Swimming pools, French style

Swimming pool detail
Concrete shell, and liner. Weed optional.
Completed coping
Coping detail at a completed pool
Non-slip liner on steps
Liners also come in non-slip texture, useful for steps.
Skimmer detail
The pool skimmer
Pool sweeper jet
Sweeper jet in steps
Pool overview with deck and retaining wall
Here’s the completed pool with deck and coping.
Tiled pool deck
This tile pattern looks like wood, but is impervious, thinner and resists frost. It probably also lasts longer.

Swimming pools are hot this year in France. Thanks to global warming, perhaps?

They don’t build them like we do here in California. They start with a concrete shell, and that’s where the similarities end. A plastic liner goes in the shell on top of a layer of felt (probably synthetic), waterproofing it and giving it a bit of give, for a softer feel. A series of clips holds the top of the liner in place – water pressure does the rest. To complete the pool, decking, tile or whatever goes over the clips so they’re not visible.

The liners come in various colors, and apparently even patterns. One company even has liners printed to look like mosaic, Definitely less labor than the real thing!

Published by mike

Mike is a licensed landscape architect. He's also an artist, photographer and occasional chef. Luciole Design specializes in sustainable, contemporary, modern landscape design - and traditional landscape styles that fit into California's Mediterranean climate. Sacramento, California.