Infinity Edge
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Deck Level Pools
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Infinity Edge Pools
Introduction
If you want an outdoor swimming pool and have a property with an interesting or even spectacular view from the garden you could seize the opportunity to substantially increase the value of your property by installing an infinity edge pool as illustrated by these pictures of a pool that Bluepools installed in France.
(Click on image to view details)
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Film producers have used infinity edge pools to provide artificial horizons for 60 years or more and there is no doubt that swimming in these pools can be a quite magical experience when the edge appears to merge with sea in the background or even the sky if the pool is located high up on a hillside.
What is an Infinity Edge Pool?
Infinity pools are also known as vanishing edge or negative edge pools. They have one or more sides where the pool edge terminates in a weir that is about 15 mm lower than the pool water level. The water cascades over the weir into a collection trough that runs along beneath the whole length of the weir.
The infinity edge system is only designed to run when the pool is being used and consists of an overflow system that takes water from the collection trough, filters it and returns it to the main pool whenever swimmers are using the pool.
The main filtration system works in exactly the same way as a conventional pool except that the conventional skimmers are not required and the water circulates back through the pump via the water inlets in the pool walls.
This means that the high capacity pump that is needed to run the infinity edge circulation system only needs to be running when the pool is actually in use - thus the running costs of an infinity pool are only a little higher than for a conventional pool.
Infinity Edge Pools create Sparkling Healthy Water
The most important benefit that an infinity edge pool provides is that the overflow weir very effectively and constantly removes and filters the surface layer of pool water that contains a large proportion of the pathogens, bacteria and organic matter that exist in every pool - thus making the water look sparkling simply because it is cleaner and healthier.
What is a Deck Level Pool?
The concept is based on the use of an overflow weir all around the pool perimeter and is very suitable for a normal garden without spectacular views. These are called deck level or sometime, mirror pools – and they do look like mirrors!
The majority of the premium quality indoor pools are now being installed as deck level pools and some outdoor pools are now incorporating them.
These are an exciting option when the views from a garden are less than spectacular and the pool itself needs to be the centre of attention.
In a deck level pool the infinity edge is taken around the entire perimeter of the swimming pool and the weir is drained by a perimeter gutter that is much smaller than the collection trough of an infinity pool.
The perimeter gutter is drained by a network of gravity fed downpipes that take the water to a central collection tank that acts as a balance tank that holds the water displaced when swimmers enter the pool. This provides the buffer water storage normally provided by the collection trough in a conventional infinity edge pool.
Deck Level Pool Technology
Although the principle underlying infinity edge and deck level pools is simple the technology required to control such systems is anything but simple and must be designed by a very experienced pool engineer.
Small Pump required during Pool closure periods
When the pool is not being used the volume of water that is flowing into the infinity edge trough or deck level gutter is low and only requires a small capacity pump to turn the water of a domestic pool over every 6 hours. This is particularly useful as this also suits the use of UV cell disinfection during periods of pool closure and it keeps pool running costs to a minimum.
Pool use Triggers the start of a larger capacity pump
As soon as a bather enters the pool the waves create much increased flow into the infinity edge trough or deck level gutter and this requires additional pumping capacity that is provided by a large pump that is turned on and off by sensors that detect the changes in water level in the trough or balance tank.
The Control System
Infinity Edge and Deck Level pools used to be controlled by float switches that lift as the water level reaches them but these should not be used as they are far less reliable than Radar type units such as the Echopod Depth Transponders that Bluepools uses. These monitor 6 different water levels in the trough or balance tank these are from low water level to high level:
- Stop all pumps as water level is too low and sound Alarm
- Start pool water top up
- Stop Pool water top up
- Start overflow pump
- Stop overflow pump
- Sound Alarm as water level is too high
The Echopod sensor is connected by a shielded cable back to a bespoke control panel that incorporates a touch screen that is used to set the the system up and control it automatically. This panel is designed by Bluepools and manufactured by a specialist supplier.
Construction
The construction of the trough in a infinity edge pool is straightforward if built in ICF and it can be water-proofed by the same in-situ liner that is used for the main pool.
The construction of the balance tank in a deck level pool can also be built in ICF and we normally water-proof these with a bag type liner as they are cheaper than in-situ liners and as they are covered and rarely entered the liner will virtually last for ever.
The detailing and construction of the deck level gutter and the grill over it, is very complex. They must be built very accurately as otherwise the line of water entering it will be irregular with deeper water over some sections and none in other areas. This can lead to unsightly algae buildup on the pool coping stones. Bluepools has now been responsible for several dozen deck level pools in the past few years and hence can make sure that their Clients do not suffer from the numerous problems that unfortunately occur because of the inadeqaute design of deck level coping and gutter systems.
How much do infinity edge and deck level pools cost?
Building Costs
The additional cost of an infinity edge or deck level pool arises mainly from the provision of:
- the collection trough or balance tank
- the water-proofing of the weir and the collection trough in an infinity edge pool and the grille and gutter in a deck level pool
- the larger capacity oveflow pump and filter
- the electronic radar sensorand the bespoke control panel
For a 12 x 6 metre pool with one infinity edge, the total additional cost of an infinity pool should be in the £8,000 - 10,000 range excluding VAT.
The extra cost of a deck level pool can be as much as £20,000 depending on the type of grille that is used. Bespoke stone grills can be very costly - although with hidden gutters they can look fantastic!
Operating Costs
The additional operating costs of either an infinity or deck level pool will not be high because the larger pump needed to run the infinity edge / deck level system will only operate when the pool is in use. The extra costs will be incurred from:
- The power the pump uses
- The cost of the water that is lost due to evaporation from the flow over the weirs
- The cost of replacing the heat loss caused by evaporation
- The heat required for the water replacing the evaporated water
The total additional operating cost is difficult to assess accurately because it does depend on so many variables but it should only be a few hundred pounds per annum.
III. Deck Level Pools are all the Rage!
The development of deck level pools has coincided with the increase in a new trend towards designer pools that are now often seen at exclusive properties and on magazine covers. Many people have property that would benefit from the installation of an infinity edge or deck level pool and we hope thst this web page encourages the development of both.