The innovation of pool construction makes it easy to place a swimming pool in any commercial or residential unit. A variety of pool types, customizable designs and sizes make it suitable in any space available. If you are looking for a swimming pool with a true luxury feeling and make stunning design features, the infinity pool may be a great addition to the value of your home.
What is an infinity pool? An infinity pool, also known as wet edge pool or negative edge pool, is where the water flows over the edge, giving it a visual effect of water with no boundary. By which the top of the water is at the same level as the edges surrounding the pool, to someone in the pool, it is like you blend in seamlessly with the sky and giving you an unrestricted clear view of your surroundings.
An infinity pool’s edge is the main part of the pool that is responsible for the seamless blend of its surroundings. The infinity pool’s edge is like a regular edge of other swimming pools, except that there’s a dip in one segment of it to allow water to flow over into the lower catch basin. To create the visual trick or the disappearing-edge illusion, infinity pools are designed without a visible pool coping. There is no coping, patios or pavers at the deck level to focus on the pool’s edge.
It is believed that recirculating fountains with water spilling over the edge into a basin, in the earlier centuries, were the predecessors of today’s infinity pools. Today, it is a beautiful swimming pool that is commonly seen in a luxury hotel and an exclusive spa. A pool that becomes an ultimate symbol of the lavishness of your social media post about your out-of-town trips or staycation. And these days, a trending pool structure of a hilltop home of rich and famous. With this innovation in pool construction, you could actually have your luxurious infinity pool in your own backyard.
How Do Infinity Pools Work?
Infinity pool construction and technology are no less interesting than the pool itself. On a regular swimming pool, the water is contained within the pool with the higher pool walls. The infinity pool design works like a waterfall. One or more pool walls are built lowered to match the water level and it helps in creating the illusion of infinity when filled with water. The lowered wall with a top edge is sloped gradually allowing the water to flow out like a waterfall.
The water doesn’t simply fall onto the ground below, there is a catch basin that is built along the bottom of the exterior of the lowered wall, which catches and collect the overflow of water. The basin is completely invisible from the pool itself. The water pumped back into the main pool or recirculates the overflow to maintain a constant water level.
This continuous flow or movement of water going back to the pool creates the illusion that the pool has an infinite stretch while keeping the water level at the desired depth and you can enjoy the sensation of being part of your environment with an edgeless pool.
Perfect Site for a Perfect Sight Infinity Pool
The design and installation process of an infinity pool is somewhat more elaborate and complex. In achieving your luxurious infinity pool there are several factors you need to be considered before the construction takes place.
As the infinity pool give you the feeling like being part of the surroundings while you are swimming, you may choose a place where you can enjoy not just the pool but also the view. Most infinity pools are constructed in a hilltop, elevated places or site with a significant drop-off for an overlooking view of calming nature or flashing city lights. For residential infinity pools, just make sure to surrounds the pool with amusing landscape or inviting surroundings.
Another factor needs to evaluate for your pool site is if there is a sufficient slope. The main reason why the infinity pool is requiring a slope is because of the holding tank or the catch basin. It would ruin the infinity illusion if the catch basin is visible from the pool. As the main aim of an infinity pool is to give you a better view of the pool landscape with no obstructions on it.
It is easy to construct an infinity pool if the location has a natural gentle slope. That’s why it is the preferred type of pool for sloping sites which is difficult for the normal type of swimming pool. If the ground doesn’t have a slope, you may create an artificial slope so you can also choose to construct a partially or fully above the ground infinity pool. Some may encounter difficulties in creating an artificial slope due to the possible weight of the swimming pool it will handles. With the continuous innovation in pool structure, there is an engineering and technology technique that an artificial slope that has the strength to handles infinity pools made on concrete or fiberglass. That’s why this kind of pool has become more popular and not just restricted in high-end vacation resorts or exclusive real estate properties.
How Much Does an Infinity Pool Cost?
Most, if not all, infinity pools add about $25,000 to $35,000 to the usual cost of the swimming pool itself. While swimming pools cost approximately, $40,000 to a maximum of $90,000 depending on the complexity of the design and materials used, making it to an infinity pool or adding edge infinity to it essentially increases the cost. Why do they cost so much? Well, practically, building or making your regular swimming pool to an infinity pool means making two swimming pools. Why two? Basically, though infinity pools make it seems that the water is just disappearing to infinity, the water really has to go somewhere to make that effect. For that reason, the second pool is created or built. Usually, the second pool or the area where the water goes or flows into has to be able to hold one-third of the size of the swimming pool.
Cost-wise, the factors considered for the construction of the infinity pool consists of four main things:
- The manufacturing of the special infinity edge on the swimming pool shell;
- The engineering side of the shape, materials used and the design;
- The holding tank of the second pool to hold the water for the infinity effect;
- All of the equipment needed for the pool and maintenance.
Maintaining an Infinity Pool
Every pool requires regular cleaning for it to be able to last longer and be usable for a long time.
- The catch basin needs cleaning – The catch basin or second pool must be regularly cleaned similar to a regular pool to help it be in good shape and prevent any buildups.
- Keep the drain clear – the catch basin or the second pool must also be clean of debris or rubbishes as this easily accumulates into the catch basin or second pool and would prevent the seamless flowing of the water.
- Top the water – since the water on the infinity pool flows over to the catch basin or secondary pool, not all water is being caught and some already evaporate, you would need to add water regularly or every so often to keep it from flowing and at the right level.
- Check the chemistry of the water – always check the chemistry of the water. Make sure that the chlorine content and the pH level are always on the normal range. This is very important, as this may greatly affect the user when it is not done right.
- Always check the pump – the pump is a vital part of the infinity pool as it keeps the water flowing from the main pool to the catch basin and back. Always check the performance of the pool pump and look for unfamiliar noises it is making.
There are a lot of things you need to consider when building a pool, much more when you envision making it into an infinity pool. Infinity pools provide attractiveness and turn a regular backyard into a resort-like destination. It comes in various designs and variations that blends to the need and aesthetic of the house.
So, if you or your family loves going to resorts for vacations, we believe that the infinity pool is the right choice of a pool for your home. Infinity pools do not come cheap, but it adds worth to the value of the property.
