Have you ever wanted to feel truly at one with nature? Can you imagine how peaceful it feels to blend into the surrounding landscape as you swim? If this sounds appealing, an infinity swimming pool is the right choice for you.
But what is an infinity pool, and how is it built? What will an infinity pool cost? Here we answer your questions about the ultimate in luxury pools.
What is an infinity pool?
You have probably seen infinity pools on advertisements for luxury hotels. Sometimes known as disappearing edge or negative edge pools, they look as if one edge of the pool is literally falling away into infinity. They have the appearance of defying gravity, merging seamlessly into the landscape beyond.
An infinity pool enables you to become part of the scenery while swimming. No longer just for the luxury market, it is now possible for you to have an infinity pool in your own backyard – and it is more affordable than you might think!
Whether your property looks out over a bustling city or a rural landscape, an infinity pool is a spectacular feature. It will add significant value to your home and continue to bring immense pleasure to you and your loved ones for many years to come.
How are infinity swimming pools built?
The building of an infinity pool is a job which can only be undertaken by experienced professionals, as it is highly technical and requires specialist skills. For best effect, an infinity pool requires a slope, so it can give the impression of the pool falling away into the scenery below. This makes infinity pools ideal for sloping backyards, which can’t always accommodate regular swimming pools easily.
To achieve the effect of a disappearing edge, an infinity pool is usually constructed partially or fully above ground. This means the pool shell needs to be supported by an extremely strong structure to make sure the pool is highly durable and completely safe to swim in. Because of this, it is highly advisable to choose a pool manufacturer that specialises in infinity pools, to ensure your pool can continue to serve its purpose long into the future.
One of these companies is Compass Pools Australia, which has developed a unique technology for supporting swimming pools above ground on sloping sites. Known as Maxi Rib technology, it enables a fibreglass pool shell to be installed on a super-strong rib-like structure which provides the pool with all the support it needs.
This technology is leading the way in swimming pool building worldwide. “It’s now possible to install a fibreglass pool on sites which previously would have been considered too difficult or virtually impossible,” explains engineer Charles Rickard, who developed the Maxi Rib technology exclusively for Compass Pools.
The Maxi Rib system creates a platform which keeps the pool level and allows for a disappearing edge to be created. A holding tank, which is basically a smaller second pool, is then built below the infinity edge to catch the water that spills over the edge. This second pool cannot be seen from the main pool, but it has to allow for one-third of the main pool’s water capacity.
Through this innovative system, Compass Pools is bringing the luxury of infinity pools to backyards across Australia. Whether your yard is flat, sloping or raised, it is now possible for you to have a beautiful infinity pool of your own.
What does an infinity pool cost?
Infinity pool prices vary depending on the scale of the project and your personal design choices, but they are not as expensive as you might think. As Maxi Rib technology makes it easier to install infinity pools on a wide variety of sites, it has made them more affordable than ever before.
There are three elements which make an infinity pool more expensive than a regular swimming pool:
- The engineering work required in building the supporting structure, which is individually tailored to your specific property
- The creation of the disappearing edge
- The construction of the holding tank, which is the equivalent of building a second small swimming pool.
As building an infinity pool is highly technical, it requires each new pool to be individually engineered at every stage. This is the only way it can meet the unique needs of your property.
The size of the pool also needs to be taken into account, but it doesn’t affect infinity pool prices as much as you might think. For example, there is very little difference in the engineering work required between a six-metre disappearing edge and one of nine metres. However, if the infinity edge continues around a corner of the pool, this is a more complicated job, so it will have an impact on the cost.
It is possible to have an infinity pool built for as little as $25,000 on top of the cost of a regular swimming pool, thanks to Maxi Rib technology. However, every pool is different, so you will need an individual consultation to gain a realistic idea of your infinity pool cost.
Find out more about infinity pools
If you love the idea of becoming part of the scenery as you swim and gaining the best vantage points from your property, please contact us. Our team will be happy to advise you on these beautiful pools and how you can enjoy your own infinity pool in your backyard.