Home

About Me

Dennis Gourley: Practical Advice on Above-Ground Pools and Shade Solutions

My name is Dennis Gourley, the owner of Shadebuilder.com. For  over 50 years, living in Arizona, I have sold and installed aluminum awning products in all of the mobile home parks and RV parks in Arizona. I would do this primarily for our winter visitors. My summer months have been spent installing above ground pools, thousands of them. This was a perfect match meaning I could stay busy year round. That was important to me as I was raising a family.

I built this site to share practical, hard-earned advice on above-ground pools and shade solutions after spending most of my life working with both.

Who I Help

Shadebuilder.com is for people who want straightforward help with two things:

  • buying, owning, or maintaining an above-ground pool
  • finding the right shade solution for their home or outdoor space

That includes people trying to choose the right pool, fix a liner problem, sort out equipment questions, handle maintenance, or make their backyard more comfortable in the heat. It also includes homeowners looking for practical shade ideas for patios, windows, carports, mobile homes, and other outdoor areas.

What you’ll find here comes from real experience, not theory.

I’ve spent years setting up pools, replacing liners, answering equipment questions, and helping customers deal with the wear, heat, and sun that come with Arizona living. The same goes for shade products. I’ve worked directly with aluminum awnings and shade installations for decades, so I understand what holds up, what works in the real world, and what people need to consider before they spend their money.

My goal is simple: give you useful information that helps you make a better decision, avoid common mistakes, and solve problems with more confidence.

How Shadebuilder.com Started

This site started as a way to sell awnings. Over time, it became something broader.

After so many years working with shade products and above-ground pools, I realized I had built up a large amount of practical knowledge that could help other people. Shadebuilder.com grew into a place where I could share what I had learned from the field — the kind of information that comes from doing the work, not just writing about it.

That’s still the purpose of the site today: to pass along helpful information about shade and above-ground pools in a way that’s clear, honest, and useful.

Experience You Can Trust

There’s no shortage of advice online, but not all of it comes from hands-on experience.

My background includes:

  • 50 years selling and installing aluminum awning products
  • work in mobile home parks and RV parks across Arizona
  • more than 50 years installing above-ground pools and pool liners
  • thousands of pool and liner installations over the years

That experience has taught me that the best advice is usually the most practical. People don’t need vague claims. They need clear answers, solid options, and guidance that comes from someone who has seen the same issues again and again.

A Personal Note

Alongside this work, I’ve also raised a family that means a great deal to me. I’m the proud father of four daughters, and that part of my life matters just as much as the work I’ve done over the years.

I think that’s one reason I’ve always valued being straightforward and helpful. When people come to this site, I want them to find information they can actually use.

Where to Go Next

If you’re looking for practical help, the best next step is to explore the pool and shade guides here on Shadebuilder.com.

If you have a question or need help choosing a product or solution, you can also reach out. My aim is to make it easier for you to find reliable information and make better decisions for your home, yard, or pool setup.

A Little More Background

In the awning business I was either installing or selling the products. In early fall I would reach out to a few of the companies I had worked for in the past to see who was busy, who needed help and what type of work they were doing. When installing I always looked for a good dealer contract if one was available. The money was in going out and doing the same thing everyday. An RV contract could mean installing a full size awning and shed everyday. A mobile home deal could be a pair of 60' awnings everyday. My best years in sales followed some of the worst monsoon seasons Arizona has ever seen and storm damage was everywhere. Insurance estimates became specialty.

During those years I had to learn all the aspects of the business. Installing all of the products these companies offered. The list is a long one. We sold and installed aluminum awnings, canvas and aluminum window awnings, sheds, privacy panels, insulated roof systems, shade screens and Arizona rooms.

My first big brake in the pool business came to me just after high school, I got on with Paddock pools installing their above ground pools. Wanting even more business I visited All Seasons Pool and Patio when they first opened their doors. For the next 30-40 years it was non stop contract work for both companies. With at least 12 stores valley wide they would sell the pools and include the installation in the price. I would then go out and install them. The summers were long full of 7 day weeks and 15 hour days, looking back I have no idea how I did it.

I still install pools and change out liners but at a much slower pace. The stores are gone and the pools come mostly from online sources. I have a good crew and we do quality work. We show up on time and complete the job in the time frame given. I no longer run a five man crew building 3-5 pools a day, one pool a day is more my speed. The quality, however, is still outstanding.

 

top of About Me

Shadebuilder Site Map: Pool Site Map