Extending Our Living Space Outdoors

Extending-Our-Living-Space-Outdoors1As warm weather arrives our thoughts turn to summer days and extending our living space outdoors. We can say goodbye to cabin fever and spend some time in the fresh air. With the right furniture, landscaping, and a few other elements, we can take advantage of yard space.  This will help extend our homes to take advantage of nature.

You don’t have to settle for a simple patio or deck. Today, you can build an outdoor living room or kitchen. You have dozens of choices for flooring, lighting, shade, appliances, and furniture. Decorations range from gardens to ponds and fountains that can provide atmosphere. In addition, a well-designed outdoor living area can boost the resale value of your home, too!

Outdoor Living Space Creativity

Design options are practically endless when creating your outdoor living space concept. The aim is to add an informal setting purely designed for entertainment and relaxation, in contrast to your home office or gym, where productivity and work are the priorities.

Decide on the theme for your outdoor space. Here are some design ideas to inspire you:

  • Add a built-in bench with a water fountain or fire pit area as a focal point.
  • Attach string lights around the windows and hang them from the ceiling for a fairytale aesthetic.
  • For large outdoor living spaces, you can include an outdoor kitchen and create an outdoor dining area for dining al fresco.
  • Add a coffee table, plush pillows, an outdoor rug, and lounge chairs for an outdoor living room.
  • Add a hot tub, water feature, and fire pits with outdoor string lights for a resort-at-home vibe.

Extending-Our-Living-Space-OutdoorsExtending Our Living Space Outdoors With A Kitchen Setup

The outdoor kitchen is one of the most popular ways to use an outdoor living space for entertainment and relaxation. Outdoor kitchens are functional and fun, depending on how much the people in your household love to cook. Having a kitchen on the backyard patio is an absolute dream for foodies. When the weather is good, you can cook all your meals and enjoy them in the great outdoors.

Bringing Out the Heat

We’re way beyond simple charcoal barbecue grills now. Today, you can buy and install everything from a simple, portable fire pit to a permanent fireplace complete with a hearth. If outdoor cooking is your passion, consider a barbecue pit, outdoor pizza oven, or even a fully-fledged outdoor gas stove. An outdoor kitchen can become a comfortable place for friends and family to gather.

In addition to the cooking spaces, you can look into outdoor counters. Granite is a popular choice. This will give you the space you need to prepare food without having to make constant runs back inside during meals.  Check out our outdoor appliances in the Gappsi Store to imagine all your possibilities and start designing your outdoor living space.

Outdoor Living Space In Westbury Long Island

Gappsi’s latest backyard design on Long Island in Westbury NY includes a gunite pool, patio, outdoor kitchen, and landscape design to bring together an outdoor living space to enjoy for years to come.

The Gunite pool was  20 x 50 and finished with super blue diamond bright pool coating and porcelain tiles in the water line. When it comes to pool finishes Diamond Brite has been the industry standard for many years. It’s available in colors including Aqua Quartz, Cool Blue, and Super Blue. Diamond Brite typically lasts 8-12 years before it starts to become faded and spotty.  Diamond Brite™ pool finishes are blends of selected quartz aggregates and fortified white Portland cement ideal for new or re-finished swimming pools. Available in a variety of colors and textures. Diamond Brite™ finishes are factory blended to provide the pool owner with an extremely durable and attractive alternative to traditional pool coatings.

The Gappsi team built a step bench in the deep end with tile markers to define the edges of the steps, and in the shallow area, we built the spa, sundeck, and bench.

Extending-Our-Living-Space-Outdoors2Reduce Heat Loss With An Autocover For Your Pool

The pool is equipped with an auto cover to make opening and closing the pool effortless.  Unlike solar covers, auto covers completely seal your pool with the touch of a button. Sealing your pool when it’s not in use prevents evaporation, the leading contributor to heat loss. Reducing heat loss can lead to warmer water temperatures; extending the swimming season up to three months in some locations.

Patio Stones And Pool Coping Options

The stones chosen for the patio and pool coping are from the Gappsi Stone collection G043 marble pavers.  The Island was built with Eldorado prefab boxes and veneered with silver travertine in random sizes with a 4-inch veneer. The client chose all Twin Eagle appliances for their outdoor kitchen. The Twin Eagle appliances include a burner, gas grill, storage cabinets, a Summit refrigerator, and a sink, with a granite countertop.

The Gappsi team also updated and refreshed the landscaping to include some exotic plants to add to the outside elements.  Using tropical and exotic plants will give your home a vibrant, lively, lush look, that will, in turn, make you feel invigorated and alive like you are on vacation at a beautiful tropical destination.

Check out our other blogs for additional design ideas and to view our amazing gallery of completed projects by the Gappsi Design Team in Long Island NY. 

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View Gappsi’s YouTube Channel For Videos On Extending Our Outdoor Living Space

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Marble Coping For Vinyl Pools & Spas

Marble-Coping-For Vinyl-Pools-&-Spas2Vinyl Liner Pool Installation

Marble Coping For Vinyl Pools & Spas is a popular type of pool and spa surface. Vinyl Pools are custom-made to fit your specific pool area.  Because they are pre-fabricated and installed relatively quickly, vinyl liner pools are usually less expensive to build and renovate than in-ground gunite pools with cement finishes. A typical vinyl liner replacement may take only a few hours with an experienced crew (not including water fill time), as opposed to days or weeks for a renovation and re-plaster.

Vinyl Liner Strengths And Weaknesses

  • Strengths

Liners are widely available, more affordable to install and replace, and can be installed quickly. They have benefits especially in colder climates, due to the lack of winter issues like calcite crystals. Even if a vinyl liner is damaged and faded during the winter, its surface is still smooth and therefore not abrasive to swimmers’ feet. Another benefit is that patterns and colors do not drive the price of a liner. You can choose from many patterns and colors without large differences in cost, unlike cementitious surfaces which can vary widely in price.

  • Weaknesses

Many would argue the biggest weakness of vinyl liner pools is their lack of customization. Concrete pools can be just about any shape and size, whereas liners are more limited in their shape and size. That all being said, technology continues to advance and we have been seeing more complex liner pools out there. Also, while you can get a plethora of patterns and colors, vinyl liners almost all are similar in feel and appearance…unlike a concrete pool which can have many textures and vibrant colors.

Marble-Coping-For Vinyl-Pools-&-Spas2Marble Pavers

A metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite. Marble can have beautiful pattern movement within the stone and comes in a wide variety of colors from white to salmon to gray, blue, green, and black.

Regardless of your chosen pool design, deciding which natural stone pavers to use for your pool surrounding will make a very powerful statement about your taste, status, and success. Some factors to consider include appearance, durability, non-slip finish, environmental factors like weather conditions, and finally, sealant.

Marble-Coping-For Vinyl-Pools-&-SpasRaised Spa

A Raised Spa that is elevated above the pool surface. A raised spa can add a dramatic focal point to a poolscape. A raised spa can double as a water feature if it is designed to permit spa water to cascade into the pool. Depending on the type of installation, the spa may or may not share the main pool’s circulating equipment. Raised perimeter-overflow spas overflow on all sides, creating a unique gravity-defying effect.

Outdoor Kitchen Cooking Island with Delta Appliances

Delta Heat products are engineered, designed, and manufactured by industry-leading premium grill and outdoor kitchen equipment experts. Delta Heat products are a true culmination of past experiences, refined and perfected to ensure exceptional design, construction, and performance.

  • How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?

An outdoor kitchen will add value to any home, and increase the enjoyment for your family and guests.  The cost will depend on factors, such as appliances chosen, materials, and size. It is important to also consider if the project requires electrical, plumbing, gas, or ventilation.  Outdoor kitchens have risen in popularity partly due to their functionality. It is the perfect additional livable space in the home where you can cook, eat, entertain and relax.

Many times, homeowners hire a contractor to build their outdoor kitchen, because they offered the lowest price. But the lowest price isn’t always the best way to go. It is not necessary to break the bank, but it is important that whomever you choose to work on your home, knows what they are doing, and is willing to stand by their work.

Marble-Coping-For Vinyl-Pools-&-Spas3Gappsi designed and installed this gorgeous backyard setting in Medford Suffolk County NY.  The design of the backyard started with the installation of the 20 x 40 vinyl liner swimming pool with concrete walls. The pool was designed to incorporate a raised spa that spills into the pool. The 8 x 8 raised spa is veneered with Silver Travertine and Coping G038 24×24 marble pavers.

The entire patio was paved with G043 marble pavers selected from the Gappsi stone collection. The Gappsi Stone Collection offers beautiful color variations of beige, browns, and whites. In addition, a sundeck with two fountain bubblers was installed so they can be enjoyed while in the pool.    

Outdoor Living By Gappsi

Included in the project surrounding the vinyl-lined pool Gappsi installed a very large patio.  The outdoor living space featured an L-shaped cooking island using all Delta appliances including a gas burner grill, storage cabinets, a gas burner, sink, and a Summit Refrigerator.  The home also featured a raised Azek Deck with steel cable railings to allow NOT BLOCK the view of the backyard pool area when sitting on the deck. The Cento wood-burning firepit was designed to include a stainless steel insert. 

Our customers are so happy with the finished design of their new outdoor backyard oasis. This is a great example and design idea brought to you by the design team at Gappsi. 

SCHEDULE A MEETING TODAY WITH GAPPSI

VIEW OUR VIDEO OF THE MARBLE COPING FOR VINYL POOLS & SPAS WITH OUTDOOR KITCHEN IN SUFFOLK NY

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Free Form Vinyl Pool With Sundeck Long Island NY

Free-Form-Vinyl-Pool With-Sundeck3

Free Form Vinyl Pool With Sundeck swimming pools adds luxury to any lifestyle. Vinyl liner pools have risen up against the challenges of today’s in-ground swimming pool industry, offering smarter building solutions, flexible and durable materials, providing long-lasting quality, and giving customers a variety of custom designs, patterns, and colors to achieve trendy looks.

The free-form pool shape can incorporate dramatic curves for a modern look or maximize available swimming space with a more relaxed wavy design. If you’re looking for a more fun, informal, natural-looking pool shape, the freeform pool design is your best choice.

Design Benefits:

  • Organic freeform shape seamlessly integrates features and add-ons

Common Features:

  • Customize your freeform swimming pool with a tanning ledge
  • Swim-up seating
  • Slip-resistant steps

Considerations:

  • Freeform pools are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles that can work with any backyard design.

Gappsi designed and built a freeform vinyl pool with sundeck using concrete walls. This backyard was designed and installed for a residence in Holbrook NY.  A sheer descent waterfall was created using a masonry structure and two columns on each end along with two Pentair water balls. The pool is 45 inches to 60 inches in the deep end. 

Sundecks | Tanning Ledges | Tanning Shelf

The pool features a sundeck with an umbrella and two lounge chairs. If you are building a new pool at home, we highly recommend a sun deck! A sun deck can be designed as an oversized step or two, or you can have it as an independent addition to the side of the pool. The sun deck is a great spot for kids to play or for you to lie under and relax. You can even install a bubbling fountain on the sun decks.

Sun decks are also referred to as ‘tanning shelf’, ‘tanning ledge’, or the ‘shallow section where adults and kids can relax and relieve their stress. Along with being useful, sun decks also have the potential to give your pool a stunning appearance. The highly creative team of experts at Gappsi Pools can custom design a sun deck for your pool according to your preferences.

For the patio and coping on your Free Form Vinyl Pool With Sundeck, we installed G043 marble pavers selected from the Gappsi Stone Collection. The wall for the water features was veneered with silver travertine split-faced and tumbled. The design and feel of the backyard display beautiful color variations. The patio was sealed with a color enhancer stone sealer too.  

Free-Form-Vinyl-Pool With-Putting Green

Private Practice on Your Synthetic Putting Greens

Work on your Short Game at home! We offer affordable professional-grade putting greens with creative undulation and design. Our putting greens give the golfer of any skill level the ability to simulate the feel and roll of true Bent Grass.

Gappsi installed and created a putting green behind the pool for the homeowner. They loved the look and feel of the synthetic grass so much that the remaining backyard grass was removed and synthetic turf replaced it.  Synthetic grass is a fantastic addition to your backyard.  Once installed in your yard you eliminate the need to cut the grass and spend money on a landscaper.  To check out additional options on Synthetic Turf check out our page on it.  

Replacement Vinyl Liner

Gappsi provides design and construction services for custom Gunite, Vinyl, and Fiberglass swimming pools. Additionally, Gappsi offers remodeling old Gunite and vinyl pools.  Remodeling ranges from re-plumbing all the pipes to changing the liner or converting wood walls.

A replacement vinyl liner lets you customize or upgrade your pool. But you don’t have to wait until it’s time to replace your liner to upgrade your pool. You can get ahead of the curve and replace your pool liner when you want a new look, or simply wait until it’s time to find a new one.

When you replace your vinyl liner, it’s also a great opportunity to consider new features and add-ons for your pool. Maybe you want to add some custom stairs or customizations to make your pool more accessible to older or younger family members.

Our well-trained talented and experienced professionals will be with you every step of the way.  Our gunite pool construction consists of installing 10-inch thick walls and 8 inches thick floors.

Free-Form-Vinyl-Pool With-Sundeck

Pool Coping and Pool Walls with A Free Form Vinyl Pool With Sundeck

One of the first design elements to draw your eyes to a swimming pool is the tile along the waterline and on features such as elevated spas and infinity edges above the water surface. Gappsi will enhance your waterline pool tile ideas with our skilled artisans. You will create the new pool of your dreams by giving it a high-quality distinctive look. With the variety of bright colors, color scheme, and the right tile we will make your pool’s waterline tile the focal point of your outdoor installation or existing pool.

We offer porcelain ceramics and glass tile installation for the waterline on the pool walls; there is plenty to choose from.

We offer many types of stone materials for the pool copings, and different finishes of plaster, including white, gray, and black marble dust, quartz diamond Brite, glass, and stone pebble.

We offer many options of equipment:

  • Salt Chlorine Generators
  • Ozone Systems
  • Gas Heaters
  • Electric Heat Pumps
  • LED Lighting
  • DE
  • Cartridge Filters
  • Sand Filters
  • Diving Boards
  • Slides
  • Winter Mesh Covers
  • Solar Safety Auto Covers.

The brands that we use are Hayward, Pentair, Autopilot, Jandy, Zodiac, Polaris, Aquacal, Raypak, and much more.

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VIEW OUR VIDEO OF A FREE-FORM VINYL POOL WITH SUNDECK

 

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G043 Marble pavers installed in Aquebogue, NY

G043 Marble pavers installed in Aquebogue, NYThis is our G43 Marble Pavers, sandblasted and brushed. Installed in Aquebogue NY. The Sheer descend structure was built with the marble split face veneer. Very beautiful marble, very nice finish on it. The coping is just sandblasted marbled. These are light colored but are also very cool to the touch.

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