Infinity pools are becoming increasingly popular in Australia due to their innovative and stunning design. Here’s everything you need to know about these beautiful pools, and how you can create an infinity pool in your backyard.
What is an infinity pool?
Infinity swimming pools are the height of luxury. Sometimes known as wet edge pools or negative edge pools, they appear to have no pool wall at one edge, so the water cascades over the edge of the pool, giving you a clear and unrestricted view over your surroundings, and enabling you to blend in seamlessly with the environment when you are in the pool. They offer the ideal vantage point for looking down on a bustling cityscape or a peaceful rural landscape, and make your swimming experience even more calm and relaxing, as you can enjoy unimpeded views accompanied by the soothing sound of cascading water.
These beautiful pools are regularly seen on the rooftops of luxury hotels, at exclusive spas and the hilltop homes of the rich and famous, and have become the ultimate symbol of opulence on Instagram! However, thanks to the latest innovations in fibreglass swimming pool design, it is now possible to have your own backyard infinity pool – and it might cost less than you think.
How an infinity edge pool works
The engineering and technology behind the negative edge pool are no less fascinating than the pool itself. On a normal swimming pool, all the pool walls are higher than the water level, so the water is contained within the pool. For an infinity edge pool, one or more of the pool walls are built to be the same height as the water level, so they can’t be seen. These walls are built to slope away from the pool, causing the water at that edge to cascade downwards like a waterfall.
However, this water doesn’t simply fall onto the ground below – it is caught in a holding tank, which is built below the infinity edge, so it is completely invisible from the pool itself. From the holding tank, the water is pumped back up into the main pool, so your pool remains full, no water is wasted, and you can enjoy the sensation of being part of your surroundings in your beautiful edgeless pool.
Can a negative edge pool be built on any site?
Negative edge pools can only be built fully in-ground if the ground has a natural, gentle slope. If the ground does not slope, a slope will have to be created artificially, so the pool will have to be built either partially or fully above-ground. Because of this, infinity pools are ideal for sloping sites which can sometimes be difficult to construct a normal pool on.
The main reason infinity pools require a slope is because of the holding tank. It would ruin the effect completely if you could see the holding tank from the pool, as the whole point of an infinity pool is to give you a better view over the landscape with no barriers in the way.
Because of the difficulties of creating an artificial slope strong enough to hold the weight of a swimming pool, until recently most infinity pools had to be constructed from concrete. However, Compass Pools Australia have developed the exclusive Maxi Rib technology, which enables fibreglass pools to be installed fully or partially above ground. This technology works by integrating an extremely strong structure of “ribs” beneath the pool shell, making the pool strong and durable enough for above-ground use, and giving it comparable strength to a concrete pool.
If you are lucky enough to own a site where an infinity pool can be installed fully in-ground, the pool will still need more structural work than a regular pool, as it is essential that the infinity edge is strong enough for continued and regular use.
Can a regular pool be turned into an infinity pool?
Once a swimming pool is installed, it would be extremely difficult to turn it into an infinity pool, as the construction process is entirely different and a lot more technical. This means that if you want an infinity edge pool, this is a decision you have to make before you purchase your pool.
However, this does not mean that you can’t choose an existing swimming pool design. If you want a fibreglass pool, you will be choosing a prefabricated pool shell. However, with some additional engineering work to suit your specific needs, a standard pool shell can be turned into an infinity pool.
Many of the Compass Pools designs we sell, for example, are ideally suited to being turned into infinity pools – the Contemporary and the X-Trainer are two of the most popular shapes which both make beautiful infinity pools. The Contemporary is a large family pool with clean lines, which comes in a number of different sizes, and the X-Trainer is a long, rectangular pool with a highly sophisticated shape, ideal for swimming laps. Both make stunning infinity pools, and can easily be adapted.
What does an infinity pool cost?
It is very difficult to give an accurate estimate of an infinity pool cost, as each pool has to be built differently to suit the individual site on which it is being built, and the needs of the customer. However, infinity swimming pools are more expensive than regular pools, for a number of good reasons.
Firstly, infinity pools require expert engineering. The build process is much more technical than what is required for a normal swimming pool, so it needs to be installed by a specialist with the necessary knowledge and experience.
Secondly, there is more structural work involved in creating an edgeless pool. The ground will require significant preparation work, as it is likely that an artificial slope will have to be created. At the very least, some reinforcement works will be needed. The cost of creating the infinity edge also has to be taken into account, as this involves doing individual work on a prefabricated pool shell if you choose a fibreglass pool. This work has to be completed to the highest possible standards so the pool is strong, durable and safe.
However, the main cost involved in creating a negative edge pool is the cost of the holding tank. This is essentially the equivalent of building a second swimming pool, as it has to be able to hold one-third of the total amount of water in your pool. It has to be built to the same high standards to ensure safety, and installed in such a way that it can’t be seen from the pool itself.
The size of your pool does not have much of an influence on the cost. As the process is exactly the same for creating an infinity edge of any size, you will not pay much more for a larger infinity pool than for a medium-sized one. The cost will increase, however, if you want your infinity edge to continue around a corner, as this is more difficult to engineer.
Every site and every infinity pool design is different, so it is difficult to give a realistic cost. On average, an infinity pool will cost at least $25,000 more than the cost of a regular pool, although this varies greatly. Your site will have to be inspected by a professional pool builder before an accurate quote can be given. The overall cost of the pool including landscaping will be even greater.
Find out more about infinity pools
Infinity pools do not come cheap, but they are worth the money. There is no better way of getting closer to nature than by feeling like part of your surroundings while you are swimming. These beautiful pools also make stunning design features, bringing an additional touch of true luxury to your backyard and increasing the value of your home.
Thanks to the exclusive technology created by Compass Pools, your infinity pool can be even more spectacular. The Bi-Luminite colour range gives your pool water even more sparkle, thanks to the extra-large reflective colour chips and gelcoat surface, which protects the appearance of your pool from environmental and chemical damage, ensuring your infinity pool will retain its beautiful appearance for many years to come. With a wide range of colour choices available, you can easily customise your pool to suit your tastes and the style of your property.
If you would like to find out more about owning a backyard infinity pool, our team here at Donehues Leisure are happy to help. We deal exclusively in fibreglass pools from Compass Pools, and we have the expertise you need to install the perfect infinity pool in your backyard. We have bases in Hamilton VIC and Mount Gambier SA, so if you are a homeowner in reasonable proximity to either of these locations, we are the ideal choice for your infinity pool installation.
Please contact us for a consultation and quote, and make your dreams of a beautiful infinity pool in your backyard a reality.