Custom Pools vs. Standard Builds: What to Know Before You Dive In

Designing a pool is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can make to your home. In fact, demand for custom pools in Central Florida has surged over the last few years, as homeowners prioritize lifestyle and outdoor luxury in their property investments you can make to your home. But before construction begins, it’s essential to understand the key differences between a custom pool and a standard builder-grade installation. This decision will influence how your space looks, how it functions, and how well it reflects your lifestyle.

What Is a Standard Pool Build?

Standard pools are typically offered by production builders or entry-level contractors. These designs follow a limited set of shapes and layouts, often bundled with generic features and finishes.

They are built for efficiency and cost savings, rather than for luxury or personal expression. While they serve a purpose, these pools can feel basic and lack the quality, character, and cohesion that elevate an outdoor space.

What Defines a Custom Pool?

A custom pool is tailored entirely to your property, your preferences, and your lifestyle. Every line, texture, and feature is intentionally designed to create a cohesive, elevated outdoor experience.

Custom pool elements often include:

• Seamless connection to outdoor kitchens, patios, or fire features
• Architectural integration with your home
• Premium finishes such as glass tile and natural stone
• Features like tanning ledges, spillover spas, or water walls
• Smart lighting and automation systems

Why Custom Matters

Your pool is more than a place to cool off, it’s a statement of how you live. A custom pool anchors your outdoor space, bringing harmony, function, and visual flow to your entire backyard.

Beyond aesthetics, a custom approach ensures your space works for how you entertain, relax, and move through your environment. From the way sunlight falls across your patio, to the way guests naturally gather near the spa. Each moment in your outdoor space should feel effortless and intentionally designed. every moment is thoughtfully designed.

The FLO Standard

At FLO, we approach every project with a design-first philosophy and a deep understanding of luxury living. We collaborate closely with each client to create outdoor spaces that are both stunning and seamlessly livable.

From concept to construction, every detail is curated to exceed expectations. Our pools don’t just perform. They inspire. From a contemporary pool in Windermere with a seamless spa integration to a glowing LED-lit water wall that left one client saying, “It feels like a private resort every night.”