The short answer
A raised prefab pool stands fully or partly above ground, with the steel walls held by braces and clad outside in stone, timber or render. It is the most sensible answer when the ground is rocky.
How it stands
The walls sit on a concrete ring and are supported from outside by triangular braces. When the pool is in-ground, the surrounding soil adds support. When it is raised, an external structure takes over the support and also becomes the cladding.
Fully or half above ground
The most common choice is semi-raised: we dig as far as is easy, 50 to 70 centimetres, and the rest stands above ground. An edge at 50 centimetres is the perfect height to sit on. A fully raised pool needs steps or a deck to get in.
Cladding: stone, timber, render
Stone goes well with Attica houses and the dry-stone walls of their gardens. Timber gives a warm look and matches decking. Render in a soft colour is the plainest option. A marble or timber coping goes on top of the cladding.
Advantages you do not notice at first
- Fewer leaves and less dust get in, because the edge is high.
- Small children do not fall in by accident while running.
- The plant room can go under the deck next to the pool.
From our experienceWith raised pools, clients tell us the bench round the water is where everyone gathers in the evening, even those who do not swim.
