|
Fittings, Finish & Accessories
Decorative Features
It is typical to finish a pool with tiling or a rendering. Creative use of tiling might include the design of friezes and mosaics. Atelier Andamento Mosaïques in Eyguières does a number of very creative designs. Many pools today have a pvc liner, attached at the top of the basin and held in place by the weight of the water. Traditionally blue in colour, other colours are gaining in popularity, as are motifs and mosaic imitations and three dimensional frieze effects that mimic tiling.
|
|
| Tiled steps. Bottom-mosaic. |
Lighting
A wide ranges of possibilities exist for nocturnal bathing or to simply embellish a garden at night by giving a glow to the pool. Full lamps will need to be built into the structure of the pool and therefore given prior forethought as to optimum position. To add lighting to an existing pool, one might consider floating lamps (see photographs).
Terraces and Decking
 Gaining in popularity are wood terraces that border pools but also sometimes extend to the walls of the the house. These are very comfortable to walk on but must be given a lot of attention during construction for a quality result, especially in curved areas. Decking must be screwed to the masonry, all holes filled and surfaces planed and sanded. Sometimes hatches will be necessary to access pump and filtering equipment. Depending on the type of ground on which the pool is built, it may be advisable to leave the pool settle into it definitive position before building the terrace.
Counter-Current Devices
 The vast majority of pools in France are built for relaxation purposes, or general fun in a family context. However to add a sports element, you might consider fitting a pump that enables you to swim against a current. Add-on devices can be fitted to existing pools without a built-in system for a cost of 2500€ upwards.
|
|
Installation and maintenance costs
Installation
Installation costs include the cost of excavating if necessary, assembly or building of the the pool, necessary pump and filtering devices and accessories. For an above ground pool, count between 700€ and 15,000€. A glass fibre moulded pool will set you back between 15,000€ and 25,000€. Prefabricated panel pools are likely to cost between 5,000€ and 15,000€ in kit form and between 10,000€ and 45,000€ fully assembled for you. Full concrete based pools moulded in situ and tiled start at about 25,000€. Prices will depend largely on the complexity of shape and size of the pool, and type of finish.
Maintenance
For normal operation, a pool requires electricity to drive pump and filtering devices, the regular addition of water to compensate for evaporation and disinfectants. Failure to maintain the water at level of the skimmer can result in damage to the pump. A number of filtering technologies exist but sand and cartidge filtering are the most popular. Filters need to be kept clean in order to ensure proper circulation of water within the pool. Similarly, different solutions exist to keep the water free of bacteria and algae. The most common disinfectant is chlorine due to its efficiency and low price. However bromine, PHMB and active oxygen are all alternatives. All bacteria killing solutions must be added frequently in order to maintain clean water.
Pools should not be emptied over winter, but instead put into winter mode. The water is left in the pool but the level lowered below the skimmers and the pump system purged of all water. A powerful product is required to stop the creation of limescale and algae along with a strong dose of chlorine (1kg per 60m3 water volume). The pool will also need to be closed to the elements. If there is a risk of a layer of ice forming on the surface, to avoid any damage, it is advisable to put in plastic bottles that can absorb and compensate - these need to stand upright (partly filled) to be effective.
Bringing a pool out of winter mode requires reactivation of pump and filtering systems, the addition of fresh disinfectants and water to compensate for evaporation.
Links:
- Atelier Andamento Mosaïques in Eyguieres (Bouches-du-Rhône):
http://www.andamento-mosaique.com/
- Terraces and decking:
http://www.maisons-et-bois.com/terrasse_deck/ and http://www.architecturedubois.fr
- Federation of swimming pool installers nationwide:
http://www.propiscines.fr
- Opiocolor:
http://www.opiocolor.com/pages/piscines.htm
- Natural Pools, contact Nenuphar SARL.
http://www.sarl-nenuphar.com/
|
