Use ICFs to Build Your Energy Efficient Swimming Pool
ICF Pool Construction Model
Learn the Basics of ICF Pool Construction
Watch the ICF Pool Construction Webinar
Watch the How to Build a BuildBlock ICF Swimming Pool Webinar“ICFs have been used for swimming pools since the very beginning of the industry. In the past few years several manufacturers have created additional coatings and finishes specifically for ICFs that work well in pool environments too.”
– ICF Builder Magazine, July 2013
BuildCrete Pool Plaster, a Gigacrete product is perfectly suited as the waterproof coating and plaster directly applied to the EPS foam. Another full line of ICF pool construction products can be found at sider-crete.com ICF pools are being built on many types of projects. Usually found in large custom homes, they are also found in community pools and as an energy efficient addition to existing homes as well. ICFs primary component is EPS foam. They are easily formed into almost any shape imaginable and since they form an extremely flat and smooth wall, they are easily finished.
ICF Swimming Pool Engineering & Installation Manuals
BuildBlock ICF Swimming Pool Engineering Manual
The BuildBlock ICF Swimming Pool Engineering Manual is intended to provide prescriptive requirements for the design of BuildBlock Building Systems ICF In-Ground and Above Ground reinforced concrete Swimming Pools. It provides the wall, footing, and reinforcement designs for building above ground and in-ground ICF pools, cisterns, and water basins. This guide provides recommended designs for a variety of soil and seismic conditions.
BuildBlock-Pool-Engineering-Manual-Revised-7-25-22.pdfBuildBlock ICF Swimming Pool Construction Manual
The BuildBlock ICF Swimming Pool Construction Manual provides a guide to the construction of your ICF swimming pool. This new document covers the ICF pool building process from start to finish. ICFs swimming pools are not only faster to build, but the insulating foam prevents more than 80% of the heat loss of the pool. Not only are ICF pools less expensive than gunite pools, they’re much cheaper to heat your pool increasing the length of the pool season and delivering superior results for the lifetime of your pool.
buildblock-pool-installation-manual-revised-8-2020-final.pdfBuildCrete Pool Plaster Finishing
The BuildCrete Pool Plaster is a synthetic pool plaster. Designed to be 100% waterproof it uses an embedded 11oz. fiberglass mesh to deliver 3500psi of strength when finished. The pool plaster crystalizes as it cures. These crystals grow into the ICF foam face and add an additional mechanical attachment. BuildCrete Pool Plaster doesn’t support the growth of mold or mildew and has a much longer lifespan than traditional plasters. It can be used as a base for tile and is easily applied.
BuildCrete-BestPracticesGuide-revised.pdf
The greatest cost savings, though, are long-term. “Experts calculate that up to 80% of a pool’s heat is lost through the sides and bottom of the pool, due to the fact that the ground conducts heat far more efficiently than air does. Considering the surface areas involved, continuous insulation is the best choice.”
-ICF Builder Magazine, July 2013
ICF Pool Advantages
- Faster Construction
- Modular, Light-weight, Easy to use.
- Easily Shaped, Modified and Stacked.
- Environmentally Friendly, Low Waste
- Easy Rebar Placement
- More consistent wall finish
Why ICF
Most residential swimming pools are built in conjunction with custom homes and frequently when the owners choose to build with ICFs for longevity and reduced energy costs, they’ll choose an ICF pool for the same reason. This great simplifies construction and uses the same materials as their home.
Field Cut Radius
While BuildRadius is the fastest and easiest way to create curved walls for your pool, it is important to remember that field fabricated radii are also possible with all BuildBlock and BuildLock standard straight forms. View this CAD detail for specific information on how to create radius walls from straight forms or the BuildBlock Installation & Technical Manual.
Building an ICF Pool is now even easier with BuildRadius ICF forms. Combine BuildRadius with BuildBlock forms to create any shape or style imaginable.
BuildRadius is a family of radius forms for use in ICF walls and pool construction. The BuildRadius forms create 2’, 4’, 8’, 12’, 16’, and 20’ arcs. Each of these blocks interlocks into any BuildBlock 6” product line and uses the standard BuildBlock webs.
Available in 6” widths initially, these forms are designed to ease construction of energy-efficient ICF pools, southwest style homes, bay windows, circular staircases, and provide options when designing unique areas in ICF homes.
BuildBlock Pool Construction Gallery
We are currently in the process of building a BuildBlock ICF pool in Oklahoma City. This project utilizes BuildBlock 6″ straight forms, 2′ curved radius forms, and the Form-a-Drain footing and drainage system. This gallery will be updated as progress continues. Click here to see a brief overview of ICF pool construction.
- Placing chalk lines to mark the outside area of the hole to be dug.
- Laser level is used to set benchmarks and level the site before digging.
- Digging the hole for the pool.
- The finished hole.
- Form-a-Drain footer and drain system is going in.
- Footer and drain system is installed.
- Connecting Form-a-Drain corners.
- Footed is shaped.
- Gravel, steel, and plumbing is installed in footer.
- Gravel, steel, and plumbing is installed in footer.
- Footer before concrete is poured.
- Placing the first course of forms on the footer.
- The first course is waterproofed and protected. Second course is stacked.
- Walls before pouring.
- Vertical rebar extends from the footer into the walls.
- Walls before pouring.
- Walls before pouring.
- Rebar in the floor of the pool and wood framing for stairs
- Pouring the ICF Walls
- Concrete being poured through pre-cut holes at the bottom of the wall
- Adding rebar pins to the top of the wall
- Bent pins after the concrete sets up
- Completed pool before waterproofing and finishes
- Side of the pool with skimmer installed
- Primer and waterproofing applied
BuildBlock Pool Gallery
- Vertical rebar extending from pool footings
- Floor system installed, blocks being stacked
- Floor system installed, blocks being stacked
- Walls stacked before the pour
- Walls stacked before the pour
- Walls stacked before the pour
- ICF pool after concrete is poured
- ICF pool after concrete is poured
- ICF pool after concrete is poured
- ICF pool after concrete is poured
- ICF Pool before finishing
- ICF pool with concrete Jacuzzi
- ICF pool with concrete Jacuzzi
- ICF pool with concrete Jacuzzi
- ICF pool with concrete Jacuzzi
- Exterior of ICF pool before finishing and backfilling
- ICF pool using BuildRadius forms
BuildRadius Product Gallery
- BuildRadius 20-foot Radius Block
BuildRadius 20-foot Radius Block
- BuildRadius 16-foot Radius Block
BuildRadius 16-foot Radius Block
- BuildRadius 12-foot Radius Block
BuildRadius 12-foot Radius Block
- BuildRadius 8-foot Radius Block
BuildRadius 8-foot Radius Block
- BuildRadius 4-foot Radius Block
BuildRadius 4-foot Radius Block
- BuildRadius 2-foot Radius Block
BuildRadius 2-foot Radius Block
- BuildRadius 2-foot Radius Block
BuildRadius 2-foot Radius Block