Whether your pool is in San Diego, Miami, Scottsdale, Napa or the Hamptons, the principles of infinity edge swimming pool design remain the same.
Two Options
There are two methods of finishing a negative edge wall. Each has benefits and disadvantages.
Tilt-in (cut in) is where the top of the wall slopes down and inward towards the vessel. In this design, the top of the dam wall is always submerged.
Tilt-out (cut out, cut away) is where the top of the wall sloped down and outward, away from the vessel. When the pumps are off, the top of the dam wall becomes dry.
Tilt-IN (aka: cut in)
Tilting in the top of weir wall has many benefits. The foremost, is that the crisp edge of the water is pushed out further, giving the illusion that the pool is larger than it actually is.
If the slope of the weir is too flat, then the underlying top of the wall may register through the reflective surface of the water. Some finishes will also register through the water, as they do not create a reflective surface. At some view angles the water does not appear as crisp and precise.
The largest draw back, is the "birdbath effect." When the edge is cut shallow, a thin layer of water is left atop the wall. These walls are commonly 12 inches thick. And that creates the perfect place for hundreds of birds to congregate daily to splash, frolic and crap.
The solution is simple - increase the angle of the slope. It reduces the shallow wading pool for birds and dissuades bathers from trying to sit atop the wall.
Tilt-OUT (aka: cut away)
Most infinity edge pools utilize a weir that tilts down and out. This is simply due to the fact that it gives the water a clean & crisp look. The water is cut off precisely.
The tops of these walls are dry when the pumps are turned off. This subjects the top of the wall to repeated heating and cooling cycles and rapid expansion and contraction cycles. Since most are installed incorrectly, they will soon delaminate, crack and leak.
Since most of these pools are built on hilltops or in windy locations, water is frequently blown over the weir. As the water level drops, the inner wall of the pool becomes exposed. This is not good for plaster or aggregate surfaces. It may subject the finishes to cracking, staining, shrinkage or bathtub rings.
Cutting the weir away from the pool also creates an edge that bathers find uncomfortable when they want to fold their arms to hang, linger and take in the view.
My Preference
My preference is to tilt the weir inward towards the pool. Done correctly and at the proper angle, it can be made to disappear underwater.
The pool appears almost 1 foot larger because the water is pushed out tot he edge.
A steeper angle discourages birds from congregating and helps conceal it under the reflective surface of the water.
Water is lost when the pumps are off due to the wind, but the delicate interior finishes are not exposed to the ravages of the sun and elements.
The top of the wall usually remains partial submerged, even when water has been blown out and the level drops. This keeps the finish material on the top of the wall at a relatively consistent temperature, reducing the expansion and contraction problems.
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consulting, Swimming Pool Expert Witness
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ®
"Creating water as art." ™ ©www.aquatictechnology.com You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or at 408-776-8220
Two Options
There are two methods of finishing a negative edge wall. Each has benefits and disadvantages.
Tilt-in (cut in) is where the top of the wall slopes down and inward towards the vessel. In this design, the top of the dam wall is always submerged.
Tilt-out (cut out, cut away) is where the top of the wall sloped down and outward, away from the vessel. When the pumps are off, the top of the dam wall becomes dry.
Tilt-IN (aka: cut in)
Tilting in the top of weir wall has many benefits. The foremost, is that the crisp edge of the water is pushed out further, giving the illusion that the pool is larger than it actually is.
If the slope of the weir is too flat, then the underlying top of the wall may register through the reflective surface of the water. Some finishes will also register through the water, as they do not create a reflective surface. At some view angles the water does not appear as crisp and precise.
The largest draw back, is the "birdbath effect." When the edge is cut shallow, a thin layer of water is left atop the wall. These walls are commonly 12 inches thick. And that creates the perfect place for hundreds of birds to congregate daily to splash, frolic and crap.
The solution is simple - increase the angle of the slope. It reduces the shallow wading pool for birds and dissuades bathers from trying to sit atop the wall.
Tilt-OUT (aka: cut away)
Most infinity edge pools utilize a weir that tilts down and out. This is simply due to the fact that it gives the water a clean & crisp look. The water is cut off precisely.
The tops of these walls are dry when the pumps are turned off. This subjects the top of the wall to repeated heating and cooling cycles and rapid expansion and contraction cycles. Since most are installed incorrectly, they will soon delaminate, crack and leak.
Since most of these pools are built on hilltops or in windy locations, water is frequently blown over the weir. As the water level drops, the inner wall of the pool becomes exposed. This is not good for plaster or aggregate surfaces. It may subject the finishes to cracking, staining, shrinkage or bathtub rings.
Cutting the weir away from the pool also creates an edge that bathers find uncomfortable when they want to fold their arms to hang, linger and take in the view.
My Preference
My preference is to tilt the weir inward towards the pool. Done correctly and at the proper angle, it can be made to disappear underwater.
The pool appears almost 1 foot larger because the water is pushed out tot he edge.
A steeper angle discourages birds from congregating and helps conceal it under the reflective surface of the water.
Water is lost when the pumps are off due to the wind, but the delicate interior finishes are not exposed to the ravages of the sun and elements.
The top of the wall usually remains partial submerged, even when water has been blown out and the level drops. This keeps the finish material on the top of the wall at a relatively consistent temperature, reducing the expansion and contraction problems.
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consulting, Swimming Pool Expert Witness
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ®
"Creating water as art." ™ ©www.aquatictechnology.com You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or at 408-776-8220
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