Pool House Design Essentials

Designing a pool house or swimming pool enclosure starts with the same approach as any conservatory. Our philosophy is that the conservatory should look as though it were always part of the original house or grounds.

In the following, we discuss the considerations for conservatory pool house, garden house and pool enclosure designs. To begin creating your project, consider the location, style, shape, material, features and construction.

Conservatory + Pool Location

We create individual designs tailored to your lifestyle, budget, location and climate. Many of our designs are for free-standing structures. However, attaching a pool enclosure to your principal dwelling will make the pool more inviting at any time of the year. Our designers will recommend an attractive connection to your principal structure, if that is desired.

If you have an existing pool, you will need an experienced local architect to review local building council regulations. If you do not have a pool, you should consult an experienced pool builder to be involved in the project.

Conservatory Style

Your vision inspires our conservatory designs, but we also carefully consider the surroundings. We can design a fully enclosed pool or adjacent pool house in any style to elegantly complement the original architecture and grounds, including contemporary styles.

Aside from style, shape can influence cost. Whereas a simple rectangular building is the most cost effective, the addition of bay corners, gables in the roof and other features can enhance the aesthetic beauty and enjoyment of the building, while further complementing the host structure.

We will work with you to develop a design which will keep costs in mind, but also include attractive features, such as roof lanterns, gables, French doors, folding-stacking doors, etc.

Budget and Features

Whether a lap pool attached to your home or an Olympic masterpiece, additional features and amenities should be considered.

A high-quality heating/cooling system and adequate ventilation are essential to control humidity and condensation which can create unsightly fogging on the glass and damage to the insulated glass units.

Whether a pool enclosure or pool house, an attached service building to house HVAC and amenities is also a consideration. Bathrooms may be required by code. A provision for a small kitchen and changing rooms are very convenient for entertaining. We can suggest an integrated service structure in our comprehensive design.

SIZE AND SHAPE

In addition to the conservatory, the pool itself will be a key component of cost. Consider size, shape, maintenance and favorite use. If you have active swimmers in the family, you may prefer length over shape. If you merely want a place to cool off or entertain, or want a more interesting interior, curved shapes, spas and other features become more appealing. We can customize our design and its features according to your budget and your desires.

ENVIRONMENT

We strongly recommend aluminum for pool enclosures due to the high humidity environment, however, we can build hardwood enclosures using an abundance of synthetic or specially treated wood materials.

Thanks to our custom tailored details, we can enhance our aluminum buildings with traditional conservatory features such as ogee profile rafters, ornate gutters, rake moldings and pilasters complete with capital and base.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Engineering is an essential part of the design process ensure that our structure will meet local building code requirements.

Wind and snow loads differ in all parts of the world. Some areas have seismic requirements or unusual coastal conditions that exceed the requirements of a typical inland location.

Our engineers will consult the International Building Code ( IBC) to establish baseline structural requirements . We can provide structural engineering calculations for local permit authorities or engineers to review.

In hurricane or typhoon locations, IBC Coastal codes require high-wind load capacity sometimes with impact-resistant glazing.

One of our first priorities is to assess your local requirements to see how the engineering will affect the design.

Glass

Our standard glass specification is insulated (thermopane) units, tempered (toughened) in both leafs and usually having an overall thickness of one inch. . Laminated(safety) glass, impact-resistant glass and other specialty glass are also available, chosen or recommended for their thermal or cooling properties.

High-performance Low-E is standard. This glass has a high visible light ratio while offering better insulation and shading coefficients compared to standard Low-E glass. The standard glass specification can be upgraded with a variety of options tailored to your location.

We work with your HVAC mechanical engineer to arrive at the best combination for your design requirements.

Cooling and humidity control are essential in any region of the world while condensation (on the glass) is an increased consideration in colder climates. Aluminum building frames feature concealed weep systems in the roof and side frames.

Installation

Once your design and price have been agreed, your Conservatory will be custom-manufactured to the drawings that you have approved, and an installation date agreed upon. We will coordinate with your base work builder and pool contractor to ensure that the work is carefully coordinated and timed to flow smoothly. We do not ship the conservatory until it is ready for erection.

Because major portions of the building are pre-assembled in our workshops for accuracy, the installation time is reduced. Most installations will take 2-3 weeks for the primary construction, longer for larger buildings. 

With all of this to consider, we are happy to guide you through the process.  

If a pool house conservatory, or pool enclosure is your dream, we can build it. Call us today to discuss your project, 001 773 281 1212 and ask for James or fill out our Contact form here.