www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
StainlessSteelPools APR 2010 SPN
65
THE TOP OF
THE TREE!
STAINLESS STEEL POOLS ARE IN VOGUE. THE POOL COMPANIES SPECIALISING IN THEM SAY THEY’VE NEVER BEEN BUSIER. IN A TIME WHEN MORE SWIMMING POOLS IN THE UK ARE BEING CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS AT HUGE COST, THE QUALITIES OF THE STAINLESS STEEL POOL HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE IN DEMAND. DURABLE AND VIRTUALLY MAINTENANCE FREE IT’S CLEAR WHY THEY ARE SO POPULAR
O
he says.
”It’s word of mouth. As an option for a swimming pool it’s the one which you know will be perfect – no problems, no issues, just a pool you will never have to refurbish, mend or repair. “I suppose the main reason why customers specify our stainless pools is their non-leak guarantee, their durability and the fact that they are virtually maintenance free. It is well known that with tiled pools the tiles can need replacing at quite an early stage because the grout becomes eroded and the tiles fall off. This means that the pool has to be drained and the facility closed with the resultant loss of revenue to the operator.
“Coupled with this is the hygiene factor. Stainless steel pools are perceived to be very clean and sterile with no joints between tiles etc., for bacteria to develop.
“Having said all of that although a stainless pool might be specified for the above reasons once installed the owner becomes so “knocked out” by the attractiveness of the pool that we are now finding customers are
nce upon a time people questioned the wisdom of building a pool out of stainless steel. Now in 2010 with lightweight, long lasting, watertight, erosion-
free stainless pools very much in vogue – especially it seems in London – the question is more has there ever been a better material which suits the task?
It is, as Bill Tuplin from stainless steel pool specialists Invarmex says, the ‘belt and braces’ approach to building a swimming pool – the only way to make sure of a perfect, safe long term trouble free pool.
“We are head hunted to put these pools in,”
specifying a stainless steel pool because they give such a high quality finish and appearance synonymous with the high quality hotel, health club or leisure centre that are so popular these days.”
The London Lido, the largest stainless steel pool in the world, is a classic example. An amazing 60 metres by 28 metres the pool has become in summer one of the delights of outdoor life in London. The pool was upgraded when it had a generous £2.9m lavished on it. This means the lido now has a cool new stainless steel lining with wonderful reflective qualities which also helps to retain the heat. Said Bill Tuplin: “It took them four years to make up their mind and two years to build, but they have got the most fantastic pool and one that three years on I think everyone is delighted with.”
The stainless steel pools for Invarmex are imported in kit form panels from Sweden and then welded together.
Bill Tuplin stresses the point about welding. ”It’s what makes our pools stand out as being exceptional. The sections are welded together to guarantee no leaks, no problems.”
So what’s the downside?
Well as Bill Tuplin says: “I need wealthy clients. A stainless steel pool isn’t cheap but it is exceptional value.”
Those opposing stainless steel as an option say it’s inflexible.
“It’s true I can’t do curves but that’s about it, As a constriction method it is still remarkably flexible and can still be adapted to fit most shapes. We’ve just completed an octagon spa using steel so there’s ways we can adapt.” Stainless steel is a lot lighter than concrete so can boldly go to places concrete cannot, it is also incredibly strong. From kitchen sink to fully jetted in-ground spas, the possibilities are endless.
‘Stainless’ as a description was coined early in the development of these steels for making cutlery. It was quickly adopted as a generic name and now covers a wide range of steel types and grades for corrosion or oxidation resistant applications.
Stainless steels are iron alloys with a minimum of 10.5% chromium. Other alloying elements are added to enhance their structure and properties such as formability, strength
customers specify our stainless pools is their non-leak guarantee, their
“I suppose the main reason why
durability and the fact that they are virtually maintenance free”
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