Traditional pool construction is usually carried out using either a sprayed method or concrete blocks which are then rendered and an internal waterproof lining applied; either in the form of traditional ceramic or glass mosaic tiles or an on site lining.
Horizon Pools use both methods, however the sprayed concrete method we usually employ has the following advantages:
Steel reinforcement:
After the site has been excavated for the pool shell, the floor is blinded with a lean mix of concrete.
A steel cage of high tensile steel reinforcement is then fixed inside the hole and the pool fittings are then fitted to the cage.
Concrete shell:
Premixed concrete is then delivered by truck to the site, poured into the concrete pump and using the wet mix known as 'Shotcrete' is pumped through a hose at high pressure and forced to adhere to the steel cage.
The rough shell is finally formed into the required shape by hand trowelling.
The waterproof membrane used in swimming pools is known as a liner These fall into 2 categories and the least expensive of which is the factory produced ‘bag liner’. This type of liner is cut and then heat welded from virgin PVC to fit the size and shape of the pool.
The PVC material is .750 mm thick and is available in a wide range of colours and patterns.
Colours and patterns can be mixed to meet the taste of the customer as all liners are made on a bespoke basis.
The liner is fitted to the pool by clipping the PVC beading welded to the top of the liner into a PVC extrusion known as liner lock which is fixed to the top of the pool wall with self tapping screws.
After we are satisfied that the liner is a snug fit within the pool we then seal all openings to effect an air tight seal.
A special vacuum is then employed to suck all the air from the void that would be present between the liner and the pool shell.
Once the liner is then taut against the pool shell the pool filling can begin.
As soon as the water covers the main drain the gaskets and faceplates, which seal the liner around all the pool fittings, are installed.
When the water level reaches just below each of the pool fittings and the liner is taut then the liner is cut and the appropriate gaskets and face-plates are fitted to ensure a watertight pool.
The interior decorative finish of the pool is normally achieved by the fixing of mosaic glass or ceramic mesh backed tiles to allow unusual angles and radii to be tiled with a minimum of cuts. Using specialist adhesives and grout enables the pool to be effectively waterproofed.
The ever expanding range of both glass and ceramic pool tiles from all over the world offer pool owners the opportunity of creating an almost unique finish to their pool.
There is a wide range of pool coping available in a wide variety of natural and man made materials and in a range of profiles and widths.
The coping is fixed on the top of the pool wall using a sand and cement mortar bed to provide a firm and durable installation.
An increasingly popular alternative to stone coping is to run the surround paving over the face of the pool which provides a clean, sharp line of delineation between the pool water and the pool surround.
Again the there is a huge range of different paving materials available - sandstone, slate, granite, Travertine; all of which can be used effectively as pool surrounds.
Consideration should always be given to the slip characteristics of any stone when wet.