Shell or concrete pool: make the right choice

Shell pool and concrete pool: an in-ground pool

Whatever the swimming pool model selected, it will be necessary to define the location of the swimming pool before the project, to consult the PLU regulations applicable to the project area, to carry out the administrative formalities, etc.

Although the shell pool and the concrete pool are distinguished by their respective designs, they both remain in-ground pools which offer users the same advantages:

– The luxury of swimming at home: diving, swimming, and cooling off at home with family and friends. An in-ground pool is a place to share good times.
– Aesthetics: an in-ground pool is a jewel in the heart of the garden.
– Physical and mental well-being: practicing a sport at home is good for the body and the mind.
– Real estate asset: an in-ground pool remains an investment that adds value to a home. When reselling, a house with a pool is more popular than one without.

The shell pool

Choosing to install a shell pool in your garden means choosing to have an in-ground pool at a reasonable price. The pool's structure is made of polyester, a durable and waterproof material. The shell is molded in the factory and delivered, then installed directly on the site after excavation.

The low labor cost for installing the structure gives the shell pool an attractive price positioning.
Manufacturers offer many models of shell pools in terms of shapes, dimensions and colors.

The concrete swimming pool

Concrete pools are heavy-duty structures. Choosing a concrete pool is a sustainable investment! Solid, traditional construction: these are the hallmarks of a concrete pool.
There are different construction processes for concrete swimming pools:
– Masonry pool: the structure of the pool is made of reinforced concrete blocks that are stacked on top of each other on a foundation. The walls are then covered with cement.
– Shotcrete pool: Concrete is forced at high pressure onto a frame to create a concrete shell. This technique requires expertise and is very expensive. It can be used to create any shape or base of pool.
– Formwork: The formwork technique is ancestral in masonry. It consists of pouring concrete between two formworks. The whole thing is solidified by a rebar reinforcement, hence the commonly used term: reinforced concrete structure.
Note: The Piscines Desjoyaux group's modular pool falls into this construction category because the recycled polypropylene panels are pre-assembled in the factory and, once installed on site, are reinforced and filled with concrete. These panels are called active permanent formwork.

These three types of construction involve the installation of waterproofing (tiling, paint, liner, etc.) since concrete is not a waterproof material.

Concrete pools on the market are either single-piece constructions or custom-made. These constructions require skilled labor, although some concrete pool models can be installed by customers using a very detailed installation guide.

Shell pool or concrete pool: which one to choose?

If budget is the key word for the project , the shell pool could be the chosen model. The second advantage of this in-ground pool is the installation time which remains lower than that of a concrete pool.
However, it should not be forgotten that the shell pool is a lightweight structure which is less resistant to ground movements which are unfortunately not always predictable.

Conversely, a concrete pool is a construction project that is built for longevity. While building this type of pool is a major undertaking, it's a lifetime project that requires a significant financial investment.
The intermediate choice is the modular pool, whose formwork is reinforced and filled with concrete. It remains economically advantageous while offering the luxury of being a concrete structure.

To find out more, visit your Desjoyaux store.