James Wood
Depending on the regulations of your city or county, you may need to present blueprints and other documentation for approval, as many zoning laws are very specific. There are several ways an experienced builder can work with a slope or incline to level the ground and install the pool of your dreams. For example, if your yard is on a very slight slope, the standard practice is to use grading — in other words, evening out your lawn to create a flat surface. The bottom line is that, regardless of whether its angle is shallow or steep, there are multiple solutions to help build inground pools on a slope. They make it possible to separate higher points in your yard from lower areas, ensuring that runoff won’t end up in the pool (or anywhere else undesirable). Constructing a retaining wall for a pool on a slope, which requires heavy machinery and extra materials, will add to the overall cost of your project.
Infinity edge pools on a sloped yard create the illusion of a never-ending stream of water—making them the perfect choice for hillsides. If your goal is to create that breathtaking “million-dollar view,” both of these approaches provide luxurious — yet practical — design solutions for pools built on a slope.
With their regal, staircase-like appearance, terraces lend an elegant touch to any vinyl or fiberglass swimming pool. For example, you may wish to incorporate a path with paving stones, a vined fence or trellis, ornamental grasses, or other unique features. Quite commonly, sloped-yard pools are enhanced by gorgeous features such as an elevated deck—perfect for a grilling station and chic patio furniture. One strategy is to use stone near your pool and wood closer to your home, providing a stylish setting for enjoying the great outdoors.
You may opt for a simple waterfall spilling from vertical stone tiles, or you may have to “build up” around the pool with a massive rock feature or multi-level water cascades. Tropical trees, large boulders, and groundcover plants are crucial to absorbing and redirecting running water and debris.
Don’t think of walls as a hindrance to your vision; rather, use them to your advantage to create a clean, crisp design that showcases your appreciation for architecture.
Techniques like grading, terracing, or constructing retaining walls can all be used to help install the inground pool of your dreams — even if you live on a steep hill. If you want to enjoy a safe and sturdy pool built into a hill, you’ll need to ensure that the water is level. To level a pool on a sloped yard, your builder will work to “even out” the high and low points of your property, creating a flat surface that provides a stable base for installation.
If your lawn is on an extreme slope, different strategies may be required, such as using retaining walls or even creating an infinity pool as discussed above. The techniques and equipment necessary to build an inground pool on a hill depend on the shape, size and incline of the construction area, along with the composition of your soil. Thanks to terracing, leveling, infinity-style designs and retaining walls, it is usually possible to build a fiberglass pool on a sloped yard.
As a result, the extra materials and equipment that are needed to construct a retaining wall or terrace will add to the cost of building a pool on a slope. You can choose between concrete, vinyl, or fiberglass, with a wide variety of pool shapes and liner styles providing further opportunities for customization.
