Home » » Infinity Pool: What Is It? How Does It Work? Safety, Cost and Pictures
Infinity pools fall into a unique and luxurious pool category. They are mainly found at high-end resorts and hotels. However, this should not hinder you from having one in your backyard. Expectedly, the pools require extensive input to install. However, they offer much more than just the much known spectacular appearance.
What Is an Infinity Pool?
An infinity pool is a swimming pool in which water continuously flows over one or more of its edges. This usually produces a visual effect of water without a boundary.
The water appears to be vanishing or extending to infinity, hence the name ‘infinity pool’. Usually, this is only possible when such a pool is viewed from particular directions or viewpoints.
Sometimes, infinity pools are designed in such a way that the overflowing water appears to merge with or fall into a large body of water such as a big river, a lake, or the ocean.
Similarly, in other designs, an infinity pool is associated with a particular view in which the visual effect is produced. In this case, the pool produces a visual effect of water extending to and merging with the horizon or sky.
The goal of an infinity pool is to produce spectacular scenery for aesthetic value. The visual illusion in an infinity pool is most effective when it is located in a place with a significant change in elevation in the background of its view.
Infinity Pool Terminology
An infinity pool is so called because it produces a visual effect of an endless boundary of the pool. The edge over which water continuously flows is the main feature that produces the infinity visual illusion.
Due to the central role of the edge over which water flows, it is often referred to as an infinity edge. Accordingly, because of the infinity edge, an infinity pool is also called an infinity edge pool.
This important edge over which water flows is hidden under the flowing water to produce the infinity effect. For this reason, the edge is usually called the zero edge, vanishing edge, or negative edge.
Other names of the pool are derived from the names given to the infinity edge. Accordingly, the infinity edge pool is also referred to as a zero edge pool, a vanishing edge pool, or a negative edge pool.
How Do Infinity Pools Work?
The edge over which water continuously flows is terminated at a lower level than the required level in the pool, usually by 2 to 6 millimeters.
A collection basin, also called a collection trough, is constructed beside and below the infinity edge. A water pump is installed to continuously pump the water that flows over the edge back into the pool.
When the pool is in operation, water flows over the infinity edge into the collection basin. From the basin, the water is pumped back into the pool by the installed water pump. This occurs continuously as long as the pool is in operation.
Facts About Infinity Pools
There are many important facts you need to know about infinity pools. Here, we highlight some of the most interesting details about these pools.
1. Infinity Pool Building Is Quite Involving and Costly
Expectedly, a unique pool such as an infinity pool is comparably complicated in design and installation than a standard. This translates to more time and expertise and hence more money.
For one, more experts will be required to have the entire work done. You will require an architectural engineer, a mechanical engineer, and above all a structural engineer.
Almost every pool is uniquely customized to fit into its environment and this requires specialized expertise. In addition, installers for an infinity edge pool are quite rare and thus expensive
From the survey of the site, the design of the pool to the construction work itself, a lot of work needs to be done. Actually, it is like building two or even more standard pools.
2. An Infinity Pool Is Not Ideal for Every Place
An infinity pool is ideal for property owners who live on a hillside or on the slope of a mountain. A spectacular overlook of features such as a river, a lake, or an ocean is an added advantage.
However, an infinity pool cannot be constructed in a place without features that are necessary to achieve the desired effect.
Supposing you have a property located in a place without elevation change, it will not be possible for you to construct an infinity pool. A couple of feet in elevation change is necessary to make the infinity edge work.
On the other hand, you might have a property in a place with a steep slope. Although an infinity pool is possible in this case, the cost will drastically increase because of extensive engineering work that has to be done.
3. An Infinity Pool Is Not Just A Spectacular Look
There is no doubt that the main reason why property owners may consider an infinity pool is its spectacular look. Admittedly, it is such an attractive addition to the environment but there is much more to it
An infinity pool also comes with other appreciated features such as the tranquil and melodic sound of running water.
You can also consider creating a patio area beside the collection basin beneath the infinity edge of the pool. You can even have a launching spot with a fire pit or a fireplace from where you can have fun as you listen to the water sounds.
4. The Infinity Edge Design Can Be Varied
Traditionally, the infinity edge stretches over one entire edge of the pool. However, you can decide to have some variations to suit your site, design, or liking.
For example, you can decide to place the infinity edge on only part of one edge. The infinity edge can also lie in one appropriate corner of your pool. Definitely, there are more different ways this can be done, including having the edge curved.
Are Infinity Pools Safe?
Yes, infinity pools are very safe. However, they still require the normal safety precautions of a swimming pool. In this case, it would be a much safer note to swim close to the infinity edge.
The infinity edge is basically a visual illusion. If you swim up to it, you will actually reach a wall. The world is a few millimeters under the water and you need to be careful not to ram it and fall over.
It is also important to note that the pool does not drop off into an empty space. Usually, there is another platform on which the collection basin of the pool is situated. If anyone were to fall off the edge they would land on the collection basin on this platform.
Additionally, depending on the specific design of a particular infinity pool, there are safety measures to be observed. Besides, there always is attentive security to enforce security measures and tech quick action in case anyone flouts them.
Does An Infinity Pool Require Additional Maintenance?
The maintenance of an infinity pool is basically similar to that of a standard pool. The water pumps, filtration, and the water circulation system as a whole needs to be monitored.
Additionally, since water flows over the edge into the collection basin and back, evaporation is likely to occur more. Hence the water level needs to be checked more often.
The increased water circulation, particularly pumping back the water from a collection basin, implies a higher cost of maintaining an infinity pool.
How Much Does An Infinity Pool Cost?
Infinity pools are very expensive because they require extensive planning and construction. There is much that goes towards designing, material, and labor.
The location of an infinity pool is usually near edges of the desired features. Such places are usually sloppy and precarious.
As such, there needs to be a lot of structural, mechanical, and architectural detailing. The high cost of infinity pools mainly arises from the elaborate foundation that holds them to the hillside.
The factors that may affect the coast include the length of the infinity edge or the number of sides that have the infinity edge. The nature of this site in times of how strong to support the pool is also a factor.
On average an infinity pool costs about $80,000. Typically, the cost ranges from $55,000 to $130,000, according to many pool building companies and specifically Home Advisor.
Finding Infinity Pool Builders
Understandably, an infinity pool requires a lot of attention, considering that each site is quite different and unique. you will definitely require a lot of customization for the pool into your desired site.
An infinity pool is a delicate project that could turn disastrous if wrongly designed improperly installed. Hence, it is crucial to have a competent engineer from a reputable company for both the design and installation.
Therefore, whether you get your builders online or directly from a company, ensure that you thoroughly interview them to ascertain that they can do a good job.
Find out whether they have successfully installed in infinity pools previously. If possible let them show you their authentic previous jobs. Although you can assess the jobs using photos if that is what they give you, it better to do this on the ground.
Notable Infinity Pools Around the World
There are many infinity pools around the world, each with its own attractive unique features. Here is a list of selected notable infinity pools around the world with their photographs.
1. Marina Bay Sands – Singapore
This is probably the most famous infinity pool in the world. It is situated on the rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore. Because of its fame, people travel from around the world to swim in it or take pictures around it. The city to get that with them the infinity pool has amazing views.
2. Hanging Gardens – Bali, Indonesia
3. Caesar Augustus – Anacapri, Italy
4. The Yeatman – Porto, Portugal
5. Hotel The Cambrian Adelboden – Switzerland
6. Alila Ubud, Bali – Indonesia
7. Grace Santorini – Greece
8. Banyan Tree Hotel, Seychelles
9. Paradise Pool – The Maldives
10. Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa – Anguilla, West Indies
