and the homeowner could not be happier!  The final step in completing the pizza oven is sealing it to make it water-repellant. For the front of the oven, we utilized G046 limestone and created a custom front to match the patio. The latest Gappsi creation in Huntington NY.

If you are looking for a Long Island Italian brick pizza oven retailer, and outdoor custom wood fired pizza ovens on Long Island Gappsi is the place for you. We invite you to our showroom display to see our ovens first hand. Visit us on social media, join our events, and be sure to sign up for a demonstration of our pizza ovens that happen year-round! A backyard is not complete without a Gappsi pizza oven. Among all our services, we are passionate about backyard design and the construction of outdoor cooking islands. We offer outdoor kitchen setups with a great selection of appliances and other cooking devices. Gappsi ovens are the best in the world, manufactured with high-quality materials and old-world craftsmanship.

The Gappsi Advantage: Decades of Masonry Expertise

Choosing to add a wood-fired oven to your home is about more than just buying an appliance; it’s about investing in a permanent feature that enhances your lifestyle. With Gappsi, you’re not just getting an oven; you’re benefiting from decades of specialized experience. Since 1987, our team has been dedicated to old-world craftsmanship, using only high-quality materials to build ovens designed to last a lifetime. This commitment goes beyond pizza ovens and is rooted in a deep understanding of masonry, ensuring every structure we build is as durable as it is beautiful. We create functional art for your backyard that will be the centerpiece for family gatherings for many years to come.

A truly exceptional outdoor kitchen feels like a natural extension of your home, and that’s where our design expertise comes in. We don’t just install an oven; we integrate it seamlessly into your outdoor living space. Our design process involves creating custom solutions that complement your existing patio, landscaping, and overall aesthetic. Whether it’s veneering the oven base with natural stone to match your retaining walls or crafting a countertop from the perfect slab of porcelain and natural stone, every detail is considered. Our goal is to build a cohesive and inviting entertainment area where your new wood-fired oven is the star.

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI

VIEW OUR VIDEO OF AN OUTDOOR CUSTOM WOOD FIRED PIZZA OVENS ON LONG ISLAND

https://youtu.be/dtoCk6RhspI

Frequently Asked Questions

I love the idea of a wood-fired oven, but am I limited to just making pizza? Not at all! Thinking of it as only a pizza oven is the most common mistake. It’s better to see it as a versatile outdoor cooking station. The high, even heat is perfect for baking crusty hearth bread, roasting vegetables until they’re perfectly caramelized, and searing meats in a cast-iron skillet. It truly opens up a whole new way of cooking everything from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.

How difficult is it to actually cook with a wood-fired oven? It seems complicated. It’s definitely more hands-on than your kitchen oven, but that’s part of the fun. The main skill to learn is managing the fire to control the heat, and it becomes second nature pretty quickly. Once you understand how to build the fire to properly heat the oven’s dome and floor, you’ll find the cooking process itself is fast and very rewarding.

What’s the real advantage of a custom-built masonry oven over a portable one? A custom-built masonry oven is a permanent architectural feature that becomes part of your home. Its main advantage is superior heat retention. The thick, dense materials absorb so much heat that you can cook for hours, even after the fire has died down, which is ideal for slow-roasting or baking bread. Portable ovens offer great flexibility and heat up faster, but they don’t typically hold that heat for nearly as long.

How long does the oven take to get ready for cooking? This depends on the size and type of oven, but you should plan on it taking some time to heat up properly. You’re not just warming up the air inside; you’re “heat soaking” the entire structure. A key sign that it’s reaching the right temperature is when the inside of the dome, which initially turns black with soot, burns clean and turns white. This process ensures the oven radiates heat evenly for consistent results.

Besides wood, are there other fuel options for these ovens? Yes, many brick ovens can be converted to use natural gas or propane. While using hardwood is what gives food that distinct, smoky flavor, a gas option offers incredible convenience. You get the amazing cooking properties of a brick oven—the high heat and even cooking—without having to manage a live fire or clean up ash. It really comes down to what best fits your lifestyle.

Key Takeaways

  • It’s More Than a Pizza Oven: Use your wood-fired oven to its full potential by baking artisan bread, roasting vegetables, and searing meats in a cast-iron skillet, making it the true workhorse of your outdoor kitchen.
  • Master the Heat for Better Food: The intense, radiant heat cooks food in minutes, creating an unmatched crispy-yet-tender texture while helping fresh ingredients retain more of their flavor and nutrients.
  • Prioritize Quality Construction: Whether you choose a permanent masonry build or a portable model, focus on high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship to guarantee superior heat retention and a durable centerpiece for your backyard.

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Chessboards Life-Size Designers in Nassau and Suffolk County

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Custom Outdoor Chessboard

Thinking of hiring our chessboards life-size designers?

The game of chess isn’t loved all over the world for nothing. The checkered board has a charm of its own. Only a true chess lover would know how fulfilling it is to match wits over it. If you’re also someone who wouldn’t think twice before devoting an entire day to the game, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. It’s possible to have a life-size chessboard right on your lawn or backyard. Yes, you read it right. Our designers at Gappsi are not only well-versed in your needs, but they will also leave you amazed with the results.

What Is the Origin of Giant Chess?

Chess was originally a 4-player game that people played with dice. The initial name was “shaturanga.” However, the game no longer has a gambling element now as it used to have due to the dice. Ever since the game’s introduction to Western Europe, people began meddling with the shape and style of the pieces, and the tinkering continues to this day.

Previously, people would opt for marble, wood, and stone to create large chess sets. It wasn’t until the 20th century that a German manufacturer finally mass-produced it in a giant form using plastic pieces. Over the course of years, different companies have tried coming up with different versions of the game. However, the original concept remains intact in the game.

Benefits of Playing Chess

It Improves Your Memory

It isn’t unknown that chess significantly improves your memory. It’s only justified since there are so many combinations one needs to memorize to get the potential outcomes. Now imagine taking the experience up a notch and getting your own life-size chessboard right outside your house in Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island, NY.

Not only will the chessboard be life size but your motivation to get through the game will also be life-size. All in all, your auditory memory can improve significantly if the game is a regular part of your routine. After all, memorizing complicated chess combinations in itself is a challenging task.

It Enhances Your Problem-Solving Skills

Playing chess can also have a significant impact on your problem-solving skills. Since the game requires a great deal of patience and planning, it is bound to have an impact on your mind in the long run. The benefits don’t end here.

Our chessboard life-size designers at Gappsi will make sure to create a life-size board that entices children as much as it entices adults. From building relationships and social skills to enhancing thinking skills, playing chess is associated with several cognitive benefits.

Playing It Can Put You In a Flow Zone

Chess is the kind of activity that gets you involved for a long time. When you enter the stage of “flow,” it’s impossible to be aware of what’s happening in your surroundings.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a quiet room or on your lawn playing on the life-size board; your brain is bound to act the same way. This is because your theta brain waves become extremely heightened when you’re completely involved in the game.

Our contractors recognize how important the game might be for you if you’ve chosen to get a life-size board for it. Hence, at Gappsi, we take precision seriously when designing for you the board of your dreams.

It Stirs the Development of Empathy

It’s important to focus on the board from two different perspectives. Hence, having a life-size board will make the task easier. Determining what your opponent is up to can help you come up with your next strategy effectively.

Since playing the game is about placing yourself in your opponent’s shoes, it is bound to stir empathy in you. You begin to see how others see the world and relate to their perspective. Similarly, you also begin to see how another person’s choices can affect yours.

Chessboards-Life-SizeChessboards Life-Size Designers: Why Hire Them

Take the experience of playing the game up a notch by having your very own life-size chessboard right in the boundaries of your house. The element of creativity it adds to your home’s exterior is absolutely unmatched.

Furthermore, at Gappsi, we understand how important precision is in the game. One wrong move could turn everything around in or against your favor. For this reason, our installer makes sure to take your lawn or backyard’s dimensions into account. You do not want the entire space to be consumed by a life-size game, and we recognize that.

At the same time, maintaining the board and protecting it from harmful environmental elements is also imperative. From our suppliers and contractors to installers, every member of the team ensures that your life-size board is created using durable material.

Nonetheless, a “larger than life” chess board will bring a brand new dimension to your garden. This eye-catching addition will surely be the crowd pleaser. Hiring our chessboards life-size designers will help you bring your vision to life. Imagine organizing garden parties and having tournaments in the presence of it.

Dimensions and Material

Depending on the dimensions of your lawn or backyard, our team will determine the right size of your giant chess and draught pieces. The draught pieces are usually made using a strong PVC material that isn’t only waterproof but also UV-protected. No matter what time of the day it is, your chessboard’s quality will remain intact as long as you maintain it and get frequent inspections done from time to time.

Contact Our Expert Designers in Nassau and Suffolk County Today!

The experts at Gappsi are available to help you throughout the course of construction. From determining the right dimensions to ensuring the quality of materials, our team will leave no stone unturned in providing you with exactly what you want. Our contractors will match your needs with the perfect team at hand and ensure that the process is as seamless as possible. Furthermore, our installer will take your suggestions into account before installing the chessboard on your lawn or backyard.

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI

Gunite Pool Renovation And Coping Brookville NY

Posted by Gappsi Group on

Gunite-Pool-Renovation-And-Coping1Gappsi is an expert at Gunite Pool Renovation And Coping on Long Island.  Gappsi is an industry leader in remodeling services which allows you to change virtually everything with your existing pool. We combine old-time craftsmanship with modern technology and pride ourselves on personalized attentive service. We work with our clients to effectively choose what the best options are to create their dream backyard. From state-of-the-art products for modernizing your filtration and sanitation needs to redesign the layout and material of your decking.

We offer the latest technology that makes pool maintenance much easier. These new innovations will save you money, time, and frustration, which will allow you and your family to enjoy spending time by the pool. Gappsi creates a new experience and brings life back into your swimming pool.

How Do You Know You Need A Gunite Pool Renovation And Coping?

  • Is your swimming pool beginning to show signs of age?
  • Is the coping loose?
  • Is your tile cracked?
  • Is your tile falling off?
  • Is your pool tile fading or dull?
  • Are your kids complaining about the plaster feeling rough on their feet?
  • You just want to achieve a completely new look.

From full swimming pool reconstruction, concrete pool resurfacing & pool plastering, to pool tile repair, replacement of pool coping, and in-ground pool repair, Gappsi Pools has the experience to handle all your Long Island swimming pool remodeling needs.

Gappsi Renovation And Remodeling Services

Our gunite pool renovation and remodeling services will take your inground swimming pool from dull to stunning. We also offer energy-efficient equipment upgrades for spas, waterfalls, or raising the pool depth. Our services include improving drainage and repairing cracks. Energy-saving makeovers, alternative ways to sanitize your pool, and acid baths, are just some of the services we offer.

  • Gunite Swimming Pool Restoration
  • Gunite Swimming Pool Remodeling
  • Gunite and Deck Cracks Repaired
  • Gunite Pool Renovations Complete
  • Pool Loose or Cracked Tile Repair and Replacement
  • Inground Pool Coping Restoration
  • Gunite Pool Replastering
  • Deck Restoration and Remodeling
  • Pool Chemical Stain Restoration
  • Pool Rust Stain Removal
  • Pool Discoloration Restoration

Gunite-Pool-Renovation-And-CopingMarble Pavers Pool Copings In Brookville NY

This is a gunite renovation completed on Long Island in Brookville NY. Gappsi installed new glass tiles in the waterline to freshen up the look of the pool.

Waterfalls, water walls, fountains, jets, bubblers, and spillovers give your pool a focal point, and they create an inspirational setting. A great pool design is often realized by the water within; its appearance, reflections, and how it refracts light and color. By adding a vertical element of moving water, the design can spring to life and almost become a work of art. There are many types of water features to choose from.  Simply put, today’s pool builders create customized features that move water in astonishing ways.

For our customer in Nassau County, we built a wall for the water feature to include sheer descends and on each end, we added spillover bowls.  Along the side of the pool we installed 6 Laminars; 3 on each side.

Sheer-descent waterfalls

Sheer-descent waterfalls, also called sheetfalls, are more suited for modern and geometric pools. The water flows through a thin spillway creating a sleek elegant look as it descends into the water. Sheetfalls are often installed along a raised wall on one side of the pool. The wall can be finished in glass tile for a stunning effect or stacked stone for a more natural look.

Laminar Fountains

Laminar fountains are a type of deck jet that produces a bubble-free arc of water.  This water feature is more common on modern pools and often lit by colorful LED lights.   This water feature look is both stunning and exciting. Designers should pay attention to windy areas because too much wind may ruin the effect on the laminar fountains. Laminar fountains are more expensive than standard deck jets.

Gunite-Pool-Renovation-And-Coping2Gappsi Stone Collection | Marble G043

In general construction terminology, coping refers to masonry material that is used to cap the top of a wall. Most walls have some type of coping, and the kind that adorns those on gunite pools features specific elements.

Coping is the material—usually natural stone or various forms of concrete—mounted over the top of the pool shell’s “bond beam” (the upper portion of the wall). This is where the pool structure meets the surrounding deck

For the coping in the patio, we used marble G043 selected from the Gappsi Stone Collection. The benches and steps in the pool were outlined with glass tiles that were used in the pool for the waterline. For the wall water feature, we used very unique marble slabs to elevate the look and make it a dramatic focal point of the pool and backyard. The patterns in the stones add to the natural beauty of the backyard through the natural patterns in the stones.

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VIEW OUR VIDEO OF A GUNITE POOL RENOVATION AND COPING

Gappsi Is A Name You Can Trust 

For more than 35 years, Gappsi has renovated residential and commercial pools in Long Island New York.

Our commercial customers usually renovate their pool and spa to attract new members and retain existing customers at their health clubs or private community.

EXPERT ADVICE AVAILABLE

Whether your renovation project calls for a completely new design, a few new upgrades, or gunite resurfacing of the plaster finish give us a call today our team is here to help you! Guiseppe, along with his experienced team of professionals at Gappsi, will guide you through the process and offer trusted expert advice.