There’s not much that beats a dip in the pool on a sunny day, or a few laps in warm water on a cold day. Watching the kids splash about, doing a bit of aqua jogging, lazing on a floating lounger or chilling out with friends and family. A pool is a real focal point of your home. And, though a swimming pool can increase the value of your property, especially in the south of France, it’s the pleasure it gives that’s really important.
But, if you want a swimming pool in France – where do you start?
Getting a swimming pool in France
Well it can be surprisingly easy to get a pool installed in France. Improvements in pool technology have led to longer lasting pools that are easy to fit and companies like Pools Direct provide guidance, installation, or help with self-installation, and after-care support that’s second to none. They’re a British family-run company based in France providing French manufactured pools. Entente cordiale: great British service plus great French savoir-faire! Pools Direct have had hundreds of their pools installed throughout France (and Europe) over many years – they’re experienced, professional and super helpful and will guide you with your project from choosing the pool, through to filling it!
Planning Permission
You need planning permission for a pool in France and this should always be sorted out before you buy. At Pools Direct they’ll give you guidance on the planning process – or they’ll do it all for you. They’ll fill in, file and follow the progress of the paperwork through to completion.
Choose your pool
Pools Direct have a great range of fibreglass pools starting at 4.3 m long up to 10.5m long for open pools, and for electric cover models from 4.3 m long to 10m long. They also have a range of colours – blue, beige, stone grey or white. Something to suit all tastes. And, this is where the technology comes in – these pools are resistant to UV rays, algae, chemicals and heat. They don’t stain, and they don’t crack in extreme heat.
I was recently on a cruise and met a lovely Scottish couple who lived near Montpellier. The whole time they were getting calls from their pool tiler and were stressed about the cost. They last had their concrete pool re-tiled 10 years ago and it’s got increasingly pricey since then. Plus, they had to empty their pool which makes things worse – more damage can occur with an empty pool, and then there’s the cost of refilling it.
Concrete pools last about 25 years and need to be resurfaced every 10-15 years, though with the recent hot weather extremes, concrete pools are tending to suffer more from cracks caused by shrinking. Vinyl liner pools are less expensive to install but it’s rare that the lining last more than 10 years.
Benefits of a fibreglass pool
Fibreglass pools are a great option for several reasons:
They’re quick and simple to install – in fact it’s possible for it take just one week from delivery to swimming in your pool! Pools Direct’s team are professionals with heaps of experience, and they run a smooth operation.
Fibreglass pool installation is simple. You don’t need to concrete the base, gravel is sufficient which saves a lot of time. The pool is then craned into place (depending on accessibility) and connected to the pipes. Then after making sure it’s level and firmly wedged into place is is backfilled with gravel and the pool filled with water. Then it’s just down to landscaping – decking and paving being the most popular options.
Also, DIY installation is a great way to cut costs. Pools Direct will supply plenty of guidance to make sure that you know exactly what’s involved. In fact, most of their customers choose this free help and advice service. Even if you go this route of self-installation – it includes placement. They still deliver and crane the pool into its new home (depending on accessibility, on rare occasions, they’ve sorted out a helicopter drop for customers!). They guarantee the pool in transit (not all companies do this). And they guarantee it for ten years after (again, not all companies do this).
Options
You’ll find it’s easy to keep a fibreglass pool clean. A filtration system can be installed, plus electric covers, underwater lights, control panel, timers and everything you need to make this the pool of your dreams.
Run costs can be kept to a minimum – a 1kw pump is the only essential energy needed. You can additionally opt for a heat pump – solar panels can be used for this.
These fibreglass pools can also be converted to a salt pool – an increasingly popular option.
The water doesn’t need to be replaced frequently. In fact one person I spoke to with a fibreglass pool said he had the water in there for 21 years. He replaced some occasionally, but good maintenance meant water was conserved as much as possible.
A fibreglass pool will last more than 40 years. Once it’s in – that’s it, no resurfacing, no replacing.
Pool care and maintenance
At Pools Direct they pride themselves on the fact that they don’t just sell you a pool. They provide assistance from the first stage of your project right through to the end. There is always someone you can talk to on their customer helpline – even at weekends! – about any aspect of pool installation and after care. Whether you want to talk about how to deal with a pool in winter, how to safely use chlorine, cleaning or converting to a salty option, help is available. They’ll also explain the safety rules. In France you must comply with the law on pool safety or face a fine.
Take a dip into the world of fibreglass pools and check out the great range and chat to the team at Pools Direct: en.poolsdirect.online
