Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

Eldeora

Jun 13, 2002, 7:28 AM

Post #1 of 7 (11853 views)

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Negative Edge Pool

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I'm looking for a pool builder with experience in negative edge (infinity)
design, in or close to Acapulco. Any leads or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Tom

Jun 15, 2002, 6:49 AM

Post #2 of 7 (11851 views)

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Negative Edge Pool

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Howdy...What is a negative edge pool? Can you steer me to some good sites about pools and pool systems in general? Thanks! Tom

Eldeora

Jun 15, 2002, 10:03 AM

Post #3 of 7 (11850 views)

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Negative Edge Pool

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A negative edge or vanishing edge pool has one edge dropping off to the horizon, so that you get the illusion that there is no edge. In fact the water drops off to a channel where it is recirculated back into the pool. They look fabulous when your lookout is to the ocean/waterway or to spectacular scenery like a canyon or forest.
If you search Yahoo under negative edge pool or vanishing edge pool you will see a ton of sites with examples, mostly high end US pool builders.
The problem is there are some particular design and construction tricks in order to get the edge right. I've seen some here in Mexico where the edge is built wrong, and the illusion doesn't work as well as it should. Hence my current task trying to find someone here in Acapulco who knows the details. A standard pool builder probably can't do it, I believe it takes a lot of learning and expertise.

DavidG

Jun 15, 2002, 10:37 PM

Post #4 of 7 (11852 views)

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Negative Edge Pool

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If you go to www.villados.com you will see the one I had built here in Cozumel. It depends on where you're sitting as to how well the "vanishing" effect works. From this website you can also click on destinations, then on "PROPOSED POOL" to see a perfect exampleDavidG: A negative edge or vanishing edge pool has one edge dropping off to the horizon, so that you get the illusion that there is no edge. In fact the water drops off to a channel where it is recirculated back into the pool. They look fabulous when your lookout is to the ocean/waterway or to spectacular scenery like a canyon or forest.
: If you search Yahoo under negative edge pool or vanishing edge pool you will see a ton of sites with examples, mostly high end US pool builders.
: The problem is there are some particular design and construction tricks in order to get the edge right. I've seen some here in Mexico where the edge is built wrong, and the illusion doesn't work as well as it should. Hence my current task trying to find someone here in Acapulco who knows the details. A standard pool builder probably can't do it, I believe it takes a lot of learning and expertise.

Dutch

Jun 19, 2002, 8:35 PM

Post #5 of 7 (11850 views)

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Negative Edge Pool

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: If you go to www.villados.com you will see the one I had built here in Cozumel. It depends on where you're sitting as to how well the "vanishing" effect works. From this website you can also click on destinations, then on "PROPOSED POOL" to see a perfect example: DavidG: : A negative edge or vanishing edge pool has one edge dropping off to the horizon, so that you get the illusion that there is no edge. In fact the water drops off to a channel where it is recirculated back into the pool. They look fabulous when your lookout is to the ocean/waterway or to spectacular scenery like a canyon or forest.
: : If you search Yahoo under negative edge pool or vanishing edge pool you will see a ton of sites with examples, mostly high end US pool builders.
: : The problem is there are some particular design and construction tricks in order to get the edge right. I've seen some here in Mexico where the edge is built wrong, and the illusion doesn't work as well as it should. Hence my current task trying to find someone here in Acapulco who knows the details. A standard pool builder probably can't do it, I believe it takes a lot of learning and expertise. =================================================
An obvious need is to get the negative edge perfectly level. Laser levels can help establish the correct line and verify the finish is level. The darn levels are expensive, though. One trick is to buy a laser pointer at a place like Radio Shack and attach (even tape) it to a conventional level...$15-20 bucks vs. what - over a hundred? 'Course, you COULD use clear plastic tubing, like most Mexican local builders do (not unlike how the Egyptians built the pyramids)...=^o^=

Rolly

Jun 19, 2002, 10:40 PM

Post #6 of 7 (11850 views)

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Lasers and plastic tubes

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: An obvious need is to get the negative edge perfectly level. Laser levels can help establish the correct line and verify the finish is level. The darn levels are expensive, though. One trick is to buy a laser pointer at a place like Radio Shack and attach (even tape) it to a conventional level...$15-20 bucks vs. what - over a hundred? 'Course, you COULD use clear plastic tubing, like most Mexican local builders do (not unlike how the Egyptians built the pyramids)...=^o^=The other day I sat watching the guys at my project using the plastic tubing level and a string. I thought then if we were in the USA, they’d be using a laser. How much simpler and quite effective is this low-tech scheme.It’s amazing how many bells and whistles we can learn to live without … and maybe be better off.

Esteban

Jun 21, 2002, 8:11 AM

Post #7 of 7 (11851 views)

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Lasers and plastic tubes

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With both the clear tube method and the laser level, both require a certain amount of knowledge to use. The first time you use the clear tube, you realize that even the slightest movement makes the water move. You have to wait and wait to get an accurate line especially if the tube is long. Accuracy is relative to tolerances. There are other things to consider besides making a "level" workable mark. You have to know your materials, the geology of the area and how they expand and contract according to temperatures and other factors.