Grottos

5 Ideas for the Perfect Pool Grotto

 

Updated 5-2-24

Whether you call it a sea cave, pool cave or grotto, this spectacular pool amenity — with romantic waterfalls acting as a doorway    is something you can really get behind. 

It seems pool grottos have gone mainstream; these lovely pool escapes, enjoyed by children and adults alike, are posted everywhere — Pinterest, Houzz, Home and Gardens, Aqua Magazine, and a wide variety of blogs. 

Pool Grottos

Pool Grottos

 

Truly, could there be a better hideaway than one you can swim to — say, behind a waterfall? And, what if behind that waterfall, there’s a hot tub, with hydrotherapy to massage you? And that brings us to Number 1.

 

 

Spa Inside Pool Grotto:

Spa Inside Pool Grotto:

 

1. Make It a Spa-Grotto  This is the view seen from inside the spa grotto. Note how private the spa is because it is nestled inside a cave made from moss rock boulders. The majestic high waterfall spills into the free-form concrete pool — just outside from where you have escaped from the heat of the sun.

 

 

 

Escape to Shade

Escape to Shade:

 

2. Escape to Shade: Another benefit of a pool grotto is the ability to get away from the heat of the sun. And, still be close to all the happenings in the pool. Not to mention, that whether you are in the grotto or outside of it, you get to enjoy the stunning appearance and sounds of cascading water and the cooling mist such a waterfall will occasion.

 

 

 

 

Children's Hand Prints

Children’s Hand Prints

 

3. Personalize Your Grotto: “While creating this grotto with Peek Pools/aka Pool Kings in Tennessee, we were tearing out an old patio and we found a special piece of concrete,” says our own Dave Stockwell. “It had the handprints of the homeowner’s children. We knew right away it was a precious piece. While constructing the grotto, we ensured it had a place inside it, behind the pool’s waterfalls.”

 

 

Grotto Waterfalls

Grotto Waterfalls

 

4. Create a Big Waterfall: Talk about drama. This Deck and Patio grotto was constructed with the high waterfall cascading over it into the pool. “We used large moss rock boulders to construct the grotto, supported by structural steel and concrete underneath,” says Dave.

 

 

 

 

Swimming Pool Tanning Shelf

Swimming Pool Tanning Shelf

 

5. Add a Tanning Shelf Outside the Grotto: The tanning shelf is directly across from the front of the grotto and waterfall. Not only can lounge chairs fit in the shallow water there, but it’s close enough to enjoy some of the mist occasioned by the falling water. 

So it’s a great place to keep cool, but still be out in the sun. The entire project won us a prestigious Silver Medal from the Northeast Spa and Pool Association (NESPA).

 

 

 

Completed TN Pool with Grotto

Completed TN Pool with Grotto

Note: Our Feature Photo at Top of Page:

This Deck and Patio-designed grotto/water feature came about after Peek Pools and Spas invited us to travel to Nashville, TN,  to participate in another episode of their popular TV series, Pool Kings on the DIY Network.

While working on-site in Nashville, one major challenge was digging/lifting out of the ground and then positioning an enormous 4,000-pound piece of rock to help form the grotto. Indeed, it was such a task that it caused Pool Kings/HGTV to title that episode: A Rocky Road to Backyard Bliss!

 

 

Inviting Pool Amenity: Hidden Grotto with Dramatic Waterfall

This backyard upgrade came our way as a referral from someone working with the clients. It went on to win an award, making it all the more special.

The overall project included a free-form concrete pool and spa. But a special part of the design is where the spa was placed — it’s actually hidden inside a large grotto with a high waterfall cascading over it into the pool. 

“We constructed the grotto from large moss rock boulders,” says Deck and Patio’s Dave Stockwell. “The ceiling is of structural steel and concrete. We also added a tanning shelf inside the pool in the shallow end large enough so that lounge chairs can rest in the water.”

The pool was then surrounded with a handsome Techo-Bloc tumbled paver patio and Deck and Patio finished it all with lush landscaping.

 

Pool Grotto:

Pool Grotto:

A key element in giving the pool grotto a natural feel was the extensive use of moss rock. Placing these rocks requires skill and experience. They need to be positioned in a way so that water spills over them like it would appear in nature — like something you’d see on a mountain hike or woodland stroll.

 

Pool Waterfalls:

Pool Waterfalls:

The majestic high waterfall spills into the free-form concrete pool — just outside the spa. The waterfall doesn’t flow out from the walls of the pool, but is fed by a meandering man-made stream overhead.

 

Spa Inside Pool Grotto:

Spa Inside Pool Grotto:

This is the view of the pool seen from inside the spa grotto. Note how private the spa is because it is nestled inside a cove made from moss rock boulders. 

 

Techo-Bloc Pool Patio:

Techo-Bloc Pool Patio:

The beautiful design of these paving stones was also inspired by nature as well. The clients chose them for their handsome earth-and sand-tones which we laid out in a random pattern. They offer the perfect contrast to the blue water of the lagoon-style pool.

This project won Deck and Patio a prestigious Silver Medal from the Northeast Spa and Pool Association (NESPA).

 

Deck and Patio Stars with ‘Pool Kings’ in ‘Rocky Road to Backyard Bliss’

A Nashville, TN, family gets a new pool/spa with dramatic water feature — and the construction is all filmed by the DIY Network!

 

This past summer, Deck and Patio’s water feature team (Dave, Hector, José , Big John, Gerson), along with our friend at Best Hot Tubs, Bill Renter, appeared with Peek Pools and Spas on an episode of their popular series, Pool Kings (DIY Network).

The title of the episode, A Rocky Road to Backyard Bliss was inspired by the challenges Deck and Patio faced when lifting and positioning an enormous piece of rock.

“We had been subcontracted by the stars of this DIY Network series, Peek Pools and Spas, to join them in Nashville, Tennessee,” says Dave Stockwell, owner of Deck and Patio. “Our part was to build the swimming pool’s water feature. This included a grotto, meandering stream, three sets of waterfalls, flanking fire bowls, and an exciting fire feature for inside the pool.”

 

Discovering a Gem

When Peek Pools and Spas was excavating the pool area, they hit a hard massive stone,” says Dave. “They had to keep digging and digging to dislodge it. To them, the massive rock was big a problem to be overcome. But when we spied it, we immediately said, ‘That’s our grotto rock!’

Grotto Top Stone

Grotto Top Stone

“Our friends at Pool Kings thought we were crazy, because it was so large. It wasn’t easy, but our team was persistent, even when the excavating machine’s chain snapped because the rock was so heavy.”

The ongoing challenge of getting that stone out of the ground and in place at the top of the grotto became a key element of the program. In fact, the DIY Network’s advertising for the episode referred to a “4,000 pound rocky start to the job.”

But as Dave and his team are quick to say, “not all gems are small.” Recognizing the value of a particular stone — even when it’s a massive two-ton rock — comes with experience.

 

Water Features Experts

Deck and Patio Award-Winning Project

Deck and Patio Award-Winning Project

Deck and Patio certainly has water feature experience and has received many local, national and international awards for our Long Island water features.

In fact, it was one of our dramatic pool water features that drew the attention of Peek Pools several years ago. They were developing a special project for the DIY Network and, after seeing it, got in touch. They invited us down to Tennessee.

Since then, we have made additional trips there to assist them on other projects, with more opportunities planned for the future.

 

Inside the Grotto

Treasure Found for Grotto Seat

Treasure Found for Grotto Seat

“Not all our rock choices for this project were large and problematic. We also found a very special piece for inside the grotto,” says Dave.

“It was a section of concrete from the homeowners’ remodeled patio that had handprints of their children. We recognized it to be a precious piece and fitted it as part of the grotto seat behind the pool’s waterfalls. That way, they’ll have it forever,” says Dave.

Fire Features

In addition to two fire bowls on either side of the stream and three waterfalls, Deck and Patio added a very special feature:

A natural gas flame, installed under the pool water, so it looks like water is on fire.

 

Positioning Swimming Pool Grotto Rock: This is a photo of our team after we finally got the two-ton top grotto rock in place.

Positioning Swimming Pool Grotto Rock: This is a photo of our team after we finally got the two-ton grotto rock in place.

 

Completed Pool, Spa, and Water Feature for Pool Kings on DIY Network: For those not familiar with construction, it can be hard to imagine during the process what it will look like finished. But that’s what Deck and Patio and companies like Peek Pools and Spas are here for. It’s pretty spectacular finished, isn’t it?

Completed Pool, Spa, and Water Feature for Pool Kings on DIY Network: For those not familiar with construction, it can be hard to imagine during the process what it will look like finished. But that’s what Deck and Patio and companies like Peek Pools and Spas are here for. It’s pretty spectacular finished, isn’t it?

 

Close Up of Pool Waterfalls: This is a close up of a part of the water feature we built for Pool Kings. At center, you see the main waterfall that runs over the front of the grotto.

Close Up of Pool Waterfalls: This is a close up of a part of the water feature we built for Pool Kings. At center, you see the main waterfall that runs over the front of the grotto.

 

Filming Pool Kings for DIY Network: “One thing that’s amazing when doing one of these projects is how all the teams are working at once, plus you are being filmed every time you take a step,” adds Dave Stockwell. "It can be chaotic, but it's thrilling."

Filming Pool Kings for DIY Network: “One thing that’s amazing when doing one of these projects is how all the teams are working at once, plus you are being filmed every time you take a step,” adds Dave Stockwell. “It can be chaotic, but it’s thrilling.”

 

 

By |2017-12-14T20:28:08-05:00December 14th, 2017|Backyard Escapes, Backyard Refurbishments, Backyard Resorts, Backyard Upgrades, Creative Design, Design and Build Experts, Grottos, Ponds & Water Features, Pool Amenities, Pool Waterfalls|Comments Off on Deck and Patio Stars with ‘Pool Kings’ in ‘Rocky Road to Backyard Bliss’

Pools with Water Features: Deck and Patio Called Back to Tennessee

poolkings-jpg For a second year in a row, The Deck and Patio Company has been invited to Tennessee to assist Peek Pools and Spas in a spectacular pool project that will be the focus of an upcoming episode of HGTV’s popular television show, Pool Kings.

As water feature specialists, we have been installing the pool’s waterfall/stream and grotto area situated on a large shelf at the back of the pool.

In addition to the waterfall/grotto amenities, two unique fire and water features will add drama to the left and right of the main waterfall.

“This past Tuesday, we worked on setting the rest of the boulders on the shelf and Wednesday we worked on the stream area that feeds the main waterfall,” says Deck and Patio’s Bill Renter.

 

 

 

One of Deck and Patio’s award-winning Long Island swimming pool projects, with a serpentine slide and waterfall, — a project that required installing a lot of large natural stones — came to the attention of Peek Pools and HGTV last year.

 

 

 

Last year’s completed project

Last year’s completed project

“Last year’s project was in Nashville and we  installed the waterfall for a magnificent pool that aired on Pool Kings last season,” says Bill.

This year, we were called back to create a special water feature for a pool being built in Franklin, Tennessee. The following video shows the early stages of Deck and Patio fixing in place three key rocks that will form a grotto area. The rocks positioned on either side of the grotto each weigh 4,000 pounds and the connecting stone, or spill stone, is 6,000 pounds.

“We needed two machines to put these key stones in place,” says Bill. “But it’s all in a day’s work, frankly. We’re used to dealing with heavy rock placement. In fact, choosing and placing the perfect rocks is really the soul of all beautiful water features.”

Here we are on day two of this latest project:

 

 

Waterfall/Grotto Project in Franklin, TN:

Waterfall/Grotto Project in Franklin, TN:

It took two machines to be able to lift in place three key rocks that will form the foundation for the grotto/waterfall area at the back end of a new swimming pool.

 

Waterfall/Grotto Project in Franklin, TN:

Waterfall/Grotto Project in Franklin, TN:

Here you see more stones added. You’ll have to use your imagination to picture the project finished, complete with soil, flowers and ground cover in and around rocks, and water spilling over the grotto with two large fire features on either side.

Happy imagining…that is until the Pool Kings episode for this HGTV project airs. We’ll keep you posted.

 

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