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Rooftop Pool Information / Suggestions

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

Hey all,

I just acquired a piece of property (Vacant Land) which is zoned for up to 6 floors; I plan on keeping the top two floors. I have three architects and one structural engineer who I'll interview and ultimately, select, but for now, I am simply trying to become more informed so I have educated questions to ask.

On the roof, I'd like to create a garden oasis with a pool. Obviously the building will need to hold the weight of the pool, but my main concern is the type of materials used. Does anyone have any experience with different swimming pool construction materials for a rooftop pool? I don't necessarily care about how heavy, per se, since the building will be built to support it, but I want something durable and easy to maintain. Do pools and low maintenance even belong in the same sentence?!? You know what I mean, though!

The building can be 100' by 75', so it's a rather large space. I want a sun shelf as well as a rectangular pool, so nothing too wild. I do, however, would like glass/acrylic on one side.

After a google search, I have come across stainless steel pools. I don't know how I feel about them, though. Since it's new construction, would gunite be a viable option, or not so much for a rooftop pool? I also see that there is a carbon fiber / kevlar type material. That's all I have come across, though. What I do know, though, is if I were to build an in-ground pool, it would absolutely not be fiberglass.

Thank you so much for your help!

Comments (13)

  • 8 years ago

    Your architect will deal with the structural and material implications of creating a hotel as a private residence. All you have to do is come up with the multi million dollar budget to pay for it all.

  • 8 years ago

    I have no idea what the construction would be but here in Los Angeles roof top pools are pretty common in a lot of multi-family residences that are newer builds. It is probably because you can create more units without having the standard pool in the courtyard by putting it on the roof - you would also avoid the shadows which darken courtyard pools.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Will the pool intrude into the floor below or be set on top of the roof (like an above ground pool)?

    A spa I went to for a while had a ss pool. I liked it.. But it did look medicinal.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Talk your neighbor into having a pool.

  • 8 years ago

    “Do pools and low maintenance even belong in the same sentence?!? You know what I mean, though!”

    We have had a pool for the last 20 yrs and are glad to be rid of ours. The folks that bought our house have young kids and are excited to get the thing. It doesn’t matter if you feel like taking care of it or not...you have to.

    So no..pools and low maintenance do not belong in the same sentence.

    otoh. When our kids were young, we loved it. Good luck!

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    This is question best answered by your engineer and architect. We have a pool I love it and find maintenance not a big deal adjust whatever chemicals need adjusting , vacuum the pool and at the end of season and beginning a bit more work but I would not trade it .

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago
  • 8 years ago

    One thing for sure...make sure you use an automatic pool cover. Saves chemicals, keeps heat in and makes it easier to open the pool at the beginning of the season.

    we had a simple rectangle so that we could use the under mounted cover.

    ours came from Fishers, Indiana. Can’t recall the brand.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Roof top pools are a bit tricky. You have to build a separate vessel with drainage, and build the pool inside of that. The reason is capture any water that will leak from the pool, and it will in it's lifetime, and allow the drains in the shell to wick the water away from the building structure and any living space or rooms below.

    A structural engineer who has experience in a build of this is paramount. This job is not for the faint-hearted. There is quite a bit details to be factored. An architect will only give designs unless they are versed in structural engineering also.

    Commenting on pools being a maintenance nightmare, I have to disagree. Systems available today are automated to take out the guess work of chemical treatment for instance. Automatic cleaners allow for daily cleaning. Computer systems allow you to monitor and control your pool from your computer or your smart phone.

    High efficiency equipment available now keeps cost down to operate. Automatic pool covers keep pools protected from debris, unwanted animals, people and reduce chemical and heat consumption.

  • 8 years ago

    I’m building a single family home (2 floors) with a rooftop pool. The roof structure is a composite concrete metal deck sitting on fairly large steel beams (W24) and as Mystic Pools says, it’s a double vessel design. The roof is built like a flat roof with EPDM membrane and the pool itself is going to be made out of stainless steel.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Years ago I designed a private poolhouse with a 16' x 40' pool, bathroom, changing rooms, exercise room, beautiful view of Lake Michigan, and mechanical room inside. Due to the frequency of the pool's use, it is now a theater.

    Think long and hard about the practicality of your intent.