Winter is no longer coming. Winter is here.

No, this isn’t a post about Game of Thrones. This is a post about your fiberglass pool.

It’s not uncommon for people to wonder if their fiberglass pool is strong enough to withstand the extremes of a Connecticut winter. The cold and snow can be tough on anything outdoors – it makes sense you’d wonder about the affects on your pool, too.

We think you’ll like the answer: Yes, your fiberglass pool CAN withstand winter. Quite easily, in fact.

Cold (and hot) temperatures are not a problem for fiberglass pools, so long as you properly care for them. (Don’t worry, though – they really don’t require much care at all.) Need convincing? Just look to Canada.

There are thousands of fiberglass pools in Canada, scattered from one coast to the other. With properly winterized plumbing, Canadian pool owners are able to open these undamaged pools each summer with no problems. While Connecticut winters can be harsh, they’re nothing like what our neighbors to the north endure.

Wondering WHY fiberglass pools are so dependable? It’s because fiberglass is a material that’s exceptionally suited to this application.

• It’s structurally strong – Unlike concrete or vinyl, fiberglass offers very little expansion and contraction with heat and cold.
• It’s chemically stable – Fiberglass doesn’t react with other substances, so it’s resistant to UV rays, pool cleaners, chlorine and other pool sanitizers, etc.
• It’s very strong – The material has a high strength-to-weight ratio, so it’s resistant to damage.
• It’s very flexible – Compared to other pool materials, it’s incredibly flexible. So while the soil around the pool moves as it freezes and thaws, a fiberglass pool handles the pressure with ease.

Our Viking fiberglass pools come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles; and can be customized with fountains, spillways, tanning ledges and more – plus limited lifetime warranties. Call or come by today to learn more!

People buy spas for many different reasons. Most purchase a spa for relaxation, entertaining, or relief from sore muscles. Those are all great reasons to purchase a spa. Choosing a Marquis spa with Microsilk gives you even more reason to invest in a spa, adding wonderful benefits for your skin and overall health.

Benefits to your skin

The tiny bubbles of Microsilk help to clean your pores in a way that soap and water simply cannot. It is like a facial for your entire body. You will get a deep exfoliation all over that leaves your skin extremely clean and feeling softer than ever. Microsilk has also been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, keeping you looking young and feeling great. Microsilk also promotes skin cell growth and skin metabolism. It increases hydration and has been shown to have wonderful effects on those who suffer from eczema and psoriasis. The effects of just one 20 minute Microsilk session have been reported to last anywhere from 12 hours to 3 days. The best part is that Microsilk sessions simply require you to take a relaxing soak in your hot tub, no surgery or lengthy beauty rituals are required to achieve these amazing results.

Benefits to your overall health

The highly oxygenated bubbles have up to 70% higher oxygen levels than regular bubbles, offering great health benefits. Microsilk can stimulate your immune system, kill harmful bacteria, and promote healing. Negatively charged ions within the bubble called anions are also released into the air, so you are breathing in a rich level of oxygen. This helps to improve your serotonin levels, promotes relaxation, deep sleep, and can even help you recover from physical exhaustion. The health benefits of Microsilk are fabulous and they all come from soaking for as little as 20 minutes a day.

How does it work

So how does Microsilk give you all of these wonderful health benefits? Tiny, highly oxygenated bubbles with a negative charge are released into the water creating a cloud around you. These tiny bubbles are traveling down into your pores and bonding to the impurities, taking the impurities with them as they leave your body. Other bubbles that are not entering your body are popping under the water releasing all of their rich oxygen into the water instead of popping at the surface as regular bubbles do. By releasing the oxygen into the water, the water is also maintaining a consistent water temperature, which enhances circulation and puts your body in an ideal state to rejuvenate its self. Your hot tub with Microsilk does all of the work.

Because Mircrosilk is an add-on option to Marquis spas, you will still be able to use your spa in a traditional sense with jets and large bubbles. However, you will also be able to use it for Microsilk with its tiny bubbles that take you to a new level in health. Marquis spas with Microsilk really do deliver it all.

Game day. It’s tradition, right? Invite your friends over, share the snacks and drinks all around, and settle into the living room or the man cave to watch the game on the big screen.

Sounds pretty good.

But what if we told you we could make it even better? Shake things up? Take that game-day extravaganza to a whole new level?

Intrigued? Excellent! Here it is:

Hot. Tub. Game. Day.

Yes, really! Invite your friends over like you always do, but this time tell them to bring their swimsuits and towels.

It’s easy to set up. If you don’t already have an outdoor TV, just use some extension cords to move your TV outdoors (or right up to a window) for the day. No one will miss a minute of the action, and you’ll all appreciate the fresh air, soothing warm water and powerful spa jets.

If you take the party outside, you’ll also have more space. If you tend to invite a crowd – or if they tend to get a little rowdy, more space is always a good thing.

Keeping the action outdoors also means cleanup is a breeze. Someone spilled their drink? No problem! Broken chips and crumbled cookies? Who cares! Plus, keeping the party outside means everyone can use the hot tub whenever they like, especially during half-time or commercials.

There’s one other benefit of watching the game from your hot tub that can’t be overstated. That warm water and those massaging jets are incredibly relaxing … especially when your team isn’t playing their best. It’s OK. It happens to all of us. And when it happens to you, all you have to do is ease your head back, shut your eyes, and let your frustrations drift away.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? And if you don’t have a hot tub, stop by our showroom to choose the model that’s perfect for you and all your game day adventures.

Hot tub shopping? That’s great! After all – there are so many benefits to hot tub ownership, from relaxation and health, to quality time with your family. But before you purchase, there are some things you need to think about.

Size

How many people do you want your hot tub to hold? If you can honestly say that you are the only person in your home who will ever need to use your hot tub, then a smaller model like the Marquis Rendezvous may be just what you need. But if your family will use the hot tub or you plan to invite friends over, you’ll want a bigger model. Something like the Marquis Euphoria, Dream Maker 730S, or The Vegas by Celebrity Spas.

Location

Now that you know the size of hot tub you’d like, you need to make sure you have a good location for it. The spot you choose must of course be large enough to accommodate the spa. You also need access to electrical, and, ideally, some measure of privacy. Most importantly, your hot tub will need to sit on a solid foundation – a reinforced concrete pad at least 4” thick, or a deck that can support 100 pounds per square foot. You’ll also need to make sure you’re adhering to all local codes during installation.

Purpose

Are you hot tub shopping specifically for therapeutic purposes? The healing powers of soothing hot water are well documented, and often recommended by physicians and therapists. Hot tubs can help you recover from an injury or illness, help you sleep at night, and more. As you’re shopping for a hot tub, share your therapeutic needs with us, and we can help you select the model with seating and jet configurations that will work best for you.

Budget

Let’s be honest. At some point, it all comes down to the budget, doesn’t it? And that’s OK. We want to work with you, to help you find the spa you need that fits within your price range. Ask us about financing options, and about ongoing spa costs (chemicals and monthly energy bills) so you can plan your budget accordingly.

Keep these four points in mind while you’re shopping for your new hot tub, and you’re sure to choose the model that’s perfect for your needs.