table of contents
- The preparation
- race
- artificial grass
- sand
- Styrodur
- Styrofoam
- Cobblestones
- wood
- concrete
- Rubber mats
- frequently asked Questions
Do you dream of a pool in the garden? How about being able to enjoy the cool water at any time? Which pool surface is suitable? What do you have to consider when choosing?
In a nutshell
- The pool surface must be level and perfectly compacted
- sharp stones and roots can damage pool liner
- Possible substrates: polystyrene insulation material, sand, wood, concrete, rubber mats, paving stones, natural or artificial turf
The preparation
If you want to install a pool on your own property, you must first check the requirements. Where is the water connection? How much space is available? Which location is suitable? The weight of a pool filled with water should not be underestimated. Depending on the size, several thousand liters of water can quickly accumulate. The nature of the subsurface is decisive for unadulterated enjoyment at the pool.
The soil under the swimming pool must be carefully compacted. A completely flat surface must be available before construction. Stones and other sharp objects can cause damage. The swimming pool should be able to stand straight.
Note: Note that the water contained in the swimming pool increases the weight of the pool and the pressure on the subsurface enormously. Check the stability of the surface.
race
If you have a lawn on the property, you can place a pool on it under favorable conditions. The prerequisite is a straight surface that is free of stones and roots. The pool must not be placed directly on the lawn. The overflowing water would rot and smell the grass. A groundsheet is therefore required. The specialist trade offers floor tarpaulins in various dimensions to protect the pool from water and dirt.
Advantages:
- little preparation
- easy dismantling
artificial grass
artificial grass is a real alternative to natural grass.
Advantages:
- inexpensive
- easy and quick to lay
- easily exchangeable
- resilient, insensitive to pressure and water
- durable
- easy-care
- protects against dirt from blades of grass and leaves
Note: If you have children, artificial turf has another advantage as the base of the pool. Children who get out of the water easily slip on wood or cobblestones. That can hardly happen with artificial turf.
sand
If no straight surface can be found, fine sand is suitable to level out unevenness. Fill in a layer of fine quartz sand. Pull this straight off so that a flat surface is created. The thickness of the sand layer should be about two to three centimeters.
Advantages:
- suitable for leveling out unevenness
- easy implementation
- comfortable for the feet
Styrodur
Styrodur elements are often recommended as a substrate for a swimming pool. The material is not only suitable as a base, it also contributes to thermal insulation. With a Styrodur underlay, you can look forward to perfect water temperatures.
Styrodur panels are used in the house to insulate all areas with high levels of moisture.
Advantages:
- smooth surface
- insensitive to pressure
- impermeable to water
- durable
- heat insulating
- Easy to assemble and dismantle
Styrofoam
The surface of Styrofoam panels is not as smooth as that of Styrofoam insulating materials. The small styrofoam balls can be clearly seen. The material is less pressure-resistant, not as stable and resilient as styrofoam insulation. However, Styrofoam scores as a base for your swimming pool with a significantly lower price. Incidentally, the tried and tested styrofoam insulation material consists of only 2 percent polystyrene. The rest is air.
Advantages:
- inexpensive
- durable
- easy to use
- good insulation properties
Cobblestones
Paving stones are also popular as a base for a swimming pool. The area on which the pool is to be set up is paved. The disadvantage is that this solution is permanent. Changing the pool area or enlarging the pool is only possible with a lot of effort.
Advantages:
- durable
- insensitive to pressure
- nice look
wood
The idea is often expressed of using the existing wooden terrace as a base for a swimming pool. This idea is usually not feasible due to the lack of load-bearing capacity of the wooden construction. Have the statics of your terrace checked by a specialist. Wooden substrates must be protected from moisture with floor tarpaulins.
Advantages:
- natural looking
- heat insulating
concrete
It is possible to pour concrete for the pool surface. This variant can be optimized by using polystyrene elements.
Advantages:
- durable
- insensitive to pressure
- impermeable to water
- Straightening of uneven surfaces is possible
Rubber mats
Various rubber mats are available from specialist retailers as a base for a swimming pool. The mats can be easily put together. They even out small bumps and create a pleasantly padded floor.
Advantages:
- easy implementation
- durable
- gentle on the feet
- Anti-slip finish on the surface
- Protection from stones and roots
Note: When using the rubber mats, a pool fleece underlay can usually be dispensed with.
frequently asked Questions
Swimming pools with a size of less than 100 cubic meters do not require a permit in common residential areas. In the outdoor area, the setting up of pools is subject to additional conditions. Ask the building authority in your district.
Depending on the nature of the subsurface, the use of pool fleece is recommended. On a natural lawn, it provides additional protection against damage from stones or sharp objects. The fleece prevents the pool liner from reacting with the ground and evens out small bumps.
Choose a place that is as sunny as possible. So you can use the warmth of the sun to heat the water.
When night frosts are no longer to be feared and the temperatures outside are pleasant, you can set up the swimming pool. The best time to set up is in May, after the ice saints. You should plan for dismantling by the end of September at the latest. If the temperatures are too low, a swimming pool can be damaged.
