How do infinity pools work? (2024)

There is no doubt that infinity pools, those beautiful pools that seem to just drop off into the horizon are becoming increasingly popular, especially in high-end resorts and luxury homes.

How do infinity pools work? (1)

Have you ever wondered how they actually work?

Unlike regular pools which have all the walls extend beyond the water, an infinity pool has one or more walls that meet the water level exactly, with the water level wall sloping downwards away from the edge creating a waterfall.

If you think about an actual waterfall, the water calmlyfalling off the edge gives the exact same effect.

So where does the water go?

The water simply falls into a drain or a catchment basin or balance tankthat sits below the edge of the waterline and is in turn pumped back into the pool.

For an infinity pool to work perfectly the drain is one of the most important elements, simply put, if the drain can be seen the optical illusion doesn’t work.

How do infinity pools work? (2)

Furthermore, if the drain is to deep it collects to much water allowing the water to sit in the drain longer instead of being pumped back into the pool making the water level in the pool visibly low – meaning the water edge visible and also destroys the optical illusion.

Infinity pools are complex installations that require quality drainage products to ensure the illusion remains consistent. The core reason why Stormtech drains are specified and seen in so many infinity pool installations is because of the large variety of options when it comes to design, size and flow rates.

We review the specification of drainage products in some detail for architects, landscape architects and garden designers to sustainably design for high capacity flow whilst minimising risk in the flowing Specification Guide

How do infinity pools work? (2024)

FAQs

How do infinity pools work? ›

Have you ever wondered how they actually work? Unlike regular pools which have all the walls extend beyond the water, an infinity pool has one or more walls that meet the water level exactly, with the water level wall sloping downwards away from the edge creating a waterfall.

How do infinity pools stay full? ›

An infinity pool is sort of like a waterfall with a single lower level—one section of the pool's edge is lower, acting like a dam which overflows into a lower catch basin. From there, water is pumped back into the upper pool to create a continuous overflow.

Can you swim over the edge of an infinity pool? ›

Of course, just like any pool, infinity pools are safe especially since the so-called “infinity” edge is just an optical illusion. So if you swim close or all the way to the edge of the pool, you'll bump into the wall eventually, and there is no danger of falling over the edge accidentally.

What are the disadvantages of infinity pools? ›

Maintenance: Infinity pools require more maintenance than traditional pools. The water level in the pool must be constantly monitored and adjusted to ensure that the water flows over the edge correctly. This can be time-consuming and require more effort to maintain.

How does an Infiniti pool work? ›

The concept is simple: by removing the obstruction of a lip and a deck, the pool merges with its surroundings so that the edge looks like it is disappearing into the horizon.

How do people not fall out of infinity pools? ›

Can you fall off an infinity pool? No, you can't fall off the side of an infinity pool. It's only an illusion!

Has anyone fallen out of an infinity pool? ›

An American tourist has died while on vacation in Bali after falling from the edge of an infinity pool. The woman, known by her initials CML, was 35 years old and believed to be on holiday with her friend, also known by her initials KLH.

Why are infinity pools so expensive? ›

The average price to install an in-ground pool with an infinity edge is $79,000. The installation of an average inground pool will cost much less, about $49,000. The extra costs associated with infinity pools come from their unique edge and basin designs.

What is so special about an infinity pool? ›

This illusion is created with intelligent design getting the water to flow over the edge making it seem as though the pool merges with the surrounding landscape. Whether facing sea views or mountain scenery, infinity pools offer an unbeatable sensation of continuity with the environment.

What is the difference between an Endless Pool and an infinity pool? ›

Once it's built, an infinity edge pool costs more in water (they can't be covered, so more evaporates) and energy (the massive pumps from the catch basin run constantly) than an Endless Pool. Infinity edge pools are all custom-built; the larger, more elaborate ones can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How much does it cost to put in an infinity pool? ›

An infinity pool costs about $80 per square foot, or about $80,000 on average. However, you may pay more than $130 per square foot for custom installations and extras.

Why don t infinity pools overflow? ›

Gravity reroutes overflowing water into the surge tank or balancing tank by collecting it in a channel or gutter. After filtration, the water is returned to the pool through inlets located on its wall and bottom. As with traditional pools, it is the same water that circulates in the pool.

Can you float over an infinity pool? ›

The water, as it runs over the edge of an infinity pool, is at most an inch deep. Few people float completely on top of the water. Most of your body is below the top surface of the water — and you are greatly more than an inch thick.

Can an infinity pool be heated? ›

Additionally, the waterfall effect causes the water to mix with air, rapidly cooling the water itself. For this reason, it requires more energy to heat an infinity pool than a regular pool of the same size, and therefore larger heaters are required.

How do infinity pools not spill over? ›

An overflow channel serves to collect water spilled over from the main pool and feed the catch basin. The location of this device depends on the type of overflow; in the case of an infinity pool, it is located beneath the side(s) from which the water overflows.

How often do you change water in Endless Pool? ›

Overtime due to adding chemicals, there can be a build-up of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) therefore, it is advised that your Endless Pool should have one third of its water replenished every six months, in order to rejuvenate the water and maintain optimum sanitiser levels in the Endless Pool.

Do infinity pools use more water? ›

Once it's built, an infinity edge pool costs more in water (they can't be covered, so there's constant evaporation) and energy (the massive pumps from the catch basin run around the clock) than any Endless Pools model.

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