How to modify a pool so that it has a tanning ledge?

Currently we find many owners of medium and high-end pools who, at the time, did not include the tanning ledge or wet solarium inside their pool, since this trend has reached Europe relatively few years ago.

Having a pool of a certain age does not mean that the pool cannot be modified. Quite the opposite. Any pool can be transformed in order to add a leisure platform, thus making it more appealing.

So how do you modify an existing pool? Take note of the available options:

Modify a pool: different alternatives to add a tanning ledge

We recommend that you analyze all the available options that we mention below, since, depending on the case, one alternative may be better than another.

Option 1: Modify the pool bottom

Transforming the pool from inside the pool is the most recommended option, since if we add exterior screeds to the existing pool, this can lead to cracks and leaks in the future.

This small modification consists of using high-density EPS blocks to create a platform area within the existing pool vessel.

Expanded polystyrene or EPS is ideal for this type of modification, since it only weighs 45 kg per m3 of padding, so it hardly adds any weight to the existing structure and thus even manages to reduce the volume of water in the pool. In addition to what has been said, it perfectly absorbs impacts, it is a 100% recyclable material and it can be covered with any material.

The process is very simple as there is no demolition work to be done. The company that is going to carry out this screed would have to request the EPS block with the reinforcement and waterproofing mortar already applied, the exact dimensions and the rounded edges. All ready to place.

Once installed in the pool, the company responsible for the reform would apply the desired coating, and we would have already achieved a pool with a platform, in a clean, safe and simple way.

Option 2: Modify the pool with exterior construction

Sometimes the pool is too small to include a tanning ledge within the existing pool. Other times it happens that, if we added a platform, we would interfere with the swimming area, leaving the pool with too little space.

In this case we recommend you analyze options 2 and 3.

Option 2 consists of building the platform in a space next to the pool, making a small extension of it.

It is obvious that this option allows an enlargement of the visual dimension. However, at GodoPools we do not recommend it as it can lead to structural problems, such as sutures or water leaks, when adding an external structure to the existing pool vessel.

Option 3: Completely renovate the pool

In those cases where the pool is too small to be modified to include a tanning ledge, another alternative is a total renovation.

This alternative is recommended when:

• There is enough land available to build a larger pool.
• The current pool already had structural problems and you want to improve the existing work and, in turn, add the recreational platform, so in trend.
• A tanning ledge could be added, but it would not be oriented to the sun or, due to lack of space, it would not be well located, that is, near the entrance to the pool, which is where it is recommended to locate this leisure platform.
• The owners of the house have changed and, therefore, the functionality that was expected of it. The use that is going to be given to the pool will largely condition its design.

Conclusion: Modify a pool so that it has a tanning ledge. How to do it successfully?

As you may have guessed, the most important phase of the entire process is the preliminary study. We recommend that you get good advice, with a company with experience, not only in construction, but also in project design.

Before modifying your pool, it is vitally important that you visualize different design options and analyze which is the alternative that best suits your lifestyle and the functionality that you are going to give to the tanning ledge.

A very interesting option is to contract the design to a specialized company and then, later, carry out the modification of the pool with your local pool builder.

At GodoPools we can design your project (with plans and 3d designs) so that the modification is a success. Ask us!