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This custom pool includes a laying platform and sitting ledge to enjoy leisurely dips and drinks by the poolside.
The project
March 2018
I have the great pleasure and challenge of designing our pool for the new house. In our current place we have a small fibreglass pool. We didn't have much flexibility with it given the small area we had to work in. It's smaller than we'd like and uninteresting in its design. In the new house, we have much more room and we'll be doing a concrete pool so we can get the design we want. We're looking at a pool around 7m x 4m in swimming area and would like a more unique and appealing entry.
April 2018
I've marked out the pool area and sunken fire pit in our first crack at the sizing and location of the two. We're keeping the main entertaining area (6.5 x 3.6m alfresco plus areas below) to one side of the yard while the rest is a general play area for the kids and includes some garden beds.
Back fence to back wall of house is 9.5m and the block width is 15m. Total pool area is 10 x 4.5m (pool is 0.5m in from back fence and 1m in from side fence) and swimming area is 7m x 3m. I need to get an engineer lined up to do my pool drawings for council approval and to certify its position on the block.
February 2019
Update on our progress:
- Engineer's CAD finalised so it's off to a draftsperson to detail each panel ready for construction.
- Digger, crane and rigger all lined up and ready to go.
- Waiting on building permit approval which is taking a bit longer than expected as I want to get closer to the boundary than standard so need further certification from my engineer.
- We're planning to have a combo of aggregate concrete and composite decking around the pool with an aggregate infinity edge.
- We planned to install a custom pool fence but because it hasn't been certified against Australian Standard yet, my strict timeline won't allow for the design, review and certification process. It would be especially painful if it doesn't end up being certified and approved so we're sticking with glass panels with black spigots.
March 2019
It's been a crazy week getting my chemical grout injection (CGI) done, hole dug, base formed and poured in situ and precast panels made and installed.
The pool area itself will consist of concrete and decking as we push for different textures and dimensions, keeping things as raw as possible. We're considering using Jarrah or Pacific Teak decking along two sides of the pool and for the lid of the hidden pool pump and filter enclosure. I also want to build the lid high enough that it doubles as a platform to jump in from. I will be putting some hydraulic struts in to make lifting the lid nice and easy.
June 2019
Concrete has been poured around the pool, the glass fencing is in with amazing black spigots and hardware and artificial grass surrounding the pool is in place.
Next, we need to finish the inside of the pool with steps, platform and ledge and install feature fences followed by decking the sides where there is sand. And, of course, installing the pool equipment.
September 2019
The internal layout has been completed, including stairs, a laying platform and a sitting ledge.
I'm now offering my professional pool testing services.
November 2019
Torn elbow tendon and hip flexor has slowed me down of late but nearly finished the deck at the front of the house and painting the pool. Below is the first coat. I'll be doing three in total. Loving how it's turning out.
Next I'm doing a feature fence in the pool area (extended height from 1800mm to 2100mm in preparation), then decking and cacti feature garden. Looking forward to being able to kick back and enjoy all this hard work. Nearly there!
Third and final coat. Now to finish the surrounds, install equipment and underground roller, and fill her up.
December 2019
My hard work culminated in an awesome day yesterday spending the morning in the pool with my girls followed by hosting our first party of the season with our closest friends. Felt proud of what I've created for us all to enjoy.
Pool installation design and planning tips
Get ready to install your own backyard pool with these Design and planning tips for pool installation and these Five steps to create the best pool space from the Bunnings team.
When your pool is ready to enjoy, Bunnings Workshop member Adam Woodhams shares how to keep your pool sparkling with easy tips for testing and cleaning in How to maintain a pool.
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