48-50 CONCRETE POOLS:SPN Master pages 11/3/09 23:10 Page 3
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“CONCRETE POOLS ARE STILL THE CHOICE OF THE
DISCERNING CUSTOMER WHO IS OF COURSE CONCERNED
ABOUT PRICE BUT ALSO WANTS A PERMANENT STRUCTURE
CONSTRUCTED WITH MATERIALS WHICH GIVE A QUALITY
END PRODUCT WHICH IS STYLISH AND GRACEFUL”
For one thing, shotcrete allows for
Spraying on – the top end of the market still
complete freedom of pool size and shape remains buoyant for concrete pools
since it follows any excavated shape. Pools
formed of shotcrete are extremely strong
and durable.
And, in addition to being versatile and
sturdy, shotcrete is readily adaptable to form
the very smallest or the very largest pools.
David Bland from UK market leaders
Sprayed Concrete Services confirmed that
the top of the market for luxury, mainly
indoor pools where concrete is the only
option, is still buoyant.
“Of course it’s dropped, the demand
has slowed down quite a bit but when it
comes to structural pools inside a
building then the use of concrete is
essential. It’s the only option to satisfy
building controls.
“There are different demands for pools
and clearly if you want to put a pool in a
garden and you only want to stay for 10
years then a one-piece pool is an option.
He said that the concrete option offered
so much more in terms of design and
flexibility. Price was a factor but he
added that a standard 10 metre x 5
metre pool could still be completed for
around £50,000.
SCS’s sister company Portrait pools and
Enclosures reflects the popularity for
concrete pools where quality and flexibility
of design offer such possibilities at the top
of the market where Portrait Pools still
have busy order books.
Shotcrete, is accepted by all specialist
companies by definition, to offer a
freedom of design necessary to build pools
to suit just about anyone. It also lends project in a basement in Windsor. It Like all concrete structures, these pools
itself the most popular designs in new features a double curved pool with a can last decades when properly
pools – vanishing edges. diving area and an elevated spa – and constructed. Improperly constructed,
Beneath the concrete is a cage of everything was constructed with shotcrete. however, they can crack from ground
reinforcing rods. That produces an He says shotcrete allows designers to movement caused by freeze/thaw cycles,
extremely strong wall and floor. “A create curves easily and economically. high water tables, hillside locations or
shotcrete pool has tremendous structural New composite materials made of seismic activity. The cost goes up in areas
integrity,” adds Adrian Montgomery. smooth pebbles and sprayed concrete with these conditions because extra
“We can do anything with shotcrete. make beautiful, natural-looking surfaces reinforcing is needed to prevent
“The possibilities,” he adds, “are limited that are very forgiving and extremely movement. Because these pools are
only by someone’s imagination. durable and maintenance-free. constructed entirely on the site, the quality
“We’ve done pools using the most Pneumatically applying concrete was not depends on the job’s craftspeople.
demanding shapes. Some designs have the first method used to create a concrete Concrete construction will take the
been stunning and wonderful.” shell. Originally, concrete pools were made longest because the entire product is
In addition to versatility of shapes, of poured concrete, meaning workers created on site from basic materials such
shotcrete lends itself to integrated design create a set of forms and pour the as concrete, steel rebar and plumbing. A
because steps and spas can be “shot” at concrete into the forms to hold it into basic pool (rectangular, no waterfeatures)
the same time the pool is being “shot”. vertical walls. Shotcreting and guniting on a property with an existing home can
That’s important for an overall seamless became the most common methods of be built in four to six weeks, depending on
finished product. concrete construction because they don’t the region.
Adrian says that his company has “never require forms, making it quicker, less This timeline also assumes there is no
done the same shape twice”. labour-intensive and less expensive than interruption, everyone is immediately
They have just finished a £165,000 pouring concrete. available and there are no scheduling,
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APRIL 09 swimming pool news 49
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