When most people hear “above-ground pool”, they picture a vinyl kit pool sitting on the lawn. A concrete above-ground pool is something completely different. It is a fully custom, engineered concrete pool built partly or fully above the natural ground level, finished to the same standard as an inground pool.
At Aqua Living Pools we build concrete above-ground pools (also called retained or elevated pools) across the Gold Coast and Brisbane’s south. Here is what you need to know.
Concrete above-ground vs vinyl above-ground
- Structure: a concrete above-ground pool is a reinforced concrete shell designed by an engineer. A vinyl pool is a kit with a liner.
- Design: concrete can be any shape or size, with infinity edges, spas, ledges and built-in seating. Kit pools come in set sizes.
- Finish: concrete pools take tiles, pebble interiors, stone coping and cladding, so the pool becomes part of the home’s architecture.
- Lifespan: a well-built concrete pool is a permanent part of the property.
If you are weighing up the basic choice, our above-ground vs inground pool guide covers the general differences.
When does a concrete above-ground pool make sense?
- Sloping blocks. Instead of digging deep into a hill or building large retaining walls, the pool can be raised so it sits level with the house or deck.
- Rock or difficult ground where excavating would be slow and expensive.
- Views. Raising the pool lets you take in the outlook, especially with an infinity edge.
- Connection to the house. An elevated pool can sit at floor level with your alfresco area so you step straight from the house to the water.
- Built-in features. The raised walls can double as seating, a bar edge or part of the pool fence (subject to pool safety rules).
Example: our Bonogin infinity pool
On a steep block in Bonogin, we designed a 7 × 6 metre concrete infinity pool elevated 1.2 metres above the ground. It sits beside the home and existing deck, with an infinity edge drawing the eye out to the bush views. The site needed a slope stability report and additional engineering, which were planned into the design from the start. See the Bonogin project.
What to plan for
- Engineering. Raised walls hold back a lot of water, so the structure must be engineered for your site.
- Site reports. Steep or unstable sites may need soil or slope stability reports.
- Pool safety. Queensland pool fencing rules still apply. Raised walls can sometimes form part of the barrier if they meet the standard, which is worked out during design.
- Finishes on the outside. Because the walls are visible, cladding, tiles or render are part of the design.
Our retaining pool designs page has more examples.
Frequently asked questions
Does Aqua Living Pools build above-ground pools?
Yes. We build concrete above-ground pools, not vinyl-lined kit pools. Every one is custom designed and engineered for the site.
Is a concrete above-ground pool cheaper than an inground pool?
Not necessarily. On a flat, easy block an inground pool is often simpler. On a sloping or rocky block, raising the pool can avoid deep excavation and large retaining walls. The best option depends on your site, which we assess at the free site visit.
Can an above-ground concrete pool have an infinity edge?
Yes. Elevated pools are often the best way to create an infinity edge on a sloping block.
Have a sloping or tricky block? Book a free on-site visit and we will show you what is possible.
