Adding a Baja Shelf Creates the Perfect “Ah-Ha” Feature to Your Pool Design
When its comes to designing their backyard pool, homeowners are always looking that “ah-ha moment” when they discover the perfect feature that completes their dream pool. If this is you, we suggest you have a “baja moment”. Baja Shelves, have long been associated with luxury resort pools and high-end community pools as areas that provide a safe and relaxing environment. Over the past 5-10 years they have become extremely popular in residential pool designs and is definitely a feature to consider in your pool design.
What is a Baja Shelf?
A baja shelf, also known as a tanning ledge, sun shelf, or shallow water shelf, is a flat, shallow area typically located at one end of the pool, designed to provide a space where people can relax and sunbathe in shallow water.
The baja shelf is usually around 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 cm) deep, allowing individuals to partially submerge themselves in the water while lounging or sitting. It provides a convenient spot to place chairs, sun loungers, or even inflatable pool floats. The shallow water on the baja shelf is particularly popular among children, as they can play or splash around in a safer, more accessible area.
Baja shelves are often constructed with non-slip materials to ensure safety and may feature built-in umbrella sleeves or jets for added comfort. They have become a desirable addition to many pool designs, as they offer a relaxing and refreshing way to enjoy the water while remaining comfortably supported.
Advantages of a Baja Shelf
The baja shelf in a swimming pool offers several advantages:
Relaxation and Comfort: A baja shelf provides a comfortable space to relax and enjoy the water without fully immersing yourself. It allows you to partially submerge your body and stay cool while basking in the sun or reading a book.
Safety for Non-Swimmers: The shallow depth of the baja shelf makes it a safe area for non-swimmers, especially children or individuals who may not be confident in deeper water. They can enjoy the pool experience while being in a controlled and easily accessible area.
Sunbathing: Baja shelves are designed for sunbathing, providing a shallow water area where you can soak up the sun. You can comfortably lie down on a lounger or float while staying cool in the water.
Interaction and Play: The baja shelf is an excellent space for socializing and interacting with others in the pool. It allows people to sit or stand in close proximity, making conversations and playing games more convenient.
Versatility: Baja shelves are versatile and can be used for various purposes. In addition to sunbathing, they can be utilized as a children’s play area, a platform for water toys, or a place to sit and relax while watching others swim.
Aesthetic Appeal: Baja shelves add an attractive and visually appealing element to the pool design. They can be customized with different materials, colors, and finishes to complement the overall aesthetics of the pool.
Cooling Effect: The shallow water on the baja shelf helps to keep you cool during hot summer days. You can enjoy the refreshing sensation of being in the water without having to fully submerge yourself.
Overall, the baja shelf enhances the pool experience by providing a safe, comfortable, and versatile area for relaxation, socializing, and enjoying the sun.
Baja Shelf Features
Baja shelves can incorporate additional features to enhance the user experience. These can include built-in umbrella sleeves or holders to provide shade, jets or bubblers for a soothing water feature, or even lighting elements for a dramatic effect at night.
Integration with Steps or Seating: Baja shelves can be seamlessly integrated with pool steps or seating areas. This allows for easy access from the shallow area to deeper parts of the pool and provides a cohesive design.
Customization: Baja shelves can be customized based on individual preferences and requirements. Whether you want a specific color scheme, shape, or special features, working with a professional pool designer or contractor can help you create a unique baja shelf design that suits your style and needs.
This gorgeous Geometric pool built in Jonestown, Tx is a true example of superior design and construction. The slope of the lot required it to be elevated above 8’. The pool is 16’x33’ providing 502 sq. ft. of space to stay cool and refreshed. Surrounding the pool is 813 sq. ft. of spacious salt finish concrete decking for entertainment. The decking is complimented by silver travertine coping. The centerpiece of this pool is the 4’ raised spa with its Baroque tile spillway. Also featured in this pool is it’s relaxing Baja Shelf with lounge chairs, bubbles and table with umbrella and a 25’ “S” shaped faux negative edge.
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In their continuing committment to delivering the best pool building experience to their customers, Cody Pools recently acquired Orlando, Florida based American Pools & Spas. This latest acquisition adds to an already impressive family of pool builders which includes Phoenix based California Pools and Landscape and Platinum Pools in Houston, Texas. This impressive family of pool builders ensures that residential and commercial customers in these metro areas will have access to a pool builder with the experience and committment to build them a pool that stands above the rest. Along with Cody Pools’ Tampa location, the addition of American Pools & Spas strengthens their presence in Central Florida providing a superior level of pool construction to the area. The operations of Cody Pools Florida 2 locations will be overseen by Vincent Servantez, President of Cody Pools’ Florida Division.
“When we expand into new markets, we look for companies to join our family that have a solid reputation, exemplify strong business ethics, and have the highest in construction quality standards” stated Mike Church, CEO of Cody Pools, “we saw that with California Pool and Landscape as well as Platinum Pools”. He went on to add “The acquisition of American Pools & Spas allows us to do just that in Orlando. Our combined resources, along with common core values will continue to provide an outstanding pool building experience to our Central Florida customers.”
About American Pools & Spas
Based in Orlando, Florida, American Pools & Spas was founded by Ben and Diane Evans and has been designing and building quality pools in Central Florida for over 23 years. They have 75 employees and last year they built 525 pools and have been recognized as a Pool & Spa News Top 50 Pool Builder for the past 10 years. They were also recognized by the Orlando Business Journal in 2020 in their “OBJ Golden 100” that acknowledges the top businesses in the Orlando area.
About Cody Pools, Inc.
Cody Pools has designed and built over 32,000 swimming pools since its inception in 1994. They have been recognized as the #1 Pool Builder in the Nation by Pool & Spa News for the past 11 years (2013-2023). Their commitment to building residential and commercial pools above industry standards has earned them numerous awards and a solid reputation as a leader in the pool construction industry.
Cody Pools’ acquisition strategy is supported by a strong financial position, with the company consistently delivering strong revenue growth and profitability. The company’s success has been attributed to its commitment to quality, customer service, thriving company culture, innovation, and ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Cody Pools has 446 employees and 15 design centers serving the San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Phoenix, and Orlando metropolitan areas.
Cody Pools Named the #1 Pool Builder in the Nation by Pool and Spa News for the 11th Year in a Row.
Cody Pools has once again been recognized as the #1 Pool Builder in the Nation by Pool & Spa News in their annual Top 50 Pool Builders list. With this recognition, they have now been named the #1 Pool Builder in the Nation by Pool & Spa News for an incredible 11 years in a row (2013-2023). They also ranked in the Top 10 Pool Builders in Staff Management which measures companies with the best employee training practices along with tenure. “We are so proud and grateful to be once again recognized as the top pool builder in the nation and congratulate all companies that are represented.” stated Mike Church, CEO of Cody Pools, Inc. He went on to add “It’s a competitive industry and this prestigious recognition is only possible through our amazing customers, vendors, and our incredibly talented and dedicated employees. I thank them all for helping the Cody Pools family of pool builders achieve this incredible milestone and look forward to continuing to deliver the best pool a homeowner can have.”
About Pool and Spa News Magazine
Pool and Spa News Magazine, published by Hanley Wood, LLC, is the largest publication in the swimming pool and hot tub industry. Each year, the magazine names the Top 50 pool builders in residential construction. The Top 50 is a prestigious line-up of the pool industry’s best performers and provides a good example of how to run a successful building company. Criteria for choosing the Top 50 include revenue, staff, web presence, industry and community involvement. Winning companies are featured in the electronic & print issues of Pool and Spa News Magazine, which are available here.
About Cody Pools
Cody Pools has designed and built over 31,000 swimming pools since its inception in 1994. Their commitment to building residential and commercial pools above industry standards has earned them numerous awards and a solid reputation as a leader in the pool construction industry. Cody Pools currently employees 382 employees and has 15 locations serving the San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Phoenix, and Orlando metropolitan areas. Cody Pools is also hightly rated with Dunn & Bradstreet and the Better Business Bureau and is PHTA Certified Pool Building Professional.
Our Featured Pool for June 2023 is this classic Freeform pool design. This pool is highlighted by a raised spa with tiered spillway, baja shelf, fire pit and extensive flagstone decking for entertaining. Below you will find key pictures of this gorgeous pool along with insight from the designer.
What was it about this project that required an unusual level of quality workmanship?
This client insisted that the natural landscape setting not be modified when building the pool. Over size flagstone pieces had to be handpicked in order to achieve the clients wish and maintain the top-quality workmanship.
Describe the aesthetic appeal of this entire project.
The use of natural flagstone decking and different tiered levels leading toward the fire pit enhanced the aesthetics of this project.
Why do you think this project forced you to an unusual level of creativity?
The pool had to be strategically placed in between the existing trees. The request from client to be able to view the evening sunset from the back porch, we had to make the spa spillway water feature visible from the porch as well. The stonework is unparallel. The travertine split face, the natural flagstone coping, and spillway pulled all the materials together.
Describe how this pool design integrates effectively with the home, landscape or both.
The natural landscape setting along with the natural flagstone colors was the unifying factor that the client wanted. With the beautiful big oak trees, the client expressed the desire to sit by the fire pit and watch the sunset in a serine setting.
