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Formal Concrete/Gunite Pool installed by Pool Company Name Designed by Frank Conte
Contemporary Deluxe Vinyl Swimming Pool with Sunshelf
Swimming Pools
This brand new development in Upper Saddle River provided many unique challenges. Our clients wanted a more established backyard while staying within their overall budget.
They also had strong personal and cultural desires to create a private Middle Eastern-inspired sunken patio, incorporating the elements of water and fire.
Freeform Deluxe Vinyl Swimming Pool with Waterfall and Dive Rock
Contemporary Deluxe Vinyl Swimming Pool with Sunshelf
Naturalistic Waterfall
Deluxe Vinyl Plunge Pool
Contemporary Deluxe Vinyl Swimming Pool
Swimming Pools come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and construction materials.
Concrete or Gunite Pools have certain unique advantages but tend to cost significantly more than other pools.
Deluxe Vinyl Pools have been quite popular over the last 15 years, as they are now built in such a way that they come with a life-time warranty on the shell and a 20-year warranty on the liner.
Freeform Concrete/Gunite Swimming Pool with Large Slide.
Spillover Spa creates a stream with Waterfall exiting into the Pool.
As licensed landscape architects we feel strongly that every swimming pool project should start with a landscape design.
Over the last 50 years no matter how difficult the site has been, we have been able to design Award-Winning swimming pools of all shapes and sizes.
CLC’s motto is “Great Landscapes start with Great Landscape Design Ideas.”
Contemporary Deluxe Vinyl Swimming Pool with Waterbowls
CLC Landscape Design’s approach to creating pools focuses on seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.
The design process begins with careful site planning, ensuring the pool, patios, plantings, and circulation work together as one cohesive outdoor environment. Custom features—such as thoughtfully shaped pools, complementary hardscapes, and optional elements like spas, waterfalls, and sun shelves—are designed to enhance both relaxation and everyday use.
The result is a pool-centered outdoor living space that balances aesthetics, functionality, and long-term durability, reflecting CLC Landscape Design’s work across residential properties throughout New Jersey.
Gunite vs. Vinyl Pools:
What's the difference between a gunite pool and a vinyl pool?
Great question — and one we love helping clients think through! A gunite pool is built on-site using a concrete-based material that’s pneumatically sprayed into a steel-reinforced shell, then finished with plaster, pebble, or tile. The result is a fully custom, permanent structure that can take virtually any shape you can dream up. A vinyl pool uses a pre-formed or custom-fitted liner installed inside a steel or polymer frame. Both are beautiful options — the right choice depends on your budget, your lifestyle, and what you want your backyard to feel like for the next 20 years.
Which pool type is more customizable?
Gunite wins hands-down for design freedom. Because it’s formed in place, there are no limitations on shape, depth, or contour.
Want a freeform lagoon with a sun shelf, a tanning ledge, and a waterfall? Gunite can do it.
Vinyl pools offer a wide range of shapes and sizes — including some custom options — but they do have more constraints.
At CLC, we start every pool project with a landscape master plan, so whichever type you choose, your pool will be designed to integrate beautifully with your entire outdoor space.
Is gunite more expensive than vinyl?
Generally, yes — gunite pools carry a higher upfront cost. Vinyl pools are often a more budget-friendly starting point. However, the design phase is the most important time to understand total cost, and that’s exactly what we help you do.
We explore options at a variety of price points so you can make an informed decision — never a rushed one. In many cases, the longevity and resale value of a gunite pool make it a strong long-term investment.
How long does each type of pool last?
A well-built gunite pool, properly maintained, can last 50 years or more.
The shell itself is essentially permanent — you’ll refinish the plaster surface periodically, but the structure endures.
Vinyl liners typically need to be replaced every 10–15 years, which is a recurring cost to factor in. Vinyl pool frames, however, can last for decades with proper care.
Can I add features like a spa, waterfall, or sun shelf to either type?
Yes — though gunite gives you far more flexibility for integrated features. Spas, waterfalls, grottos, sun decks, and custom shapes are all natural extensions of a gunite design.
Many of these features can be incorporated into a vinyl pool as well, though the options are somewhat more standardized.
At CLC Landscape Design, we love exploring exciting ideas to make your pool truly one of a kind, regardless of which material you choose.
How does CLC help me decide which pool is right for my backyard?
This is exactly what our design consultation process is for. We meet with you at your home, learn about how you want to live in your outdoor space, study your site conditions, and then present design options — with budgets — for both pool types when applicable.
Our goal is never to sell you on one approach; it’s to help you make the decision that’s right for your family, your property, and your vision. We make the process fun and easy — and the result speaks for itself.
