What Is an Infinity Pool? Size, Cost and More (2024)

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Ralph Tarulli

What Is an Infinity Pool? Size, Cost and More (1)

Ralph Tarulli

Ralph Tarulli is a pools and construction expert with 7+ years' experience working on pools, and 10+ years' experience in commercial construction. He has 15 professional certifications and is pursuing a career in building engineering.

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Updated on 06/05/24

Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

What Is an Infinity Pool? Size, Cost and More (2)

Fact checked bySarah Scott

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

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What Is an Infinity Pool? Size, Cost and More (3)

An infinity pool has one or more edges finished in such a way that when you are either inside or near the pool it looks like the edges seamlessly blend into the surrounding landscape. It is attractive to someone who is not a fan of the in-ground or above-ground style and is a common design found in homes that are built close to the ocean or on hilltops. Here's everything you need to know about infinity pools.

What Is an Infinity Pool?

An infinity pool usually has at least one side that is set below the normal water level and a corresponding skimmer tray below the edge out of sight. The skimmer tray acts like a long skimmer and opens up the other side to be seamless, improving the general aesthetic of the pool. Overall, because of this feature, infinity pools are more pleasing to the eye than traditional pools with visible coping stones, metal caps, and various skimmer openings.

Characteristics of an Infinity Pool

One of the most prominent characteristics of an infinity pool is its vanishing edge; this is the main draw of this type of pool which gives the effect that the pool seamlessly blends in and compliments its surrounding environment.

Another characteristic of this type of pool is that it has little to no skimmers, or openings built into the wall. On the other side of the vanishing edge, there is a finished trough that acts as a skimmer, allowing the water from the pool to flow into the filter.

It is because of this that an infinity pool's most identifiable feature also gives it the ability to be completely seamless.

Infinity Pool Versus Regular Pool

An infinity pool differs from a regular pool in a few key ways. An infinity pool may have one or no skimmers and will have at least one edge that is continuously below the water level. An infinity pool will also have a skimmer that will most likely be below the pump level and might be slightly more difficult to initially start up. An infinity pool will have a finished edge all around and at least one side that will have a finished side for the water to run down the seamless edge.

A regular pool would have a more traditional setup which would include one or more skimmers directly plumbed to a pump which will most likely be below the water level, allowing for an easier startup. A regular pool will also have a top edge of either coping stones or aluminum caps depending on what type of pool.

Cost

The cost for an infinity pool will be slightly more because instead of just finishing the inside of the pool, you will have to provide a finish for wherever the water touches, including the other side of the vanishing edge. This will increase the square footage that will be required to be finished and increase cost. Also, an infinity pool might require more intricate plumbing work since the skimmer would be below the water line and would require slightly more travel to make it back to the pump.

FAQ

  • Why should you get an infinity pool?

    You should get an infinity pool if you would like your pool to give the illusion of blending into the scenery. An infinity pool will also provide a cleaner look and can give the appearance of a skimmerless pool.

  • Where does the water from an infinity pool go?

    The water from an infinity pool goes back to the filter like a normal pool. The bottom of the vanishing edge of an infinity pool acts like a large skimmer. This skimmer will vacuum up the overflowed water and bring it back to the pump and filter. The water then returns to the pool.

  • Is it possible to fall over the edge of an infinity pool?

    It is not possible to fall over the edge of an infinity pool as the "edge" is a created optical illusion to give the appearance of a seamless wall.

What Is a Plunge Pool? Size, Cost and More

What Is an Infinity Pool? Size, Cost and More (2024)

FAQs

What Is an Infinity Pool? Size, Cost and More? ›

An infinity pool typically costs between $55,000 and $130,000 to build, with homeowners across the country paying an average of $80,000. There are several factors that can affect the total cost, including the pool size and material, land preparation, and the cost of labor and permits.

What is the size of an infinity pool? ›

The size can vary greatly, depending on the available space and the desired design. Infinity pools can range from small, intimate pools that are only a few feet long to large, resort-style pools that stretch for hundreds of feet.

How much does the average infinity pool cost? ›

On average, infinity pools cost $80,000, but the price can range dramatically depending on its size and shape. Infinity pools can cost between $55,000 and $130,000 in all. As the pool's size increases, pool prices increase as well. Typically, infinity pools will cost about $80 per square foot.

What is an infinite pool? ›

What is an infinity pool? Also known as zero-edge pools or rimless pools, infinity pools are designed to give the illusion of a missing edge. The water appears to flow beyond the edge and into, well, infinity.

What is the disadvantage of an infinity pool? ›

High cost: pools with infinity edges have high costs, which is their most notable drawback. The initial construction is more expensive than a traditional pool.

What is the minimum size for an Endless Pool? ›

The space required for an endless pool will depend on the specific model and desired swimming area, but they typically range from 2.1-6 metres long and 1.8-2.7 metres wide. For a residential installation, most manufacturers recommend a minimum of 0.9 metres of decking space around the pool.

How deep should an infinity pool be? ›

The infinity pool should ideally have a depth of 1.2 to 1.6 metres. A greater depth would not allow the user to enjoy the view.

Do infinity pools lose a lot of water? ›

Yes, infinity pools tend to lose more water compared to standard pools. This water loss is primarily due to the continuous overflowing of water over the infinity edge.

Are infinity pools high maintenance? ›

Maintenance: Infinity pools require more maintenance than traditional pools. The water level in the pool must be constantly monitored and adjusted to ensure that the water flows over the edge correctly. This can be time-consuming and require more effort to maintain.

What is the difference between an endless pool and an infinity pool? ›

After all, modular Endless Pool with Hydrodrive™ Technology lets you swim 'infinitely' forward with no flip-turns, thanks to its adjustable current. The term "infinity pool" specifically refers to an "infinite edge pool," "vanishing edge pool," or "negative edge pool." These are pools that have no swim current.

How much does it cost to build an Endless Pool? ›

Inground endless pool systems start around $32,000 and $40,000 on average, though indoor inground pools can reach up to $60,000.

Can you turn a regular pool into an infinity pool? ›

Yes, it's possible to transform a pool into an infinity pool. This involves making structural and design changes to create the illusion of an endless or disappearing edge. Another more affordable option is a deck level swimming pool.

How much does an infinity pool cost compared to a regular pool? ›

This includes size, additional equipment, location and any lights you might want to add. In general, a traditional pool can range anywhere from $35 thousand to $50 thousand or more. And you can expect your infinity pool to cost around 20 percent more than a standard one. But again, that depends on your custom build.

Do infinity pools waste water? ›

Infinity pools are built with two levels. The top level is the pool, where the vanishing edge is hidden just below the top of the water's surface. Below the infinity edge, a basin is built to catch the overflow. The excess water is then pumped back into the pool, avoiding water waste.

Can you swim over the edge of an infinity pool? ›

This leads many people to ask whether an infinity pool is safe to swim in, but it's important to remember that the pool is still fully enclosed. Although water flows over the infinite edge, the wall is still in place and, provided other pool safety rules are followed, swimmers are safe to swim near it.

What size are endless pools? ›

With sizing from 7'x12' to 10'x16' – customizable in 1' increments – the Endless Pool adapts to your space requirements.

What is the difference between an Endless Pool and an infinity pool? ›

After all, modular Endless Pool with Hydrodrive™ Technology lets you swim 'infinitely' forward with no flip-turns, thanks to its adjustable current. The term "infinity pool" specifically refers to an "infinite edge pool," "vanishing edge pool," or "negative edge pool." These are pools that have no swim current.

Is there a standard pool size? ›

Inground pools typically range from 10 by 20 feet to 20 by 40 feet. Above-ground pools are usually between 10 and 24 feet in diameter. Lap pools can be as small as 6 by 30 feet or as large as 10 by 50 feet. Plunge pools are small, ranging from 6 by 10 feet to 8 by 20 feet on average.

What is the biggest infinity pool? ›

The Highest Infinity Pool is atop The Address Beach Resort (Dubai), 294.5 meters above grade (see Figure 2).

References

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