July 1, 2020

Trends

Natural, eco-friendly swimming pools to cool you down in summer

Integrated into the natural ecosystem, they purify water naturally and enrich biodiversity, making them a healthier alternative for swimmers.

Built in stone, wood or gravel, natural swimming pools are the best option for cooling off in summer and connecting with nature. Installing an outdoor natural pool makes properties more sustainable: they're integrated into the natural landscape and plants oxygenate the water and surroundings. And because water is purified naturally, they consume much less energy than conventional swimming pools (up to 40% less energy consumption).

Advantages of natural swimming pools

Healthier

Las Natural swimming poolscan be maintained without using any chemicals, and water is purified using biological filtration with plants and microorganisms. This in turn has a positive influence on the health of the people swimming - the water is fresh and clear and contains natural nutrients which are better for skin.

Sustainability

Because they don't require any chemical products, natural swimming pools reduce pollution, and because you don't need to add water every time they're used, maintenance is much more sustainable than with conventional pools.

Integration with the landscape

Las Natural swimming poolsadapt perfectly to the natural environment, and the vegetation they need to work adds to biodiversity.

How to build a natural swimming pool, step by step

  •  Choose the best location. Avoid any wastewater flow from the main house and make sure you design watertight sides for the pool.
  • Measure up. An eco-friendly swimming pool requires a surface area of at least 25 m2 and a minimum depth of 2.2 m, as you need two separate pool areas for them to work: the swimming zone, and the purification zone. 
  •  Tank construction. Different systems: Gunite concrete, concrete with fibreglass, etc. Which one you choose will depend on the terrain, consistency of the ground, and shape of your natural swimming pool. 
  • Choosing your tiles. We recommend natural finishes such as wood or stone inspired ceramics. Microcement or gresite tiles are also suitable. 
  • Positioning the biofilter. Hydraulic installations and specialist natural swimming pool filters will help keep the water clean and healthy without the need for chemicals. Choosing the right gravel and plants - according to the location and type of water - is crucial for the ecosystem to stay perfectly balanced and self-regulating.  
  • Choosing your plants. Floating or submerged plants can give your swimming pool a more natural feel, integrating it with the natural landscape. The plants should be placed around the swimming pool, set apart from the zone with more water.

Pool tiles

Tiles that take inspiration from natural materials are perfect for natural swimming pools, because of their aesthetics as well as their excellent resistance. Starwood ceramic wood by PORCELANOSA Group could be the perfect material for paving or surfacing your swimming pool. Resistant to extreme temperatures, knocks and moisture, the collection includes an Ecologic range which contains 95% recycled material.

If you're looking for continuity in your design to connect the space with your home's interior, we recommend products from the large format Premium ceramic HIGHKER. series such as Bután or Bottega Caliza to create spaces that are delimited, and safer too - thanks to their non-slip finish.

Urbatek also includes several collections of porcelain stone tiles, perfect for swimming pools.. One such example is Stuc, a series that reproduces the texture and colour of sandstone and is highly durable.

If you're looking for a natural swimming pool with a more rustic feel, mosaics from L'Antic Colonial can give you a more realistic design. They include highlights such as the Water Rain Forest Supreme collection, with a grass green colour scheme to blend perfectly with the landscape.

Waterproofing and sealing products

Waterproofing for poolswill improve the seal of your natural pool. With a cement base and consisting of two components, Sylastic from Butech works to separate the pool from the exterior surface, and is compatible with all ceramic fixing systems. To prevent the growth of microorganisms and avoid any leaks in the joints, you could also opt for Epotech Aqua adhesive. 

The secret to having a natural pool free of chemicals is to prevent nutrients from getting into the water and to eliminate microorganisms with phyto-purification. The plants oxygenate the water, and the gravel acts as a natural filter to clean it. In a natural swimming pool, the body of water is divided into two pools - one for swimming, and one for purification.

Because it's outside, you'll need to remove leaves and other debris from the surface of the water on a regular basis. You'll also need to clean the skimmers (strategically placed baskets that collect debris) manually or with a robot vacuum. You need to maintain the plants in your natural swimming pool, pruning and feeding them with special fertilisers at least once a season.

Natural pools cost much the same as conventional pools, but maintaining them uses fewer natural resources and less energy than other pools because they don't require water purification systems or pumps.

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