Pool Articles

If you’ve owned a chlorine pool in Boca Raton for more than a few years, you’ve probably had the saltwater conversation — with a neighbor, a pool tech, or your own itchy eyes after a swim. Saltwater systems have become the default choice for new construction in South Florida, and a large share of our conversion inquiries come from homeowners who built or bought a traditional chlorine pool and now want the softer water and lower day-to-day chemical handling that a salt chlorine generator provides.

Before you commit, though, it’s worth understanding what conversion actually involves in a coastal Palm Beach County environment — because “just add a salt cell” oversimplifies it.

What Conversion Really Changes

A saltwater pool isn’t chlorine-free — it still uses chlorine for sanitation. The difference is that a salt cell electrolyzes dissolved salt (at a much lower concentration than ocean water) to generate that chlorine continuously, instead of you adding it by hand or through a feeder. For most homeowners, the appeal is consistency: fewer chlorine spikes and crashes, softer-feeling water, and less time spent handling chemicals.

Converting an existing pool typically means installing a salt chlorine generator (cell plus control unit) in-line with your existing pump and filtration equipment, then dissolving the appropriate amount of salt into the water — usually in the 3,000–3,400 ppm range depending on the manufacturer, far below ocean salinity. The plumbing and equipment pad changes are usually modest. The bigger questions are about what the salt will touch over the following years.

The Coastal Corrosion Question

This is the part that gets skipped in generic conversion articles but matters a lot in a city like Boca Raton, where homes are already fighting salt-laden coastal air. Adding dissolved salt to the pool water itself compounds that exposure for anything metal near the pool: deck railings, pool cages/screen enclosures, light fixture housings, ladder anchors, and any exposed rebar or metal lath behind aging plaster or pavers. Marine-grade or powder-coated hardware holds up; older mild-steel fixtures often don’t. Before converting, it’s worth having your equipment pad and pool-adjacent metal inspected so you know what you’re working with, rather than discovering corrosion two summers in.

Plaster and tile are the other consideration. Salt systems run at a fairly consistent, moderate chlorine output, which is generally gentler on plaster than manual over-dosing — but pools with aging or already-porous plaster, or grout lines that have started to erode, can see that wear accelerate slightly faster with continuous salt exposure. If your surface is more than 12–15 years old, it’s often worth timing a resurfacing and a saltwater conversion together rather than converting first and resurfacing again soon after.

Sizing the System Correctly

Salt cells are rated by pool volume and bather load, and undersizing is the most common mistake in DIY or discount conversions. A cell that’s too small for your pool’s gallons will run at a higher duty cycle to keep up, shortening its own lifespan and struggling during peak summer bather loads and heavy South Florida rain dilution. Getting an accurate volume calculation — accounting for spas, sun shelves, and any planned expansions — before selecting equipment saves a premature equipment replacement down the line.

Timing the Work

Late summer and early fall, once the heaviest rain season starts to taper, tends to be a practical window for conversion work in Boca Raton — pool usage is still high, but scheduling is generally more flexible than the spring rush. It’s also a reasonable time to bundle in an equipment inspection if your pump or heater is approaching the end of its service life, since much of that same equipment pad work overlaps with a conversion.

Getting It Done Right

A conversion is a relatively contained project, but the details — cell sizing, bonding and grounding of new equipment, and compatibility with existing plaster, tile, and metal fixtures — are where a rushed job shows up as a problem a year or two later. Custom Watershapes Inc. is a licensed (CPC1458973), owner-involved pool contractor serving Boca Raton and the surrounding Broward and Palm Beach County communities, and we walk homeowners through equipment sizing and surface condition before any conversion begins. If you’re weighing a saltwater switch, or a resurfacing project alongside it, you can reach us at (954) 637-3075.

Why Decking Material Matters More in Lighthouse Point Than Almost Anywhere Else in Broward

Lighthouse Point sits differently than most of the cities we build in. With finger canals running through nearly every neighborhood and much of the housing stock oriented around direct water access, a huge share of the pools we’re asked to design or renovate here sit within a few dozen feet of saltwater canals or the Intracoastal. That proximity changes the calculus on decking in a way that doesn’t apply to an inland Plantation or Davie backyard.

Salt air corrodes, stains, and accelerates wear on decking materials at a noticeably faster rate near open water. So when a Lighthouse Point homeowner asks us “what should we deck the pool in,” the honest answer starts with “how close are you to the canal” before it gets to aesthetics.

The Three Natural Stone Options We Recommend Most

Travertine. Still the most requested material for South Florida pool decks, and for good reason — it’s naturally porous, which keeps it cool underfoot even in direct August sun, and it takes a tumbled or brushed finish that stays slip-resistant when wet. In a canal-front application, we specify a sealed, filled travertine (rather than unfilled/tumbled) because the sealed surface resists salt intrusion into the stone’s pores better over time. Unsealed travertine can pit and discolor faster within a few hundred feet of brackish water.

Coral stone (keystone). A Florida-native quarried stone with genuine local character — visible fossilized coral and shell texture that reads as authentic rather than manufactured. It’s naturally slip-resistant and holds up extremely well to salt exposure, which is exactly why you’ll see it on a lot of older waterfront estates in this part of Broward. The tradeoff is cost and lead time; coral stone runs meaningfully higher than travertine and isn’t always readily available in large format pavers.

Shellstone. A lighter-toned, more budget-conscious cousin to coral stone, with similar durability characteristics but a smoother, more uniform look. It’s a strong middle-ground choice for homeowners who want genuine stone performance near the water without coral stone’s premium price point.

The Question We Get Asked Most: “Will Salt Air Ruin My Deck?”

Not if the material and sealing schedule match the site. The real risk isn’t the stone itself — it’s skipping resealing. In a standard inland pool, we typically recommend resealing natural stone decking every 2–3 years. On a Lighthouse Point canal-front property, we tighten that to closer to 18–24 months, because salt aerosol accelerates the breakdown of sealer film. Homeowners who skip this step are the ones who come back to us five years later asking why their coral stone looks chalky or their travertine has developed dark mineral staining at the joints.

If you’re doing a saltwater pool conversion at the same time as a decking project — a common pairing we see in this market — it’s worth having that conversation with your contractor up front, since the pool’s own salt chlorination adds a second, closer source of salt exposure beyond the canal air.

A Lot Consideration Specific to This City

Because so many Lighthouse Point lots are narrower and canal-oriented, decking layout often has to work around dock access, seawalls, and setback requirements from the canal easement — not just the pool shell itself. We frequently design decking in an L-shape or wraparound configuration that preserves a clear walking path to the dock while still giving the pool area enough usable hardscape for lounging and entertaining. This is a different planning exercise than a typical inland rectangular lot, and it’s worth discussing early, before stone selection, since paver size and layout pattern both affect how well the deck reads on an irregular footprint.

Timing Your Project

Late summer and early fall — where we are right now — is a reasonable time to plan a decking replacement or a full pool remodel, since permitting and material lead times mean a project started now often lands construction in the cooler, drier months, which is generally the more comfortable build season in South Florida.

Custom Watershapes Inc. is a licensed, family-owned pool construction and remodeling contractor (License #CPC1458973) serving Lighthouse Point and the surrounding Broward and Palm Beach County waterfront communities. If you’re weighing decking materials for a canal-front property, we’re happy to walk the site and talk through what actually holds up in your specific location — reach us at (954) 637-3075.

Adding a new luxury swimming pool to your home may seem like a daunting project, but it doesn’t need to be. Check out our tips for planning your new pool construction.

1. Planning
Proper planning will help your new pool construction go smoothly.

Start with your homeowners’ association. Take the necessary steps to get approval for your new pool construction first, and be sure to review any restrictions or requirements from your HOA. This will help narrow down your design options.

Assess your space to get a complete picture of the work that will need to be done. It’s rare to have an open backyard that’s immediately ready for a new pool install. Are there trees that need to be removed or relocated? What about your irrigation system? Hiring an expert to handle your irrigation system is important, particularly if the entire system needs to be shut down or redone.

2. Design
Designing your new luxury pool is the fun part. If you’re not sure where to start, consider the purpose of your pool. Is it for leisure? Entertaining? Exercise? Visual enhancement?

Narrowing down the perfect style and shape for your pool is easier once you’ve figured out its function. If you live for luxury, a lagoon design can give you your own personal backyard paradise. If you love entertaining, adding a spa creates a great outdoor hub for your friends and family. If young children or pets are your number one concern, think about investing in a sunshield or beach entry.

You don’t have to limit yourself to when it comes to the shape of your pool. Choose a traditional rectangular shape or a more modern freeform design. Infinity edges, spa additions, glass tile and water features offer custom options to personalize your pool to fit your tastes.

3. Cost
Costs for your new pool construction can vary from builder to builder and can depend on a variety of factors including location, soil conditions and construction materials. Remember, if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. You get what you pay for and paying upfront for a credible builder will save you money in the long run.

You should budget for additional features that will take your luxury pool to the next level. Don’t overlook the price of details like energy efficient equipment and automated controls.

Also important is the cost of continued maintenance. Keeping your brand new pool beautiful year-round means paying for the upkeep. Regular maintenance and repairs will cost between $950-$2,500 per year.

4. Financing
Financing a new pool construction can make the process more affordable. We recommend funding through LightStream, a division of SunTrust Bank.

You can get a low-interest, fixed-rate loan from LightStream with good credit. Avoid appraisals and home equity requirements and repay your loan in just two years or up to 12 years.

5. Builder
Installing a luxury swimming pool is a big project, which is why it’s important to hire someone you trust. Do your research when you shop around to provide prospective builders with a clear vision of what you’re looking for. Find pictures online of shapes, materials and features to get quotes on your new pool construction that are as accurate as possible. The more informed you are, the easier it will be to determine which builder understands your vision.

You should also thoroughly research the pool companies to ensure they have credibility and a track record for customer satisfaction. Read reviews online and check to make sure they are licensed and insured.

Custom Watershapes is licensed and insured with 25 years of experience in new pool construction. We are a member of the FSPA and Genesis University and are committed to a higher standard of service. Our team continuously seeks out training on new products and higher education to provide the latest products and services to our customers.

Investing in a new pool is a great way to upgrade your home. Do your research, map out your budget and find a builder who understands your needs. Before you know it, you and your family will be relaxing in your new backyard oasis.