Pools age, but not so gracefully. Plaster degrades and decking shows wear and tear. Making a decision to renovate a swimming pool is not an easy task, but the recent advancement of swimming pool technology makes renovations well worth your while. Homeowners can now transform an old, troublesome pool into a luxury swimming pool, with every possible amenity, that runs smoother than it ever did.

Unfortunately, many people settle for their existing pool because they do not receive adequate information regarding the possibilities of a pool renovation. Maybe they simply underestimate the possibilities of renovating an existing pool. Don't be intimidated by the task of renovating your pool. In the last several years, the industry has made tremendous strides in minimizing the amount of maintenance required for a swimming pool. So while you're changing the look of your pool, you have a lot of other options.

• Low cholorine or salt water based chlorine generators
• Energy efficient gas heaters, heat pumps and solar heaters
• Energy efficient variable speed or two speed pumps and filters
• Ozone (ozonators) systems to reduce the use of chlorine
• Mineral systems to stabilize the water
• Computerized automation systems
• Built-in automatic pool covers
• Robotic cleaners

On the cosmetic side, some of your new options include:

• Long life aggregate-based interior finishes, such as Stonescapes, PebbleTec or Wetedge pebble finishes
• Waterfalls, water curtains, rain walls, weeping walls
• Water arches, fountains, bubblers, aerators, scuppers
• Natural stone or stamped concrete decking
• Built-in tables, underwater seating
• Tanning ledges, beach entries
• Mosaics and all-tile finishes
• Fiber optic & LED lighting
• Raised gardens, grottos
• Fire woks, fireplaces, fire pits
• You can even add a built-in spa, a vanishing edge or a perimeter overflow feature