Massimo Girotti
Technical Director

THE CHARM OF THE INDOOR POOL

Source: Kendall Wilkinson Design

When you think of a swimming pool inside the home, you immediately have an evocative image of those that really make you daydream: well-being, relaxation, abandonment, harmony of the senses ... A true symbol of super luxury in the home modern house.

Sometimes it is a large and long pool, sometimes it is a mini pool, a small and precious domestic jewel that can be fully exploited during all seasons of the year.

The pool is not simply a pool full of water where you can spend a few hours of pleasant relaxation. It is a complex system made up of components that must interact flawlessly to work well and in which technology plays a decisive role.

However, the design of an indoor pool requires much greater skill and experience than that of an outdoor pool.

So let's analyze it in more detail.

 

WHAT FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR THE DESIGN OF AN INDOOR SWIMMING POOL

As we have already said, if we talk about swimming pools, then a leading role is determined by technology. Not only the materials chosen or the position of the tub are important: the environment also matters. Only by taking into account all these factors will that magnificent water space within the home reach the potential it deserves.

 

THE BEST LOCATION

Determining the right location for a swimming pool is not just a matter of practicality. It is in fact a building structure that involves a structural load and a series of systems whose volume and weight must be calculated precisely.
It will therefore be necessary to make sure that the load-bearing floors are adequate to support heavy loads, whether you opt for a solution on the ground floor, in the lower part of the house or (even more so) on a mezzanine floor or on the roof.

 

 Source: Stuart and Pierce Constructions

 

DEHUMIDIFICATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Of course, the presence of a tub full of water inside a home involves a significant generation of moisture particles. It is therefore necessary to take this factor into account and add to the project the presence of a dehumidification system suitable for the size of the pool and the amount of humidity generated by it. To establish the right dehumidification process, you must first determine how the pool will be used, how much water it contains and how large the room it is located in. Based on these criteria, we can choose the method that best suits our needs.

Three categories of consoles can be used to manage the dehumidification of the rooms:

• Ambient consoles: the simplest and most economical solution, especially suitable for small volumes and placed about two meters away from the pool.

• The recessed consoles: they are installed in a room adjacent to the pool room, crossing the wall, leaving the walls of the room free.

• The ductable consoles: represent the only solution to effectively treat condensation on the glass walls and can be installed in the technical room near the pool room.

                    Source: Hyla Architects

AIR RECIRCULATION: THE AIR TREATMENT UNITS

The Air Handling Units, known by the acronym UTA, are equipment that incorporate two functions: heating and dehumidification of the environment. Their task is to ventilate and filter the air, while ensuring a constant level of temperature and humidity all day, throughout the year. It is a process that occurs automatically and continuously. They have substantial dimensions and a high cost, which is why they are suitable for very large environments.

 

SOUNDPROOFING

The heat and recirculation pump, the dehumidification system and other tools used for swimming pools (indoor or outdoor), emit a sound source. In the case of indoor swimming pools, the spaces of the house (living room, bedrooms, etc.) are often adjacent to the room where the swimming pool is located or to the technical room. For this reason it is very important to pay particular attention to the soundproofing of the rooms by adopting appropriate technical measures (pedestals, anti-vibration supports, silencers, etc.).

 

WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEATING

The criteria to be respected for optimal comfort are the following:
• Water temperature: from 26 ° C to 30 ° C, or higher for medical or professional use.

• Air temperature: from 26 ° C to 30 ° C, usually regulated at the same level as the water temperature.

• Hygrometry rate (air humidity): between 60% and 70%. Less than 60% causes a feeling of excessive cold when getting out of the water. Greater than 70% causes too much humidity and condensation in the space, favoring the formation of fungi and molds.

There are 3 heating systems for the indoor pool:
- The heat pump
- The electric heater
- The exchanger

 

COMPLEMENTS FOR WELLNESS

An indoor swimming pool should be fully and completely exploited. The use of accessory elements in this sense is extremely important: hydromassage jets, blowers, water blades, shower heads, counter-current swimming, are all tools that contribute to making the pool a real object of pleasure and well-being.

   

                               Source: Acquazura Piscine                                                                   Source: Professione Piscina                                    

 

LIGHTING

A somewhat underestimated aspect is that of lighting. The ideal would be to be able to make the most - where possible - of natural light by installing skylights and large windows. However, it is still possible to play with artificial light points, installed to enhance the details and architecture of the room and the bathtub, creating suggestive and romantic light scenes. The important thing is that the choice always and only falls on watertight headlights, ensuring good sealing and safety over time.

                                      Source: Paramount Pool Products                                                       Source: Villa Chameleon Luxury Residence                               

 

WATERPROOFING

Waterproofing the indoor pool is another sensitive issue to which particular attention must be paid. It is one thing to take care of the outdoor pool in which we find the ground in contact with the walls of the pool, it is another thing to take care of the indoor pool in which the contact of the walls is often contiguous to that of other rooms in the house. It is therefore very important to take care of this aspect scrupulously to avoid any future loss or difficulties.

 

HOME AUTOMATION

The home automation system is becoming more and more requested by customers. Often the indoor pool is used when you return home in the evening after work, and home automation allows you to program the functions you need in advance. Thanks to the system, you can control via tablet, computer or mobile phone: the water heating, the filtration and lighting system, adjust the sterilization functions and also turn on the heat pump and adjust its temperature.

 

STERILIZATION SYSTEMS

In the case of the indoor pool, chlorine-free sterilization systems are preferred, whose fumes would annoy those who use them. Therefore, it is better to opt for oxygen, hydrolysis, UV and copper sterilization systems.

 

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As already stated several times, the construction of an indoor swimming pool is extremely delicate due to all the additional factors necessary for the execution of the works. Therefore, rely only on professionals who are experienced in the sector and specialized in this type of work.