12 minute read
ABOVE-GROUND POOLS
Above-ground Options Offer Affordable Pool Fun
Over recent years, the demand for above-ground pools has been under pressure, but with the Coronavirus outbreak creating uncertainty around holidays in 2020, they’ve really come into their own this summer. With relatively straightforward installation combined with some excellent designs, these great value for money pool options are perfectly placed to provide memories for families in search of some overdue water-based fun
By Andrea Hartshorne
Wooden and above-ground pools is a sector which continues to be popular, and that’s not just because of their affordable price tag. Size and flexibility combined in an easy to use and simple to install package also play their part.
The beauty of these pools mean that they are within reach of those families who dream of getting on the ‘pool owning ladder’ and this mix of cost and convenience has really come into its own over recent months with the Coronavirus lockdown combining with rising temperatures resulting in many families spending money on various garden-based products. Whether it’s been for entertainment while the kids have been off, to provide a form of exercise or because holiday plans are somewhat up in the air – manufacturers and retailers of above-ground pools of all shapes have seen demand go through the proverbial roof this season.
For families with plans of longer term pool ownership – who aren’t just reacting to and throwing money at the current situation – a little imagination and landscaping can mean that the options available for these versatile units can transform a garden and provide fun and relaxation for owners for a much lower cost than that associated with a full sized swimming pool.
Increasingly these high quality pools have been sought by families or owners who want to make the pool into a real feature in their garden and they are often sunk into the ground with landscaping, decking and planting really finishing the project off. The ease of building is a big advantage over other types of pools and with installs taking just a few days, above-ground pools are a great optional extra for any home or garden and can often be an impulse buy.
With so much going for them and with an uncertain future with regards to holidays right now, it’s no wonder that the British public has started to look at the more serious aboveground and wooden pools as an investment for both their families and gardens, and this will undoubtedly end up being a fantastic year for the above-ground and wooden pool sector plus of course, any and all extras that go with them!
SELF-BUILD ABOVE-GROUND WOODEN POOL KITS FROM PLASTICA
With end-users making the most of
Plastica’s flagship wooden pool is the Chelsea, the largest wooden pool currently available, measuring 5 x 10 metres
With end-users making the most of their outdoor space during lockdown, Plastica have been working extra hard to keep up with demand for their Wooden Pool Kits
their outdoor space during lockdown, Plastica have been working extra hard to keep up with demand for their Wooden Pool Kits. For the cost of a holiday abroad, many families have been using their budgets to keep both the kids and adults active and entertained at home.
Plastica’s Wooden Pool kits are the most affordable range of quality wooden swimming pools on the market. Made of natural highgrade wood that carries up to a ten-year warranty on the wooden structure, even if built in the ground. The Eco and Fun wooden pools are a step up from inflatable/ metal-framed pools. Their flagship wooden pool is the Chelsea, the largest wooden pool currently available, measuring 5 x 10 metres.
Last year Plastica launched a new strap system for a 4 metre exercise pool and no steel braces are required, enabling the build to go directly onto any hard surface. This will be a time and cost-saving improvement for both the trade and end-user. The straps are stainless steel for long-lasting durability, ensuring anti-rust and corrosion.
Plastica source reliable quality wood from the global supply chain, precision cut and pressure treat it to the optimum standard. All the structural wood is treated. This pressure treated timber has been impregnated with wood preservative in the controlled conditions of a vacuum pressure impregnation plant. It is protected against fungal rot and insect attack to ensure a long service life. Not only are the pools made of high grade treated redwood timber, they also incorporate a high-quality liner.
Plasticas’ reputation for high quality and reliability is founded on their knowledge of the industry, built up over 48 years and manufacturing in the UK.
SUPERIOR WOODEN POOLS – BRITISH BUILT TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY
Certikin wooden pools are a superb addition to any garden with the attractive
Made of Scandinavian redwood and Iroko hardwood, Certikin’s wooden pools are built to the highest standard
design blending perfectly with natural surroundings. Made of Scandinavian redwood and Iroko hardwood, they are built to the highest standard. The redwood walls are professionally notched in-house on the state-of-the-art machinery to guarantee ease of build and maximise the strength of the construction. They have no side buttresses which can be unattractive and take up valuable space, nor do they require any concreted-in steel supports, making installation far easier. The steel plates and shoes used in the construction of Certikin wooden pools have been designed to remove the need for extra external bracing found on other timber pools. All this adds up to give one of the strongest free-standing pools on the market.
Available in three sizes; 4.2m x 4.2m, 6m x 4.2m and 4.7m x 2.9m, the pool packages come complete with steps, Certikin flow fittings, filtration, maintenance kit, solar bubble cover and a 30thou liner from Certikin’s in-house liner production facility. The 4.7m x 2.9m Dolphin Sport is ideal for the addition of a Fastlane swimming machine which will enhance the fun factor and boost exercise potential.
The structural timber has a ten-year
CASE STUDY
This eye-catching installation of the Certikin wooden pool by Salisbury pool retailer, Spruce Pools, illustrates why the aboveground pool wins out on aesthetics, quality materials and clever design to maintain its position as market leader.
The owner of this pool originally requested that Spruce Pools install an in-ground swimming pool. However, the property is surrounded by two rivers, running either side of it, with a water table only 80cm down, ruling out the chance of installing an in-ground pool. The Certikin wooden aboveground pool provided the perfect solution.
Managing Director of Spruce Pools, Jeremy Chalke said: “The installation went very smoothly, we took delivery on Monday guarantee and being supplied from the UK’s leading swimming pool equipment manufacturer you can be confident you are not just getting excellent product quality, but the unrivalled service care that is available before and after your purchase.
DOUGHBOY HELP TO MAKE ‘A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES’
More than 65 years ago, Doughboy forever changed outdoor family entertainment with the introduction of the first portable, storable, above-ground swimming pool. Since then, they’ve earned a worldwide reputation for creating and maintaining the highest standards of design, engineering and service. With a Doughboy pool, customers can also get the in-ground look for less, especially if budgets won’t allow for a traditional in-ground pool.
Expandable to 7 feet deep and providing fast installation (go from green grass to blue water in only four days) the pools cost lunchtime and the customer was swimming by Friday evening, even though the water temperature was only 20°C.
“The customer was absolutely delighted with the end result and uses the pool from April through to October. This is the third wooden pool that we have installed much less than the cost of a traditional in-ground pool, can be recessed into the ground and offer lifetime warranties. Doughboy know the number one reason people buy a pool is to make memories – so they build their pools to last for a ‘Lifetime of memories’. The pool dimensions are a ‘true’ size based on the inside pool wall and they also have a ‘true’ vertical and top rail measurement. These dimensions are measured by a straight vertical dimension. Doughboy UK also sell wooden pools. The Interline Bali is a luxury quality family pool, suitable for above-ground or built-in.
‘Nordic Pine’ wood class 4, also offers a simple and solid construction and because of this the Interline Bali swimming pool is easy to build; it will bring you – and that’s a guarantee – at least ten years of swimming fun! The walls of the swimming pool are 45 mm thick and therefore extremely well thermally insulated. The high-quality swimming pool foil is 70/100 mm thick. A Interline Bali swimming pool is built by stacking the wooden beams which slot together using a tongue and groove system to guarantee optimum resistance against water pressure. The Interline Bali swimming pool comes with extensive building instructions. Using the drawings and detailed explanations, any competent DIYer will be able to build their own swimming pool.
The dimensions in a Doughboy pool are a ‘true’ size based on the inside pool wall and they also
THE WOODEN POOL THAT’S A CUT ABOVE
have a ‘true’ vertical and top rail measurement
and each has been so successful that we intend promoting this product heavily in the future.”
Jeremy added: “Leaving aside the fact that it is a stylish and superb quality pool, we like the wooden pool because it is Certikin. That means we know it’s solid and of sound construction; we h ave the assurance that we can easily get spares and we can access the whole raft of service and technical back-up that Certikin offers.”
Spruce Pools
01722 323895 www.sprucepools.co.uk
BUDGETS WON’T BE AN ISSUE WITH SCP’S RANGE OF ABOVE-GROUND OPTIONS
To complement their extensive, popular and exclusive Gardipool wooden pools line-up, last year, SCP UK introduced a value for money range of above-ground pools to the trade.
The Pacific, Serena and Luxor models are available in a range of sizes and are available in circular or oval formats.
With enhanced aesthetics, the high-end Steel Series Serena and Luxor models are sure to be particularly popular with UK consumers. Influenced by contemporary trends reflective of today’s new urban spaces, both of these 52” deep models are sure to satisfy the expectations of those looking for something a little different.
Both of these easy to assemble, space saving pools come with: a patterned liner, sand filter and pump combination, widemouth skimmer, hard plumb kit, ladder and water treatment kit. They both also feature: • An 8-inch Shadow grey steel top ledge • Shadow grey steel uprights • Pepper grey high impact resin ledge cover • All steel components protected with Tru
Kote bonding system • An interlocking stabiliser system.
All the pools within this range have been designed to enhance backyard enjoyment without taking up too much space – and at a price that won’t break the bank. However, when it comes to overall look, unsurprisingly, the slightly more expensive Luxor edges it.
Influenced by contemporary trends reflective of today’s new urban spaces, Luxor is sure to satisfy the expectations of those
AstralPool have been selling Laghetto pools for over 2 years and their best-selling models include this, the Dolcevita With enhanced aesthetics, the Luxor (left) and Pacific (right) models from SCP UK are sure to be particularly popular with UK consumers
looking for something different. Nothing has been left to chance. Textures, colours, angles and even proportions here redefine current trends and confirm its excellence. With the reintroduction of wood patterns through new printing technology, combined with the wall’s graphic simplicity, the Luxor achieves an unparalleled level of quality.
OFFERING ITALIAN STYLE – LAGHETTO FROM ASTRALPOOL
AstralPool have been selling Laghetto pools for over two years now and the market for these stunning looking, modular and easy build pools that complement the surrounding environment continues to grow.
Through the use of revolutionary technology, the Laghetto team responded with creative insight to the demand for an evercloser image of Italian design for the garden setting resulting in their best-selling models – the great looking Playa and Dolcevita.
The Dolcevita reinterprets the concept of an above-ground pool, and created a contemporary solution, with harmony and style. Dolcevita is presented in a collection of three different models – Diva, Rattan and Woody – and regardless of the model chosen, the materials used are of the highest quality and are guaranteed.
The Dolcevita pools range is equipped with
a recirculation system and adequate water filtration of the highest standard too. The Dolcevita system allows great versatility, and pools are assembled and disassembled in no time at all. They can even be used in areas where only temporary structures for seasonal use are allowed. Dolcevita is a pool system that gives maximum freedom of choice, from aesthetics to the materials used, up to the type of installation.
The Playa – the smaller cousin of Dolcevita – is an elegant mini-pool created by great Italian design. The gentle hydromassage, the heated water, the pleasantness of the hand woven fibres, invite users to stay within the pool for a long time and enjoy total relaxation. The Playa can be enjoyed both indoors and outside the home. It’s sophisticated and adaptable – perfect for a terrace or a deck. In the garden, the Playa becomes a piece of furniture and in the house, a real water lounge. With its soft sunbathing areas and the submergible cushions, with the pleasantness of the hand woven fabrics, the Playa is completely customisable, from the sunbed area to the wicker exterior panels.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
AstralPool UK
01329 514000 www.astralpool.co.uk
Certikin International
01993 777200 www.certikin.co.uk
Doughboy
01273 495971 www.doughboyuk.co.uk
Plastica
01424 857857 www.plasticapools.net
SCP UK
01293 546126 www.scpeurope.com
