BFS - 1-14-2012 at 12:20 PM
Hello amigos,
I am hoping to get some advice from some of the expert builder members out there. Having just seen Oladulces' beautiful arched patio structure I am
hoping for some inspiration. We have built a pool (and yes it is still swimmable in Jan) and next to it is a shaded structure for hammocks, etc. The
idea was to put solar mats on top of the structure for keeping the pool warmer in the winter months. but we are thinking of scrapping the solar mat
idea and using the space for a sun deck (it has a great view of the sunset over the cactus fields). Thinking there would be lots of weight from the
water in the collectors I had footing put in around the entire perimeter and poured concrete columns to support t all. Its pretty ugly. But what would
you all recommend to put on top of this structure to make a little it nicer to look at?
Basic poured concrete with pulido floor and wooden railing? (I have a quote for this at approx. $3000 usd). The pulido floor is nice under bare feet
and great for Yoga sessions. Or would you use wood? I love the feel of wood and it is such a rarity here in BCS. I am not sure of the cost of this
yet. Any ideas out there? I have attached a few pics so you get an idea of the space. It is pretty big at about 14 feet deep and 25 feet wide approx.
The square structure is the pump and filter house with improv "door".
BFS - 1-14-2012 at 12:22 PM
view from the upper terraced garden and will also be the access to the deck
rewards
BFS - 1-14-2012 at 12:27 PM
Here is the reward after a long day at work or play here in BCS.
I had many questions about building a pool on this forum and would like to thank everyone that replied. I also apologize for not sending in pics
earlier. The "basically a hole in the ground with water" is now complete...
another angle
BFS - 1-14-2012 at 12:29 PM
I dont want to let the beautiful pool down with an ugly duckling deck so would love to hear some suggestions. I would of preferred a basic palo de
arco media sombra but it is too late for that now as I was worried about holding weight. Que dicen?
Islandbuilder - 1-14-2012 at 01:22 PM
I think that a wood deck will weather very quickly where you are, and that it will become a curled up splinter nest within a couple of years. If you
did go with wood, I would only put a penetrating oil finish on it, and would put on two coats on ALL SIDES AND EDGES before installing the decking.
That will help on the cupping and curling. You will need to put additional coats on the weather side at regular intervals, but the un-exposed sides
and edges should hold up for several years.
I like the idea of a concrete deck, with concrete posts that would carry a pole railing. Perhaps extend the posts high enough so you could put a shade
awning above the patio in the summer?
I have seen low tech pool heating panels that we're made out of 500' of 3/8 black tubing, layed out on a sunny spot and either plumbed through a
circulation pump, or set up so that convection moved the heated water from the pool through the heating tubes and back into the pool again.
I too like wood, but I think that the maintainence would be a pain.
Really nice pool, BTW!
Bob and Susan - 1-14-2012 at 03:07 PM
500 ft black tubing does not work to heat a pool...
not enough volume of water travels thru the pipes
during the pump operation time
and a great pressure loss thru the piping too
dont waste your money...been there done that
concrete roofs are strong but need to be painted to seal them from the rain
walking on a painted roof damages the sealing paint
also you NEED to be sure the roof is sloped
don't assume the builder will understand it needs to drain correctly
your pool and deck looks great
[Edited on 1-14-2012 by Bob and Susan]
oladulce - 1-14-2012 at 11:11 PM
Love the pool BFS.
I can't think of a way you could build a flat deck with a railing on top of those white posts without it looking like a safari viewing platform or
launchpad.The support posts are fairly small diameter to start with and if you add another level with plain flat deck it might look kinda weird. It
seems like a single level palo de arco or ramada-type shade cover would be more suited, and more in scale with the posts you have . I agree, your pool
is so nice, you'd be disappointed if you built a deck that was feo.
Everybody I know tries to keep out of the sun nowadays. Do you think if you built an uncovered upper deck it would get used much in midday?
Here are my thoughts: I like the view in photo #2 from your "terrace garden". It's sort of set back a little and allows you to enjoy the view of the
pool and to see over the fence and the desert beyond. It appears to be almost as high as the 2nd level of a deck would be. Can't tell what's in that
area from the picture though. Can you see the sunset from there? I think some those pavers that are on the pool deck, and a few lounge chairs and
tables , and that might make a nice sunset viewing and star gazing area.
The shaded hammock/ramada area at the pool level could be used in the day and the upper terrace patio could be for the evening. I'm a fan of
multi-level patios and outdoor areas. Could you use the spot where the picture was taken from to get your elevated patio area instead of building a
double decker thing?
AmoPescar - 1-15-2012 at 12:46 AM
Well...
I'm not a licensed Structural Engineer, BUT...your concrete columns don't look to me like they would carry the weight of anything heavier than a
wooden deck, and even then, you're talking about putting a lot weight on them with a fairly wide span between your columns.
My other concern would be the quality of the concrete used. A lot of concrete used in Baja is of inferior quality due to using poor ingedients being
mixed on the job site. Problems arise from using ingedients such as beach sand. Are you sure yours is good structural quality?
Personally, I'd be double sure that they'll carry the weight your proposing to add!
Miguelamo 
woody with a view - 1-15-2012 at 08:04 AM
it isn't the concrete that adds strength, it's the rebar.
BFS - 1-15-2012 at 06:07 PM
Thank you for the replies.
Yes I am a little afraid of the "safari viewing deck" look. Cant have that. I do like the idea of a small patio on that upper terraced area. I had not
thought of that. Hmmmm.
Amo, the columns would get a beam all around the perimeter with lots of rebar to help hold any structure above.
My instinct is also to go with your standard palo de arco media sombra with no deck on top, it would be more in keeping with the rest of the house,
BUT, it is kind of over engineered for that as I had in mind the weight of the filled solar mats. I guess I made a bad choice on that one as I could
of just used beautiful wood Horcones for posts instead of the ugly concrete columns.
Still thinking... and thanks again a todos.
Islandbuilder - 1-15-2012 at 06:44 PM
I think that your columns are big enough to carry a poured deck. If, as is pointed out above, you have several lengths of rebar in them. If you gave
the poured purlins (cross beams) some shape, say a light arch between the columns, it would help relieve the safari deck look.
The columns would look better if they were larger, perhaps a stone veneer?
Also pointed out above is the need to slope the deck for drainage, 1/2"/12" would be enough. perhaps even 1/4"/12" would do it, although the smaller
pitch would increase the possibility of a bird bath or two.
Tile the surface, if you use clay tiles you'll have a maintainence issue as sealer will need to be applied regularly, I suggest ceramic (glazed) tile
and good waterproof grout. If you use an epoxy grout it doesn't need sealer. (but it's much harder to apply).
I like palapa roofs, but I don't know how it would look with the rest of your place. A log and stick trellis (can't remember the correct name for them
now) might provide shade and better match your architecture.
Make some models. A good tool to see how it might work in place.
[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Islandbuilder]
Islandbuilder - 1-15-2012 at 06:49 PM
One last thought: More important than the width of the columns is how they're attached to the ground. Are they tied in to the slab rebar, or better
yet, the slab footing steel?
The taller the structure, and the heavier the patio and roof, the more important the sheer strength. If those columns are just sitting on the slab, I
would put a shade cover on what you have and call it good.
BFS - 1-15-2012 at 08:21 PM
Thanks Sr Isla,
The columns are tied into a poured footing that has lots of rebar and goes around the perimeter. The slab was poured after that footing.
A different idea
mcfez - 1-20-2012 at 01:07 PM
Try the solar pool covers......will make the pool water 10=15 % warmer. Much cheaper.....easy.
Here's link for you to read about it.
http://www.bestbuypoolsupply.com/ingroundsolarblanket.htm
vgabndo - 1-20-2012 at 01:51 PM
Again, I'm not an engineer, but I DO know that the nails you pull out of your bags that are facing the wrong way...are for the other side of the
house.
I'd sacrifice all the extra structure you have in place and go hog wild with the options you have for a ramada roof. There are few limitations on what
you can use for a roof structure given your supports. How about duplicating the pool patio design on the face of your new poured concrete beams, with
a sombra that is recessed and hardly visible from the front. Quien sabes???
Pool heating is so far at the low tech end of the solar spectrum, and I doubt you have ANY shading issues, so that is wide open. Insulation is always
a good idea; as suggested. You could easily support large diameter black pool heat tubing above your pretty shade material, and adjust your % of shade
accordingly, huh?