Different types of swimming pool construction

There are number of different constructions and materials that can be used to build a swimming pool. The materials and approach used will be determined, to some extent, by whether the pool is a below ground or and above ground (self supporting) one.

Other factors like cost and the shape of the pool will influence the material, as will its location, e.g. indoors or outdoors.

Concrete

One of the most popular ways of building a below ground swimming pool is to use reinforced concrete. This involves excavating the pool area and using a combination of steel reinforcing bars (that form a cage) encapsulated in concrete. This utilises the high compressive strength of the concrete and the high tensile strength of the steel to produce a very strong and durable pool construction.

With this kind of construction temporary support is required for the pool's concrete side walls and these supports are called formwork or shuttering. This means that the entire pool is built in situ with no prefabrication of pre-manufactured parts.

Waterproofing treatments and swimming pool liners are required for concrete pools, however, with good maintenance these pools have a very long life span.

Fibreglass

Fibreglass swimming pool construction can be used for above or below ground pools.

The big difference with this kind of pool is that, aside from its material of construction, the body of the pool is prefabricated and brought to the location of the pool in an already complete and assembled state. It is then installed into the excavation (if a below ground pool) and backfilled with different materials (which may include concrete).

Fibreglass pools of this type are sometimes referred to as a shell as this describes their appearance and shell like form. Most will have a warranty of guarantee of 10 years or more.

Fibreglass pools can come in a massive range of shapes that do away with the traditional rectangular formats and introduce curves and bends rather than straight walls, e.g. a kidney shape. They will usually have an integrated pool liner that will last the lifetime of the pool and steps and other features (inlets etc) will already be included in the shell.

Galvanised steel and pressure coated wood

Galvanised steel and pressure coated wood pools are two less commonly found swimming pool constructions. The galvanised pool has galvanised steel sheeting making up the pool's walls whist the timber pool uses pressure treated wood, sometimes called marine plywood, which is highly water resistant.

Neither of these constructions are in wide use today.

Framed pool

The final type of outdoor pool construction that is encountered is the above self supporting pool which uses a frame to support and suspend a temporary pool that "may" be emptied and stored when not in use.

In some cases the frames of these pools sit outside the pool walls whilst in other instances they appear to have an integral construction.

The frames can be manufactured from galvanised steel, or the increasingly popular resin which produces a more permanent look and offers superior resistance to water and the elements.