Pool interior details: An endless debate
Every detail of a pool’s interior should be fully planned, documented and agreed upon before construction begins. This often neglected area of design (e.g. pool depth and profile) is critical to final esthetics and overall client enjoyment. For instance, a shallow pool is often the best choice as they contain less water, use less energy, and are less costly to build. Installing a shallow pool will also avoid impacting high water table levels during the construction process.
Important steps to include
Details for design and placement of steps, benches and swim outs are critical to the safety, enjoyment and esthetics of the water-shape project. Give clients the option of amphitheatre seating, full length steps, shallow lounging areas, swim outs, multiple steps, and bar stools.
All aspects of design for these types of features should be fully planned with CAD-based design software for a cost-effective installation.
Incorporating pool fittings
The positioning of returns, suctions, lights, skimmers, steps, and benches all affect the end users enjoyment and overall esthetics. A well-designed mechanical system will not only detail the flow rates and pipe sizes, but also the exact location of the interior pool fittings. Skimmer positioning is often decided by prevailing winds, but a combination of well-placed returns and visual esthetics should be taken into account during the design process.
Suction return location is primarily determined by safety concerns and local building codes. They can also be completely eliminated by employing the use of a perimeter overflow or vanishing edge treatment with a surge tank. On the other hand, return fittings can be positioned low in the pool to increase circulation, prevent thermoclines (i.e. thin distinct layers of water where temperature change occurs more rapidly with depth than it does in the layers above or below), and help keep the pool floor clean.
In-floor cleaning jets are excellent for keeping the pool tidy and increasing water circulation; however, purists will insist fittings in the pool interior should be kept to a minimum. Interior fittings should also be disguised as much as possible; the simplest way to do this is using coloured polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fittings. Finally, skimmers and main drain lids can be tiled to match the pool interior.
Whether powder coated, eliminated, buried, replaced, hidden or disguised, many builders go to extreme lengths to detail pool fittings.
Hiding pool fittings continues on the pool exterior as well. Skimmer lids can always be made to blend in with the surroundings. Natural stone replacement or poured-in-place concrete lids can also be used to replace standard PVC lids.
Integrating light features
Lighting effects, locations and zones need to be accurately detailed. Using multiple, smaller size light-emitting diode (LED) lights, spread over a number of zones, will give the client complete control for nighttime enjoyment. A 3-D design program allows designers/builders to plan the exact placement of lighting features to enhance the overall dramatic effect.
Understanding colour theory
The interior finish contributes greatly to the overall look of the project. The colour of the pool water is affected by several elements such as lighting, depth, angle of view, interior colour and the environmental surroundings. In fact, a blue pool interior is seldom the perfect design choice. A detailed understanding of colour theory or choosing a competent detail designer will result in a perfect blend of colours, resulting in an outstanding project.
