Swimming pool buildings and enclosures

The best way to extend the seasonal use of many swimming pools is to cover and protect them with some kind of building or enclosure.

These enclosing pool structures extend both the usable months and daily hours of an outdoor swimming pool's "user" availability and they also make the cost of heating, and retaining the heat, in water more efficient.

Additionally, pool enclosures protect the structure of the pool, maintain a consistent environment and humidity and prevent ingress from external debris like plant waste and insect life.

There are no set categories for pool buildings and enclosures, but we have tried to classify them below for ease of description.

Low profile swimming pool enclosures

Low profile swimming pool enclosures are normally glass and framed structures that concertina out across the pool in an almost telescopic manner. They are easily opened or closed, either to allow the pool to behave like an internal or external pool, or to protect the pool and conserve its heat energy.

The more expensive models can be operated remotely and all store at one end of the pool when not in use.

Swimming pool domes

Swimming pool domes are a cheap way of temporarily gaining an indoor swimming pool.

Sometimes called "air-bubbles", these domes are inflated above and immediately around an outdoor swimming pool and they create a warm and protective bubble. They require fixing to terra firma, but all necessary fixings are usually supplied with the "bubble", so it is only a secure base that is required.

In order to work, these domes require a fan (to maintain the dome's air pressure) and they have zip openings for the swimmers to get into and out of the dome. Fan running cost are low once the dome has been inflated and these inflatable enclosures fold up into easily storable cases.

Swimming pool buildings

The ultimate enclosure for an outdoor swimming pool is a purpose built building. These buildings will require planning permission where appropriate and are often architect designed. They are not for those with a tight budget.