A growing number of pool builders are turning to Insulted Concrete Forms (ICF) with a reinforced PVC membrane to create a concrete pool wall structure with a waterproofing solution that is custom installed onsite. What has really helped boost the success of the system is the availability of new durable and attractive reinforced PVC waterproofing membrane that has been a standard in Europe for decades. The result is that pool builders are now using this method to create beautiful custom pools while also enjoying the added benefit of having more control over their building schedule.
Here, one builder passes on his experience installing this type of vessel and the benefits to offering homeowners with this versatile backyard solution.
The ideal combination
The strength of an ICF structure combined with today’s designer-reinforced PVC-membrane waterproofing system is quickly becoming a mainstream pool building solution. For over a decade, All3Pools of Missouri has been constructing ICF pools and more recently builds them using RENOLIT’s reinforced PVC membrane
“We've partnered with RENOLIT to provide a commercial reinforced PVC membrane finish on our pools,” says Patrick Quigley, CFO and co-founder of All3Pools. “The RENOLIT material is designed to provide a smooth, seamless surface that is resistant to chemicals, UV light, and wear, making it ideal for both residential and commercial pools.”
ICF construction has a long and proven history in residential construction, particularly in home foundations. This building technique relies on interlocking expanded polystyrene foam blocks to establish a framework for reinforced concrete walls.
“An ICF pool can be easily configured to any size or shape and all the materials are readily available so builders don’t have to wait on a kit or a custom-fabricated pool liner,” says Aaron King, CEO and co-founder of All3Pools. “This combination gives pool builders a greater ability to control their schedule and their costs.”
The market continues to evolve with homes that have smaller backyards that need smaller pools. These smaller backyards make bringing in cement mixers or gunite trucks nearly impossible, making ICF pools an ideal solution.
Renovations too!
All3Pools not only builds ICF pools and finishes them with the RENOLIT reinforced membrane, but they also have discovered the benefits of the reinforced PVC membrane for renovating pools — which has huge market potential, especially over the next few years.
“The RENOLIT product has very low barriers to entry and it has already helped so many pool professionals who are renovating gunite, plaster and tile pools that would otherwise be very costly to repair but can be renovated with a reinforced PVC membrane quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively,” says King. “It comes with a 15-year water tightness guarantee.”
There is a learning curve to building ICF pools and using the RENOLIT product. However, it is not that difficult, and there is no need for expensive equipment.
“We believe in this product so much so that we are hosting a training at our facility in early April,” says King. “This will give our fellow pool professionals the ability to add this system to their toolbox for renovating pools over virtually any surface material to waterproof and beautify the pool.”
Watch the video below to learn more:
About the Author: Tony Jordan
Tony Jordan has more than 35 years of experience in the manufacturing, sales, and application of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) reinforced pool membranes for commercial and residential use. He is the business development manager at RENOLIT and can be reached at [email protected]. For more information, visit www.renolit-alkorplan.com.
