Delivering and installing a custom fiberglass pool, in a mountainside home at 9,800 feet in the Rockies, presented a unique undertaking. At this elevation and remote location, the process demands creativity, expertise, and collaboration. That’s exactly what happened when SwimEx was brought in to design and build a pool that became the centerpiece of a new home addition.
A High-Altitude Wellness Retreat
The homeowner dreamed of adding an indoor wellness space to their mountain home. The addition would include a pool, hot tub, wood-fired sauna, and lounge area. The original plan specified a concrete pool. However, project manager Lee, Owner’s Agent with LH Stevens Constructors LLC, recognized the significant risks of using concrete in this project, due to high ground water and previously disturbed subsurface soils. Structural instabilities could cause a concrete pool to crack over time. Costly repairs and long-term maintenance challenges thus become huge potential issues for the homeowner.
Lee turned to SwimEx, the only manufacturer he could find capable of building a custom fiberglass pool with the required pool depth. Fiberglass offers a durable, low-maintenance alternative, essentially able to withstand harsh conditions while maintaining structural integrity. This solution not only eliminated cracking risks due to minor soils or foundation movement, but also made the installation process more efficient. As Lee said, “Without SwimEx, I don’t know that we would have done the project.”
Navigating Difficult Site Conditions
Mountain construction always presents design challenges. The SwimEx team worked closely with Lee and other experts to navigate these complexities. The team had to address the serious unstable ground conditions to ensure the foundation’s integrity for the lifespan of the structure.
Collaboration was key to success. Alongside SwimEx, Lee brought in structural engineers, mechanical experts, and contractors to tackle every detail. The redesigned foundation features micropiles and a structural waffle slab that integrates support for the pool and the building framing. This ensures stability and longevity in the rugged mountain setting. A further benefit is that the entirety of the pool and all piping and equipment is fully accessible for inspection and maintenance in the crawl space it sits in.
Mountain construction also presents logistical challenges. During the design process, access to the building pad was simulated, to ensure successful delivery. To make that happen, the pool was moved from the delivery tractor-trailer to a smaller trailer. This allowed it to navigate between trees and rock walls along the long and tight driveway. From there, the crane was able to lift the pool and set it on the waffle slab within the foundation. After setting the pool, the remaining building framing could be completed.
Tailored Solutions for a Unique Environment
Lee worked closely with SwimEx to guide the project’s success. SwimEx’s flexibility and engineering expertise were critical to this custom fiberglass pool installation, ensuring it met the client’s specifications. The design ensured long-term durability and energy efficiency in the extreme mountain climate.
Key design elements included:
Energy Efficiency: A high-efficiency Navien 200,000 BTU boiler, paired with Tekmar controls, ensures precise temperature management for both the pool water and the entire building space. Advanced dehumidification systems from Dehumidifier Corp of America, combined with a Greenheck energy recovery ventilator (ERV), maintain air quality and energy efficiency year-round. The pool body itself is insulated with three inches of spray foam, thus greatly limiting heat loss into the conditioned crawl space.
Integrated Safety Features: The client requested the surrounding floor deck to be flush with the inside edge of the pool, requiring precise integration of the pool and a custom hidden pool cover designed and supplied by CoverSafe. The automatic cover is required by code, enhances safety and limits evaporative losses while seamlessly blending with the pool design.
Precision Drainage Systems: Multiple independent drainage systems addressed groundwater issues, with gravity drainage for the retaining wall, the addition’s exterior, and below the waffle slab, ensuring reliable, pump-free operation.
By combining SwimEx’s innovative pool design with products from trusted manufacturers, this project delivered a durable, energy-efficient solution perfectly suited to its mountain environment.
A Collaborative Success: Partnering with SwimEx
With careful planning, even the toughest projects can succeed. Lee, who has 50 years of construction experience, shared, “It all starts with the right plans and the right partners to get it right. This project was challenging, but seeing it through to completion was incredibly rewarding.”
The completed addition is a testament to innovative design and expert craftsmanship. This custom fiberglass pool installation is the standout feature of the space, providing the client with a versatile, energy-efficient, and visually stunning wellness space.
SwimEx adapts to unique demands, making them a trusted partner for builders, contractors, and architects.
Need help with a challenging pool installation project? Contact us to learn how SwimEx can help.