When it comes to spectacular outdoor leisure features, zero edge pools are a sure way to make an impression and add that undeniable wow factor to an outside space. Of course, this luxurious outdoor feature is a step up from a regular swimming pool design and this reflects in the cost to build it.
Many factors will affect the cost of building a zero edge pool, such as how large it is, how many vanishing edges it has, and labor costs depending on how long it takes to construct. On average though, you should expect to pay around US$80 per square foot as a starting point.
Zero edge pools can vary greatly in price depending on where they’re situated, the degree of work required to build them, how big they are, and what additional features they may have. Additionally, if you’re considering building a zero edge pool it’s also important to bear ongoing maintenance costs in mind.
What is a zero edge pool?
Zero edge pools go by several additional names such as infinity pools, vanishing edge pools, or negative edge pools. Regardless of what you call it, the general premise is that it’s a swimming pool with one or several edges over which water flows.
The idea behind the pool is to create an illusion that the water in the pool merges into the horizon, whether that horizon is the ocean, the sky, or beautiful surrounding landscapes. The pool will have at least one wall at water level which slopes down for water to flow over.
The design will also feature a catch basin or a catch pool that collects the water flowing down from the main part of the zero edge pool. The water that collects in the catch basin is used to refill the zero edge pool through a pump system so that the water level remains constant.
No two zero edge pools are the same and there are various elements that will affect the design, from customers’ personal design preferences and desire for specific features, to particular landscape restrictions or hurdles that might need to be overcome in order to construct the pool.
Construction factors affecting the cost
A large part of the expense of zero edge pools comes from the requirement of needing a catch basin and water recirculation system that pumps water from the catch basin back into the main part of the zero edge pool. The pool also needs a filtering system to remove insects and debris such as leaves from the water.
All of the above installation requires a lot more work than a regular pool in terms of labor, not to mention extra costs in building components. Sometimes it may end up costing around 60% more than a regular pool.
The larger the pool, the more landscaping work will be required, which will increase the cost. Sometimes trees may need to be removed or particularly hard ground will need to be cleared, which will increase construction costs.
Additionally, the materials used in the construction will affect the cost of the pool. For instance, costs will vary depending on whether fiberglass or tile is used in building the pool.
Costs will also increase if materials such as glass or acrylic are used for the wall (or walls) with an infinity edge on it. It’s possible to add multiple vanishing edges to the pool, and even a window, in which case the costs will increase accordingly as well.
Due to the varying costs associated with zero edge pools, construction costs can vary significantly. On average, however, a zero edge pool costs in the region of US$79000, though that can range from around US$55000 to US$130000.
It’s useful to budget around US$80 per square foot, though as is the case with a lot of construction projects, expect a zero edge pool to exceed your initial budget and factor in a little extra to account for this.
Don’t forget maintenance costs
The cost of a zero edge pool doesn’t just start and end with building the pool. You’re going to have regular ongoing maintenance costs which will be more than maintaining a regular pool since you’re maintaining the catch basin in addition to the main pool.
Maintaining a zero edge pool can cost around US$180 a week depending on what regular or less frequent (such as replacing the pump) maintenance may be required.
Building and maintaining a zero edge pool is certainly not an inexpensive endeavor, so it’s important to take all these considerations on board when deciding whether to construct one. The end results however are undeniably eye-catching and bring a definite element of luxury to outdoor spaces.