Acrylic Pool Design - Innovative Acrylics · An L-shaped three-side support acrylic pool wall or...

Acrylic Pool Design

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Innovative Acrylics • PO Box 76523 • Saint Petersburg, FL. 33734

Toll Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: 727-359-0236 • Fax: 727-362-6827

[email protected] • www.acrylicpools.com • www.innovativeacrylics.com

Innovative Acrylics designs, fabricates and installs a variety of acrylic

swimming pool windows and walls that offer spectacular views. While many

pool window fabricators are limited to single-sided-rectangular viewing

panels, we employ advanced manufacturing techniques to chemically bond

and thermoform acrylic, allowing us to create multi-sided viewing panels of

nearly any conceivable dimension. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to

create a statement piece for your indoor or outdoor pool or a professional

in search of a training aid, our acrylic transparencies offer unparalleled

performance and versatility.

Acrylic panels for swimming pools can be divided most simply into two unique categories, three-side and four-side

support.

Acrylic panel swimming pool wall

Three-side Support Acrylic Panel

Our Mission

Panel types

Three-Side Support Acrylic Panels for Swimming Pools

Rectangular Three-Side Pool Window

L-Shape Three-Side Pool Window

Convex Three-Side Pool Window

By far the most common and affordable acrylic pool window, the rectangular three-side

support window is great for infinity edge pools. These windows are the most common three-

side selection for freeboard pools as well.

An L-shaped three-side support acrylic pool wall or window provides 270 degrees of beauty.

With a top edge free of constraints and the ability to create complete transparency across

three sides of your pool, it’s one of the most stunning designs available.

Three-side support convex windows project outward on the dry side of your pool. This unique

shape requires specialized attention in the fabrication and installation process to ensure

integrity while giving you a design that is custom to your pool.

Three-side support panels are secured at the sill and the jambs, leaving the

top edge unconstrained and visibly exposed. Offering amazing versatility in

the design of your pool, they can be placed in an array of configurations, from

conventional rectangular swimming pool windows to complex L- and U-shaped

acrylic pool walls. They are often at their most breathtaking when used in an

infinity pool design.

“Three-side support” refers to pool windows that are constrained along three

sides. In this configuration, a cantilever-style rebate prevents translational

rotation.

The exposed top edge of three-side support panels allows for virtually unlimited

possibilities in the appearance of your pool, but they all come down to freeboard

and infinity pool edge styles.

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Four-side Support Acrylic Panel

Four-Side Support Acrylic Panels for Swimming Pools

Concave Three-Side Pool Window

U-Shape Three-Side Pool Window

Rectangular Vertical Four-Side Pool Window

Circle Vertical Pool Window

Three-side support concave windows protrude inward in a curved fashion. These panels make

for an elegant custom pool design.

Using two 90-degree angles, U-shaped three-side support acrylic pool panels provide

complete transparency on three sides of your pool. No top supports obstruct the 270-degree

view.

This is the most common and cost effective four-side support pool window, and ideal for

observation windows in competition pools or even as submerged interior viewports. Designers

often incorporate this style of transparency to accentuate a space while adding a unique

lighting effect.

For a unique viewing experience, a circle vertical acrylic pool window can be installed as a

pool porthole. These circular window panels are placed within an L-shaped rebate. This allows

for the rebate to take up the full perimeter of the panel for a seamless appearance in your

pool design.

Four-side support acrylic windows serve perfectly as underwater windows for

swimming pools. In addition to many other applications, these panels are often

used in competition pools, allowing guests to see into the swimming pool from a

variety of vantage points.

These panels are supported along all four edges. Two vertical jambs are used as

well as a bottom sill and a top header. They are most commonly installed into

an L-shaped rebate that integrates a compression-style baring face. In certain

applications, a C channel may be utilized at the sill and jambs.

The baring face support is typically as thick as the acrylic window panel. To ensure

uniform loading along the baring face, special attention must be given during the

installation procedure. At Innovative Acrylics, we have extensive experience in

the installation process and pay special attention to these nuances that make a

difference in the safety and durability of your pool design.

Four-side acrylic pool windows can be produced in massive lengths and widths

to give a seamless look to your pool. These monolithic panels can measure up to

300” in length and 115” in width as well as height. It is even possible to exceed

these dimensions by bonding acrylic or by using silicone joints in the construction

of your pool walls.

Our four-side pool windows have virtually no limitation to their configuration,

and we’ve provided details on some of the most popular designs available below.

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Circle Horizontal Pool Window

L-Shape Four-Side Pool Window

U-Shape Four-Side Pool Window

Convex Four-Side Pool Window

Concave Four-Side Pool Window

Like its rectangular counterpart, the circle pool floor window (a.k.a circle horizontal pool

window or porthole) is installed into an L-shape rebate that encompasses the full perimeter

of the panel, again utilizing a baring face support equal to the panel thickness.

For installations that require a more custom approach, L-shaped four-side support acrylic

pool windows can be used to create a one-of-a-kind appearance in your swimming pool

observation area. This pool corner window is typically used in commercial builds, as it is

extremely aesthetically pleasing.

For maximum underwater viewing, a U-shaped four-side support swimming pool window

can be selected. Often requested for commercial installations for its unique design presence,

these acrylic windows give three angles of observation for your guests to appreciate.

Our four-side support convex windows for swimming pools offer a unique spin on observation

areas. These window panels curve outward and require special attention in their craftsmanship.

The opposite of our convex panels, our concave windows for pools protrude inward for a

viewing panel with some personality. The four-side support option also allows these to be

used as distinctive underwater windows.




As we can see all three panels are of equal height.

However, based upon the industry standard design

criteria of L/400, the yellow panel would be able

to deflect twice that of the green panel. Thus, the

thickness of the yellow transparency could be

thinner than the green transparency. Based upon

this design criteria a panel could theoretically

deflect an in infinite amount.

3-Sided Cant. Detail 3-Sided Cant. Freeboard Detail 3-Sided Standard Detail

The following criteria are considered industry standard or above such and are observed in the design process.

Design Criteria

3-side support panels Deflection Standards

Most panel fabricators will design their 3-side support transparencies to an industry maximum deflection standard

of L/400. However, there is an issue to this standard, thus below we shall explore an alternative solution and

evaluate the issues with this standard.

The industry standard problem:

Our solution:

A more appropriate standard that Innovative

Acrylics observes is <= H/200 OR <=L/400

whichever is less. Thus, in this example the green

panel and blue panel are able to deflect the same

amount.

Standard cantilever embedment

depth.

Standard cantilever embedment

depth with reduced water depth.

The embedment depth is reduced

thus a thicker panel is required to

reduce deflection.

Example problem:= ∆ 0.25”

= ∆ 0.5”

= ∆ ∞

100”L

200”L

∞ L

x

x

x

40”H

40”H

40”H

Example solution:

= ∆ 0.20”

= ∆ 0.20”

100”L

∞ L

x

x

40”H

40”H




Design Criteria

4-side Support Panels Deflection Standard

Structural loading panels with 4 side supported edges: Initial predicted deflection <= 1/300 the length of the

shortest edge.

Reducing deflection beyond industry standards

Design Stress for 3 side and 4 side support panels

Design and Engineering Process

All AcrylicPool.com transparencies are designed to strict standards for deflection and stress criteria, thus reducing

deflection beyond these criteria is solely a cosmetic undertaking. There are several options to achieve this:

Increase the thickness of the transparency.

Reduce the panel size.

Reduce the water depth.

Increase rebate bearing face support.

The minimum tension and flexure design safety factor for panels shall be 11.2. Per ASME-PVHO-1

The minimum compression design safety factor for panels shall be 8. Per ASME-PVHO-1

With just a concept, the design and engineering process is

imperative to ensure the proper thickness transparency is

selected. Engineering is accomplished by first completing an

intake analysis to understand the specifics of a project. Next

the engineer will produce a computer-generated model of the

transparency. The engineer will then apply a simulated load in an

FEA program to accurately predict the intended application. After

all variables are accounted for the simulation is run and evaluated

for its accuracy. Finally production drawings are produced and

submitted for client approval and fabrication.

4-Sided Standard Deflection 4-Sided Standard Detail

Report showing predicted loading and deflections

This is a depiction of a 4 side support

panel stationary with no loading.




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Chamfer Edge Detail Bullnose Edge Detail Radius Edge Detail Custom Edge Detail

Incorporating stylish pool window edges allows for a finished look that also provides additional safety. Edge style options

are determined by the window panel selection as well as the application of your pool. Pools that incorporate three-side

support windows typically gravitate towards radius or bullnose edges, while a chamfered edge is the industry standard

for four-side support panels.

Innovative Acrylics provides pool windows with the following edge designs:

Edge Design

Chamfered Edge Bullnose Edge Radius Edge Custom Edge

Chamfered edges can be

integrated into all panel

types as it reduces load

forces. This edge can easily

be transported to your

pool site.

Upgrade to the bullnose

edge for a rounded top.

This finish is ideal for

partition walls in spa

pools to provide a smooth

transition between a dry

and wet surface.

As our standard window

edge, the radius finish

works well with freeboard

and infinity designs. This

edge style provides a

personal touch to your pool

as well as increased safety.

The edge dimensions

are typically 3/8” or ½”

with alternative radiuses

available.

We can create a custom

edge design for you. Come

to us with your design

ideas and we will develop

a personalized pool finish

for you.

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In this section we will briefly outline the process of how acrylic pool window and wall transparencies are created post

design phase.

Fabrication

Thermoforming

Annealing

Production of acrylic sheet

Dimensional rendering

Thermoforming

Annealing

Acrylic sheet (PMMA) is a thermoplastic, produced by reacting methyl methacrylate (MMA) with an initiator inside

of a highly polished mold. The initiator is added to start the polymerization reaction, but does not become part

of the resulting polymer. After the acrylic sheet has finished the process of bulk polymerization, the molds are

cooled and opened. The acrylic sheets are then annealed to remove residual stresses in the material that can cause

instabilities.

The finished acrylic sheets are then trimmed to the required size before further processing. This process is

performed utilizing specialized tooling in conjunction with water-cooling to prevent the introduction of stress

during machining.

If required thermoforming may be used to produce your acrylic pool window

transparency. This involves producing a unique male or female mold. The mold

and acrylic sheet are placed inside of a large oven that slowly heats and softens

the panel allowing it to take contour. This process must be preformed in a

very precise manor in order to avoid the introduction of stress. Inexperienced

fabricators will often shorten cycle times to save money, resulting in an inferior

product.

Acrylic is a poor conductor of heat; uneven heating followed by rapid cooling will

introduce high surface stress into the material. During machining attention must be

given to ensure excess heat is not generated. When applicable a processed known

as annealing is utilized to reduce or eliminate stress that may remain. Following

the dimensional rendering, bonding or the thermoforming process, acrylic will be

annealed. Annealing is the process of slowly heating the acrylic sheet to just below

the glass transition temperature, followed by cooling at a precise rate. If preformed

correctly the process will relieve the stress and prevent it from recurring. The cycle

temperature and time is dependent upon the cross section thickness of the acrylic

panel.

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2

3

4

Production Dimensional rendering

Thermoforming Annealing Bonding Polishing

1 2 3 4 5 6




Adhesive Batch Reactor

Waterproofing

Glazing

BondingFor large panels or ones with complex geometric shapes a process known as

bonding can be used. Most fabricators have not invested in scientific evaluation of

their bonding methods and use inferior commercially available acrylic adhesives.

All of our bonding technologies have been independently lab tested for tensile

and shear strength. Our proprietary bonding technology has a tensile strength

of over 9,000 PSI, which is far superior to commercially available products that

range from 2,000 PSI to 4,000 PSI. In addition to being stronger, our adhesive

is clearer, harder and more chemically resistant than commercial adhesives. As

a consumer, this gives you the peace of mind that our adhesive won’t cloud or

separate. As an added safety factor, we design and manufacture all of our bonded

transparencies to withstand more than 11.2 times their maximum load.

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Polishing

Polishing an acrylic pool window or wall

Rebate Waterproofing

Silicone Glazing

Panels that are designed as 3-side support transparencies or incorporate bonds will

require polishing. Polishing an acrylic transparency is a highly laborious process that

requires extreme attention to detail. The process starts with an aggressive abrasive

and proceeds with incremental steps until a 1-micron optical finish is achieved.

Inexperienced fabricators will often leave visible distortions that will reflect light

abnormally.

The concrete, stainless, or other rebate substrate first must be properly sealed

with a compatible product. Usually this is accomplished by applying a cementitious

waterproofing compound that when cured provides an impermeable membrane.

Selection and application is paramount, incompatible or poorly applied products

will cause separation that results in a leak.

Most hydro-transparency installers offer only one solution for waterproofing sealants.

At Innovative Acrylics we offer two solutions for glazing pool transparencies.

Our slow-setting glazing solution is considered the industry standard. However, the

limitation of this glazing option is the cure time prior to static water testing. Under

optimal conditions this glazing solution will require between 3 to 6 weeks.

The second solution is a rapid curing product requiring 24 hours to 48 hours in

optimal conditions. This product is more expensive, but is an ideal choice for

accelerated installation schedules.

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A successful pool window installation involves two processes. The concrete, stainless, or other rebate substrate first must

be properly sealed with a compatible product. Secondly, a flexible silicone seal must be used to glaze the acrylic pool

transparency to the rebate.

Installation




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Whatever the shape of your pool, we can design it, build it and install it.

Contact us today.

[email protected] • Toll Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: 727-359-0236

Acrylic Pool Design - Innovative Acrylics · An L-shaped three-side support acrylic pool wall or...

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