Retractable enclosure provides yearlong enjoyment

by Sally Bouorm | June 1, 2010 11:48 am

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By Richard Scheps

Most people look forward to a hot, sunny day with eager anticipation. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a drink on the patio, sit on a lounge chair in the warmth of the sun or take a dip in the pool. However, what if there was no need to wait for a hot, sunny day? What if you could enjoy your pool, spa or patio at any time of the year, no matter the weather?

These were the very questions a homeowner in Sharon, Ont., asked when they considered installing a pool and patio. The answer was to design and install a fully automated retractable enclosure by Covers in Play of Richmond Hill, Ont.

Where to begin

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The benefits of a retractable enclosure are well known to those in the industry, but not necessarily to the consumer. We tell clients that a retractable enclosure could be best described as a sunroom or a ‘solarium on wheels’. The benefits we like to stress during the initial consultation include: being able to pen the enclosure to enjoy the outdoors or close it during inclement weather, significantly extending the pool season, reducing maintenance costs (due to minimized water evaporation and decrease the frequency of adding water, heat and chemicals) and helping protect users from the harmful effect of ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Options

In terms of design options- size, style, operation, configuration and construction-it is typically the client’s requirements and preferences that influence the final result.

Size

The size of an enclosure is primarily determined by the intended purpose of the enclosure and the preferences of the client. From an engineering perspective, enclosures can be designed to almost any required size.

On one project where the enclosure was intended to extend the amount of time the pool and patio could be used throughout the year, for example, a 16.8 x 9.8-m (55.1 x 32-ft) enclosure was designed to accommodate a 5.5 x 10.4-m (18 x 34-ft) pool. This provided the homeowners with sufficient floor space for the patio table and lounge chairs as well as additional landscaping features such as gardens and rockery around the pool.

Style

Typically, retractable enclosures are designed in one of two styles: a fully freestanding enclosure or an abutment to an existing structure. When connected to an existing structure, an enclosure can be designed to take the place of a roof or it can be designed in a way the existing structure takes the place of the enclosure’s side or end wall. In connecting an enclosure to the home, the pool and patio become an extension of the current living space.

When designing an enclosure, another available style option is the roof profile, which can be single/gable or multi-peak. Additional ‘peaks’ in a roof will allow an enclosure to be built in a wider span and may be required to accommodate local snow loads.

Roof profiles can also be designed purely for esthetic reasons, depending on what the homeowner is looking for.

Operation

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Retractable enclosures are designed using a track system whereby the wheels of each bay are attached to a track, which is then secured to an appropriate foundation. This helps ensure the smooth operation of the enclosure and also provides a locking mechanism so additional anchors or locking pins are not required to secure the enclosure in the event of high winds.

Enclosures that are designed prior to the installation of a pool and patio allows the tracks to be inset into the deck to make them flush with the top of the patio stones; however, tracks can be installed on top of an existing patio providing the surface is relatively smooth and flat.

With regards to operating a retractable enclosure, most require two people to manually push it open and closed; however, some can be equipped with an automated drive system, which allows the enclosure to be opened or closed by the simple push of a button.

When installing an automated drive system, sufficient space is required on one side of the enclosure to install the drive mechanism and electrical conduits are required to run the wiring from the drive system to the control panel.

Configuration

Central to the design of an enclosure is determining how it will retract. Enclosures can be built to retract in various ways, for example, from the middle or from one end. In addition to the direction of the enclosure’s retraction, the client must also decide on how many nested bays or sections there will be and how many are to retract.

For enclosures that abut to an existing structure, such as a house, they are normally designed so they retract away from the house so the pool and patio area can be completely opened up to the outdoors.

Another factor to consider is the number of bays the enclosure will comprise. The more bays there are, the number of tracks required increases (one track per bay) and the wider the enclosure is when fully opened.

The type and location of the enclosure’s panels is another configuration option to consider. For example, transparent acrylic side wall panels and translucent twin-wall polycarbonate roof panels provide additional insulation. (If required, polycarbonate panels can also be installed on the side walls of the enclosure to provide additional privacy.)

Considerations and constraints

As enclosures are defined as ‘buildings,’ the design process must also take into consideration all applicable building codes to ensure structural integrity. In addition, the design process will consider any applicable local regulations such as zoning by-laws.

Building codes

Snow, wind and rain load requirements are a critical consideration when designing an enclosure. These requirements ensure a building is structurally capable of withstanding typical snow and rain loads for the applicable geographic area. For example, multi-peak roof designs are specifically designed to accommodate areas with higher snow loads.

Foundations are also required to evenly transfer and distribute the load of a building to the ground. A foundation will help ensure any shifting or settling of the ground will not compromise the structural integrity of the building. Usually, installation of the foundation can be facilitated on projects where the swimming pool or patio is not installed before the enclosure is designed.

In some cases, the proximity of a septic tank, for example, may only necessitate the installation of a shallow slab foundation rather than a deeper foundation, which is usually installed below the frost line.

Building codes also include restrictions regarding the height and proximity of adjacent buildings. When installed next to a two-storey home, height is rarely an issue; however, an enclosure should be designed and situated so its frame does not directly cross over any existing windows.

Local regulations

Enclosure design is also affected by zoning bylaws as they dictate specific lot coverage requirements whereby buildings on a property cannot exceed a given percentage of the total lot size.

Zoning bylaws also typically include minimum distance requirements with regard to the location of the enclosure relative to the pool and the property line. Should the design of an enclosure contravene any of the above bylaws, it is possible to submit a variance or exception request with the local municipality.

Final steps

Once the design process is complete, drawings of the enclosure will be prepared and submitted for approvals. The drawings are first submitted to a structural engineer or architect for approval and then submitted to the local municipality for a building permit.

These two steps will ensure the design of the enclosure adheres to all applicable building codes and local regulations. Once the building permit has been approved, the preparation of the site can begin, followed by the installation of the enclosure.

 

Richard Scheps is president of Covers in Play in Richmond Hill, Ont. He has over 20 years experience in engineering and manufacturing with a specialized knowledge of product development and design. Scheps and his team of engineers have applied their experience and expertise to design innovative retractable enclosures with patent-pending features that are unique in the industry. He is also the president of Palladium Product Development and Design and the Ontario chapter of the Product Development and Manufacturing Association (PDMA). He can be reached via e-mail at rscheps@coversinplay.com[4].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/retractable-enclosure-provides-yearlong-enjoyment/

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