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SPN JUN 2012 StainlessSteelPools
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk THE PERFECT SOLUTION!
Stainless steel wins all the accolades for being the perfect material for building swimming pools. Michael Walsh looks at a material that is trouble free, doesn’t crack, peel or become porous and whose life expectancy is measured in decades not years
Whether as a concrete parge or screed coat, a mortar joining masonry or tile, or as cast concrete construction, cement has been the literal and figurative foundation for the building of pools. But with its historical usage comes other issues. Most pool owners or contractors have
S
ince the days of the baths in ancient Rome, the primary material for swimming pools of all types was cement.
permanent pools, stainless steel has been recognised as the perfect material for pool construction.
Stainless steel is by far the most durable and trouble-free material available for use in a swimming pool, spa or aquatic environment. The unique characteristics of stainless steel that make it so ideal include strength, durability and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel simply
“While concrete is an excellent structural material, it has significant limitations when used for constructing watertight structures”
experienced the construction issues, flaws, and maintenance problems related to concrete pool construction.
While concrete can provide excellent foundations and structural support for pool floors and walls, it is simply not watertight, durable, or low maintenance.
In the pursuit of tougher, more durable and
doesn’t shrink, spall, become porous, crack, peel or fail like most other materials used in aquatic construction.
The life expectancy of stainless steel is measured in a span of many decades, not years. Most stainless steel pool manufacturers provide comprehensive warranties for 15-years or beyond, and each pool structure is certified to be
structurally sound and self-supporting, whether full or empty.
The benefits of stainless steel pool construction go way beyond strength and durability. In addition, such construction provides for significantly reduced construction and maintenance costs. The more advanced stainless steel pool designs incorporate ‘pipeless’ perimeter gutter so that the pool and related piping are truly ‘watertight’. Additional perimeter piping is not required, and repairs for leaking pipes or pool gutters due to settling, ground movement or concrete cracking are eliminated.
Stainless steel pools are fully customisable and allow fast, problem-free construction for any size or shape of pool. Suitable for any environment or pool construction need, stainless pools are cost- effective and easily installed in almost any climate. Whether for a high level competition venue, a lap or training pool, or a leisure pool for aquatic recreation, stainless steel pool construction offers a wide range of configurations.
Typical options include colourful laminated PVC interiors or even ceramic tile as an accenting trim option or as a complete interior overlay. While concrete is an excellent structural material, it has significant limitations when used for constructing watertight structures. It is neither watertight, nor durable as a material for constructing pools. Simply put, all concrete cracks, and deteriorates in a pool environment.
Designing concrete structures for pool construction is known to be challenging for the most conscientious and qualified architects and engineers.
Competition stainless steel pools are certified to current FINA and BSA standards
The design difficulties are compounded by the fact that even the best designs are often sorely compromised during on-site activities where environment issues, inadequate quality control, and the desire for construction economies soon dominate. The result is often construction delays, cost overruns, poorly completed work, and leaky, inefficient pools that simply do not work properly. Over the past century, the typical method of pool construction involved the use of cast-in-place concrete. In some parts of the world, pneumatic placement of a concrete through methods known
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