All-Year Outdoor XL Trainer Pool Installation in Somerset
The Brief
The client had chosen an old vegetable patch as the location of her new pool installation. The area had become uncontrollable and needed a little TLC. The client had also been swimming regularly in local pools for rehabilitation, which came to an end in lockdown. This prompted them to contact us to install their own private pool that they could use at any time of the day or night, at any time of the year.
The pool had to look as natural as possible, due to its location in a conservation area, surrounded by old stone buildings. The client was adamant that they did not want the artificial blue swimming pool look and chose sandstone coping to achieve the natural gray aesthetic they needed. The client was concerned with the amount of maintenance required to keep the pool in good shape, so auto-dosing and an electric pool robot were essential requirements for this job.
Once the pool was installed, the client was able to tidy up the rest of the vegetable area, with a greenhouse and raised beds to create a beautiful garden area.
The Design
We installed an XL Trainer Pool in Nova Gray measuring 11m x 4m. The client chose the XL trainer with graded depth to suit all the family requirements, the pool depth increased from 1.1m to 1.8m, with steps at the end for easy access into the pool. Landscaping was extensive, with our team digging the hole and leaving the soil on site. We then installed the pool with sandstone coping surround. The additional paving was completed by a local builder to reach far beyond the edge of the pool to allow for a seating area. An additional waterfall feature beautifully complemented the traditional surroundings.
An all-season heat pump was essential to allow the client to use the pool in the winter, while PVC solar slats helped to reduce running costs and provide an eco-friendly element to the design. The plant room was placed at the end of the plot, hidden behind fencing with easy access for the client.
Other features of this pool include:
- A comfort cover
- Freshwater UV
- ABS fittings
- Auto top-up system
Once the pool was in-situ, the client was able to complete their gardening intentions. The pool is now surrounded by raised beds full of lavender, and a greenhouse full of vegetables behind them that is more manageable for the client to care for.
The Challenges
The client was concerned that the difficult nature of her driveway would prevent a pool being installed. However, our dedicated team of pool engineers worked their magic and managed to get the shell in place! The client also wanted to spread the cost as much as possible, leading to a bit-by-bit installation that meant they could easily budget for the work done.
The fact that the pool was installed in a conservation area meant that there were lots of planning permissions that needed to be granted at every step of the way. The key principle was that the pool had to enhance the area, without looking too ‘man-made’. The materials chosen and careful consideration of the surrounding area helped to satisfy these restrictions.
Finally, the client’s husband was not too keen on the idea of a waterfall feature. She managed to persuade him and now he quite likes it!
The Outcome
Our part of the pool installation took exactly one month to complete, and it is now used almost every single day.
The client and her family were even able to enjoy it over Christmas and New Year! While the client was keen to have a pool installed for exercise reasons, her four grown up children love to visit to sit around the pool. Her young grandchild is particularly fond of splashing in the water!
The installation of the pool was completed before the rest of the garden renovation, ensuring minimal disruption to the client. She is impressed with how well the solar slats work to maintain the heat throughout the year and loves the auto-dosing feature that ensures the pool is always ready for her to use without having to worry about the addition of chemicals.
The client said, “Overall, I’m very happy with it and love that I can use it every day.”
