Pool News
Adding a Sauna To Your Backyard

Adding a sauna to your backyard is becoming more and more popular. As far as outdoor home improvements go, it nears the top of the list for those that are health-conscious. It comes of no surprise, many of the same folks who purchase a pool are also in the market for a sauna.
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about backyard improvements. A sauna is one that make your home’s outdoor living area a more enjoyable experience. Most homeowners long for a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to unwind. A sauna provides the type of respite they are looking for; complete relaxation in a natural outdoor setting.
Why Purchase a Sauna For Your Backyard?
Folks who visit a sauna regularly, have most probably considered saving themselves the recurring cost. Its also inconvenient having to go to a steam room for a 15-45 minute session. It stands to reason that when evaluating what outdoor amenities provide the best value, more homeowners are considering a sauna.

Health Benefits of Owning a Sauna
There are many well-known benefits to owning a sauna. A 2018 Mayo Clinic Proceedings study states, “Sauna bathing may be linked to several health benefits, which include reduction in the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and neurocognitive diseases; nonvascular conditions such as pulmonary diseases; mortality; as well as amelioration of conditions such as arthritis, headache, and flu.”
While associated with improving conditions such as respiratory issues, bronchitis, and other breathing ailments, still there is a large percentage of consumers who purchase a sauna for other reasons. Many will purchase a sauna for the beauty that they add to their outdoor living environment. With many elegant and contemporary design options to choose from; these days, consumers have their choice when it comes to adding a sauna that compliments the aesthetic of their backyard.
Sauna Statistics
This country loves its saunas. In fact, there are currently over 1 million saunas, representing an $8 billion market in the United States alone. Seems like a high number right? Well that’s nothing compared to Finland who really love their saunas. Finland has the highest percentage of saunas per capita than any other country on the planet. With a $20 billion market, there are over 3 million saunas in Finland today. We may be running behind them in terms of consumer demand, but we’re catching up fast.
Why Have Saunas Sales Spiked?
To get a better understanding of why the demand for saunas has suddenly spiked, we spoke with Tina Adams, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Bathing Brands. We wanted to know how the market for saunas has grown in recent years.
How Has The Market For Saunas Grown?
“Sauna sales have doubled in the past two years, mirroring unprecedented interest in backyard leisure, personal wellness, and an improved quality of life.”, said Adams.
Perhaps highest on the list for consumers thinking of purchasing a sauna for their backyard are the health benefits that come from owning one. A fact that Adams acknowledged, “In addition to making people feel good, heat therapy has proven heart-health, pain-reduction, and immune systems benefits.”

America Is Developing A Culture For Saunas
“There is a sauna bathing revolution brewing,” said Adams, “we are culturally uncovering the value heat and cold can have on us physiologically. Experiencing a sauna outdoors, and even better, adjacent to a swimming pool, offers an experience only nature can provide. The addition of a sauna in a pool setting allows for an invigorating plunge or cool down which is so essential to the sauna experience. “
It stands to reason that as swimming pools have surged in popularity over the years, the sauna sector would see a new influx of consumers as well. Being a very cold country, we can understand why Finland is so popular for saunas. America however doesn’t have the culture for saunas that Finland does, nor the climate. Yet, the demand has skyrocketed. With double the sales, the question begs to ask, why are Americans developing such an appetite for adding saunas as an outdoor amenity?
How Did Saunas Suddenly Become So Popular?
There was a point in time where you where a sauna was an unlikely amenity to find in the backyard. These days, finding a sauna in an elegantly appointed outdoor setting is far more likely. The market penetration has been considerable in recent years. Sauanas are now on the list of top amenities one will find in the backyard along with pools and spas.
“One of the hottest trends in the backyard right now is the installation of outdoor saunas,” said Adams, “but it’s the pool and spa dealers who are really the ones facilitating this trend. Modular or barrel saunas are easy to display, simple to install, and can help grow their business.”
It’s a fact that as the gatekeepers of the backyard, pool builders and designers are the ones with the greatest influence on the homeowner. In terms of swaying buying decisions to particular outdoor living products and amenities, no one has more influence in this regard.
The ease of installation, small space requirements, and relatively low cost in comparison to other outdoor amenities such as pools and spas, make it an appealing value added service builders can add to the list of products they offer their customers.

The fact that stoking demand starts at the dealer level begins at the dealer level is not lost in Adams. “Local pool and spa dealers are the most viable resource for displaying, promoting, and satisfying consumer demand,” she explained.
During trade show season, saunas definitely had an enormous presence on the exhibition floor this year. “We have seen growth in all markets,” said Adams. “Where there is a pool, there is the highest potential of outside sales sauna growth,” she explained.
Adams is hoping for even higher adaptation in the near future, “Featuring an outdoor sauna kit into existing projects is a sure-fire way to grow sales. We’re excited to see our dealers leading the sauna revolution at the retail level.”
Featured Photo Credit: Thermory USA
Pool News
Landmark Aquatic Taps Britton Nielsen and Tim Garner to Lead Utah Growth

Landmark Aquatic is pleased to announce it has promoted Britton Nielsen to General Manager of its Utah market and Tim Garner to Vice President of Construction and Renovation Operations.
As General Manager, Nielsen will lead sales and operations across Utah, with a focus on customer experience, building a strong local team and expanding Landmark’s role as a trusted partner to facility owners and operators.
Nielsen has worked in commercial aquatics since 2014. He started as an estimator and has spent the past decade as a construction project manager, leading projects from early planning through final delivery. He holds a degree in Construction Management from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Utah.
“I’ve spent my career on the project side, so I know what facility owners need from a partner: clear communication, realistic schedules and a team that’s still there after the pool opens,” said Nielsen. “My goal is to build that kind of team here in Utah and make Landmark the first call for anyone who owns or operates an aquatic facility in the state.”
Joining Britton is Tim Garner, who has been promoted to Vice President of Construction and Renovation. With more than 25 years of experience in commercial aquatics construction and renovation, Tim has demonstrated strong leadership in building and guiding teams while delivering high-quality commercial aquatic construction and renovation projects. Tim most recently served as General Manager of Landmark’s Salt Lake City branch. Before that, he was President of CEM Aquatics until Landmark acquired it earlier this year. A Salt Lake City native, Tim holds an MBA from the University of Utah.
“Bringing CEM into Landmark this year has been a great experience, and I’ve had the opportunity to learn from talented teams across the organization,” said Garner. “In this role, I’m looking forward to building on the strengths of each branch, sharing best practices, and helping our teams deliver consistent quality and accountability for every customer.”
These promotions come as demand for new construction and renovation of commercial aquatic facilities continues to grow across Utah, and they position Landmark to serve owners and operators throughout the region with experienced local leadership.
About Landmark Aquatic
Since 1967, Landmark Aquatic has helped communities and organizations bring complex aquatic facilities to life and keep them performing. Today, we are the nation’s largest integrated commercial aquatics platform, providing design, construction, renovation, restoration, and maintenance services nationwide. Our construction-led expertise and long-term service capabilities give customers one trusted partner across every stage of a facility’s lifecycle. For the life of your pool. Learn more at www.landmarkaquatic.com.
Pool News
America’s Swimming Pool Co. Launches Interactive Pool Design Tool for Homeowners

Leading pool franchise introduces a digital experience designed to support early-stage inspiration and connect homeowners with local pool professionals
MACON, GA (October 13, 2026) – America’s Swimming Pool Co. (ASP), the nation’s leading swimming pool service franchise, today announced the launch of its Pool Design Tool, an interactive digital experience exclusively designed for ASP to better engage homeowners earlier on in their pool installation planning journeys. It is intended to support early-stage inspiration and planning by helping homeowners explore design possibilities and connect with their local ASP franchise location, rather than serving as a final design or estimating platform.
Since launching in late February, the Pool Design Tool has successfully helped drive engagement and generate qualified leads across ASP’s franchise network. Important data points include:
- 322 homeowners across 81 franchise markets have entered a ZIP code inside the tool, resulting in dozens of quote requests.
- 73% of visitors are inside existing ASP service markets, showing alignment between homeowner interest and ASP’s ability to service them.
- The tool has generated quote requests across 19 existing territories nationwide, demonstrating broad interest across the franchise network.
“Many homeowners don’t know where to begin when it comes to pool design and installation, and that’s why America’s Swimming Pool Co. wants to step in and help,” said Jimmie Meece, brand president of America’s Swimming Pool Co. (ASP). “As we head into prime pool construction season, more homeowners are spending time researching major backyard projects before speaking with contractors. We want our Pool Design Tool to be the first step in that journey – giving homeowners an interactive way to explore options while setting the stage for more productive conversations with our local pool experts who can bring those ideas to life.”
Now live on ASP’s website, Pool Design Tool allows homeowners to visualize and design a customizable in-ground pool using detailed 3D renderings before requesting a consultation. Homeowners can experiment with various pool shapes, sizes, finishes, decking styles and popular water features, from spas to infinity edges, to see how different combinations might look. By interacting with these design options, homeowners can gain a clearer understanding of the types of decisions involved in building a pool and are better prepared for the initial consultation.
After completing a design, homeowners are prompted to enter their ZIP code and are instantly connected with their local ASP franchise location to set up a consultation to review the plan and discuss next steps. For consumers, ASP expects the tool to streamline planning, reduce redesign timelines and help homeowners move from inspiration to installation faster. For ASP franchise owners offering pool construction services, Pool Design Tool helps create stronger and more productive customer conversations from the start. Key features include higher-quality leads, earlier customer engagement, improved lead routing and a more efficient sales process, as homeowners arrive at consultations with design ideas already in mind.
Alongside Pool Design Tool, ASP is expanding its digital resources to further support homeowners throughout the pool planning process. These enhancements include new pool installation service pages across local franchise websites, localized construction content highlighting the experience of individual franchise owners, and additional educational resources to help homeowners understand pool design considerations, installation timelines and project requirements. Together with the Pool Design Tool, these upgrades have helped increase online visibility, connect homeowners with local pool professionals earlier in the planning process, and generate more qualified leads across ASP’s markets. As a result, the franchise has nearly doubled its keyword rankings related to pool installation and remodeling over the past year.
Since its inception in 2002, ASP has continued to set a higher standard of performance and stability within the industry, cementing itself as a leading swimming pool service brand with the trust of pool owners nationwide. The company is known for its affordable, reliable and knowledgeable service – including maintenance, inspections, repairs, renovations and construction. For more information or to schedule a service, visit asppoolco.com.
About ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co.
ASP is the largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, renovation and construction franchise in the nation. Founded in 2002 by Stewart C. Vernon, the company is based on the belief that by providing a higher quality pool service at a reasonable price, the brand would raise the industry standards for pool service. In 2005, ASP began franchising and now covers more than 1,500 cities in 25 states across the nation. For more information on ASP’s swimming pool franchise opportunities, click here. For more information on ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co., visit the website or find us on Facebook @asppoolco.
About Authority Brands
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands’ companies include 15 leading home service franchise brands: ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co., Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky Electric, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie’s. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,700 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. See authoritybrands.com for more information.
Pool News
Modern Method Gunite Goes Pink for October

(HOUSTON, TEXAS, October 19, 2026) – Modern Method Gunite (MMG) proudly announces its participation in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by going “Pink” this October.
“MMG has been an active proponent of the fight against breast cancer for more than 10 years,” said Al Escobar, MMG Director of Marketing and Growth. “We wanted to do something impactful in the field to continue spreading awareness, so each year we design specific apparel that team members can purchase and support the program.”
This year’s specialized apparel features slate grey hats and shirts with a pink MMG logo and #StrongerTogether on various shirts. The pink logo symbolizes MMG’s commitment to supporting the fight against breast cancer.
To expand awareness, MMG’s social media platforms will feature photos of team members and builder participation highlighting the apparel and program exposure. MMG has committed to a $2,000 donation to UT MD Anderson Cancer Center to support its cancer research programs.
About MMG
With over 40 years of experience, MMG is a family-owned and operated company known for its exceptional service and innovative solutions. Based in Southwest Texas, MMG’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has established its reputation as a can-do leader in the industry.
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